Gender Trouble...?

If you've seen me around Purdue in 2025, I think you likely have seen me wearing a skirt. I thought it fits me well and looks cool. Well today, I was questioned by a European friend if I am non-binary. I don't like that question, not because it was offensive, but I cannot answer.

What does being non-binary mean anyway? Do I believe that there are more than two genders? Yes. Do I think I am male? Also yes. So I had to answer like I think I'm still male but I think I'm also non-binary. I didn't think it was satisfactory so I went on to explain why I choose to wear it - it's cozy and I ran out of common pants to wear.

Now that I think about it, I don't even have excuse myself of wearing skirts. In the sense I don't have to wait until I have no spare pants to wear a skirt. But just as we don't question a woman's gender when she wears traditionally male suits, I don't think I deserve to be asked about this question. (I hope I'm not crazy to think that it's overall pleasing to see women wearing traditionally man's suits.)

With that being said, I will accept the judgement about the normality of wearing skirts. It's just rare. And I think it is okay. I don't like wearing skirts in China, simply because doing so attracted too much attention on the street. I felt like I was gazed. I also think it's possible to argue whether it's actually good looking. My mom actually questioned about this matter on my selection of earrings. But to ask if I am non-binary simply because of me wearing a skirt was assuming.