Being Non-Binary in a Binary World

Table of Contents

What does it mean to be non-binary?

“I am nonbinary.”

Mom and Dad both sat there speechless for a few seconds. 


“Get out of this house.”

I didn’t even know it was possible for Dad to look at me the way he had, it was ... Terrifying. 

Non-binary is an umbrella term encompassing gender identification that does not strictly aligned with the sex assigned at birth. Non-binary people often experience gender differently from the societal expectation. This incongruence sometimes leads to discomfort and distress, known as gender dysphoria.

The lack of public understanding on non-binary gender is a common source of gender dysphoria. Non-binary people are often viewed as sexually deviant or mentally disordered by others who does not have proper knowledge of their situation 

Graph showing that one in five U.S. adults know someone who is nonbinary. This amount decreases with ages greater than 29.

However, only 18% of U.S. adults have heard of gender-neutral pronouns (such as they/them) and knows someone who prefers using them. Yet, 39% of U.S. adults have heard nothing at all about the use of such pronouns (Pew).

Image/infographic source: Pew

“Being gay and being nonbinary are two different things!”  I should know; I spent enough time having to tell myself that. 

Project 1 Data: Gender Identity

None of the interviewees in Project 1 interviews identified as non-binary. There was 1 out of the 28 interviewees who identified as transgender. This interviewee, A14, in regards to the community's treatment of LGBTQ+ people, said,

"Even though I am technically a minority (LGBT), but people are generally pretty supportive here." - A14

However, we can examine the relationship between gender identity and belonging at CMU.

For some, gender identity plays a big role in belonging. 4 of the interviewees mentioned gender when discussing what belonging at CMU means to them.

A03 is involved in two clubs catered towards women and considers being a woman is one of her primary identities.

A21 is in an all-girls dorm and feels as if it's more inclusive because "we get each other."

Thus, students feel a sense of belonging within their groups that share their own gender identity. However, in groups outside their own gender identity, they can feel a sense of isolation.

"Whenever I'm a woman in an all-male group (group project), they don't listen to me" - A21