My gender finds the cracks and spills out: Metaphorical framing of non-binary experience

In recent years, the use of metaphors in the non-binary domain has gained greater interest. Cordoba (2022) explored the "becoming" metaphor of gender, which surpasses positivism and social constructionism by presenting gender as a shifting process. Meyerowitz (2013) identified the prevalent use of "inner" and "trapped" metaphors among transgender individuals. However, additional research is necessary to uncover more non-binary related metaphors since the notion of non-binarism is perpetually changing and evolving, and metaphors are valuable instruments to the description of abstract concepts. This research examines the use of spatial metaphors by non-binary individuals concerning their identity definition and gender experience. To accomplish this objective, this research collects data from social media by analyzing Instagram posts and YouTube videos to identify spatial metaphors used to describe non-binary identities and experiences. The study employs two theoretical frameworks, framing (Entman, 1993) and Conceptual Metaphor Theory (Lakoff and Johnson, 1980), to analyze the data. These frameworks facilitate a nuanced understanding of how spatial metaphors shape the conception of non-binarism and the experiences of non-binary individuals from their perspective. Furthermore, they allow a comprehensive investigation of non-binary experiences and identities as they are represented and portrayed through digital means. Initial findings reveal a trend in the application of spatial metaphors, with non-binary individuals frequently characterizing their identity as situated "outside of," "between," or "beyond" binary gender classifications, employing vivid metaphors that evoke a mental picture in the audience's mind. By examining how non-binary individuals frame their identities and experiences using spatial metaphors, this study aims to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of non-binarism.