Non-Binary in Literature & Literary Theory

Non-Binary: Etymology/Term, Meanings and Concept

Etymology/Term: “Non-Binary” emerged in the late 20th century as a descriptor for gender identities that do not exclusively align with the conventional categories of male or female. The prefix “non-” negates the binary, emphasizing a departure from the traditional understanding of a two-gender system. The term is closely associated with the broader movement for gender inclusivity and recognition of identities beyond the binary spectrum.

Meanings and Concept:

• Gender Identity Beyond Binary:
  • Such individuals reject the notion that gender exists solely as a binary construct. They may identify with a gender outside the categories of male or female, embracing a spectrum of gender identities.
• Fluidity and Flexibility:
  • Such identities often encompass a sense of fluidity, allowing individuals to move between different gender expressions or to reject fixed gender labels altogether. This fluidity challenges societal expectations and norms.
• Personal Autonomy:
  • It is rooted in the affirmation of personal autonomy regarding gender. It recognizes that individuals have the agency to define and express their gender identities according to their own experiences and understanding.
• Genderqueer and Genderfluid Variations:
  • It is umbrella terminology that includes various identities such as genderqueer and genderfluid. Genderqueer emphasizes a non-normative gender identity, while genderfluid suggests a dynamic experience of gender over time.
• Diverse Experiences:
  • Such experiences are diverse and unique to each individual. Some may experience a constant gender identity outside the binary, while others may feel their gender identity shifting over time or depending on circumstances.
• Pronoun Preferences:
  • Such individuals may use pronouns such as they/them, ze/zir, or others that do not conform to the traditional gendered pronoun norms. Respecting and using the correct pronouns is a crucial aspect of affirming non-binary identities.
• Social and Legal Recognition:
  • Advocacy for legal recognition and social acceptance of non-binary identities is an ongoing effort. Many countries and institutions are adapting policies to acknowledge and accommodate diverse gender identities.

As a term and concept, it contributes to the broader discourse on gender inclusivity and challenges the restrictive nature of a binary understanding of gender. It promotes visibility, respect, and acceptance for individuals whose gender identities transcend traditional categorizations.

Non-Binary: Definition of a Theoretical Term

Non-binary is a gender identity that challenges and transcends the traditional binary understanding of gender as exclusively male or female. Individuals who identify as a rejection of societal norms that prescribe gender within this binary framework, asserting a diverse and expansive spectrum of gender expressions. This theoretical term encompasses a range of gender identities, emphasizing the autonomy and fluidity of one’s gender experience beyond conventional categorizations.

Non-Binary: Theorists, Works and Arguments

Theorists:

1. Judith Butler:
   • Work: “Gender Trouble” (1990)
   • Contribution: Butler’s performativity theory has been instrumental in understanding how gender is constructed and performed, providing a theoretical foundation for non-binary identities.
2. Kate Bornstein:
   • Work: “Gender Outlaw: On Men, Women, and the Rest of Us” (1994)
   • Contribution: Bornstein’s work challenges the binary concept of gender and explores non-binary and genderqueer identities.
3. Sandy Stone:
   • Work: “The Empire Strikes Back: A Posttranssexual Manifesto” (1987)
   • Contribution: Stone’s essay critically engages with gender norms and contributes to the theoretical understanding of gender variance, including non-binary identities.

Works:

1. “Genderqueer: Voices from Beyond the Sexual Binary” edited by Joan Nestle, Clare Howell, and Riki Wilchins (2002):
   • Contribution: This anthology collects personal narratives and essays that explore the experiences of individuals who identify outside the gender binary, contributing to the visibility and understanding of non-binary identities.
2. “Trans Bodies, Trans Selves” edited by Laura Erickson-Schroth (2014):
   • Contribution: While not exclusively focused on such identities, this comprehensive resource explores a spectrum of transgender experiences, including discussions on genderqueer and non-binary experiences.

Arguments and Concepts:

1. Deconstruction of Gender Binary:
   • Argument: The central argument in such discourse involves deconstructing the traditional binary understanding of gender as a restrictive and binary system, allowing for a more inclusive and expansive understanding of gender identities.
2. Autonomy and Self-Identification:
   • Argument: This discourse often emphasizes the autonomy of individuals to self-identify and define their gender experiences, challenging external norms and expectations.
3. Intersectionality and Non-Binary Identities:
   • Argument: The intersectional nature of such identities is recognized, acknowledging how race, ethnicity, class, and other factors intersect with and influence the experiences of non-binary individuals.
4. Legal Recognition and Activism:
   • Argument: Activists and scholars argue for legal recognition and protection of such identities, advocating for policies that acknowledge and respect diverse gender expressions.

Theoretical discussions around non-binary identities continue to evolve, shaped by ongoing activism, scholarship, and the lived experiences of individuals who identify outside the traditional gender binary.

Non-Binary: Major Characteristics

1. Rejection of Binary Norms:
   • Such individuals reject the societal norm that classifies gender exclusively as male or female. They challenge the binary framework, asserting the existence of a spectrum of gender identities.
   • Literary Reference: Gender Outlaw: On Men, Women, and the Rest of Us by Kate Bornstein explores the rejection of binary norms and the fluidity of gender identity.
2. Fluidity and Flexibility:
   • Such identities often involve a fluid and flexible experience of gender. Individuals may embrace a dynamic and changing sense of gender over time.
   • Literary Reference: Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg portrays the fluidity of gender experiences, challenging fixed notions of identity.
3. Autonomy in Self-Identification:
   • Such individuals emphasize personal autonomy in defining and identifying their gender. This characteristic underscores the importance of self-determination in expressing one’s gender identity.
   • Literary Reference: Nevada by Imogen Binnie explores the protagonist’s journey towards self-discovery and self-identification outside traditional gender categories.
4. Diverse Pronoun Usage:
   • Such individuals may use pronouns that do not conform to the traditional binary (they/them, ze/zir). Pronoun usage is a significant aspect of expressing one’s non-binary identity.
5. Intersectionality:
   • Such experiences are shaped by intersections with other aspects of identity such as race, ethnicity, and class. This intersectionality contributes to the diversity of non-binary narratives.
   • Literary Reference: “An Unkindness of Ghosts” by Rivers Solomon explores intersectionality, touching on non-binary gender identities within a sci-fi context.
6. Challenges to Gender Norms:
   • Non-binary individuals challenge and disrupt traditional gender norms, contributing to broader conversations about the limitations of a binary understanding of gender.
   • Literary Reference: “Middlesex” by Jeffrey Eugenides portrays a character with intersex variations, challenging norms and expectations related to gender.

These characteristics are represented in literature that engages with the complexities of non-binary identities, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of gender beyond the binary.

Non-Binary: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance to Non-Binary Identities	Example/Reference
Queer Theory	Examines non-binary identities as part of the broader queer spectrum. Challenges heteronormative and gender normative expectations.	Reference: Gender Outlaw: On Men, Women, and the Rest of Us by Kate Bornstein.
Postcolonial Theory	Considers the intersection of non-binary identities with cultural and colonial influences. Explores how gender identity is shaped by colonial histories.	Reference: Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi, which delves into non-binary identity within a postcolonial context.
Feminist Theory	Addresses the inclusivity of non-binary identities in discussions of gender. Examines how non-binary experiences challenge and enrich feminist discourse.	Reference: Nevada by Imogen Binnie, exploring a non-binary character’s feminist journey.
Disability Studies	Acknowledges the intersectionality of non-binary identities with disability. Explores the unique experiences of non-binary individuals with disabilities.	Reference: Care Work: Dreaming Disability Justice by Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha, examining disability and gender identity.
Psychoanalytic Theory	Engages with the psychosocial aspects of non-binary identity formation. Challenges normative psychoanalytic views on gender development.	Reference: Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg, providing a psychoanalytic perspective on gender fluidity.
Narrative Theory	Explores how non-binary identities shape and are shaped by narrative structures. Considers the impact of storytelling on non-binary representation.	Reference: An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon, examining narrative and non-binary intersectionality.
Critical Race Theory	Addresses the intersectionality of non-binary identities with race and ethnicity. Examines how race influences the experiences of non-binary individuals.	Reference: Black on Both Sides: A Racial History of Trans Identity by C. Riley Snorton, exploring race and non-binary identity.

Non-Binary: Application in Critiques

1. Gender Outlaw: On Men, Women, and the Rest of Us by Kate Bornstein:
   • Application: Bornstein’s work can be critiqued for its pioneering role in the exploration of non-binary identities within the context of queer theory. The critique might examine how the book contributes to dismantling binary norms but may also evaluate its limitations in representing the diversity of non-binary experiences.
2. Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi:
   • Application: In critiquing Emezi’s novel, the focus could be on the intersectionality of non-binary identities within postcolonial contexts. The critique might explore how the narrative challenges colonial gender norms but also address any potential pitfalls in the portrayal of non-binary experiences in diverse cultural settings.
3. Nevada by Imogen Binnie:
   • Application: Binnie’s work can be critiqued for its representation of such character within the realm of feminist theory. The critique might analyze how the novel contributes to discussions around gender inclusivity in feminist discourse while also examining any potential shortcomings in the portrayal of non-binary identity.
4. Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg:
   • Application: Feinberg’s classic can be critiqued for its exploration of identity through a psychoanalytic lens. The critique might assess how the novel challenges normative psychoanalytic views on gender while considering the broader impact of the narrative on readers’ perceptions of gender fluidity.

In each critique, the goal is to evaluate the representation and impact of non-binary identities within the context of the specific literary work, considering the contributions and potential limitations of the authors in portraying the complexities of non-binary experiences.

Non-Binary: Relevant Terms

Term	Definition
Genderqueer	Umbrella term for gender identities outside the binary.
Genderfluid	Describing a gender identity that may change over time.
Agender	Identifying with no gender or as gender-neutral.
Bigender	Identifying with two distinct genders.
Androgynous	Having a gender expression that is a mix of both genders.
Two-Spirit	A term used by some Indigenous cultures for non-binary identities.
Demiboy/Demigirl	Identifying partially, but not wholly, with a gender.
Neutrois	A gender identity characterized by a neutral or null gender.
Genderqueer	Rejecting traditional gender categories or norms.
Fluidflux	Experiencing fluidity and flux in gender identity.

Non-Binary: Suggested Readings

1. Bornstein, Kate. Gender Outlaw: On Men, Women, and the Rest of Us. Vintage, 1994.
2. Emezi, Akwaeke. Freshwater. Grove Press, 2018.
3. Feinberg, Leslie. Stone Butch Blues. Alyson Books, 1993.
4. Piepzna-Samarasinha, Leah Lakshmi. Care Work: Dreaming Disability Justice. Arsenal Pulp Press, 2018.
5. Solomon, Rivers. An Unkindness of Ghosts. Akashic Books, 2017.
6. Snorton, C. Riley. Black on Both Sides: A Racial History of Trans Identity. University of Minnesota Press, 2017.
7. Binnie, Imogen. Nevada. Topside Press, 2013.
8. The Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism, edited by Shannon Des Roches Wright et al., Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2011.
9. Yergeau, Melanie. Authoring Autism: On Rhetoric and Neurological Queerness. Duke University Press, 2018.