Article Figures & Data
Tables
Gender Identity Term Description Agender Describes a person who identifies as having no gender. Bigender Describes a person whose gender identity is a combination of 2 genders. Gender fluid Describes a person whose gender identity is not fixed; for example a person who feels more like one gender some of the time, and another gender at other times. Gender nonconforming Describes a person whose gender expression differs from societal norms for girls/women and boys/men. Genderqueer Describes a person whose gender identity falls outside the traditional binary gender paradigm of either girl/woman or boy/man. Nonbinary Describes a person whose gender identity falls outside the traditional binary gender paradigm of either girl/woman or boy/man, or who rejects the concept of gender. Sometimes abbreviated to NB or “enby.” Pangender Describes a person whose gender identity comprises more than 1 gender. Transfeminine Describes a person assigned male sex at birth who identifies with femininity to a greater extent than with masculinity. Transmasculine Describes a person assigned female sex at birth who identifies with masculinity to a greater extent than with femininity. Two Spirit Describes a person who embodies both a masculine and a feminine spirit. This is a culture-specific term used among Native American and American Indian people. Pronouns Sample sentences They/them/theirs (refers to an individual person) • They are in the waiting room. • The doctor is ready to see them. • They need an appointment for next month. • Can you order them a prescription? • That chart is theirs. Ze/hir/hirs (pronounced zee/hear/hears) • Ze is in the waiting room. • The doctor is ready to see hir. • Ze needs an appointment for next month. • Can you order hir a prescription? • That chart is hirs. No pronouns • [Name] is in the waiting room. • The doctor is ready to see [Name]. • [Name] needs an appointment for next month. • Can you order [Name] a prescription? • That chart is [Name’s]. Unsure of pronouns “I would like to be respectful. What are your pronouns?”
Additional Files
The Article in Brief
Communicating With Patients Who Have Nonbinary Gender Identities
Alex S. Keuroghlian , and colleagues
Background The increasing visibility of transgender people and others who do not conform to traditional gender norms challenges medical professionals to think about gender and communication in new ways. An essay from the National LGBT Health Education Center illustrates ways to interact respectfully and affirmatively with non-binary people (those who have a gender identity that is not exclusively girl/woman or boy/man) throughout the patient care experience.
What This Study Found A small but growing body of research indicates that non-binary people experience high levels of societal victimization and discrimination and are misunderstood by clinicians. Using language that is inclusive of all gender identities can reduce these burdens and barriers, the authors suggest. This includes avoiding assumptions about patients' gender identities, asking for information about name and pronouns, and using these consistently throughout the clinical setting, and describing anatomy and related terms with gender-inclusive language. These communication approaches, according to the essay, can help clinicians offer patient-centered care that moves beyond binary gender concepts.
