Nonbinary

Disclaimer: People can experience identities in different ways. As such, people can identify with a label without exactly matching the definition because identities are fluid.

Nonbinary (also spelled non-binary, often shortened to "enby") is a term used by people who fall outside of the gender binary, meaning they are not strictly male or female. Nonbinary only refers to a person's gender, so nonbinary people can be any sexuality or romantic orientation. Nonbinary people can use any pronouns they like or no pronouns, since pronouns don't equate gender. Nonbinary people can present in any way they like; they do not have to present in an androgynous way to be nonbinary. Nonbinary is also an umbrella term for gender identities that fall outside of the gender binary. (see more in the Related Identities section).

Some nonbinary people also identify as transgender, genderqueer, and/or another label, while others only use nonbinary to describe their gender. As such, some nonbinary people feel in between male and female, some feel gender-neutral, some identify with multiple genders, some have a gender identity that varies over time, and some identify as a third gender (which can be culturally-specific or not).

The following quote is from Rooster (they/them), a behavioral health technician who is nonbinary:

“Labels are so annoying. Humans are not binary things. Height, weight, skin tone, hair color, they're all on a spectrum that is held down by language into binary concepts. I understand why social contracts are so important, but do they have to be so difficult? Why do I have to label every single part of me to be understood? I use pronouns and preferences to garner respect, but it's just another thing, like red hair or brown eyes.”

The nonbinary pride flag was created by Kye Rowan in 2014 in response people wanting a nonbinary flag separate from the genderqueer flag. It is meant to go alongside the genderqueer flag, not replace it.

Each color of the nonbinary flag has its own meaning. Kye Rowan says they represent:

• Yellow: "those whose gender exists outside of and without reference to the binary as yellow is often used to distinguish something as its own"
• White: "those who have many or all genders, as white is the photological presence of color and/or light"
• Purple: "those who feel their gender is between or a mix of female and male as purple is the mix of traditional boy and girl colors", "the fluidity and uniqueness of nonbinary people"
• Black: "those who feel they are without gender, as black is the photological absence of color and/or light"

• The Nonbinary Wiki provides information about nonbinary gender identities, including definitions, history, alternative flags, and notable people.
• PFLAG's "Nonbinary Resources" provides links to articles, books, blogs, and more that are related to being nonbinary, understanding nonbinary people, and respecting them.

Sources:

• The Nonbinary Wiki's "Nonbinary" page
• The Gender Fandom Wiki's "Non-binary" page

Images:

• "Non-Binary pride flag" by Amousey, licensed under CC0 1.0