Here are some recommendations for finding positive non-binary representation on screen and on paper from Teddy, our Trans Wel
lbeing Support Worker.
Happy International Non-Binary People’s Day to all the gender non-conforming folks! To celebrate this day of recognition, we’ve put together some great Non-Binary representation in fiction and media.
Cal Bowman in Sex Education (tv show)
(they/them)
What’s it about? Insecure Otis has all the answers when it comes to sex advice, thanks to his therapist mother. So, rebel Maeve proposes a school sex-therapy clinic.
Cal Bowman is one of the secondary characters of Season 3 of Sex Education, portrayed by Dua Saleh. They are a new student and a bold, artistic character who spends the series trying to be authentic to themself despite the changes around them, as well as developing a connection with Jackson Ma
rchetti.
Source: https://sexeducation.fandom.com/wiki/
You can watch all seasons of Sex Education on Netflix.
Mae Martin in Feel Good (tv show)
(they/them)
What’s it
about? The semi-autobiographical series follows Mae, a Canadian comedian, meets George, a repressed, middle-class English woman, at the comedy club where Mae performs. The pair begin dating, and George learns that Mae is a former drug addict. George encourages them to attend a Narcotics Anonymous meeting, where Mae meets fellow recovering addicts. Mae’s addiction causes problems in their relationship, as does George’s reluctance to come out and tell friends and family about her relationship with Mae.
In the second season Mae’s career advances, while they also address trauma in their past after receiving a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorde
r.
Source: Wikipedia
Trigger Warnings: drugs, alcohol. Season 2 trigger warning for sexual assault/abuse.
Mae stars in the show as a semi-autobiographical version of themself. In the show, recovering addict and comedian Mae is trying to control the addictive behaviours and intense romanticism that permeate every facet of their life. The journey take to understand their gender identity is a really amazing part of the story.
You can watch both seasons of Feel Good on Netflix and Channel 4.
Sunil Jha
in Loveless by Alice Oseman (book)
(he/they)
Loveless primarily features some amazing asexual representation, and asexual non-binary character Sunil acts as a guide and mentor for protagonist Georgia.
Source: https://aliceoseman.fandom.com/wiki/Sunil_Jha
What’s it about? Georgia has never been in love, never kissed anyone, never even had a crush – but as a fanfic-obsessed romantic she’s sure she’ll find her person one day.
As she starts university with her best friends, Pip and Jason, in a whole new town far from home, Georgia’s ready to find romance, and with her outgoing roommate on her side and a place in the Shakespeare Society, her ‘teenage dream’ is in sight.
But when her romance plan wreaks havoc amongst her friends, Georgia ends up in her own comedy of errors, and she starts to question why love seems so easy for other people but not for her. With new terms thrown at her – asexual, aromantic – Georgia is more uncertain about her feelings than ever.
Is she destined to remain loveless? Or has she been looking for the wrong thing all along?
Source: Goodreads
Sam in The Many Half-Lived Lives of Sam Sylvester by Maya MacGregor (book)
(they/them)
What’s it about? In this queer contemporary YA mystery, a nonbinary teen with autism realizes they must not only solve a 30-year-old mystery but also face the demons lurking in their past in order to live a satisfying life.
Sam Sylvester’s not overly optimistic about their recent move to the small town of Astoria, Oregon after a traumatic experience in their last home in the rural Midwest.
Yet Sam’s life seems to be on the upswing after meeting several new friends and a potential love interest in Shep, the pretty neighbor. However, Sam can’t seem to let go of what might have been, and is drawn to investigate the death of a teenage boy in 1980s Astoria. Sam’s convinced he was murdered–especially since Sam’s investigation seems to resurrect some ghosts in the town.
Threatening notes and figures hidden in shadows begin to disrupt Sam’s life. Yet Sam continues to search for the truth. When Sam discovers that they may be closer to a killer than previously known, Sam has a difficult decision to make. Would they risk their new life for a half-lived one?
Source: Goodreads
Stevonnie, Steven Universe (animated series)
(they/them)
What’s it about? Steven Universe is an American animated television series created by Rebecca Sugar that focuses on a young boy named Steven Universe, the youngest member of the Crystal Gems, a team of magical guardians who protect the Earth.
Stevonnie is the fusion of Steve
n Universe and Connie Maheswaran. Stevonnie’s personality is unique. As a fusion, they have a blend of both Connie’s and Steven’s minds, and they frequently alternate in their control of Stevonnie’s behaviour and thoughts. They carry the free spirit, friendliness, and fun-loving attitude of Steven and the courtesy, awkwardness, and intelligence of Connie.
Source: https://steven-universe.fandom.com/wiki/Stevonnie
You can watch Steven Universe on Amazon Video
LaFontaine, Carmilla (web series and film)
(they/them)
What’s it about? Small town girl Laura Hollis has just finally moved out to go to Silas University. When her missing roommate is replaced without explanation, Laura vows to find out what is happening on campus while she deals with her new roomy Carmilla… a vampire.
Source: IMDB
LaFontaine is non-binary and prefers they/them pronouns, which initially causes friction with their best friend (they work it out, don’t worry). They identify themself as the unofficial “truth speaker” of the group. Lafontaine is an extremely intelligent individual with an aptitude for science. They have great technical skill and a passion for scientific experiments. Although they are enthralled by the unexplained, they do view everything with a healthy degree of scepticism.
Source: https://carmilla.fandom.com/wiki/S._LaFontaine
You can watch the entirety of the Carmilla web series on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uPd3g5wi1A
Syd, One Day at a Time (tv show)
(they/them)
What’s it ab
out? The show follows three generations of the same Cuban-American family living in the same house: a newly divorced former military mother, her teenage daughter and tween son, and her old-school mother.
Source: IMDB
Syd is a recurring character in Season 2, Season 3, and Season 4. Syd is geeky and nerdy with feminist views. They tend to be awkward but charming. Syd first appeared in “To Zir, With Love,” as a part of Elena’s Feminist Gamers of Echo Park group.
Source: https://one-day-at-a-time.fandom.com/wiki/Syd
You can watch all seasons of One Day at a Time on Netflix
The Book of Non-Binary Joy by Ben Pechey (book)
Whether you are at the start of your journey or have been on the wild ride of gender introspection for a long time, this guide is here to help you thrive as your authentic – and most fabulous – non-binary self. With personal stories, valuable insights and interactive sections, this inspiring book covers a wide range of topics, including mental health, pleasure, fashion, understanding your past, allyship privilege and self-expression.
Source:
