Transgender Survey preliminary result -- non-binaries

[Asche]

At the Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference, the people who did the transgender survey last September gave a very preliminary report.  Mostly they talked about what was involved in taking the survey and showed that the geographical distribution of responses matched the population distribution in the US.

One thing they did say was that something like 30% or so (I don't remember the exact number) of the respondents identified as non-binary.  I didn't think it was all that surprising, given the number of non-binary people at the conference itself.

My WAG. based on the crowds I saw at the conference, is that the transgender community is split more or less equally into trans-male, trans-female, and non-binary.  If it doesn't seem that way to people involved in transgender groups, it may say something about how current transgender groups work.  There also seems to be an age component: most of the NBs I've seen were under 30.  I also have the impression, from talking with a few, that they may feel marginalized within the transgender community.

[stephaniec]

the older folks didn't have options other the M or F

[Cindy]

Asche, You may be interested in this:


International Review of Psychiatry

Volume 28, Issue 1, 2016
Special Issue:   Gender Dysphoria and Gender Incongruence
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Non-binary or genderqueer genders

Review Article
Non-binary or genderqueer genders

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DOI:10.3109/09540261.2015.1106446
Christina Richardsab*, Walter Pierre Boumana, Leighton Sealb, Meg John Barkerc, Timo O. Niederd & Guy T'Sjoene
pages 95-102

Publishing models and article dates explained
Received: 29 Jun 2015
Accepted: 6 Oct 2015
Published online: 12 Jan 2016
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Abstract
Some people have a gender which is neither male nor female and may identify as both male and female at one time, as different genders at different times, as no gender at all, or dispute the very idea of only two genders. The umbrella terms for such genders are 'genderqueer' or 'non-binary' genders. Such gender identities outside of the binary of female and male are increasingly being recognized in legal, medical and psychological systems and diagnostic classifications in line with the emerging presence and advocacy of these groups of people. Population-based studies show a small percentage – but a sizable proportion in terms of raw numbers – of people who identify as non-binary. While such genders have been extant historically and globally, they remain marginalized, and as such – while not being disorders or pathological in themselves – people with such genders remain at risk of victimization and of minority or marginalization stress as a result of discrimination. This paper therefore reviews the limited literature on this field and considers ways in which (mental) health professionals may assist the people with genderqueer and non-binary gender identities and/or expressions they may see in their practice. Treatment options and associated risks are discussed.

[Devlyn]

the older folks didn't have options other the M or F

I think our generation hadn't learned to think outside the box. Today's world does.

Hugs, Devlyn

[Asche]

the older folks didn't have options other the M or F

There's also the question of non-binary identity vs. non-binary expression.

For instance, my identity is non-binary (specifically, agender), my expression is trans female.  Although I'm still exploring who I am and what has made me what I am, I know that the severe gender policing of my childhood and the intolerance of any form of not fitting in played a huge role in who I am.  E.g., I find masculinity triggering, which I suspect is less true for those ~40 years younger than me.

Another factor in my choice to express binary rather than non-binary is that I'm also tired of fighting.  I don't have all that many years left.  And I've never been a fighter -- maybe because I always lose.  If acting as if I identified as a woman means I can live a quiet life without constantly explaining myself to grocery store clerks, etc., it's worth it.  (Bonus points if I can use public toilets without having to "prove" my gender.)

My theory (for what theories are worth) is that, having grown up with a greater freedom of expression, younger people who aren't comfortable with either "box" may feel the freedom to live in between, bounce back and forth between boxes, go somewhere else entirely, or even be something else that old fossils like me can't imagine.  Well, at least it's less impossible for them.

For which I'm grateful.  (I sometimes imagine I'm like Moses -- permitted to see the Promised Land, but not permitted to enter.)

[cheryl reeves]

I never gave much thought to titles for they are always changing. When I first came out the only two terms were ->-bleeped-<- or transexual or drag queen and king,I am transexual but identified as ->-bleeped-<-,when I came out again 11yrs later the only other term was crossdresser but I did not fit that either. So I try to just be me without the worry.

[Kendall]

That amount would be significant yet not surprising to me. I think my first estimate before any national survey was ever cast was 10%, 10 years ago. And then it went to 20% five years ago. I don't quiet remember the number from last national survey, but it seems like 800 or so total respondents were non-binary. And then several more recent year survey and poll indicators showed 30%.

[JoanneB]

There's also the question of non-binary identity vs. non-binary expression.

This, for me, also ties into us old geezers not having a choice compounded by making compromises in your life to survive. The reality of my life, when you objectively look at it, is I fit into the sub-set of non-binary due to the choices I made, primarily not to live full time as female. While in many ways I'm in the "All in" camp, my life revolves around the "Male" existence I have established. If I absolutely needed to go full-time I would. Today I do not need to, just want to.

Alas, the world I built and the universe I am part of is not perfect. It is a lot different universe then it was some 40 years ago for me when the first experiment at fully transitioning was underway. For those coming of age today, their universe is totally different for them then the one I am in. It allows for being non-binary or about any sort of non-conformance. As a tad too late to be a fully fledged hippy chick, I'm not too sure how beneficial universal non-conformity is. Change is good. Chaos on the other hand.....