Non-binary characters in fiction

{{Short description|Representation of non-binary genders in fiction}}

Non-binary (also spelled nonbinary) or genderqueer is a spectrum of gender identities that are not exclusively masculine or feminine{{nsmdns}}identities that are outside the gender binary.{{cite book |first1=S. Bear |last1=Bergman |first2=Meg-John |last2=Barker |title=Genderqueer and Non-Binary Genders |year=2017 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |page=43}}{{cite book |title=North American Lexicon of Transgender Terms|edition=1st |editor-last=Usher |editor-first=Raven |year=2006 |location=San Francisco|publisher=GLB Publishers|isbn= 978-1-879194-62-5|oclc=184841392 }} Non-binary identities can fall under the transgender umbrella, since many non-binary people identify with a gender that is different from their assigned sex.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetrevorproject.org/trvr_support_center/trans-gender-identity/|title=Trans + Gender Identity|website=The Trevor Project|language=en-US|access-date=October 11, 2019}} Another term for non-binary is enby (from the abbreviation 'NB').{{cite book |last1=Bergman |first1=S. Bear |last2=Barker |first2=Meg-John |editor1-last=Richards |editor1-first=Christina |editor2-last=Bouman |editor2-first=Walter Pierre |editor3-last=Barker |editor3-first=Meg-John |title=Genderqueer and Non-Binary Genders |date=2017 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |isbn=9781137510525 |page=43 |url=https://transreads.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/2019-03-17_5c8df4095641a_christina-richards-genderqueer-and-nonbinary-genders-11.pdf |chapter=Non-binary Activism |series=Critical and Applied Approaches in Sexuality, Gender and Identity}} This page examines non-binary characters in fictional works as a whole, focusing on characters and tropes in cinema and fantasy.

For more information about fictional characters in other parts of the LGBTQ community, see the corresponding pages about pansexual, intersex, and gay characters in fiction.

Non-binary characters and tropes

Much like with gay and transgender characters, representation of non-binary characters is small. Eighty percent of non-binary people noted in a survey from Trans Media Watch that they felt media coverage of non-binary characters is poor.{{cite web|url=http://transmediawatch.org/Documents/non_binary.pdf|publisher=Trans Media Watch|title=Understanding non-binary people – A guide for the media|year=2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719134156/http://transmediawatch.org/Documents/non_binary.pdf|archive-date=July 19, 2020|url-status=live}} The Daily Dot has noted that in Japanese media, genderqueer identities are often portrayed as a joke, featuring "flamboyantly gay people who crossdress" rather than serious explorations of gender performance.{{cite news|url=http://www.dailydot.com/geek/transgender-characters-anime-boston/|work=The Daily Dot|title=When it comes to transgender representation, anime has room to grow|last=Romano|first=Aja|date=April 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190627184559/https://www.dailydot.com/parsec/transgender-characters-anime-boston/|archive-date=June 27, 2019|url-status=live}} However, in May 2015, Flavorwire stated that genderqueer characters are getting "increasing critical and aesthetic prominence" in literature.{{cite magazine|url=http://flavorwire.com/518203/17-pathbreaking-non-binary-and-gender-fluid-novels|magazine=Flavorwire|title=17 Pathbreaking Non-Binary and Gender-Fluid Novels|last=Sturgeon|first=Jonathon|date=May 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929034530/https://www.flavorwire.com/518203/17-pathbreaking-non-binary-and-gender-fluid-novels|archive-date=September 29, 2020|url-status=live}}

=Steven Universe and beyond=

Some franchises alleviated that concern. For instance, the Steven Universe franchise, from 2013 to 2020, included various non-binary characters, including all Gem characters, since series creator Rebecca Sugar stated that the Gems are "all non-binary women,"{{cite web |last1=Pulliam-Moore |first1=Charles |title=Steven Universe's Rebecca Sugar on How She Expresses Her Identity Through the Non-binary Crystal Gems |url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/steven-universes-rebecca-sugar-on-how-she-expresses-her-1827624015 |magazine=Gizmodo |access-date=July 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328233259/https://io9.gizmodo.com/steven-universes-rebecca-sugar-on-how-she-expresses-her-1827624015 |archive-date=March 28, 2020 |date=July 16, 2018 |url-status=live}} One prominent character is Stevonnie, who is a fusion of Steven and Connie. Steven and Connie identify as male and female respectively, but the gender of Stevonnie is difficult to describe,{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKohUwlaWA4|title=Dove Self-Esteem Project x Steven Universe: Social Media|via=YouTube|publisher=Dove|access-date=24 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200405082849/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKohUwlaWA4|archive-date=April 5, 2020|url-status=live}} with series creator Rebecca Sugar describing it as the "living relationship between Steven and Connie."{{cite web |last1=Pulliam-Moore |first1=Charles |title='Steven Universe' Creator Opens Up About Creating Gender-Fused Character, Stevonnie |url=http://www.towleroad.com/2015/05/steven-universe-creator-rebecca-sugar-opens-up-about-creating-stevonnie/ |magazine=Towleroad.com |access-date=July 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630155711/https://www.towleroad.com/2015/05/steven-universe-creator-rebecca-sugar-opens-up-about-creating-stevonnie/ |archive-date=June 30, 2020 |date=May 20, 2015 |url-status=live}} Stevonnie is commonly referred to with gender neutral pronouns (such as the singular they), while male and female characters seem to be physically attracted to Stevonnie.{{cite web |last1=Payton |first1=Naith |title=Comment: Lots of children's programmes already have LGBT characters |url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/07/17/comment-lots-of-childrens-programmes-already-have-lgbt-characters/ |magazine=PinkNews|access-date=July 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214162732/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/07/17/comment-lots-of-childrens-programmes-already-have-lgbt-characters/ |archive-date=February 14, 2020 |date=May 20, 2015 |url-status=live}}

File:Ant Sang ComicFest 2019.jpg

Steven Universe is only one of the many animated series with characters that identify outside the gender binary. One of the first characters was Princess Sapphire in Princess Knight. Sapphire was raised as a boy by her father since women are not eligible to inherit the throne;{{cite web |last1=Hodgkins |first1=Crystalyn |title=Right Stuf Licenses Princess Knight TV Anime |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-10-24/right-stuf-licenses-princess-knight-anime |website=Anime News Network |access-date=February 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220180036/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-10-24/right-stuf-licenses-princess-knight-anime |archive-date=February 20, 2019 |date=September 24, 2012 |url-status=live }} this storyline has led some reviewers to interpret her as genderqueer.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}} Kino's Journey, featured another character outside the binary. The protagonist, Kino, was assigned female at birth, but has an "androgynous persona," alternating between using feminine and masculine pronouns, while resisting those that attempt to pin a gender on them as a "girl" or "boy." This led some reviewers to call Kino one of the "rare transmasculine anime protagonists."{{cite web |last1=Baron |first1=Rueben |title=20 Crucial Queer Representations In Anime (For Better Or Worse) |website=Comic Book Resources |url=https://www.cbr.com/queer-anime-characters/ |access-date=July 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926174900/https://www.cbr.com/queer-anime-characters/ |archive-date=September 26, 2019 |date=June 24, 2018 |url-status=live }} bro'Town featured Brother Ken is fa'afafine, a Samoan concept for a third gender, a person who is born biologically male but is raised and sees themself as female{{cite book|last1=Johnson|first1=Derek|last2=Kompare|first2=Derek|last3=Santo|first3=Avi|title=Making Media Work: Cultures of Management in the Entertainment Industries|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fhToAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT57|access-date=January 1, 2015|date=August 1, 2014|publisher=NYU Press|isbn=9780814764558|pages=57–59}} Violet Harper/Halo in Young Justice. Halo is genderqueer, not identifying as male or female{{cite web |last1=Olsen |first1=Carly |title=My Little Pony: 10 Best Pairings In The Entire Series |url=https://screenrant.com/young-justice-outsiders-halo-best-character/ |publisher=Screen Rant |access-date=August 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718230003/https://screenrant.com/young-justice-outsiders-halo-best-character/ |archive-date=July 18, 2019 |date=July 18, 2019 |url-status=live |quote=This revelation lead to Halo's declaration that they were not sure if they were a boy or a girl in terms of personality, but Geo-Force affirmed his love for Halo regardless...The most recent episode, "Early Warning," added further complications into Halo's life beyond basic identity issues...Despite Dr. Jace's certainty she can find a cure, this news seems to inspire a nihilistic streak in Halo, who skips combat training with the team in favor of hanging out with Harper Row - a rebellious punk girl who befriended Violet Harper.}}{{cite web |last1=Morrison |first1=Matt |title=Young Justice: Outsiders Character Revealed As Genderqueer |url=https://screenrant.com/young-justice-season-3-outsiders-halo-genderqueer/ |publisher=Screen Rant |access-date=August 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709170140/https://screenrant.com/young-justice-season-3-outsiders-halo-genderqueer/ |archive-date=July 9, 2020 |date=July 2, 2019 |url-status=live |quote="Influence," the first of the latest batch of Young Justice season 3 episodes, has revealed that one of the junior Justice League members is genderqueer: Halo. This revelation is less shocking than it might seem, however, given the background of the character in question and their unique circumstances...This leads Halo to announce that they are not really sure if they are a girl or a boy, despite their human female body...Whatever Halo might be - biological or mechanic, boy or girl - they are a hero, first and foremost.}}

In 2011, Nathan Seymour / Fire Emblem was a character in Tiger & Bunny. Nathan is a highly effeminate homosexual man{{cite web|last1=Martin|first1=Theron|title=Tiger & Bunny Episodes 1-2 [Review]|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/tiger-and-bunny/episodes-1-2/.160048|website=Anime News Network|date=June 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623034823/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/tiger-and-bunny/episodes-1-2/.160048|archive-date=June 23, 2020|access-date=August 10, 2020|url-status=live|quote= Fire Emblem is an ostentatiously gay black man who wields fire-based powers...The series looks like nothing else out there in anime, whether it's the sharp full-body battle suits of Kotetsu and Barnaby or the more flamboyant outfits of Blue Rose and Fire Emblem.}} who identifies as genderqueer though he prefers to be identified as a woman at times, often spending more time with the female heroes while flirting with the male heroes.{{cite AV media | people=Yonetani, Yoshitomo (Director) | date=February 8, 2014 | title=Tiger & Bunny: The Rising | trans-title=Gekijouban Tiger & Bunny: The Rising | medium=Motion picture | location=Japan | publisher=Sunrise}} In the film he says "They say a man is made of courage and a woman is made of love. So what does that mean for people who are both? We are invincible." Knights of Sidonia featured another character outside the binary. Izana Shinatose belongs to a new, nonbinary third gender that originated during the hundreds of years of human emigration into space.{{cite journal |last1=Søraa |first1=Roger Andre |year=2019 |title=Post-Gendered Bodies and Relational Gender in Knights of Sidonia |url=http://journal.finfar.org/articles/post-gendered-bodies-and-relational-gender-in-knights-of-sidonia/ |journal=Fafnir – Nordic Journal of Science Fiction and Fantasy Research |volume=6 |issue=1 |pages=56–59 }} Milo in Danger & Eggs, an agender character, who uses they/them pronouns, first appeared.{{cite web|url=https://www.themarysue.com/danger-and-eggs-awesome-for-lgbtqia-representation/|title=Why Amazon's Danger and Eggs Is One of the Best Things to Happen to LGBTQIA Representation|last1=Jusino|first1=Teresa|date=July 18, 2017|website=The Mary Sue|access-date=February 12, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212185718/https://www.themarysue.com/danger-and-eggs-awesome-for-lgbtqia-representation/|archive-date=February 12, 2020}} Milo later forms a band with the show's protagonists, DD Danger and Philip, named the Buck Buck Trio and play a music festival together.{{cite web|url=https://www.autostraddle.com/danger-and-eggs-is-the-greatest-weirdest-queer-and-trans-inclusive-kids-show-ever-382906/|title="Danger & Eggs" Is The Greatest Weirdest Queer-and-Trans Inclusive Kids Show Ever|last1=Rude|first1=Mey|date=July 1, 2017|website=Autostraddle|access-date=February 12, 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109030122/https://www.autostraddle.com/danger-and-eggs-is-the-greatest-weirdest-queer-and-trans-inclusive-kids-show-ever-382906/}}{{cite web|url=https://www.autostraddle.com/the-queer-and-trans-cast-of-danger-eggs-a-385688/|title=The Cast and Crew of "Danger & Eggs" Chat About Their Super Weird, Super Queer Kids Show|last1=Rude|first1=Mey|date=July 24, 2017|website=Autostraddle|access-date=February 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528125217/https://www.autostraddle.com/the-queer-and-trans-cast-of-danger-eggs-a-385688/|archive-date=May 28, 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.advocate.com/current-issue/2017/11/21/wait-you-never-heard-danger-and-eggs|title=Wait, You Never Heard of Danger and Eggs?|last1=Guerrero|first1=Desirée|date=November 21, 2017|website=The Advocate|access-date=February 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212185718/https://www.advocate.com/current-issue/2017/11/21/wait-you-never-heard-danger-and-eggs|archive-date=February 12, 2020|url-status=live}} Tyler Ford, an agender model and speaker is the voice of Milo, said they loved that their character, is an "accurate representation" of them. Stars Align featured Yū Asuka, a character who is not sure of whether they are "binary trans, x-gender, or something else entirely" and is still figuring their gender identity.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2020-01-01/best-lgbtq-characters-of-2019/.154965|title=Best LGBTQ+ Characters of 2019|last1=Liu|first1=Michelle|website=Anime News Network|access-date=July 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108001926/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2020-01-01/best-lgbtq-characters-of-2019/.154965|archive-date=January 8, 2020|url-status=live}}

=Other series and films=

While animation has various characters outside the gender binary, there are some in other mediums. In 1976, the novel Two Strand River included Alan / Leslie, a genderfluid character, making it one of the earliest literary novels to star a genderfluid character.{{Cite web|last1=Maillard|first1=Keith|url=https://keithmaillard.com/sample-page/two-strand-river/|title=Two Strand River|website=Official Keith Maillard website|date=August 13, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190619222745/https://keithmaillard.com/sample-page/two-strand-river/|archive-date=June 19, 2019|url-status=live}}{{better source needed|date=September 2024}} In the comic The Sandman, Desire is both male and female, because the character represents everything someone might desire.{{cite web |last1=Jackman |first1=Josh |title=Meet DC's incredible new genderfluid superhero |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2017/07/14/meet-dcs-incredible-new-genderfluid-superhero/ |publisher=PinkNews |access-date=October 3, 2020 |language=en |date=July 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214063917/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2017/07/14/meet-dcs-incredible-new-genderfluid-superhero/ |archive-date=February 14, 2020|url-status=live}} Little Horse in Little Big Man is a Two-Spirit character.{{cite book |last1=Tatonetti |first1=Lisa |title=The Queerness of Native American Literature |date=2014 |page=120 |chapter=Forced to Choose: Queer Indigeneity in Film |publisher=University of Minnesota Press |isbn=978-0816692781 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BzB0DwAAQBAJ&q=queer+little+horse+little+big+man&pg=PT187}} The 2017 film, They, J is a trans teen on puberty blockers that needs to decide their gender before meeting with a doctor, with J saying they feel male, female, or neither at various times. The actor, Fehrenbacher, was also undergoing gender transition at the time of filming.{{cite web|author=Baughan, Nikki|url=https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/they-cannes-review/5118160.article|title='They': Cannes Review|website=Screen Daily|access-date=August 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603113024/https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/they-cannes-review/5118160.article|archive-date=June 3, 2020|url-status=live}} In a film the following year, Upgrade, Jamie is a hacker not identifying with any of the genders, requesting that the protagonist not ask their gender,{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/upgrade-movie-ending-stem-explained/2/|title=Upgrade Ending Explained: What REALLY Happened With STEM|last=Freeman|first=Molly|date=July 1, 2018|website=Screen Rant|archive-date=February 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224173854/https://screenrant.com/upgrade-movie-ending-stem-explained/2/|url-status=live|access-date=December 13, 2020}} In the 2019 Hollywood blockbuster, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, there is a character named The Adjudicator. This character does not have a specified gender in the script since Asia Kate Dillon, a nonbinary person, came up with the idea of making their character nonbinary while talking with the director.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/05/27/asia-kate-dillon-john-wick-non-binary/|title=Asia Kate Dillon suggested their John Wick 3 character be non-binary|website=Pink News|date=May 27, 2019|access-date=June 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817153606/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/05/27/asia-kate-dillon-john-wick-non-binary/|archive-date=August 17, 2020|url-status=live}}

Live-action television series included various characters outside the gender binary. For instance, Sam Malloy in the 2007–2008 series, The Riches, is transgender and frequently dresses in feminine clothing. The idea for Sam's non-binary gender expression came about before Izzard, a gender non-conforming comedian, joined the show.{{cite web |last=McDaniel |first=Mike |title=FX's The Riches will try to con you |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ent/4620597.html |website=Houston Chronicle |access-date=December 13, 2020 |date=March 11, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214112945/http://www.chron.com/entertainment/article/FX-s-The-Riches-will-try-to-con-you-1534252.php |archive-date=December 14, 2014 |url-status=live}} Sam's gender expression is accepted and respected by the Malloy parents and siblings. Janet in the 2016–2020 series, The Good Place, is a non-human, genderless entity who uses she/her pronouns, which corrects other characters who attempt to gender her by saying she is "not a girl".{{Cite web|url=https://www.advocate.com/television/2018/12/07/good-place-takes-gender-bending-whole-new-level|title='The Good Place' Takes Gender-Bending to a Whole New Level|date=December 7, 2018|website=The Advocate|language=en|access-date=September 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181208131003/https://www.advocate.com/television/2018/12/07/good-place-takes-gender-bending-whole-new-level|archive-date=December 8, 2018|url-status=live}} The Switch featured Zoey, a feisty "transgender genderqueer" woman who is guarded by her neighbor, Detective Sandra McKay, a cisgender lesbian.{{cite web |last1=Cooper |first1=Mariah |title='The Switch' features trans actors in new comedy |url=http://www.washingtonblade.com/2017/06/21/the-shift-features-trans-actors/ |website=Washington Blade |date=June 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630061533/http://www.washingtonblade.com/2017/06/21/the-shift-features-trans-actors/|archive-date=June 30, 2019|url-status=live}} Lommie Thorne in Nightflyers is a genderfluid cyber technician specialist who prefers to interface with computers more than humans.{{Cite web|title=Lommie|url=https://www.syfy.com/nightflyers/cast/lommie|access-date=October 15, 2020|website=SYFY|date=November 18, 2018 |language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820230436/https://www.syfy.com/nightflyers/cast/lommie|archive-date=August 20, 2020|url-status=live}} Good Trouble included a non-binary character. Joey Riverton comes out as nonbinary to their cisgender lesbian girlfriend, Alice, and begins using they/them pronouns,{{Cite web|last1=Gilchrist|first1=Tracy E.|date=July 17, 2019|title='Good Trouble' Tackles Coming Out as Nonbinary — While Dating!|url=https://www.advocate.com/television/2019/7/16/good-trouble-tackles-coming-out-nonbinary-while-dating|access-date=October 15, 2020|website=The Advocate|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731162611/https://www.advocate.com/television/2019/7/16/good-trouble-tackles-coming-out-nonbinary-while-dating|archive-date=July 31, 2020|url-status=live}} Lindsay Brady in the same show is also non-binary.{{Cite web|last1=Pecola|first1=Natalie|date=July 17, 2019|title="Good Trouble" Episode 205 Recap: Happy Heckling|url=https://www.autostraddle.com/good-trouble-episode-205-recap-happy-heckling/|access-date=October 15, 2020|website=Autostraddle|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206055946/https://www.autostraddle.com/good-trouble-episode-205-recap-happy-heckling/|archive-date=February 6, 2020|url-status=live}} Bishop in Deputy is considered the first non-binary character on broadcast television.{{Cite web|title=Bex Taylor-Klaus Hopes Their Nonbinary 'Deputy' Character Will Save Lives|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/bex-taylor-klaus-deputy-binary-reveal-1279351|access-date=June 11, 2020|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=February 14, 2020|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200905092600/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/bex-taylor-klaus-deputy-binary-reveal-1279351|archive-date=September 5, 2020|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Weiss|first=Norman|title=Deputys Bex Taylor-Klaus on being nonbinary and playing a nonbinary character on a network drama: Representation saves lives|date=February 14, 2020|url=https://www.primetimer.com/item/Deputys-Bex-Taylor-Klaus-on-being-nonbinary-and-playing-a-nonbinary-character-on-a-network-drama-quot-Representation-saves-lives-quot-ZGSkzg|access-date=June 11, 2020|website=primetimer.com|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611203435/https://www.primetimer.com/item/Deputys-Bex-Taylor-Klaus-on-being-nonbinary-and-playing-a-nonbinary-character-on-a-network-drama-quot-Representation-saves-lives-quot-ZGSkzg|archive-date=June 11, 2020|url-status=live}} Ripley Lennox in Hollyoaks runs a shop for second-hand clothes and befriends some of the show's younger characters like Peri Lomax and Romeo Quinn, while she is a friend of Tom Cunningham, a regular character, and are non-binary.{{cite web |last=Lee |first=Jess |title=Hollyoaks confirms regular role for Tom's friend Ripley as Ki Griffin joins cast |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a33550804/hollyoaks-ripley-ki-griffin-regular/ |website=Digital Spy|access-date=August 10, 2020 |date=August 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820021442/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a33550804/hollyoaks-ripley-ki-griffin-regular/ |archive-date=August 20, 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Parsons |first=Vic |title=Hollyoaks scores a major victory for non-binary representation as actor Ki Griffin joins the main cast |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/08/16/hollyoaks-cast-non-binary-actor-ki-griffin-ripley-lennox-channel-4-drama/ |website=Pink News |access-date=October 3, 2020 |date=August 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822002749/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/08/16/hollyoaks-cast-non-binary-actor-ki-griffin-ripley-lennox-channel-4-drama/ |archive-date=August 22, 2020|url-status=live}} The 2018 manga Love Me for Who I Am features a nonbinary protagonist, Mogumo, who explicitly tells other characters that they are neither male nor female.{{Cite web|date=December 15, 2020|title=The 6 Best LGBTQ Manga (That AREN'T Yaoi or Yuri)|url=https://www.cbr.com/best-lgbtq-manga-not-yaoi-yuri/|access-date=November 11, 2021|website=Comic Book Resources|language=en-US}}{{better source needed|date=September 2024}}

Prominent examples

Apart from the above-listed examples, there are some other characters that stand out apart from the rest. For instance, like Pythio in Head Over Heels is non-binary,{{cite news |last1=Duffy |first1=Nick |title=New York Times theatre critic apologises for 'insensitive' review of Peppermint musical Head Over Heels |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/07/31/new-york-times-theatre-critic-apologises-for-insensitive-review-of-peppermint-musical-head-over-heels/ |access-date=November 26, 2018 |work=PinkNews |date=July 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801111506/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/07/31/new-york-times-theatre-critic-apologises-for-insensitive-review-of-peppermint-musical-head-over-heels/ |archive-date=August 1, 2018|url-status=live}} Musidorus in the same play comes out by saying that they are both a son and daughter to their mother-in-law,{{cite news |title=Head Over Heels |url=https://www.backstage.com/casting/head-over-heels-335346/ |access-date=September 24, 2020 |work=Backstage |year=2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924162043/https://www.backstage.com/casting/head-over-heels-335346/ |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |quote=male and TGNC performers of all ethnicities are strongly encouraged to submit. Musidorus is a guileless and fearless shepherd who loves Philoclea. They discover another side to themself when forced to cross-gender. Should be proficient in physical comedy and classical text. Extraordinary pop belt.|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Huntsberger |first1=Alex |title='Head Over Heels' review: part Go-Go's tribute, part gender statement, Kokandy musical works as both |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/7/7/20685382/head-over-heels-review-go-gos-musical-theater-wit-kokandy-productions |access-date=September 24, 2020 |work=Chicago Sun-Times |date=July 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708142057/https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/7/7/20685382/head-over-heels-review-go-gos-musical-theater-wit-kokandy-productions |archive-date=July 8, 2019 |quote=The family is pursued by Musidorus, who arrives — thanks to a tip from Pythio — disguised as an Amazonian warrioress. The whole family immediately falls in love and/or lust with "Cleophila," (look, inventing fake names is hard) and sexy, gender-fluid shenanigans ensue.|url-status=live }} May in & Juliet is defined as a character who is "not [confined] to any bracket of gender."{{cite web|last1=Valentini|first1=Valentina|title=Musical & Juliet Breaks Gender and Race Barriers|url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/and-juliet-miriam-teak-lee|work=Teen Vogue|date=November 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924162550/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/and-juliet-miriam-teak-lee|archive-date=September 24, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=December 13, 2020}} and Oscar François de Jarjayes in The Rose of Versailles is genderqueer.{{cite journal |last1=Thorn |first1=Rachel Matt |title=What Japanese Girls Do With Manga, and Why |url=https://www.academia.edu/12110879 |website=academia.edu |access-date=March 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080927031215/https://www.matt-thorn.com/shoujo_manga/jaws/index.php |archive-date=September 27, 2008 |year=2004 |url-status=live }} Thorn's paper was delivered at the Japan Anthropology Workshop at the University of Melbourne, Australia on July 10, 1997.

File:Pride.be 2018-05-19 15-06-46 ILCE-6500 DSC08171 DxO (43515799412).jpg

Animation has led the way when it comes to representation. Angel in the ongoing all-ages animation, Craig of the Creek is agender, and uses they/them pronouns. They are voiced by Angel Lorenzana who is a storyboard artist and writer for the show, who identifies as agender and uses the same pronouns.{{cite tweet|last=Lorenzana|first=Angel|user=glamdoodle|number=1206695768930668544|date=December 16, 2019|title=Wasn't sure whether to speak on this until it aired on TV but yeah! Hi, hello, that's me! I voiced..myself? I'm agender (they/them) and my creeksona is Literally Me so I want it to be clear that they are too, lol|access-date=May 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217154942/https://twitter.com/glamdoodle/status/1206695768930668544|archive-date=December 17, 2019|url-status=live}} In later tweets, they added that their "cartoon self" used they/them before themselves, gave a shoutout to the show's crew, and said that while this is a small contribution to LGBT representation, they hope "fans can take comfort knowing that there's also non-binary people working behind the scenes" on every of the show's episodes. Additionally, Asher in the 2020 young adult animation, Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns,{{cite web |author= |title=Rad Sechrist says that Asher (in Kipo) is non-binary |url=https://twitter.com/i/events/1272974123308851202 |via=Twitter |access-date=June 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200616193858/https://twitter.com/i/events/1272974123308851202 |archive-date=June 16, 2020 |date=June 16, 2020 |url-status=live }} which was later confirmed by Bill Wolkoff, co-screenwriter of Kipo.{{cite tweet |last=Wolkoff |first=Bill |user=flying_lobster |number=1275896181311172609 |date=June 24, 2020 |title=Asher prefers they/them, which is what we used in scripts, and with the actor who voiced them, also non-binary. Kipo S2 SPOILER below... Here's an Asher moment I love from the finale that sadly we had to cut for time. Pronoun referred to in action. I wish it was still in! |access-date=June 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624210614/https://twitter.com/flying_lobster/status/1275896181311172609 |archive-date=June 24, 2020 |url-status=live}} Another animation which ended in 2020 included a non-binary character: She-Ra and the Princesses of Power. In that series, Double Trouble was described by series creator ND Stevenson as a "nonbinary shapeshifting mercenary".{{cite web |last1=Elderkin |first1=Beth |last2=Pulliam-Moore |first2=Charles |title=In the She-Ra and the Princesses of Power Season 4 Trailer, Heroes and Villains Rise Up [Updated] |url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/in-the-she-ra-and-the-princesses-of-power-season-4-trai-1838822122 |website=Gizmodo |date=October 6, 2019|access-date=December 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619013208/https://io9.gizmodo.com/in-the-she-ra-and-the-princesses-of-power-season-4-trai-1838822122|archive-date=June 19, 2020|url-status=live}} They are voiced by Jacob Tobia, a non-binary person.{{cite web |last1=Steele |first1=Amanda |title=She-Ra: 12 Best LGBTQ+ Representation Scenes |url=https://screenrant.com/she-ra-best-lgbtq-representation-scenes-catra-bow-netossa-spinerella/ |website=Screen Rant |access-date=July 10, 2020 |date=May 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609195033/https://screenrant.com/she-ra-best-lgbtq-representation-scenes-catra-bow-netossa-spinerella/ |archive-date=June 9, 2020|url-status=live}} The Dragon Prince and Gen:Lock both feature non-binary characters. In the first show, Kazi in The Dragon Prince, the Sunfire Elf sign language interpreter, goes by they/them pronouns.{{cite tweet|author=The Dragon Prince|author-link=The Dragon Prince|user=thedragonprince|number=1197930063066324992|date=November 22, 2019|title=Their name is Kazi.|access-date=December 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122173621/http://twitter.com/thedragonprince/status/1197930063066324992|archive-date=November 22, 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite tweet|author=The Dragon Prince|author-link=The Dragon Prince|user=thedragonprince|number=1197954019899015168|date=November 22, 2019|title=1) they/them! 2) KAH-zee!|access-date=March 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122191938/https://twitter.com/thedragonprince/status/1197954019899015168|archive-date=November 22, 2019|url-status=live}} Val/entina is genderfluid.{{cite web|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/tv/features/1037899-genlock-season-1-episode-4-recap|title=gen:LOCK Season 1 Episode 4 Recap|last1=Gustanski|first1=Tiffany|date=February 11, 2019|website=ComingSoon|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225200255/https://www.comingsoon.net/tv/features/1037899-genlock-season-1-episode-4-recap|archive-date=February 25, 2019|access-date=February 25, 2019}}{{better source needed|date=September 2024}}

In literature, a few examples that stand out. The novel On Steel Breeze featured a non-binary character. Travertine in the novel uses "ve/ver" pronouns, and there is no mention of it being unusual in the book.{{cite web|title=Novel Delivered|website=Official website of Alastair Reynolds|url=http://www.alastairreynolds.com/novel-delivered/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703200228/http://www.alastairreynolds.com/novel-delivered/|archive-date=July 3, 2016|url-status=live}}{{better source needed|date=September 2024}} The film The Kings of Summer included an agender character, named Biaggio, who states that he does not see himself as having a gender.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/31/movies/the-kings-of-summer-directed-by-jordan-vogt-roberts.html|newspaper=The New York Times|title=Into the Hormonal Wild|last=Holden|first=Stephen|date=May 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801040329/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/31/movies/the-kings-of-summer-directed-by-jordan-vogt-roberts.html|archive-date=August 1, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=December 13, 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/10259654/The-Kings-of-Summer-review.html|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|title=The Kings of Summer, review|last=Collin|first=Robbie|date=August 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129231750/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/10259654/The-Kings-of-Summer-review.html|archive-date=November 29, 2016|url-status=live|access-date=December 13, 2020}} In the novel series, Star Wars: Aftermath, Eleodie Maracavanya, a pirate ruler, had a prominent role, referred to by either male, female or gender-neutral pronouns like "zhe" or "zher".{{cite web |title=Star Wars is Gay! 7 Canonically Queer and Non-Binary Characters You Might Not Know About |url=https://offcolour.org/2019/06/14/star-wars-is-gay-7-canonically-queer-and-non-binary-characters-you-might-not-know-about/ |website=Off Colour |access-date=May 28, 2020|date=June 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924175651/https://offcolour.org/2019/06/14/star-wars-is-gay-7-canonically-queer-and-non-binary-characters-you-might-not-know-about/|archive-date=September 24, 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Wendig|first1=Chuck |title=@Just One Ghost That would be the gender-neutral / non-binary pronoun used by human space pirate Eleodie Maracavanya |url=https://twitter.com/chuckwendig/status/1007345075343552513 |via=Twitter |access-date=May 28, 2020 |date=June 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030052518/https://twitter.com/ChuckWendig/status/1007345075343552513|archive-date=October 30, 2018|url-status=live}} Symptoms of Being Human featured a character outside the gender binary. Riley Cavanaugh writes a viral blog about being genderfluid, and struggles to come out to parents and friends, using they/them pronouns often.{{cite interview |last=Garvin |first=Jeff |interviewer=Nicole Brinkley |title=2016 Debut Author: Jeff Garvin talks Symptoms of Being Human |type=Online |url=http://www.yainterrobang.com/2016-debut-jeff-garvin/ |work=Yainterrobang |date=February 2017 |access-date=October 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112130021/http://www.yainterrobang.com/2016-debut-jeff-garvin/ |archive-date=November 12, 2019 |url-status=live}} The following year, The Carmilla Movie had a non-binary character. S. LaFontaine, in this movie, uses singular they/them pronouns.{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-steinberg/carmilla_b_7829326.html|work=HuffPost|title=Love Bites|last=Steinberg|first=Lisa|date=July 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422070736/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-steinberg/carmilla_b_7829326.html|archive-date=April 22, 2017|url-status=live}}

Literature and animation are not the only media which includes such characters. Miss Bruce in the series, Star is a fierce genderfluid person who became a fan favorite for those who watched the show.{{cite web |last1=Rudolph |first1=Christopher |title=Miss Lawrence On Miss Bruce, The Breakout Character On Fox's "Star" |url=http://www.newnownext.com/miss-bruce-miss-lawrence-star-fox/01/2017/ |website=NewNowNext |date=January 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321212818/http://www.newnownext.com/miss-bruce-miss-lawrence-star-fox/01/2017/ |archive-date=March 21, 2019 |url-status=live}} In One Day at a Time began, Syd, uses singular they/them pronouns.{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2018/02/one-day-at-a-time-season-3-non-binary-girlfriend-interview-1201924282/|title='One Day at a Time' Stars Talk Season 3 and Why a Non-Binary Character Is Called a 'Girlfriend' On The Show|last=Miller|first=Liz Shannon|date=February 2, 2018|work=IndieWire|access-date=August 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214185325/https://www.indiewire.com/2018/02/one-day-at-a-time-season-3-non-binary-girlfriend-interview-1201924282/|archive-date=February 14, 2020|url-status=live}} Syd is the 'syd'nificant other of Elena Maria Alvarez Riera Calderón Leyte-Vidal Inclán. The latter is an activist and feminist teenage daughter of Penelope who later discovers that she is lesbian and comes out to her family.{{Cite news|last=Miller|first=Liz Shannon|title='One Day at a Time' Stars Talk Season 3 and Why a Non-Binary Character Is Called a 'Girlfriend' On The Show|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2018/02/one-day-at-a-time-season-3-non-binary-girlfriend-interview-1201924282/|work=IndieWire|date=February 2, 2018|access-date=March 27, 2018}}{{cite web|last=Chaney|first=Jen|title=One Day at a Time Is Back, and Rest Assured, It's Still Great|url=https://www.vulture.com/2018/01/one-day-at-a-time-season-two-review.html|work=Vulture|date=January 25, 2018|access-date=January 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210140000/https://www.vulture.com/2018/01/one-day-at-a-time-season-two-review.html|archive-date=December 10, 2020|url-status=live}} Adira Tal in Star Trek: Discovery is the first non-binary character in the Star Trek Universe, and a highly intelligent character on the USS Discovery, and unexpectedly becomes friends with Lt. Commander Paul Stamets and Dr. Hugh Culber.{{Cite news|url=https://www.startrek.com/news/star-trek-discovery-introduces-first-trangender-and-non-binary-characters|title=Star Trek: Discovery Introduces First Transgender and Non-Binary Characters|work=Startrek.com|date=September 2, 2020|access-date=December 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001021102/https://www.startrek.com/news/star-trek-discovery-introduces-first-trangender-and-non-binary-characters|archive-date=October 1, 2020|url-status=live}} Adira is also an introvert who does not originally tell the crew they are non-binary, using "she/her" pronouns until episode 8 when Adira comes out as non-binary and asks to be referred to as "they or them."{{cite interview |last=del Barrio |first=Blu |interviewer=Nick Adams |title=Meet Star Trek: Discovery's Blu del Barrio |url=https://www.glaad.org/blog/meet-star-trek-discoverys-blu-del-barrio |date=September 2, 2020 |work=GLAAD |access-date=December 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103000933/https://www.glaad.org/blog/meet-star-trek-discoverys-blu-del-barrio |archive-date=November 3, 2020 |url-status=live}} Hedwig and the Angry Inch featured a genderqueer character named Hedwig Robinson. The creator of both described Hedwig as "more than a woman or a man. She's a gender of one."{{cite web|last1=Marks|first1=Peter|title=THEATER REVIEW; How to Be Captivating Without a Sense of Self|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/16/theater/theater-review-how-to-be-captivating-without-a-sense-of-self.html|work=The New York Times|date=February 16, 1998|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724062459/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/16/theater/theater-review-how-to-be-captivating-without-a-sense-of-self.html|archive-date=July 24, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=December 13, 2020}}{{cite web|last=Ouzounian|first=Richard|title=John Cameron Mitchell to host Hedwig and the Angry Inch sing-along in Toronto|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/stage/2014/06/18/singalong_hedwig_and_the_angry_inch_comes_to_lgbt_film_fest.html|work=Toronto Star|date=June 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801134124/https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/stage/2014/06/18/singalong_hedwig_and_the_angry_inch_comes_to_lgbt_film_fest.html|archive-date=August 1, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=December 13, 2020}}{{cite web|last=Hannaham|first=James|title=How Taye Diggs Is Transforming the Role of Hedwig|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/26/magazine/how-taye-diggs-is-transforming-the-role-of-hedwig.html|work=The New York Times|date=July 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191120121623/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/26/magazine/how-taye-diggs-is-transforming-the-role-of-hedwig.html|archive-date=November 20, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=December 13, 2020}} There is Eth in Eth's Skin, which has run from 2014 to the present. Eth uses singular they/them pronouns in the webcomic, with author Sfé Monster stating that Eth presents and identifies as gender-neutral.{{cite web|url=http://comicsalliance.com/eths-skin-readers-guide/ |website=ComicsAlliance |title=Questing & Queer Identity: Should You Be Reading 'Eth's Skin'? |last=Finn |first=Charlotte |date=August 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618181052/http://comicsalliance.com/eths-skin-readers-guide/ |archive-date=June 18, 2016 |url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Mello|first1=Carolina|title=Sfé Monster talks about his genderqueer webcomics|url=http://womenwriteaboutcomics.com/2014/05/06/sfe-monster-talks-about-his-genderqueer-webcomics/|website=Women Write About Comics|date=May 6, 2014|access-date=May 31, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620235120/http://www.autostraddle.com/bisexual-trolls-and-non-binary-sprites-the-power-of-lgbtq-visibility-in-homestuck-337216/|archive-date=June 20, 2020|url-status=live}}

References

External links

[https://www.pride.com/geek/2020/5/06/9-characters-destroy-traditional-gender-roles Some of our most beloved fictional characters break free from the gender binary!], Pride.com, May 6, 2020
[https://www.cbr.com/representation-gender-in-media/ The Evolution of Representation for Trans and Gender Nonconforming Characters], Comic Book Resources, November 20, 2020

Category:Non-binary gender

Category:LGBTQ fiction