In discussions of the relationship between gender and activism, women and men and subsequent ideologies of femininity and Masculinity are often the main areas of concern. These discussions could examine how female activists are treated differently from male activists, how female activists have rallied around gender-based social movements such as feminism, or how the sociopolitical challenges women face differ. of those of men. However, many of these conversations are sorely lacking when it comes to one group of people: non-binary individuals. At this point in social justice history, the male and female binary genders have long been the focus of social movements, but little attention has been paid to those who identify outside of the binary, such as Genderqueer, Genderfluid , Agender or any other gender. non-binary identity. (Bergman) Throughout this article, I will discuss the importance of considering non-binary people as it relates to the relationship between gender and activism by highlighting the notions of gender contained in non-binary activism, the ways in which non-binary activism has manifested itself and the connections. between non-binary activists and other social movements. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get an original essay Ideologies promoted by non-binary activism, such as gender performativity and gender divergence, are not just questions queer or transgender; these are theories that are applicable and should be understood by all genders. Judith Butler's theory of gender performativity is described by sociologist Alison Rooke as "an epistemological framework for promoting much-needed social justice agendas" with regard to gender activism. (Rooke) “Gender performativity” holds that individuals are not born with an inherent gender identity, but that gender is an ongoing performance and that the presentation of masculinity or femininity is “performed”, not innate . (Rooke) Transgender and non-binary activists have frequently cited this concept because it challenges the distinction between "normative" and "deviant" gender categories and expands society's idea of ​​possible gender identities. (Schep) Accepting that gender is a social construct and performance rather than a biological category allows activists, whether cisgender or trans, to critically examine how women and/or non-binary people have been addressed in mainstream society and in social movements. (Bergman) The non-binary movement is not alone in this regard; Trans activists such as Kate Bornstein and Stephen Whittle argue that the transgender rights movement, growing out of a response to exclusionary transgender radical feminism, challenged the gender binary from the start, a fight that has implications for both cisgender and transgender populations. (Bergman) Nonbinary activism has manifested itself with a variety of goals, all focused on the rights and safety of individuals who identify outside of the gender binary. (Bergman) Nonbinary activism encompasses a wide variety of ideas, but some of the main goals today are conducting research with nonbinary people to get data on the challenges they face, campaigning for the right non-binary people to determine their own gender, promote the use and legitimacy of pronounsnon-sexist and ensuring accessibility to non-binary people in public spaces, for example by having gender-neutral toilets. (Bergman) Additionally, non-binary and transgender people have been statistically proven to be a medically underserved community, due to doctors denying access to health care because individuals do not identify with their gender biological in their medical file or because doctors do not know how to work with non-cisgender bodies. (Hanssmann) Although many who are unfamiliar with nonbinary activism may mistakenly call it a new invention. Born in the 21st century, these goals have roots in older trans, queer, and bisexual movements, as well. as in various schools of feminist thought. (Bergman) Just as individuals have examined how binary genders interact with activism, researchers have recently looked at the relationship between activism and non-binary people. In a study reviewed by the Humboldt Journal of Social Relations, researchers gathered survey data on gender identity from a college population and focused on responses from those who identify outside the binary of gender. (Chang) They found that the life experiences of those who identify outside of the gender binary are “markedly different” from those of individuals who conform to defined gender roles. (Chang) Additionally, those who identify as non-binary are much more likely to view the world as more dangerous and less inclusive, which can be an important motivation for non-binary individuals to participate in activism. (Chang) One might compare this to the experiences of women, who generally view the world as more dangerous than men, and the implication that personal life experience is a central motivator for activists. (Rooke) Clearly, non-binary people are not the only ones who are frequently excluded, even within progressive social movements. As members of the LGBT community, non-binary people have deep connections to gay and transgender activism; However, many people have noticed that non-binary people often have fewer voices than cisgender activists within the movement. (Bergman) This is a contemporary obstacle that mirrors problems faced by a number of other groups in the past, including female activists within social movements. For example, although she was an active participant and iconic symbol of the civil rights movement, Rosa Parks was often sidelined in activist forums because she was a woman. (Parks) Although her contributions to the movement were undeniably significant, she was often asked simply to serve as a symbol for other activists, but she was rarely encouraged to express her own opinions or even comment on those of others. (Parks) Similarly, the presence of non-binary people in LGBT activism is often permitted and even encouraged, but their voices and personal concerns are often ignored and downplayed. (Bergman) Additionally, even when non-binary voices are heard in their own communities, other progressive social movements have historically refused to listen. (Schep) Even radical groups like Lavender Menace, made up of radical lesbian feminists such as Karla Jay, were subject to the second wave of exclusionary transgender feminism, which was at its peak in the 1970s, when the group was formed. (Jay) Karla Jay describes in her memoir how Lavender Menace aimed to display the legitimacy of activists.