A non-binary person is someone who doesn’t adhere to binary gender categories such as ‘man’ and ‘woman’, and whose gender identity does not fall within this binary. 

Non-binary is an umbrella term for a range of gender identities that aren’t ‘man’ or ‘woman’. There are different terms for people whose gender identities fall outside of the binary, some of which are: genderqueer, gender non-conforming, agender, genderfluid, and genderqueer. All of these gender identities fall under the non-binary umbrella, although there are slight differences between them. Some non-binary people also identify as transgender, and some don’t. To make things a little easier, we’ve gathered these terms in the image below: 

As you can see, ‘transgender’ is the umbrella concept for people whose gender identity differs from the gender they were assigned at birth. Non-binary is a subcategory of this umbrella, as shown in the image. Please note that not all people who identify as non-binary also identify as transgender - which is why the umbrella only fits under the transgender umbrella halfway. It’s completely possible to identify as more than one of the terms shown in the image. For example, you can be trans, non-binary, pangender and genderfluid all at the same time. If you want to read more about the Trans Umbrella, click here. 

A common misconception about non-binary gender expression is that it means the person identifies exactly in between ‘man’ and ‘woman’. While some people might identify that way, there are also many people who don’t. It can mean you fall on the spectrum anywhere between ‘man’ and ‘woman’, or that you fall outside of this binary altogether.

 


How many people are non-binary?

European research (1) has shown that 23% of trans people identify as non-binary, 9% as genderqueer, 11% as genderfluid, 7% as agender and 1% as polygender. Whether these numbers are accurate can be debated, as the number of people who are not publicly open about their identity is unknown. These figures are estimates and may change over time.

The number of people who identify as non-binary has increased in recent years, possibly due to broader awareness of gender diversity. There are also people in the public eye who identify as non-binary, such as Sam Smith, Miley Cyrus, Janelle Monáe and Bella Ramsey.

Pronouns

People who identify as non-binary can feel more comfortable with pronouns other than ‘she/her’ or ‘he/him’. Common pronouns for non-binary people are they/them, other alternatives are ‘ze/hir’ or ‘xe/xem’. It’s also possible to prefer multiple different pronouns at once. For example, this means you could feel comfortable both with ‘she/her’ pronouns and ‘they/them’ pronouns. Whichever pronouns you prefer, take your time discovering which fit you best. Once you’re ready you could ask people to refer to you with your preferred pronouns. It’s also polite to ask someone’s pronouns when you’re meeting them for the first time. Using the wrong pronouns for someone means you are misgendering them, which can be embarrassing and hurtful for them. If you accidentally misgender someone, correct yourself and continue the conversation. This shows you’re putting effort into using gender inclusive language! 


Nonbinary vs. sexuality

A common misconception is that gender identity and sexual orientation are the same. They refer to different aspects of identity. Non-binary is a gender identity and is not related to sexual orientation. Sexual orientation refers to the gender(s) a person may be romantically or sexually attracted to. Non-binary individuals can have any sexual orientation, just like cisgender people (cisgender means identifying with the gender you were assigned at birth).

Recognizing the distinction between gender identity and sexuality fosters inclusivity and understanding, allowing us to celebrate the diverse ways people experience their gender and attraction. Love knows no boundaries, transcending gender and orientation, and should be honored in all its forms.

Gender identity vs. gender expression

When talking about gender, it’s useful to distinguish between gender identity and gender expression:

  • Gender expression refers to how someone presents themselves outwardly, for example through clothing, hairstyle, makeup, or mannerisms.

  • Gender identity refers to a person’s internal sense of gender, which may be male, female, neither, both, or another identity, and may change over time.

A common misconception is that gender expression directly reflects gender identity. These are not necessarily linked. For example, someone who presents in a masculine way may identify as a woman, or vice versa. Because gender identity cannot be determined by appearance alone, asking for pronouns can help avoid assumptions.


Gender Dysphoria or transition is not a requirement for being non binary

There are many ways non-binary people may explore or express their gender. Some people choose social, personal, or physical forms of expression, while others do not. None of these choices are required in order to identify as non-binary.

It is also possible to feel comfortable with one’s body while still identifying outside the gender binary. Experiences of non-binary individuals vary widely and do not always align with commonly portrayed narratives about being transgender.

Some non-binary people report feeling uncertain about how their identity is perceived, particularly when their experiences do not match widely recognized expectations. This can sometimes create pressure to explain or justify their identity. There is no single way to be non-binary, and no specific appearance, experience, or path is required.