[Swift Riffle] Non-binary Characters in Speculative Fiction Part I

We exist, both in literature and reality

Who?

People who are non-binary don't identify with being either male or female, often preferring 'they/them' or other alternatives to gendered pronouns like 'he/him' and 'she/her'. (Consider reading more here!) Recently, Trump put in motion efforts to utterly erase non-binary and transgender people from official recognition, including changing the State Department's Travel Page to read "LGB" (from LGBTQ).

Suffice to say that we still exist, and will continue to do so regardless of any fascist's opinions. Today I'll be putting a spotlight on speculative fiction characters who use they/them pronouns and how that shapes their lives in their respective worlds and cultures.

I've previously written about characters who use neopronouns, many of whom fall under the non-binary umbrella. Characters using the pronouns 'it/its' are a little rarer, but I've previously discussed Murderbot if you're interested and will bring up Mosscap today in relation to Sibling Dex.

Non-binary Pride Dragon, by Kaenith

Exuberant & Heartfelt

Depicting non-binary characters – let alone featuring them front and center as some of today's novels do – remains fairly rare in published books, even in the more progressive world of speculative fiction. I find that when they are included, they tend to fall into one of two categories: exuberant & heartfelt, or thoughtful & mysterious. (The same applies to movies and TV: just think of Asia Kate Dillon's John Wick and Billions characters.)

It's not all that different from any other cliché, and if anything I think it demonstrates that authors are putting effort into having these characters stand out in their own ways. At the same time, it is always refreshing to see non-binary characters who don't quite fit into either category; so I'll mention a few of them toward the end of Part II.

Tau-Indi Bosoka, by canmom

It feels like forever since I discussed Seth Dickinson's Masquerade novels, but thankfully the (presumably non-binary) author provides an incredible character to start off today with in the form of Prince-Ambassador Tau-Indi Bosoka. Tau is of the Oriati Mbo's people and their gender is called 'laman' in this world; as you'll see, many of these books offer an in-world version of non-binary. (I'll be continuing from my previous posts on these books, use the link above if you need a refresher!)

Tau plays a fascinating role in the story, serving as point-of-view for our glimpses of the past in Tyrant and helping Baru learn to think and reason on her own terms. Tau's gender is intrinsically accepted in and by the Mbo, but represents an immediate obstacle to their interactions with foreigners – particularly colonial Falcrest.

Visiting the Mbo in their youth with the secret goal of determining the appropriate vector for conquering the continent and its people, Falcresti cryptarchs Itinerant/Farrier and Hesychast/Torrinde are surprisingly polite and respectful of Tau's gender, considering their objective necessitates utterly purging it.

Where real world transphobes employ only hate and denial, these two approach Tau with curious rationality which could almost, but not quite, be mistaken for empathy; having absolutely no issue with Tau as a person but seeing their gender as a problem to be understood and eliminated.

Tau-Indi Bosoka holding the threads of trim, by Arian Wells

Tau themself could easily be mistaken for impulsive and naïve because of the trust and faith they place in 'trim', an Oriati belief which relates personal relationships, fate and more. In reality they easily stand toe-to-toe with the many intelligent characters of this series, even though their straightforward style is a direct contrast to the cryptarchs' obsession over planning and fail-safes.

As might be obvious from how long I've spent on them, I consider Tau-Indi to be among the best and most important non-binary characters in speculative fiction, and I can't wait to see what role they play in book four of The Masquerade.

Mosscap and Sibling Dex, by Randall Dameron

I recently read A Psalm for the Wild-Built for my monthly book club, and immediately joined the many readers to fall in love with Becky Chambers world and characters. The novella follows Sibling Dex (they/them) and eventually Mosscap (it/its) on a journey of self-discovery and reconnection between the divided human and robot populations of their world.

Neither Dex nor Mosscap has a gender, and that doesn't particularly affect them in this world; this is one of the cozypunk stories I discussed last time, and sometimes it's lovely just to see inclusion for inclusion's sake.

The Sibling and the Stormfather, by Saša Radivojevic // Rushu, by Treefin

That's a tower, I hear you say. Well, yes they are. Meet the Sibling, one of the three Bondsmith spren in The Stormlight Archive and Brandon Sanderson's first ever non-binary character! They're cool, but a little alien and impersonal... which is why it's fantastic that Sanderson recently confirmed another (beloved) character Rushu will also be using they/them pronouns moving forward. There isn't much societal conflict in this case – these books are already massive – but lovely to see such mainstream inclusion.

To Be Continued...

Turns out that even when writing about Tau-Indi, their presence takes up a lot of attention! Rather than rush through half a dozen more characters right now, I'll call this a wrap for today and bring you a Part II on Sunday.

Are there any non-binary characters you've found especially compelling? I'd love to hear about them!

Thanks for reading and until next time <3