# data[].attributes.body
Alok Menon is a comedian, poet, speaker, actor and activist.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In the past few years, many different gender identities have started to flourish and become more accepted. When people think about the words non-binary, agender, genderfluid, etc. you often believe that these are rather new gender identities coming from millennials and gen z. But what if I told you that these have always existed for thousands of years?

Before I go into the details, let me go back a little to explain the difference between gender (also known as sex), gender identity and gender expression. Now traditionally, we often see gender from a heteronormative perspective. That means two genders. Man and woman. Penis and vagina. These are usually genders that are assigned at birth by a doctor, by looking at the baby's genitals. When speaking about that assigned gender at birth in queer lingo, you will preferably either say assigned male at birth (AMAB) or assigned female at birth (AFAB).

Now when we look into gender identity, that is a whole separate thing to the assigned or rather, heteronormative genders. Nowadays, you will see many kinds of gender identities. Now, gender identity can either be that you identify with your assigned gender (cis) or identify with something else. Some people will identify with the opposite gender than assigned by the doctor, some do not identify with any genders, while some will identify with all genders. This information will be more relevant later.

Gender expression will always be different for each individual person. That is, expressing yourself through style for example. Some express themselves in a more feminine manner, others masculine or you will find some people who are more androgynous.

Now, what if I told you that heteronormativity, meaning cis-gender and heterosexuality, is very much a colonial construction? Because that is exactly what it is. In most early Indigenous communities, beliefs and myths, you will find much more fluidity regarding gender. Looking at the Inuit communities as an example, it was not a rare sight to see genderfluid people or transgendered people. Even so with same-sex marriages. In some performances and entertainment, you could see men dressing up as women to channel a feminine soul.

In history books that take the form of colonial writers, you would read about gender-related work. The men go hunting, women take care of the kids and cooking. An exquisite example of heteronormativity. Though that was not the case. If a person was much more interested in other kinds of work activities or if there was a lack of people for hunting or sewing, you would often see a person working with something else than what history books would link to a specific gender.

Some great examples of same-sex marriage and gender fluidity or gender expression lie hidden in myths and stories that are quite infrequent in the history books.

One myth tells about a woman taking her daughter-in-law as her wife and escaping with her, as she could see her son not treating her daughter-in-law well. Another one tells about a man who would rather be sewing than hunting. He went out to speak with a spirit, wishing to live his life sewing rather than hunting like the other men. The spirit made him pregnant and he gave birth to a whale that would hunt for him. That way, he could happily sew while still contributing fresh food to the community.

It is not unknown that the Inuit communities are not the only Indigenous community to have similar stories or ways of living. A well-known queer and Indigenous term is , though I will leave the communities that use this term to explain. These queer stories and manners of living were widely thriving until colonization passed through.

With colonization, came a heteronormative and queerphobic way of thinking and through time under colonization, the Indigenous queer identities crumbled to dust.

During the past few decades, queerphobia has been an everyday struggle for many. One of the first well-known protestors who had a big role in the LGBTQIA+ movement is Marsha P. Johnson. Nowadays, in more accepting areas, you see more and more people proudly showing their identities to the world. Many will argue that LGBTQIA+ rights movements are rather new and recent ways of creating a more accepting world. But I personally perceive it as an unconscious way of decolonization.

To argue and further prove my understanding, we will have to look at the information provided earlier. I previously stated that queer gender identities were quite common in pre-colonial Indigenous communities and that heteronormativity and queer-phobia is a colonial constructs. This would mean that this hatred against genders that are outside the heteronormative perspective is a colonial practice, meaning that protesting against this hatred is protesting against colonization. Therefore, arguing that it is a form of decolonization.

I personally believe that decolonizing gender is the way to a more accepting and healthy community. What's your perspective?

Do you support Vía?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Decolonizing gender - Myths, beliefs, and acceptance of fluidity among Inuits " Vía

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Greenlandic Seqininnguaq writes about the colonial practise of the heteronormative perspective.

# data[].attributes.body
3-minute video explaining gender expression and sexual orientation.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Genderbread Person | Gender Revolution

# data[].attributes.headline
Not all cultures have the same binary ideas of gender

# data[].attributes.subject
Not all cultures have the same binary ideas of gender

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Throughout history, many cultures around the world have recognized and celebrated gender identities that exist beyond the binary of male and female. While these identities may not always align with many people's understandings of gender they were taught as children, they offer important examples of how gender can be fluid and diverse.

In Hindu mythology, the god Ardhanarishvara embodies a gender beyond the binary. Ardhanarishvara is depicted as having one half of their body male and the other half female, symbolizing the union of masculine and feminine energies. The god is often associated with creation, and represents the idea that all gender expressions are necessary for a balanced and harmonious world.

In some African cultures, gender is understood to be fluid and changeable throughout a person's life. The Igbo people of Nigeria, for example, recognize a gender identity known as "spirit male" or "spirit female". These identities are believed to be divinely ordained, and are often associated with particular spiritual gifts or abilities. Those who identify as spirit males or females may dress and behave in ways that are traditionally associated with the opposite gender, and are generally accepted and respected within their communities.

In the Pacific Island nation of Samoa, the fa'afafine tradition recognizes a third gender identity that is neither male nor female. Fa'afafine individuals are assigned male at birth but often identify and live as women, occupying a unique social and cultural position within Samoan society. Fa'afafine people are widely respected for their talents in dance, singing, and fashion, and are seen as valuable contributors to Samoan culture.

In many Indigenous cultures of the Americas, the concept of gender is tied to one's relationship with the natural world. The Navajo people, for example, recognize four genders: female, male, nadleehi, and dilbaa. Nadleehi individuals are considered to embody both male and female energies, while dilbaa individuals are seen as occupying a third gender category. Both nadleehi and dilbaa people are believed to possess spiritual gifts and to play important roles in Navajo society.

These are just a few examples of the many cultures around the world that have historically honored and celebrated gender identities beyond the male/female binary. While contemporary Western culture has tended to view gender as fixed and binary, these traditions remind us that gender can be fluid, diverse, and multifaceted. By recognizing and honoring these traditions, we can work to create a world that is more inclusive, respectful, and celebratory of all gender expressions. An awesome resource from PBS shows gender diverse cultures around the world with an interactive map: A Map Of Gender Diverse Cultures

Many cultures around the world have recognized and celebrated gender identities that exist beyond the male/female binary. These traditions offer important examples of how gender can be fluid and diverse, and provide a powerful counterpoint to contemporary Western notions of gender. By learning from and honoring these traditions, we can help to create a world that is more inclusive, accepting, and celebratory of all gender expressions.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Gender Diversity Across Time, Place and Culture - Gender Inclusive Schools

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Throughout history, many cultures around the world have recognized and celebrated gender identities that exist beyond the binary of male and female. While these identities may not always align with many people's understandings of gender they were taught as children, they offer important examples of

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Independent Lens
Clip: Season 12 Episode 25 | 2m 24s

In traditional Navajo culture, there are 4 genders which include the nadleehi and dilbaa -- persons born, respectively, as males or females, but who fulfill the roles of the other in adulthood. In this excerpt from the film, a more fluid way of describing gender is considered.

Aired: 06/14/11

Rating: TV-PG

Problems Playing Video? Report a Problem |

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Independent Lens | Two Spirits: Gender as a Spectrum, Not a Divide | Season 12 | Episode 25 | PBS

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Navajo traditions emphasize the balance between the feminine and masculine.

# data[].attributes.headline
What is nonbinary, and how to be respectful and supportive to nonbinary people

# data[].attributes.subject
What is nonbinary, and how to be respectful and supportive to nonbinary people

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
National Center for Transgender Equality

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Nonbinary Defined

Most people - including most transgender people - are either male or female. But some people don't neatly fit into the categories of "man" or "woman," or "male" or "female." For example, some people have a gender that blends elements of being a man or a woman, or a gender that is different than either male or female. Some people don't identify with any gender. Some people's gender changes over time.

People whose gender is not male or female use many different terms to describe themselves, with being one of the most common (sometimes spelled with a hyphen, as "non-binary") . Other terms include genderqueer , agender , bigender , genderfluid , and more. None of these terms mean exactly the same thing - but all speak to an experience of gender that is not simply male or female. If you're not sure what a word means, you can usually just ask politely.

Why "Nonbinary"?

Some societies - like ours - tend to recognize just two genders, male and female. The idea that there are only two genders is sometimes called a "gender binary," because binary means "having two parts" (male and female). Therefore, "nonbinary" is one term people use to describe genders that don't fall into one of these two categories, male or female.

Basic Facts about Nonbinary People

Nonbinary people are nothing new. Non-binary people aren't confused about their gender identity or following a new fad - nonbinary identities have been recognized for millennia by cultures and societies around the world.

Some, but not all, nonbinary people undergo medical procedures to make their bodies more congruent with their gender identity. While not all nonbinary people need medical care to live a fulfilling life, it's critical and even life-saving for many.

Most transgender people are not nonbinary. While some transgender people are nonbinary, most transgender people have a gender identity that is either male or female, and should be treated like any other man or woman.

Being nonbinary is not the same thing as being intersex. Intersex people have anatomy or genes that don't fit typical definitions of male and female. Most intersex people identify as either men or women, though some may be nonbinary. Non-binary people are usually not intersex: they're usually born with bodies that may fit typical definitions of male and female, but their innate gender identity is something other than male or female.

How to Be Respectful and Supportive of Nonbinary People

It isn't as hard as you might think to be supportive and respectful of nonbinary people, even if you have just started to learn about them.

You don't have to understand what it means for someone to be nonbinary to respect them. Some people haven't heard a lot about nonbinary genders or have trouble understanding them, and that's okay. Identities that some people don't understand still deserve respect.

Use the name a person asks you to use. This is one of the most critical aspects of being respectful of a nonbinary person, as the name you may have been using may not reflect their gender identity. Don't ask someone what their old name was.

Try not to make any assumptions about people's gender. You can't tell if someone is non binary simply by looking at them, just like how you can't tell if someone is transgender just by how they look. A nonbinary person might appear feminine, masculine, or genderless, or show a mix of gendered ch aracteristics - and their appearance doesn't determine their pronouns.

If you're not sure what pronouns someone uses, ask. Different nonbinary people may use different pronouns. Many nonbinary people use "they" while others use "he" or "she," and still others use other pronouns. Asking whether someone should be referred to as "he," "she," "they," or another pronoun may feel awkward at first, but is one of the simplest and most important ways to show respect for someone's identity.

Advocate for non-binary friendly policies. It's important for nonbinary people to be able to live, dress and have their gender respected at work, at school, and in public spaces.

Understand that, for many nonbinary people, navigating gendered spaces - like bathrooms - can be challenging. For many non binary people, using either the women's or the men's rest room might feel unsafe, because others may verbally harass them or even physically attack them. Non binary people should be able to use the restroom that they believe they will be safest in . You can help support nonbinary people by accepting their judgment about where they feel most comfortable when dealing with spaces that are based on binary gend er distinctions .

Talk to nonbinary people to learn more about who they are. There's no one way to be nonbinary. The best way to understand what it's like to be nonbinary is to talk with nonbinary people and listen to their stories.

Related Links:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Understanding Nonbinary People: How to Be Respectful and Supportive

# data[].attributes.body
Check back on this collection as they add additional photos of a variety of gender diverse people. These photos are free to use.

# data[].attributes.body
A collection of fun activities designed for elementary school level (but can be adapted for English learners) that promote inclusive classrooms.

# data[].attributes.headline
Raise up! A diverse and inclusive ELT textbook

# data[].attributes.subject
Raise up! A diverse and inclusive ELT textbook

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Raise Up! - A Diverse And Inclusive View Of English Language Teaching

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We publish mainstream ELT coursebooks with a difference. Ours are inclusive and diverse, with lessons which include a range of social groups that are rarely, if ever, seen, or stereotyped in ELT ma…

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
En 1990, la Organización Mundial de la Salud sacó a la homosexualidad de su lista de enfermedades mentales, y en el 2018 retiró de la misma a las identidades trans. En la actualidad, la OMS señala que cualquier tipo de orientación sexual e identidad de género representan formas normales de la experiencia humana.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
En 1990, la Organización Mundial de la Salud sacó a la homosexualidad de su lista de enfermedades mentales, y en el 2018 retiró de la misma a las identidades trans. En la actualidad, la OMS señala que cualquier tipo de orientación sexual e identidad de género representan formas normales de la experiencia humana .

# data[].attributes.headline
Ready, Set, Respect! Elementary School Took Kit

# data[].attributes.subject
Ready, Set, Respect! Elementary School Took Kit

# data[].attributes.body
Here is another resource from GLSEN and it has GREAT ideas for the classroom, activities, etc. It says elementary school, but could be useful for all ages.

# data[].attributes.body
This is a video summary of Moore's article in ELT Journal.

# data[].attributes.body
Do you want to understand more about LGBTQ+ lives and history? Share with us! Add any books, musicians, influencers, etc, that you follow that you want to share.

# data[].attributes.body
Podcast of historical periods and events and the LGBTQ+ people who shaped them.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Bringing our history to life through the voices of the people who lived it.

# data[].attributes.headline
History: How the Stonewall Riots Sparked a Movement

# data[].attributes.subject
History: How the Stonewall Riots Sparked a Movement

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How the Stonewall Riots Sparked a Movement | History

# data[].attributes.body
Session 2 Challenge! See how many works you can remember. This is from the GLSEN Safe Spaces Kit.