Non-Binary or Genderqueer Genders

The document from 2016 reviews the increasing recognition and challenges of non-binary or genderqueer identities, which do not conform to the traditional male-female binary. It notes that a small but significant portion of the population identifies as non-binary and that these individuals often face discrimination and stress. The paper discusses the historical and global presence of non-binary genders and the need for health professionals to be non-pathologizing and accommodating, using preferred pronouns and terminology. It highlights the evolution of diagnostic classifications, such as the DSM-5 and the expected changes in the WHO's ICD-11, to recognize non-binary identities without pathologizing them. The scarcity of literature on non-binary identities and the need for respectful healthcare and empirical research are emphasized. The document also outlines the lack of clinical guidelines for non-binary individuals seeking gender dysphoria treatment and the need for prospective outcome studies. It concludes with a call for compassionate assistance for non-binary individuals in clinical settings, given the rise in self-diagnosis of gender dysphoria and the absence of specific guidelines.