Nemo triumphed in a tense final with the song "The Code," surpassing Baby Lasagna, who had been the frontrunner in the betting odds. The representative from Switzerland identifies as a gender-neutral person and is a member of the LGBTQ+ community. To dispel myths, prejudices, and unfounded views about gender-neutral individuals, we spoke with Jelena Zulević, a psychologist and psychotherapist who wrote a guide for therapeutic work with LGBTQ+ individuals.

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"For a long time, sex and gender were conflated, and anything significantly deviating from stereotypical gender roles was sanctioned. For example, women were prohibited from wearing pants or were diagnosed with conditions if they 'refused' household chores. Similar to how left-handed children were forced to write with their right hand because it was considered the only normal and healthy way, we've since realized that this was a harmful practice," Jelena Zulević explained in an interview with Nova.rs.

However, many cultures have recognized different gender expressions, our psychologist and psychotherapist reminds us.

"Today, we know there are many gender identities that lie on a continuum between male and female or beyond. The term transgender encompasses all of these, and gender non-binary is one of them, though some do not have adequate translations in our language – agender, genderfluid, etc. So, a gender non-binary person is someone whose gender identity does not fit the traditional binary division of male and female. This means that a person may feel like a combination of both genders, none of them, or something that changes over time," Jelena Zulević further explained.

"It is also important to mention that gender is independent of sexual orientation," our interlocutor explains.

"Gender identity refers to an internal sense of one's own identity in relation to what is traditionally attributed and expected based on a person's biological sex, while sexual orientation refers to the gender to which one feels romantic and sexual attraction. Thus, gender non-binary and transgender identities do not imply same-sex sexual orientation. Because historically, people with different sexual orientations and gender identities have faced the same kind of stigma and misunderstanding, they have become united under the acronym LGBTIQ+, even though they relate to different aspects of identity," she said.

How should we address them?

"Using the pronouns a person prefers is very important. The decision to use language in a respectful and empowering way is a crucial part of support and destigmatization. Additionally, adopting pronouns from English is not always the most convenient solution. In English, they/them is used, and this is one option in Serbian. We also have the option of formal address if we are unsure of a person’s preferred pronouns. Using the neuter gender is generally considered offensive and is not recommended. Most gender non-binary individuals here recommend alternating between masculine and feminine genders," Jelena Zulević said. The best way, she says, is to simply ask the person which pronouns they prefer and to respect that choice.

Is gender non-binary a disease?

"No. Gender non-binary is one of many variations in the spectrum of gender identities, and each person has the right to autonomy in expressing their gender identity. Mental health issues in some non-binary individuals often stem from the strong societal stigma and discrimination they face, not from their identity. Unfortunately, this hasn't always been the case. Historically, there are examples where diagnoses were assigned and forced treatment attempts were made for various 'conditions' in line with the prevailing norms of the time," she said.

She listed examples such as "drapetomania – the pathological need of black slaves to escape to freedom – homosexuality, which was attempted to be forcibly treated with electroshock, hormones, surgeries, unsuccessfully, incidentally – the forced writing with the right hand for left-handed individuals, and various others."

"So, the fact that something was a diagnosis or was attempted to be treated in the past is simply a reflection of the understanding of that time. Fortunately, in the meantime, we've learned a lot of new things and now understand more than before. For example, biologists know that two biological sexes are not the rule for all species, anthropologists know that numerous cultures worldwide, from indigenous communities in North America to cultures in India and the Pacific, recognize and respect various gender identities that are not binary. Psychologists – that many human behaviors and characteristics are much more complex and numerous than once thought," our interlocutor explained to Nova.rs.

When asked if and how she has worked with non-binary individuals, Jelena Zulević answered – yes.

"I have had extensive professional experience with transgender and gender non-binary individuals, and I know many personally, as friends. In therapeutic work, the focus is on providing support in their search for identity, understanding, and accepting themselves, as well as helping them cope with the challenges society places before them. As in other cases, therapeutic work involves empathy, openness, and respect for their identity and experience. Definitions concerning gender identity have evolved as our understanding of human diversity and psychology has developed. Non-binary gender identities that didn't fit binary norms were once considered pathological, but we now know they are part of natural human diversity," Jelena Zulević explained to Nova.rs.

Finally, she debunked the myth that non-binary is something that has become 'modern.'

"No, it hasn't become modern; various gender identity variations have always existed worldwide and in different cultures. For example, in the archives of Politika, there is an article from 1937 about a person (today we would use the term intersex) who had characteristics of both sexes and an atypical gender expression. Today, people feel more freedom to talk about it, so it appears as a topic in public. Unfortunately, the topic is often covered in a sensationalist and inappropriate way. Therefore, despite much progress, the biggest problem remains the discrimination and violence transgender and gender non-binary individuals face almost daily," she concluded for Nova.rs.

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Pero Jovović, May 16, 2024, Source: Nova.rs