In this FAQ, we covers some basic questions you might have about what it means to be non-binary, the purpose of and back-end logistics of MyGenderisX.com, enby intersectionality, what to do if you think you’re non-binary, and more.
If you’re looking for more information about the MyGenderIsX submission process, please visit the Submission FAQ.
Content summary: this FAQ contains brief mentions of self-harm, gender alignment surgery and hormone therapy.
What is MyGenderisx.com?
We are a volunteer-run website and community ready to move beyond the basics of educating the masses about what it means to be non-binary. Instead, we focus on celebrating and raising up the beautiful diversity of experiences and identities of non-binary persons, as expressed by the non-binary persons themselves.
We also want to make it easier to find non-binary writers and artists. In addition to featuring artists on our blog, we sell works by non-binary persons in our online store as a way of promoting these artists while funding the administrative needs of running the website.
What is the Purpose of Mygenderisx.com?
It can be hard to ‘find yourself’ or others like you when your specific experiences aren’t easily found on the internet. This is especially true within the non-binary community because of the wide variety of preferences, identities, and experiences that fall under that umbrella. By providing a platform where this diversity is promoted and celebrated, we hope to make it easier for non-binary persons to feel at home in their own experiences so that they can start to celebrate themselves.
We also seek to create a space in which complex questions, conversations, and debates can safely be explored by members of the non-binary community. Click here to read more about our safer space policy.
What type of content gets published on mygenderisx.com?
All content on MyGenderIsX.com is written for and by non-binary persons and must incorporate some element of the non-binary experiences.
Content can address personal experiences, express opinions, discuss politics which impact enbys, feature cool art or swag, or challenge the non-binary community at large. Fictional works should feature primary enby characters in an explicit way. Poetic works may require an artist statement which details how the poem is expressive of the non-binary experience.
Click here to read our anti-discrimination, anti-facism, and other policies.
Who determines what gets published on mygenderisx.com?
A volunteer team of editors reviews submissions for the website, anthologies, and the store. The editors represent a variety of non-binary identities, pronouns, and life experiences. Click here to read more about our commitment to minority perspectives, anti-censorship, and other policies.
We are always seeking new additions to our editorial team so as to better represent a wider range of experiences, identities, nationalities, races, and creeds. If you are interested in volunteering as an editor, please Contact Us.
Why are there content summaries at the beginning of some mygenderisx.com articles?
We believe that readers can and should make their own informed decisions about the types of content they want to consume. We also honor that some readers may prefer to avoid certain topics for a variety of reasons. As such, on some pieces of content we provide a brief list of topics addressed within an article at the beginning of the article.
How do I submit my work to Mygenderisx.com?
We’re excited that you want to submit your work to us! To start with, please read the Submission FAQ. It details what to expect from the submission process and our general guidelines for content submissions. Once you’ve done that, please submit your work via the Submission Page.
How do I get my art or item featured in the Mygenderisx.com store?
Please use the Submission Page to begin the process of getting your item added to our store.
who profits from the mygenderisx.com store?
Profits from the MyGenderIsX.com store are divided between the artist and the website. In some cases, profits may also go towards a non-profit or other cause-focused organization per the request of the artist. Profits retained by the website go towards the administrative costs of hosting and maintaining the website. No profits go towards individual editors or other MyGenderIsX.com volunteers.
Why are transgender experiences excluded from Mygenderisx.com?
We do not exclude all transgender experiences and perspectives from MyGenderIsX.com. For example, we happily include and celebrate works by non-binary trans persons and non-binary persons who feel that the term transgender is expressive of their gender experience.
However, we do exclude binary transgender experiences from MyGenderIsX.com. We feel is it most respectful to binary transpersons to exclude them from the non-binary umbrella because transwomen are women and transmen are men, full stop. It is disrespectful to binary transpersons to treat them as a “third gender” or “other” gender when they are binary male or female. Because we wish to respect the binary identities of these persons, they are not included in our definition of non-binary.
Both non-binary and trans persons may choose to undergo procedures which modify their body so that it is in better alignment to their gender experience and aesthetic preferences. A binary trans person who has not modified their body or who has not modified their gender expression (such as hair, make-up, clothing, name, etc) but who still feels either exclusively binary male or female is not a non-binary person. Procedures do not determine one’s gender.
WHAT IS “NON-BINARY?”
A non-binary person is anyone who does not align to the binary gender system of “male” and “female.” This includes agender/non-gender, third gender/tri-gender, two-gender/bi-gender, genderqueer, genderfluid, pangender, demigender, demiflex, or other non-binary persons (yes, there are a lot of genders and many are still being defined!). It does not include binary transgender individuals who are male or female. Some intersex persons self-identify as non-binary.
Non-binary is a gender identity. Although sometimes related, it does not determine sexual orientation or sexual identity. It is not a style of dress, the way someone’s hair is cut, or a costume. A non-binary person may or may not ‘look’ non-binary depending on how they choose to express or present themselves.
What is “Enby?”
The term non-binary is often abbreviated in writing as “enby” (pronounced: en-bee). It is written as such to distinguish it from NB, an abbreviation which stands for “non-black.”
What are pronouns?
A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun or proper noun. For example, you might say “she” when talking about a female person (example: I was talking to Jan and she said to say hello to you!).
“They/them/theirs” is a common pronoun set used by non-binary individuals (this is called the singular they and has been around since the 14th century). Other non-binary pronouns include it, ce, sie, ze, ve, per, or ey - to name a few! Non-binary persons may use a variety of pronouns, have no pronoun preference (“all of the above”), or may use different pronouns within different social contexts, such as when at work or with family.
Why are pronouns important?
It’s important to use the pronouns preferred by the individual you are talking to or about. Asking and respecting someone’s pronouns (even if it takes practice and you mess up sometimes!) is on the most basic ways to show that you respect a person and their identity. Using the right pronouns has been shown to decrease depression, feelings of alienation, and even self-harm, especially for non-binary and trans individuals.
It is not up to you to decide what someone else’s pronouns are. Always ask what pronouns someone prefers, even in cases where it might seem ‘obvious’ based on how they express themselves.
How many types of non-binary identities / Labels are there?
There are lots of types of non-binary labels and identities! Some persons prefer to have very specific language that describes their identity; other persons prefer general terms, such as just using non-binary. There are new labels emerging and converging all of the time as persons create and choose the right language to describe their specific gender experiences and identities.
Our breakdown of various gender identity flags is a great introduction to a wide variety of non-binary identities. Check it out!
What does intersectionality look like within the enby community?
Being non-binary is just one part of an individual’s identity. It is important to respect all parts of one’s identity and to recognize that other aspects of their identity, such as race, religion, nationality, sexuality, or lifestyle choices might be more important to them than their non-binary gender.
Some experiences, such as what it is like to be a racial minority and also non-binary, may be vastly different than one’s own experience, or the experiences of other non-binary persons. All non-binary experiences are valid and it’s important to listen with open ears to the experiences of others who are different from ourselves.
MyGenderIsX.com works hard to seek out intersectional non-binary experiences so as to amplify them to the enby community at large. It is vital to the health of non-binary persons everywhere to remain vigilant in recognizing and raising up minority experiences within our community.
How do I know if I’m non-binary?
Only you can decide if the non-binary label is the best description of your gender experience. If you are unsure if you are non-binary, we encourage you to read a wide variety of experiences by non-binary persons and diligently research the many labels out there for sub-categories of non-binary experiences. See if you recognize yourself in these descriptions and stories - but ultimately, only you can decide if you are enby!
What should I do if I think I might be non-binary?
It is important that you find a safe space where you can ask questions and explore your gender identity. Surround yourself with supportive friends, colleagues, family members, doctors, and therapists. We encourage you to create art, to write, and to find creative ways of exploring your gender identity.
Remember, what’s most important is that you be who you are! You may find that you want to undergo surgery or start hormone therapy so as to better align with you gender identity, but you may not. You may think that one label fits you, and then later find that another one fits you better. You may cut your hair or buy new clothes as a way of expressing your gender, but you might also be happy with how you look. There is no one right way to be non-binary!