Non-binary thread- a partial discussion of history, sociology, theology and biology of gender not being polarized.
First! Because of language and simplicity, I'm using NonBinary as an umbrella, most theology will be Abrahamic because that's what I know, I have a biology degree, and some things are up to interpretation. If you ask a question- intent must be to learn, not to debate.
Okay, it's important to know that the separation of sexuality and gender is not a universal concept, especially historically. Different cultures have had different expectations of roles in their societies. Even celibate men could have a unique term from reproductive men.
Historically, medical science wasn't able to assist in gender confirming procedures, so different societies had different approaches to accepting (or not) their gender non-conforming members. This history goes back to before written records, which has allowed effective erasure.
Indigenous people of the Americas, Pacific islands, Indonesia, India and Polynesia ect have been observed and commented on by Europeans who noted people outside the polar genders. Different tribes took different approaches and gave different names, but there were common ideas.
There was a trend of identifying what is described as "men living as women" and "women living as men". I suspect in many cases, this is a simplified explanation given to the European observers with some nuance lost in translation.
Most cultures also had separate terms that described: gay men, people who dressed outside of their gender norms, people who took atypical jobs, women who were boisterous fighters and the list goes on. Most societies had at least 4 identities, several had dozens.
Some of these societies honored the NonBinary individuals, while others ridiculed them. Many gave them positions as spiritual leaders. Sometimes they were forced to be celibate, others were encouraged to be very sexually active.
This seems like a good time to mention the Sumerian clergy worshippers of Inanna (later Ishtar), the Gala. A goddess of love, beauty, sex, war, justice, and politics. Gala were femme. But not all were female. They were not celibate, but were banned from having children.
Many Gala were described as androgynous or hermaphrodites though this was most likely (usually) from presentation. Much of this history was lost and continues to be debated by scholars.
To address intersex individuals- different cultures had different roles, much like NonBinary individuals. Sometimes given positions of power, or (for example in Rome) they may be sacrificed at birth as an omen.
For Hebrew law, one born without distinct genitals would be under different obligations than one born with both. This could lead to following the most strict laws for both men and women to avoid accidental beaches.
This seems like a good time to head over into theology. This might get into some difficult interpretations. Remember that the source material isn't written in English or Latin and writing conventions have changed.
First: Genesis. You must understand merisms. It's a popular rhetorical tool in the Bible. An entirety is represented by parts, usually contrasting opposites: And there was evening, and there was morning — the first day. The creation of Adam is no different.
In Genesis 1, adam isn't a name, it's the word for humankind- used both plurally and as a singular. This adam is created in the image of the deity- presented both plurally and singularly with male and genderless verb/noun agreements. Male and female created He them (singular).
It isn't until Genesis 2, that God must separate an individual named Adam into man and woman. (Important to note the intent of pulling divine clay from Adam was to show Eve was of equal material in construction). Of course, prior creations, angels, were also non-gendered.
Let's get to biology. Seems people understand the XX, XY thing. You can also have X0, XXXX, XXXY, XXY and plenty other arrangements. Guess what the sry gene sometimes gets on an X chromosome and lead to an XX with male genitalia. Sometimes that sry doesn't activate on a Y.
And that all may not matter during development of organs and physiology. Nutrients and hormones play a role too! There are cross-generational epigenetics, methylating DNA to regulate gene expression, all before birth. Chromosomes, genes, alleles, phenotypes- not all in DNA.
Even after birth, the body, and importantly the brain, continue to develop. This is the point where it's best for survival if the mother doesn't have to carry that burden and can share responsibility with other members.
Up to 3 years of sensory input sculpt the brain and hormone system. And a we know that even into the 20s that development isn't finished. Anne Fausto-Sterling is a good person to look up research for this development period.
The conclusion of much research is that there are more differences between members of the in-group than the out-group if a standard gender binary is assumed. In fact, based on data collection of biological attributes, if a binary threshold were in place, ~20% of people are trans.
Only ~1% of people seek some form of medical gender intervention though. The only conclusion I have is that sex and gender are both non-binary and the non-polar members have been subject to massive erasure.
I have been writing for hours and I'm at the max of my thread limit. I'm gonna point out that people don't care as much when cisgender folks get hormone treatment, dietary supplements or plastic surgery to fit their gender presentation better.
#IAmNonbinary and if we definitely spend so much of history with the erasure of non European culture, we'd have more visibility for all non-binary people because #nonbinaryisntwhite it's not a trend and deserves to be seen.
I have more to say, but this is the thread limit. Reminder, ask questions only if you want to learn, not if you want to debate. This is where intent really matters. And sorry for no sources, check out ResearchGate though. Most of this is from peer reviewed resources.
@threadreaderapp unroll
