It was raining hard when I walked into a building in the Chelsea district of Manhattan, and my coat — a women's coat, though I specifically chose one that didn't feel so womanly — was soaked when I peeled it off. As I took that layer off, there was another women’s yet not particularly womanly sweater underneath. I took the elevator to the GLAAD offices where a photo studio was set up for one of their Trans Awareness Week initiatives, the #BeyondtheBinary campaign.

The #BeyondtheBinary campaign was created to make the public more aware of people like me — people who don’t believe in the idea that there are only two genders. I asked myself if my nondescript grey sweater could adequately represent my life as a nonbinary person and decided it couldn’t, so I removed yet another layer to reveal a colorblocked top underneath. I found this top in the women’s section of a store, but knew it was something that a man could wear and get away with. This is a big part of what it’s like to be a nonbinary person: to dig through layers as I negotiate how I present myself to the world so that the world can perceive me the way I perceive myself, even when I’m often forced to use imperfect instruments of clothing that presume only two genders. I hope that these words by and photographs of nonbinary people can keep nudging this world into fully recognizing our existence.

Jacob Tobia, Author & Producer | they/them

Abdool Corlette

What does being nonbinary mean to you?

It means letting myself explore the fullness of my creativity. It means transcending the boundaries that have been placed around my body. It means living my life with integrity, courage, and clarity.

What is something you would like people to know about nonbinary folks?

I'd like people to know that, while the term "nonbinary" sounds very technical, it's not actually all that complicated. I'd like people to know that they don't have to tiptoe around someone who is nonbinary. Just because someone is nonbinary doesn't mean that you have to worry about saying the wrong thing or insulting them — just treat nonbinary people as you'd like to be treated. Treat us with respect, be kind, ask questions when you don't understand, and be prepared to actually listen, to hear us, when we respond. That's it.

ALOK, Artist | they/them