@danny_fox's post on Artfol
Ey, your girl needs help
I'm currently writing a story, and I have a question
For any non-binary people, what are some stereotypes that you often see and dislike with non-binary characters in stories?
I tried to do some research, but I couldn't find any good answers to my question. So, I thought I come hereOct 20, 2021
I'm currently writing a story, and I have a question
For any non-binary people, what are some stereotypes that you often see and dislike with non-binary characters in stories?
I tried to do some research, but I couldn't find any good answers to my question. So, I thought I come hereOct 20, 2021
#questions
#story
Comments
I think mainly just the idea that nonbinary people have to be entirely androgynous is the most harmful stereotype out there. There are also issues with nonbinary people who are more feminine being told that they're confused or not valid just because they don't lean toward a masculine "neutral" presentation.
Here's some things to remember about nonbiary people! Nonbinary isn't like a third gender, it's many genders outside of male or female and every nonbinary person is going to experience gender differently! Pronouns also are not the same as gender and regardless of gender, a person may have multiple or even "binary" pronouns. Not all nbs use they/them, some use she/her, he/him, combinations, or even neopronouns. AMAB nbs are often underrepresented as well! So long as you make your nb character a fully developed person, you'll do a wonderful job. Think person first, then gender. (I'd be happy to answer more questions you may have as well)
Here's some things to remember about nonbiary people! Nonbinary isn't like a third gender, it's many genders outside of male or female and every nonbinary person is going to experience gender differently! Pronouns also are not the same as gender and regardless of gender, a person may have multiple or even "binary" pronouns. Not all nbs use they/them, some use she/her, he/him, combinations, or even neopronouns. AMAB nbs are often underrepresented as well! So long as you make your nb character a fully developed person, you'll do a wonderful job. Think person first, then gender. (I'd be happy to answer more questions you may have as well)
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It's fine to have an alien or moster nonbinary character, but when its the only nonbinary character in the story it's not fine hhh
Also! Not every nonbinary person is perfectly androgynous and uses they/them! A lot of us use he/they, she/they, any pronouns, and some use neopronouns or a mix of regular pronouns and neopronouns. And some of us are more masculine or feminine, we dont have to be androgynous.
Also! Not every nonbinary person is perfectly androgynous and uses they/them! A lot of us use he/they, she/they, any pronouns, and some use neopronouns or a mix of regular pronouns and neopronouns. And some of us are more masculine or feminine, we dont have to be androgynous.
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What iv seen is that most of the time they look androgynous, are alien species or afab usually alway only they/them pronouns (from what I've seen)
It'd be cool to see more amab enbys and varied pronouns like she/they ey/he etc.
It'd be cool to see more amab enbys and varied pronouns like she/they ey/he etc.
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I barely see myself represented in media, so it’s a bit hard to say!
I’d say just write the character as a character who just so happens to be Non-Binary. Don’t make this character being Non-binary the focus of the story, just make it a neat thing about the character!
EX: Raine from The Owl House season 2 is a pretty good example of this! They seem to be complicated, they have an interesting history with one of the main characters, & their gender isn’t a focus/big deal in the episodes they’ve showed up in so far! They just exist & fit right into their world & seem to have relevance to the plot (which is awesome & great!) instead of being (poorly) written to stick out like a sore thumb because “Look they’re non-binary!!! OMG!!! ThOsE tYpEs Of PeOpLe ArE ReAL!!!”
I’ve also heard that a lot of Non-binary folks don’t like it when a non-human type character (like monsters) are the only Non-binary characters in a story. I personally really like monsters so I don’t have an issue with it, but I totally understand that only portraying Non-binaryness with non-humans can subtly tell an audience that “Non-binary folks aren’t people, they’re inhuman,” which is a really bad thing!
I’d say just write the character as a character who just so happens to be Non-Binary. Don’t make this character being Non-binary the focus of the story, just make it a neat thing about the character!
EX: Raine from The Owl House season 2 is a pretty good example of this! They seem to be complicated, they have an interesting history with one of the main characters, & their gender isn’t a focus/big deal in the episodes they’ve showed up in so far! They just exist & fit right into their world & seem to have relevance to the plot (which is awesome & great!) instead of being (poorly) written to stick out like a sore thumb because “Look they’re non-binary!!! OMG!!! ThOsE tYpEs Of PeOpLe ArE ReAL!!!”
I’ve also heard that a lot of Non-binary folks don’t like it when a non-human type character (like monsters) are the only Non-binary characters in a story. I personally really like monsters so I don’t have an issue with it, but I totally understand that only portraying Non-binaryness with non-humans can subtly tell an audience that “Non-binary folks aren’t people, they’re inhuman,” which is a really bad thing!
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I see a lot of non-binary folks in media being portrayed as being very skinny, no boobs or butt, dyed hair, looks and act child like, is unstable and so much more. I would love to see non-binary characters that are plus size and act like a normal adult. Also any non binary character that has male or female features but are 100% non binary would be amazing. I feel like a lot of people hate on non-binary folks for having boobs or facial hair and I hate it.
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Oftentimes the non-binary character is a token and-or a literal alien/monster/robot (this also goes for ace and autistic coded characters). That’s all I can think of because I’ve never really seen an out, canonically stated non-binary character in media that I can think of off the top of my head. But I also don’t consume a lot of media.
Oh, just remembered: being androgynous doesn’t equal non-binary. I’ve got masc enby friends and they get openly hated on irl for how their bodies look because they aren’t androgynous enough. Same with my femme enby friends (but less so in my experience, I for example get hated on way less than my masc presenting friends because I “pass” more. whatever that even means in this context). So seeing non-binary characters who have some gender conforming traits could be nice to see. Gnc is great too, ofc, I want to see something that isn’t the boring middle ground of how an enby “should” be perfectly between masc and femme. Be that through conformity or non-conformity, either is good.
Oh, just remembered: being androgynous doesn’t equal non-binary. I’ve got masc enby friends and they get openly hated on irl for how their bodies look because they aren’t androgynous enough. Same with my femme enby friends (but less so in my experience, I for example get hated on way less than my masc presenting friends because I “pass” more. whatever that even means in this context). So seeing non-binary characters who have some gender conforming traits could be nice to see. Gnc is great too, ofc, I want to see something that isn’t the boring middle ground of how an enby “should” be perfectly between masc and femme. Be that through conformity or non-conformity, either is good.
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•Idk the whole small bean idea, like i think it's silly that mosy enby characters seem to always be tiny and soft and stuff, like it's fine to have a enby character like that but I really would like big buff enbys or pretty tall and super curvy enbys for once
Like every not enby will be like that, we're just like the binary genders, we have a variety of people too
Like every not enby will be like that, we're just like the binary genders, we have a variety of people too
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