Invisible identities

Non-binary people often get treated just as badly as trans people, and sometimes worse, because of how society, culture and politics see gender.

Many people still don’t really understand what non-binary means. Some only know a little about trans people who are clearly male or female, like trans men and trans women. Non-binary identities don’t fit into the usual ideas about gender. People often think non-binary people are just confused or looking for attention. Because non-binary people don’t always look or act in obvious ways, others often don’t accept their identity.

Non-binary people challenge the gender binary itself, which can be threatening to inflexible old school systems. Many institutions, including legal systems, healthcare, and education, work only within male and female genders. The more someone deviates away from these norms, the more likely they are to face stigma or violence.

Non-binary people are part of the broader trans umbrella, which means they often experience the same kinds of issues as binary trans people. People who are seen as not conforming to the gender they were assigned at birth often become targets of transphobia, regardless of how they personally identify. Many anti-trans laws and policies lump all gender diverse people together, yet non-binary individuals are frequently left out of the conversation while still affected by the outcomes.

Lately, more non-binary people have come out and shared their identities, which has helped raise awareness, but it’s also led to some pushback. Many non-binary people face harsh criticism or are told their identity isn’t real, especially online. Even within the LGBTQIA+ community, non-binary people can sometimes feel left out or dismissed because others don’t fully understand what being non-binary means.

Many places don’t officially accept non-binary genders, which causes extra problems and means they have fewer legal protections. Non-binary people often can’t get IDs or passports that match their gender. Doctors and medical staff often aren’t trained to treat non-binary patients with respect or understanding.

Non-binary people often face the same discrimination as trans people because both challenge traditional ideas about gender. Non-binary people can face extra judgment because their identities don’t fit into the male and female model that most of society, especially anti-trans systems, still sees as the only option. Society likes to tell us how to act based on gender. Things like how to walk, what to wear, who to love, or what feelings are okay. But there’s no right or wrong way to be your gender. People forget they’re allowed to just be themselves and live in a way that feels right for them.