Uncovering Erased Histories: Colonialism’s Impact on Non-Binary Identities

The presence of non-binary identities, including what we now refer to as Gender X, has existed in many cultures throughout history. These identities flourished in indigenous societies across Africa, Asia, and the Americas long before colonial forces imposed rigid gender binaries. However, the colonial era saw the suppression and erasure of these identities, pushing them into the margins of history.

Colonialism and the Construction of Binary Gender Norms

Colonial powers imposed Western ideals on conquered territories, bringing with them the binary understanding of gender as male and female. This strict gender dichotomy clashed with the fluid and diverse gender identities already present in many indigenous societies. Missionaries, governments, and colonizers equated non-binary identities with deviance or inferiority, systematically suppressing them in the process.

Gender Fluidity in Pre-Colonial Societies

In pre-colonial societies, people often embraced a range of identities beyond male or female. In India, the Hijra community thrived as a recognized third gender. Indigenous groups in the Americas, such as the Navajo, celebrated Two-Spirit individuals as carriers of both masculine and feminine qualities.

Colonizers, however, misunderstood or deliberately erased these traditions. Legal systems were rewritten to ban or criminalize non-binary identities. These colonial policies silenced generations of people who identified outside the binary, further contributing to cultural erasure.

Religious Doctrine as a Tool for Erasure

Religious conversion campaigns often played a central role in the enforcement of binary gender norms. Missionaries saw non-binary identities as immoral or sinful, working to "correct" what they perceived as unnatural practices. In regions like the Philippines and South America, gender-diverse practices were stigmatized or prohibited under the guise of religious salvation.

The Criminalization of Non-Binary Identities

Legal systems established under colonial rule frequently criminalized non-binary individuals. For example, British colonial law introduced anti-cross-dressing statutes and sodomy laws that targeted people whose appearance or identity didn’t conform to binary norms. These laws, or their remnants, persist in many post-colonial states today, making it difficult for people to reclaim these identities.

A Personal Story: A Community Rediscovering Lost Histories

A young person named Arvind from India once discovered writings about the Hijra community while researching their ancestry. Learning about this erased part of their cultural heritage empowered Arvind to embrace their own identity as Gender X. They realized they weren’t alone—non-binary individuals have existed throughout time, only to be forgotten under the weight of colonial narratives.

The Legacy of Colonialism and the Modern Gender X Movement

Today, the Gender X movement works to reclaim these lost identities, celebrating fluidity and diversity once erased by colonial powers. Advocates are not just fighting for recognition but also for the revival of indigenous knowledge systems that acknowledged and respected non-binary identities.

Countries that once suffered under colonial rule, such as India and South Africa, are beginning to acknowledge non-binary genders in their legal frameworks, signaling a slow but hopeful shift away from colonial gender norms.

Community Wisdom: Navigating the Journey to Reclamation

• Engage with Indigenous Knowledge: Seek out writings and oral histories about pre-colonial gender diversity.
• Advocate for Policy Changes: Support legislation that acknowledges non-binary identities beyond colonial constructs.
• Foster Inclusive Communities: Build support networks that empower people to explore and express their authentic selves.

A Forward Look: Reimagining Gender Beyond Binaries

As we work to dismantle colonial legacies, societies are beginning to understand that gender is not a rigid binary. Movements around Gender X highlight the importance of recognizing every individual’s right to self-identify. This recognition is more than just a legal shift—it is a return to a deeper understanding of humanity’s diverse and fluid nature, one that predates the colonial era.

A Helpful Reflection: Honoring the Past While Building the Future

The journey to reclaim non-binary identities is a tribute to the resilience of marginalized communities. Learning from history allows us to better understand how systemic oppression functions and gives us the tools to create a more inclusive future. The stories of those who lived outside colonial binaries remind us that gender is a spectrum—and that everyone deserves the freedom to live authentically.

A Final Thought: Embracing the Complexity of Gender

Rediscovering non-binary identities buried by colonialism offers us a path toward a more inclusive society. By acknowledging these erased histories, we can move beyond outdated gender binaries and create a world where every identity is celebrated.