Not male or female: Who is student activist Neha Bora, and what does it mean to be non-binary?

Neha Bora, a student activist, has become a leading name in youth movements throughout India, gaining fame not just for her activism, but also for her identity. Various international media sources, including The Independent, have recognised Bora as a non-binary activist who prefers to use they/them pronouns.

However, for those readers who are unfamiliar with the terminology, it begs the question: What does non-binary refer to? How does it differ from being transgender? What is the reason for the use of plural-sounding pronouns in singular usage?

What is non-binary identity?

A person who has a non-binary identity is someone whose gender identity does not conform to the conventional binary gender. For decades, the society has classified the human beings into two boxes based on their biology and social norms, while non-binary people define their gender outside of this binary notion.

Why does Neha Bora prefer using they/them pronouns?

While they/them are technically plural pronouns, they are being more and more used as gender-neutral pronouns by the people who do not identify themselves as male or female.

Personal choice: The LGBTQ+ media advocacy organisation called GLAAD shows that some non-binary individuals prefer to be referred to by using the pronouns they/them, but not everyone does.

Diverse preferences: Some non-binary individuals choose to use either she/her and he/him or neopronouns, based on what suits their personality.

Respecting the identity: So, in the case of Bora, international accounts use they/them pronouns wherever it is necessary because it is part of Bora's identity.

Is non-binary similar to transgender?

Not exactly, although there is quite a big overlap in the two communities.

Transgender term: The term Transgender is used to refer to the people whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.

Making the distinction: In GLAAD's view, some non-binary individuals see themselves as part of the Transgender community because their gender identity does not correspond to their assignment at birth. It is important to keep it in mind that not all non-binary individuals identify themselves with the Trans community.

Practical example: A person categorised as male at birth who chooses to live in another gender role is known as transgender woman. On the contrary, an individual without any gender is not transitioned to live in the binary opposite gender, rather chooses to be free from being subjected into any gender categories.

Has the nonbinary adoption started recently?

Although the vocabulary publicly known and used concerning non-binary identities evolved so quickly in our historical timeline, persons who did not belong to classical gender stereotypes have existed in society since ancient periods.

What is new is rather the usage of language and visibility of non-binary people. The terminology gives people understanding and serves as a proper representation of things that have passed unnoticed in past centuries.

Can one determine a non-binary person by looking at him/her?

No. Non-binary identity belongs to internal perception of personality, which is not related to physical features of an individual.

As noted by the National Centre for Transgender Equality, it is impossible to determine someone's gender identity simply by looking at their appearance. Non-binary people wear all types of clothing, express themselves in varied ways, and defy visual stereotypes. Consequently, the most respectful approach is simply to listen when people state their identity and use the pronouns they request.

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