Japanese group XG member Cocona has come out as transmasculine non-binary and revealed that they underwent top surgery earlier this year.
In a birthday Instagram post shared by XG’s official account on December 6, Cocona said: “I am AFAB (assigned female at birth) transmasculine non-binary.”
“I was born and perceived as female, but that label never represented who I truly am,” Cocona wrote. “I live in a way that feels more masculine and true to who I am.”
Cocona recently turned 20. The post featured several photos of them wearing a black blazer, with their top surgery scars partially visible.
The announcement quickly drew messages of support from fans and people close to the group.
Simon Jakops, CEO of XG’s entertainment company XGALX and the group’s executive producer, also shared a message of support.
“Today, as COCONA bravely shared their truth with the world, I am filled with deep emotion and respect,” he wrote in an Instagram post originally published in Japanese.
Jakops added that he would continue supporting every member as both an artist and an individual.
XG member Hinata also expressed her support in a post on the group’s official fanclub app, ALPHAZ.
“For us, COCONA is still COCONA, nothing has changed,” Hinata wrote.
“You are just our beloved COCONA, that’s all. And it’s the same for the rest of the members too,” she added.
Support for Cocona
XG debuted in March 2022 with its first single, ‘Tippy Toes’. The group is based in South Korea and includes Chisa, Harvey, Jurin, Juria, Maya and Cocona.
The group has built an international following with songs such as ‘LEFT RIGHT’ and ‘WOKE UP’.
Cocona also used the birthday message to share more about their personal journey.
‘There’s nothing wrong with who I am inside’: Cocona
Cocona said the hardest part of their journey was “accepting and embracing” themselves.
They explained that accepting who they are helped them see the world differently.
“The moment changed the way I see and understand the world, and it gave me the courage and strength to grow,” they wrote.
“Now, I can finally say, ‘There’s nothing wrong with who I am inside’.”
Cocona also thanked their parents, fellow XG members and Jakops for supporting them.
In a message shared through the ALPHAZ app, Cocona said they prefer they/them and he/him pronouns when people refer to them in English.
What is transmasculine and non-binary?
Cocona’s announcement received widespread support online. However, some people questioned whether someone can identify as both transmasculine and non-binary.
The answer is yes. These terms describe different aspects of gender identity and experience.
AFAB means “assigned female at birth”. It describes the sex designation given to someone when they were born.
Non-binary is a gender identity. A non-binary person does not identify exclusively as a man or a woman.
Transmasculine is a broader term. It generally describes someone who moves toward a more masculine identity or expression. A transmasculine person does not necessarily identify as a man.
For that reason, someone can be both transmasculine and non-binary.
Gender identity describes how a person understands their own gender. Gender expression refers to how they present or express themselves through appearance, behaviour and other forms of presentation.
These concepts can overlap, but they are not the same.
Some people may identify as transgender, genderqueer or genderfluid. Others may use different terms or no label at all.
Medical transition is also a personal choice. Some transmasculine people may pursue procedures such as top surgery, while others may not undergo any medical transition.
Cocona has publicly described themselves as transmasculine non-binary. They have also said that they prefer they/them and he/him pronouns in English.
The most important point is that people have the right to describe their own identities. Respecting someone’s chosen identity and pronouns helps create a more supportive environment.
Cocona’s announcement also highlights the importance of allowing people to share their experiences on their own terms.
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