Freedom is a fundamental right that everyone deserves to enjoy, and it's essential to live life to the fullest.
This freedom can be challenging when one identifies as non-binary since society has rigid views about gender. Non-binary individuals must constantly battle societal norms and labels that restrict them from living their true identity. They are forced into boxes they don't fit into because of their unique sexual orientation, which affects how others perceive them.
Non-binary people have always existed in every culture and country but were never accepted as such until recently. The term "non-binary" refers to someone who doesn't identify as exclusively male or female but rather as both, neither, or something else entirely. Non-binary people may have a different name for themselves than what's assigned at birth based on their biological sex organs. Society often assumes that these individuals are confused about their genders or are experimenting with their bodies when they aren't.
The pursuit of authenticity for non-binary people is an existential struggle that requires immense courage to overcome. These individuals face discrimination, harassment, rejection, violence, and misgendering due to their gender expression or choice of clothing, hairstyle, or pronouns. People assume they know more about a person's gender than they do because of what they see instead of allowing them to speak up for themselves. Even though non-binary people try to educate others on their identities, many refuse to listen and still view them through their lens of binary genders.
The fight for freedom is essential for non-binary people because it allows them to embrace who they truly are without fear or shame. Without this freedom, they feel trapped in their body, leading to mental health issues like anxiety and depression. It can also lead to self-harm and suicide attempts since society constantly rejects them based on their appearance. They live in constant fear of being called out, bullied, attacked, or killed by bigots for not conforming to the binary system.
Non-binary people can find strength in community support from other members of the LGBTQIA+ community. This support allows them to realize that they're not alone in their struggles and creates a safe space where they can be authentic and express themselves freely. Community organizations provide resources such as counseling services, legal assistance, and educational materials to help those struggling with coming out. Non-binary people need allies who will stand with them against hate speech and discrimination. They also require love and acceptance from family, friends, and coworkers to feel seen, heard, and accepted.
The pursuit of freedom for non-binary individuals is an existential struggle for authenticity. Society must acknowledge and accept these unique individuals for who they are beyond their physical characteristics. Until then, we should all work towards creating a more inclusive world where everyone feels safe, loved, respected, and supported in their true identities.
Is the pursuit of freedom for non-binary people inherently an existential struggle for authenticity?
The pursuit of freedom is not only an existential struggle for non-binary individuals but also for those who identify as cisgendered. It is part of the human experience that we are all looking for personal autonomy. While cisgendered individuals may have more opportunities to express their gender identity due to societal norms, they too can feel restricted by expectations from family members, friends, colleagues, and society at large.