"Being Queer Is Beautiful" — An interview on non-binary awareness

International Non-Binary People’s Day is observed each year on 14 July and is aimed at raising awareness and organising around the issues faced by non-binary people around the world. The day was first celebrated in 2012. The date was chosen for being precisely between International Men’s Day and International Women’s Day.

What is "non-binary"?

The term non-binary (NB) and the non-binary identity is one of the LGBTQ+ topics which is possibly known or understood the least by members outside of the community. This is surprising when you look back at history: non-binary and gender nonconforming identities have existed for thousands of years, with the “third gender” existing in early century Hindu texts and religions, and being revered in Southeast Asia from the 15th century onwards.

To this day, it is estimated that approximately 3m third-gender people live in India (as of 2014). Many indigenous communities have also recognised “two-spirit” identities throughout their history, an umbrella term for four different gender identities (feminine female, masculine female, feminine male, masculine male), along with separate transgender and gender-fluid terminology as well.

When it comes to Western society, however, many people don’t understand the community, and most countries within this sphere don’t recognise third-gender identities on official documentation. This, along with the increase in hate crimes towards non-binary and gender nonconforming people in recent years, exposes the importance of developing societies’ understanding of the community, and what allyship means in context.

As part of Non-Binary Awareness Day, I interviewed a good friend of mine, El, on their experiences of identifying as non-binary in the UK in 2022, to bring light to their experiences and the issues faced today.

Thank you so much for sharing your experiences today. To start, could you introduce yourself?

My name is El, my pronouns are they/them and I study Linguistics at the University of Sussex. I am also a full-time rabbit parent.

For those who may not know, what does the term “non-binary” mean?

Non-binary means outside of the gender binary, not entirely male or female. People will identify differently underneath this term. Some will feel they fit one gender more than the other, some will feel they fit both simultaneously, and some will feel they fit neither at all. It is an umbrella term. There is a rejection of the gender binary and prescribed gender inherent within non-binary identity.

What does being non-binary mean to you personally?

To me, non-binary works because it is non-committal. It means I am free to play with gender and my presentation of it. My true form is much more masc and laid back — but for me, although born a woman, I just never really felt like one. It really is as simple as that. Like say if women are daisies, I feel like a dandelion.

What was your experience of coming out as non-binary?

I was lucky that my friends in Brighton were very encouraging with my coming out. My partner is both encouraging and accepting, but that hasn’t been the response all round — even my queer friends back in Leicester don’t understand it and just ignore it. Going to university in Brighton you get used to a lovely little queer bubble; there, I just said my pronouns are they/them and nothing more was ever said about it.

As an out non-binary person, how would you describe your day-to-day experience?

I would say my day-to-day experience as a non-binary person is being constantly misgendered but looking iconic whilst doing so.

What does non-binary representation look like right now?

Non-binary representation is definitely almost non-existent. I did watch a lovely cartoon recently called Owl House, on Disney+, which had a non-binary character, which was awesome to see. I know of a few non-binary celebrities as well, though a lot of what I see about them is people complaining on Facebook.

Why is non-binary representation important to you?

It would be pretty cool to see some non-binary representation — if I had had it growing up, it would have greatly affected my life and happiness. It’s important for younger generations, who seem to be way more up to date on this than my generation was; I didn’t even know what non-binary was until I was around 17.

What can allies do to support non-binary and gender nonconforming people?

Allies can empathise, educate themselves and educate others. Correct your grandparents. Fight for your friends. It is one thing to accept someone is non-binary, but it’s another thing to build that into your perception of them.

In your own experience, what are the main issues for the community right now?

The main issue is ignorant people refusing to accept non-binary identities, and thinking they know more about the person in question than the person themselves. It’s incredibly rude and horrible to experience.

Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me today, El. Before we finish, what is one thing you would like cisgender people to know and take away from this piece?

I would like the cis community to just lighten up a little bit. Who cares if the person opposite you is non-binary? They look cool and they’re living their best life. Be happy for us that we are being brave enough to be our true selves. Being queer is beautiful. I think cis people just need some open and honest insight into what non-binary identity is, leaving preconceptions and judgement at the door — from that will come acceptance and love.

Learn more

If you would like to understand more about the non-binary community and find out what you can do to help, below are some resources on how to be an ally, gender diverse research and support groups for trans and gender non-conforming people.

Resources:

• https://publicallies.org/5-ways-to-support-your-non-binary-friends/
• https://www.tht.org.uk/hiv-and-sexual-health/sexual-health/trans-people/resources#:~:text=Mindline%20trans%20%2B%20%E2%80%93%20Emotional%20and%20mental,Ring%200300%20330%205468.
• https://www.gires.org.uk/

Building a more inclusive life sciences workforce

Awareness is a starting point, but inclusive hiring practice is what turns it into change. Through The IN Group's five communities, BioTalent connects life sciences organisations with underrepresented and specialist talent that traditional hiring channels often miss. To discuss how community-led hiring can strengthen your workforce, contact the BioTalent team.