Non-Binary People Confront Piers Over Gender-Neutral Controversy | Good Morning Britain

Summary

The transcript captures a thought-provoking discussion on non-binary gender identity. The conversation explores the distinction between gender expression and identity, societal perceptions, and the challenges faced by non-binary individuals. It delves into practical concerns, such as how non-binary individuals would be accommodated in institutions like prisons, and touches on the sensitive issue of youth suicide within the transgender community. The dialogue also addresses the broader implications of gender identity on society and the importance of respect and understanding for individual experiences.

Takeaways

• 🏳️‍🌈 The interviewee identifies as non-binary, rejecting both male and female classifications.
• 🗣️ There's a societal push towards gender neutrality, but the interviewee doesn't actively advertise their non-binary status.
• 👥 The conversation acknowledges the complexity of non-binary identities and the public's varying levels of understanding.
• 🌐 The interviewer raises concerns about the practical implications of non-binary recognition, such as in legal and penal systems.
• 🚦 The script highlights the distinction between gender expression and gender identity.
• 👮‍♂️ A hypothetical scenario about gender-neutral prisons is presented to explore the challenges of accommodating non-binary individuals.
• 🤔 The interviewer expresses confusion and seeks clarity on where personal identification ends and societal norms begin.
• 🐘 A humorous analogy is used to question the boundaries of self-identification.
• 📉 The discussion touches on the high rate of suicide attempts among transgender youth, emphasizing the seriousness of their struggles.
• 🌍 The conversation suggests that gender identity is not just a modern issue but has historical and cross-cultural dimensions.
• 👶 The script mentions the trend of young people, particularly in schools, identifying as non-binary and the societal response to this trend.

Q & A

What does it mean to be non-binary?

Being non-binary means not identifying exclusively as male or female. It is a gender identity that falls outside the traditional gender binary.

Why does the interviewee refuse to identify as male or female?

The interviewee refuses to identify as male or female because they define themselves as non-binary, which means they do not associate with the gender binary system.

What is the difference between gender expression and gender identity according to the script?

Gender expression refers to how a person presents their gender to the world, while gender identity is the internal sense of being male, female, or something else. The script suggests that non-binary individuals can express themselves in various ways but identify as neither male nor female.

How does the interviewee feel about being placed in a female prison based on their passport gender marker?

The interviewee would be placed in a female prison due to their gender marker on the passport, and they express that they would be more comfortable there than in a male prison.

What is the concern raised about the implications of non-binary identification in societal institutions like prisons?

The concern is about how society should accommodate non-binary individuals in institutions traditionally divided by gender, such as prisons, and whether new facilities or policies need to be established.

What is the interviewer's worry about allowing people to freely identify their gender?

The interviewer is worried about the potential for confusion and the lack of boundaries that might arise if people are allowed to freely identify their gender without limitations.

What statistic is mentioned regarding trans youth and suicide attempts?

It is mentioned that 48% of trans youth are attempting suicide, highlighting a significant mental health concern within this community.

What is the interviewer's stance on the necessity of changing societal gender norms?

The interviewer seems skeptical about the need to change societal gender norms, suggesting that it might be a fad and questioning the long-term implications of such changes.

What is the significance of the name 'Fox' in the context of the script?

The name 'Fox' is significant as it was the interviewee's drag king name before transitioning, representing a period of gender expression and identity exploration.

How does the interviewee respond to the suggestion that non-binary identification is a 'fad'?

The interviewee counters the suggestion that non-binary identification is a 'fad' by emphasizing that it is about an inner sense of self and identity, not just a trend or something to be considered 'cool'.

What is the interviewee's view on respecting people's gender identity?

The interviewee believes in the importance of respecting people's gender identity, suggesting that it is a matter of acknowledging individuals' self-identified gender, which may not align with traditional binary categories.

Outlines

00:00

🏳️‍🌈 Exploring Non-Binary Identity and Gender Neutrality

The conversation begins with a discussion on non-binary identities and gender neutrality. The speaker clarifies that they identify as non-binary, not as a lack of gender, but as a refusal to define themselves strictly as male or female. The dialogue touches on the visibility and societal impact of non-binary individuals, questioning how many people this affects and the implications for societal structures like prisons. The interviewee suggests that while they would be placed in a female prison based on legal gender markers, they would prefer not to be in a male prison, highlighting the complexities of gender identity in institutional settings. The conversation also addresses concerns about the fluidity of gender identity and its potential impact on society, especially among youth, with a focus on the importance of understanding and supporting transgender and non-binary youth.

05:00

🌟 Respecting Gender Identity and Challenging Norms

The second paragraph continues the conversation by emphasizing the need to respect people's gender identities as they are, regardless of societal norms. It suggests that everything is subject to change and that acknowledging and respecting gender diversity is part of this evolution. The dialogue ends on a note of appreciation for the discussion, highlighting the importance of ongoing conversations about gender identity. The mention of a book for three-year-olds and up implies an attempt to educate and normalize diverse gender identities from an early age.

Keywords

💡Non-binary

Non-binary is a term used to describe a gender identity that does not align with the traditional binary understanding of male or female. In the script, the interviewee identifies as non-binary, refusing to define themselves strictly as male or female. This is a central theme of the video, as it explores the challenges and implications of non-binary identities in a society that often operates on a binary understanding of gender.

💡Gender neutrality

Gender neutrality refers to the idea of not associating a person's gender with certain characteristics or roles, which are traditionally assigned based on the binary male-female system. The script discusses the concept of gender neutrality and how it is perceived in various social contexts, including the workplace and public institutions, as highlighted by the example of a police force in Northampton adopting gender-neutral policies.

💡Gender expression

Gender expression is how a person presents their gender to the world, which can include clothing, behavior, and other external factors. The script differentiates between gender expression and gender identity, emphasizing that non-binary individuals may express their gender in various ways that do not conform to traditional expectations, as illustrated by the interviewee's past experiences with drag performances.

💡Gender identity

Gender identity is a person's internal sense of being male, female, or something else, and it may not necessarily align with their biological sex. The script discusses the importance of recognizing and respecting an individual's gender identity, as it is a core aspect of their self-concept and experience, which is particularly relevant for non-binary individuals.

💡Trans youth

Trans youth refers to young people who identify as a gender different from the one assigned at birth. The script raises concerns about the mental health and well-being of trans youth, mentioning the high rates of suicide attempts among this demographic. This highlights the importance of understanding and supporting the unique challenges faced by trans and non-binary youth.

💡Drag King

A drag king is a person, typically female, who performs in drag by adopting a masculine persona. In the script, the interviewee mentions having a drag king name, 'Fox,' which was used before their transition. This term is relevant to the discussion as it provides context to the interviewee's exploration of gender identity and expression.

💡Gender marker

A gender marker is an identifier, usually on official documents like passports or driver's licenses, that indicates a person's legal gender. The script discusses the potential implications of having a non-binary gender marker, particularly in the context of incarceration, where traditional male or female prisons are the norm.

💡Cultural perspectives

Cultural perspectives refer to the ways in which different societies and cultures understand and categorize gender. The script briefly touches on the importance of considering cultural diversity when discussing gender identity, suggesting that the conversation around non-binary identities is not limited to Western societies but is a global issue.

💡Fad

A fad is a trend or craze that is popular for a short period of time. The script includes a viewpoint that identifies non-binary as a 'massive new fad,' suggesting that it is a temporary trend rather than a deeply held identity. This perspective is challenged in the script, as it is argued that non-binary identities are valid and not simply a passing trend.

💡Identity

Identity refers to the characteristics that make a person who they are, including their beliefs, values, and self-conception. In the context of the script, identity is a central theme, particularly as it relates to gender identity and the recognition of non-binary individuals' right to self-identify.

💡Societal boundaries

Societal boundaries are the rules, norms, and expectations that govern behavior within a society. The script discusses the tension between respecting individual gender identities and maintaining societal boundaries, such as laws and institutional practices, which often operate within a binary framework.

Highlights

Discussion on the difference between gender neutrality and non-binary identification.

The speaker's personal identification as non-binary and refusal to identify as male or female.

Importance of the debate on non-binary issues and its impact on society.

Concerns about the proportion of the population affected by non-binary issues.

Differentiation between gender expression and gender identity.

The practical question of how to accommodate non-binary individuals in gender-specific institutions like prisons.

The speaker's personal experience and comfort with gender-specific categorization in certain situations.

The debate on the boundaries of self-identification and its implications for society.

The concern about the impact of non-binary identification on children and education.

The ethical question of whether one can identify as anything, including non-human entities.

Statistics and the reality of suicide attempts among trans youth.

The importance of looking into the reasons behind high suicide rates among trans youth.

The argument that non-binary identification is not just a modern phenomenon and has historical and cultural precedents.

The speaker's past use of a drag king name and its significance in their identity exploration.

The necessity for ongoing conversations about gender identity in society.

The rapid changes in schools regarding non-binary identification and the concerns it raises.

The debate on whether non-binary identification is a fad or a genuine expression of self.

The importance of respecting people's gender identity and the societal changes it may require.

Transcripts

you want to be non-gender non-b no not

non-gender what's the difference well

you keep talking about gender neutrality

and it's not like I go around telling

people that I'm gender neutral there

there's no lack of of anything I just

Define as non-binary so I I refuse to to

be to identify myself as male or female

or woman I just wonder if we can because

it's obviously you know it's it's been a

big subject on our program gets a huge

response whenever we talk about it and

this interview will generate a lot of

comments and we admire you coming on to

debate this we do I do you know and it

is a really important debate to have I

just wonder how many people it affects I

just think that non-binary issues aren't

going to go away so it's either you get

on board or you know we end up get on

board with how many how many people are

we in terms of the proportion population

thing you know a lot of people you know

what does non-binary look like that's

we're here to kind of show you that

actually gender expression and gender

identity are two different things and

nonbing people aren't just wearing paper

back another hypothetical yesterday we

interviewed a guy from a police force in

Northampton they've gone gender neutral

made a point of saying that um I said to

them okay what about if criminals decide

to be gender neutral and so when they're

convicted they do not want to be put in

a male or female prison do we now have

to build prisons for non-binary

criminals it's a very interesting

question what's the answer I don't know

if I have the answer to that you would

presumably encourage them to have

because they can't be put in a male or

female prison right well if I went to

prison or I went to prison what would

happen well where would you where would

you be put we would be I would be put in

a female prison because of my gender

marker in my passport right but would

you be happy about that more than going

to a male prison for sure right so

actually you don't mind being gender

fine if it's convenient we exist in a

very binary world you know so we have to

if it was up to us obviously you see the

point the worry I have about this and

it's more based on confusion to be

honest with you uh and just trying to

get my head round to be persuaded if it

makes logical sense my problem with

everyone just being free to identify

themselves in any way they choose is

where does that end where do they where

are any boundaries for kids for instance

at school if you can basically come in

and say I'm not a boy or girl anymore

what else can you say you're not you

know if I identify now as anything is it

is is anything fine I mean can I be

anything I want can I be an elephant can

I literally literally say I'm now an

elephant and do I get afforded elephant

rights can I get

I you think it sounds silly but I'm

taking your AR can I go to London Zoo

and demand to be put in an elephant

compound I have decided I'm an elephant

the real question should be why is it

that 48% of trans youth are attempting

suicide and I think we to look into that

how many people a real thing okay how

many trans youths in Britain last year

committed suicide I can't tell you that

it's like I can find out for you I heard

it's like two or three people which two

or three people it's incredibly that's

what I heard right is that true or not

well I say that that's definitely not

true well that's just a statistic I read

I don't know if that's true or not my

point about it is this however terrible

for those people anyone who commits

suicide it's awful right we all accept

that but the idea that the entire gender

of the planet has to be changed because

a very tiny percentage of people have

decided but it's not this isn't just a

modern phenomena as well it's important

to look at other cultures cultures Sor

it's not about erasing gender nobody's

saying that people cannot be men or

women

saying that people can also be nonbinary

Ander what about the names Fox

and well okay so for me Fox was my drag

King name so before I transitioned I

would dress up and and perform okay and

that was a way to to kind of real it it

was about experimenting with myself oh

it's a translation as my Icelandic name

which is ugla and it means oh but you

know what I admire you for coming in I I

think it is really important that these

discussions it's ongo conversation I

absolutely is I real thing it's a real

thing it's happening now all over

Britain schools are very very fast

moving with a lot of kids now wanting to

be non-binary concern please stop Fe

monging yeah but my problem is that

actually it's a massive new fad and

we're going to end up with half the kids

realize it's not a f Pier no I think for

a lot of people it is that you're not

telling me that eight kids in one year

at one girl school M country suddenly

woke up and said we feel nonbinary they

heard you guys talking about being

nonbinary think it's cool it's not about

being cool it's about an inner sense of

self and an identity that you identif

girls in one year at a girl school non

binary one month all suddenly decided we

want we want to be nonbinary whatever it

is why can't they what does it

change we had the discussion how does it

affect your life and what they do you do

you abide by the laws of the

land it what is that mean I Tred to do

you abide by do you recognize there are

laws and boundaries in society where are

you going with this period I'm going

with this go on isn't isn't gender a

societal thing that we should just

respect and acknowledge that that's the

way it is isn't everything subject to

change and what what maybe you might be

right and that's exactly what we're

trying to say you need to respect

people's gender and their identity and

have to hely change this program unless

I bring this to an end but Fox and L

thank you very much to it is good to see

youate fascinating the book it's for

three year olds and plus so it should be

good for you p