THE SOCIETY FOR THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER DIVERSITY
NONBINARY FACT SHEET
EM MATSUNO, PHD, ARIELLE WEBB, MS, HALLEH HASHTPARI, MS, STEPHANIE BUDGE, PHD,
MIRA KRISHNAN, PHD, KIMBERLY BASAM, PHD
This fact sheet provides basic information for psychologists, she/her/hers, he/him/his, alternate between sets of pronouns
psychology students, and others who are interested in (e.g., he/him some days and she/her other days), use multiple
understanding nonbinary gender identities. The authors are all sets of pronouns (e.g., she/her and they/them) or don’t use
psychologists and psychology graduate students with diverse pronouns at all (referred to by name only). It is important to
gender (nonbinary, trans, and cisgender), sexual, and racial/ recognize that a person’s pronouns cannot be assumed from
ethnic identities. We recognize that the language and information their appearance or their gender identity. For more information
presented here are rapidly evolving and may vary based on about pronouns, please refer to the Division 44 Pronoun
individual, social, and cultural factors. Factsheet.
What does nonbinary mean? Nonbinary mental health
The term nonbinary is used both as an umbrella term and a Emerging research indicates that nonbinary populations have
gender identity label to refer to people whose gender does not mental health risks similar or potentially greater than trans men
fall within the binary categories of man and woman. It is and trans women, who experience disproportionate mental
important to acknowledge that being nonbinary is not a new health concerns compared to the cisgender population. The U.S.
phenomenon as nonbinary people have been recognized transgender survey found that 39% of nonbinary participants had
throughout history in many cultures. There are several di erent attempted suicide in their lifetime and 49% reported
identity labels and experiences that fall under the nonbinary experiencing serious psychological distress. Another study found
umbrella. For example, some people experience an absence of nonbinary people experienced higher rates of anxiety,
gender (e.g., agender, genderless), others experience a depression, and eating concerns compared to trans men, trans
presence of multiple genders (e.g., bigender, pangender), women, and cisgender sexual minorities (Lefevor et al., 2019).
others uctuate between di erent genders (e.g., gender uid, These risks may be explained by nonbinary people reporting high
gender ux), or identify with third gender in-between or outside
the gender binary (e.g., genderqueer, neutrois), and some partly
identify with being a man or woman (e.g., demiboy, demigirl).
Terms such as gender creative or gender expansive have been KEY TERMS
SAAB and AFAB/AMAB: Sex assigned at birth and assigned female/
used to describe nonbinary or nonconforming children and
male at birth. Terms like “born female”, “natal male”, or “female-bodied”
adolescents. Some nonbinary people also identify as
are less accurate & may be considered microaggressions.
transgender or trans (referring to their assigned sex di ering
Deadnaming: Using a person’s name given to them at birth when they
from their gender identity) or as cisgender (referring to their
use a different name.
assigned sex being similar to their gender identity) whereas
Enby (Enbies): a gender identity term used by some nonbinary
others do not identify with either. However, nonbinary people are
individuals that is derived from the phonetic pronunciation of the short-
often conceptualized as a subpopulation within the greater trans
hand for nonbinary, NB. Is used as a noun (e.g., I’m not a man or a
umbrella and make up approximately one third of the trans
woman, I’m an enby).
population.
Gender Dysphoria: Gender dysphoria can refer to the clinical
Who are nonbinary people? diagnosis in the DSM-5 or can be used to describe the feeling of
In the largest survey of trans adults conducted in the U.S. in 2015 distress associated with the incongruence between one’s gender and
(N = 27,715), 35% reported their gender was best described as sex assigned at birth. Gender dysphoria can be related to one’s body or
nonbinary or genderqueer. Given the current estimate of the trans to how one’s gender is perceived socially.
population size in the U.S., it is estimated that at least 470,000 Gender Euphoria: A feeling of comfort or joy when one feels their
adults in the U.S. identify as nonbinary. Nonbinary people are gender is af rmed or congruent.
diverse in terms of their gender expression, race/ethnicity, age, Gender Nonconforming: A term used to describe people who do not
size, sex assigned at birth and other demographic factors. conform with the prescribed social expectations associated with a
person’s sex assigned at birth and typically refers to gender expression.
Experiences of nonbinary people This term can reference cisgender, transgender, and nonbinary
Nonbinary people experience unique forms of stigma compared individuals. Given that the term is often used in many different ways and
to other LGBTQ+ people. Many nonbinary people experience can have the connotation of “non-normative” it is used less frequently.
distress from hearing others claim that nonbinary people do not Misgendering: Using gendered language or pronouns that are
exist, that being nonbinary is a form of mental illness, that inaccurate.
nonbinary people are seeking attention, or other forms of Non-Western Gender Diversity Terms: Latinx/Latine (gender-neutral
invalidation. Additional stressors include decisions about if, alternatives to Latina/Latino; have become part of a larger political
when, and whom to come out to, educating others about movement); Two Spirit (indigenous North American term for an
nonbinary identities, frequently being misgendered, feeling the individual who ful lls a third gender or gender variant role), Fa’afa ne
need to prove or defend their identity, and feeling excluded from (third gender in Samoan culture), Hijra (third gender in India that has
gendered LGBTQ+ spaces. obtained legal recognition), Māhū (Hawaiian) or Maohi (Tahitian;
individuals of an undetermined or third gender). Individuals from these
Pronouns
various cultures are sometimes considered to comprise a ‘third' gender,
Many nonbinary people use pronouns such as they/them/theirs,
but may or may not identify as nonbinary or transgender.
ze/hir/hirs, among others, whereas other nonbinary people use
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NONBINARY FACT SHEET
rates of harassment, family rejection, sexual abuse, and other feeling of “being trapped in the wrong body”, which does not
traumatic events. Risks may also be heightened among apply to many trans and nonbinary people. As a result, nonbinary
nonbinary people of color. people report more barriers to accessing gender-a rming
medical care (e.g., hormones, surgery etc) compared to trans
Gender affirming medical care men and trans women. Nonbinary people have varying degrees
Outdated medical models view medical transition procedures as of gender dysphoria and desire for gender a rming medical
methods to help people transition from one binary gender to procedures. For example, some may feel distress related to their
another and rely on the notion that trans people experience the chest, but not their voice or body hair.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE
Explore your values, attitudes, and beliefs about nonbinary individuals. By living in a cissexist society all of us have internalized transnegative
messages that can manifest in automatic ways (e.g., quick thoughts or appraisals about someone we see). It is important for clinicians to explore and
question these messages and become aware of how their own biases may impact therapeutic work with nonbinary clients.
Educate yourself and embrace cultural humility. Seek information about nonbinary populations in professional literature and in clinical
consultation or supervision. This will help ease the burden on nonbinary clients of having to educate their provider. In addition to acquiring basic
knowledge about nonbinary identities, it is recommended that clinicians demonstrate an openness to learning about each client's experience and
recognize that each client is the expert on their own experience.
Show nonbinary clients that you are af rming. It is important to visibly identify yourself and your practice setting as af rming of nonbinary people
(e.g., through stickers, signs, brochures, statements on a web page or intake forms). It is important to earn client’s trust by engaging in af rming
practices such as having gender inclusive restrooms and intake forms.
Create inclusive forms. Intake/client forms should include a question about pronouns and should inquire about gender including nonbinary
gender labels (e.g., nonbinary, genderqueer, agender etc.) with a write-in option. This will signal to clients that the clinician is aware and supportive
of nonbinary identities and can serve as a springboard for discussion of gender identity. It is important to include place for “current name” if the
client’s legal name is required.
Ask about pronouns and mirror the client's language. Ask your clients what name and pronouns they use, and use the client’s language when
talking with them about their gender. For example, a clinician may introduce themselves by saying "Hi, my name is Dr. X, and I use she/her
pronouns. What name and pronouns do you use?” Some clients may use different names and pronouns in different contexts, so it is important and
empowering to ask clients what name and pronouns to use before talking with parents, other providers, or any other third party.
Practice using gender inclusive pronouns. Using pronouns beyond he/him or she/her (e.g., they/them and ze/hir) can feel awkward at rst.
Practicing using these pronouns outside of the therapy room will allow clinicians to get more comfortable and uent in doing so. It is critical to use
the client’s correct pronouns in clinical notes and when consulting with colleagues.
Remain open to gender exploration. Sometimes clients may wish to explore their gender in therapy. It is important to keep in mind that there is no
intended “end goal” for the client's identity. Remaining open to many possibilities and af rming the client's identity and expression that may change
over time will allow the client to fully explore their options and reduce shame.
Destigmatize case conceptualizations. Clinicians should consider how stigma and other unique stressors impact symptom development in
nonbinary clients. They should also consider how gender dysphoria does (or does not) in uence presenting concerns. It is important for the clinician
to avoid assumptions and instead approach considerations of the impact of stigma and dysphoria with curiosity and openness.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RESEARCH REFERENCES
Provide nonbinary options when assessing gender. Every research project that Chang, S. C., & Singh, A. A. (2016). Gender and sexual
orientation diversity. In A. A. Singh & l. m. dickey (Eds.),
assesses gender should include nonbinary gender options. When possible, use a Trans-a rmative counseling and psychological practice.
check all that apply format and include several trans and nonbinary identities. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Be inclusive with ll-in options. It is helpful to include a ll-in gender option to James, S., Herman, J., Rankin, S., Keisling, M., Mottet, L., &
capture every participant’s gender correctly. We suggest using “Another Ana , M. A. (2016). The report of the 2015 US transgender
survey.
Identity:______ or “Not listed: ______” instead of including the phrase
“Other:_______” to avoid further “othering” nonbinary people. Lefevor, G. T., Boyd-Rogers, C. C., Sprague, B. M., & Janis, R. A.
(2019). Health disparities between genderqueer, transgender,
Only ask about sex assigned at birth (SAAB) if the research questions warrant and cisgender individuals: An extension of minority stress
the knowledge. In most research projects, knowledge about SAAB is unnecessary. theory. Journal of counseling psychology, 66(4), 385 - 395.
This question can perpetuate additional binary thinking. There are some instances Matsuno, E. (2019). Nonbinary-a rming psychological
where knowledge of SAAB may be important, including research topics about interventions. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 26(4),
617-628.
childhood gender socialization or medical concerns. If SAAB is assessed, it’s
important to include a “decline to state” option. Matsuno, E., & Budge, S. L. (2017). Non-binary/genderqueer
identities: A critical review of the literature. Current Sexual
Order of asking demographic questions. Ask about the participants’ gender before Health Reports, 9(3), 116-120.
asking about SAAB. It can also help to provide the participant some context for why
McLemore, K. A. (2018). A Minority Stress Perspective on
the question is being asked as part of the research study. Transgender Individuals’ Experiences With Misgendering.
Review all measures for binary language prior to administration. Read each Stigma and Health, 3(1), 53–64.
survey instrument you are going to use very carefully for binary language such as he/ Reisner, S. L., & Hughto, J. M. (2019). Comparing the health of
she or “opposite sex” etc. Researchers should be using the generic “they” (as non-binary and binary transgender adults in a statewide
recommended by the new APA Manual 7th Edition) in all of the research materials non-probability sample. PLoS one, 14(8).
and can use these guidelines for survey instruments as well.
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