- Jennifer López spoke with inclusive language, alluding to her daughter’s non-binarity during a concert she gave over the weekend.
- The idea that there are only two genders is sometimes called “gender binary,” because binary means “having two parts” (male and female).
- WPATH (The World Professional Association for Transgender Health) establishes general principles for the supportive care of transgender and non-binary patients.
In the middle of the stage of the Blue Diamond Gala, which took place this weekend in the United States organized by the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, a professional baseball team; actress and singer Jennifer López was present, singing some of her productions along with her daughter Emme Muñiz.
However, what surprised the audience the most was the way in which Jennifer Lopez, Continuing her speech, she spoke with inclusive language, alluding to the non-binarity of her daughter, who informed the world with her voice and the support of her mother, her gender identification.
NON-BINARY people
Most people, including most transgender people, are male or female. But some people don’t fit neatly into the categories of “man” or “woman”, or “masculine” or “feminine”.
For example, some people have a gender that combines elements of being male or female, or a gender that is different from male or female. Some people do not 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, being non binary one of the most common. Other terms include gender queer, agender, bigender and more. None of these terms mean exactly the same thing, but they all speak to an experience of gender that is not simply male or female.
Why “non-binary”?
Some societies, like ours, tend to recognize only two genders, male and female. The idea that there are only two genders is sometimes called “gender binary,” because binary means “having two parts” (male and female). Therefore, “non-binary” is a term that people use to describe genders that do not fall into either of these two categories, male or female.
Basic facts about non-binary people
Non-binary people are nothing new. Non-binary people are not confused about their gender identity or following a new trend: non-binary identities have been recognized for millennia by cultures and societies around the world.
Some, but not all, non-binary people undergo medical procedures to make their bodies more consistent with their gender identity. While not all non-binary people need health care to live a full life, it is critical and even life-saving for many.
Most transgender people are not non-binary. While some transgender people are not binary, most transgender people have a gender identity that is male or female, and should be treated like any other man or woman.
Being non-binary is not the same as being intersex. Intersex people have anatomy or genes that don’t fit the typical definitions of male and female. Most intersex people identify as male or female. Non-binary people are generally not intersex: they are usually born with bodies that may fit the typical definitions of male and female, but their innate gender identity is different from male or female.
But in the face of all this wave of terms that is growing, have you wondered how to give medical advice to people who identify themselves as non-binary?
It starts with using the right language
Creating a respectful and affirming experience for transgender patients Y non-binary (TGNB) It begins with the use of the language our patients use to communicate who they are through their chosen name and pronouns.
However, even with the best of intentions, this is where many clinicians stumble, and it can seem challenging as terminology continues to evolve.
stop assuming
Of course, assumptions are a slippery slope, and this is true when we consider the medical needs of our patients, especially the gender diverse population. It is critical that we are aware of which gender is being used as an indicator and then remove those associated assumptions.
Basic principles of supportive care for transgender and non-binary patients
WPATH (The World Professional Association for Transgender Health) establishes general principles for supportive care for transgender and non-binary patients, including:
- Show respect for patients with non-conforming gender identities.
- Provide care (or refer to expert colleagues) that affirms patients’ gender identities and reduces the distress of gender dysphoria.
- Gain an understanding of the potential health care needs of transgender and non-binary people in general, including the potential benefits and risks of treatment options for gender dysphoria.
- Tailor treatment approaches to the specific needs of patients.
- Facilitate access to appropriate care and provide continuity of care.
- Seek informed consent from patients before providing treatment and involve them in decision-making.
Outside of trans-related care, such as gender clinics, trans and non-binary patients have the same health care needs as other patients.
Therefore, it is likely that all doctors see someone from this group of patients at some point. An understanding of the issues involved is necessary to ensure that high-quality general medical care is provided and, when necessary, appropriate referrals to specialist services are made.
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