The Non-Binary Flag (above) consists of four stripes: yellow stands for people whose gender doesn’t exist within the binary; white represents people with all genders or many genders; purple stands for people with genders that may be a mix of female and male; and black represents people that identify as not having any gender at all.
About International Non-Binary People's Day
International Non-Binary People's Day is celebrated on July 14 each year. Katje van Loon started International Non-Binary People's Day in 2012. The date of International Non-Binary People's Day was chosen as it is midway between International Women’s Day (March 8) and International Men’s Day (November 19).
Non-binary is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity does not fit neatly into the categories of man or woman. Non-binary people may identify as both a man and a woman, neither a man nor a woman, or somewhere in between. They may also use gender-neutral pronouns such as they/them.
International Non-Binary People's Day is a day to celebrate the diversity of non-binary people and to raise awareness of the challenges they face. Non-binary people often experience discrimination, prejudice, and violence. They may also face challenges accessing healthcare, housing, and employment.
On International Non-Binary People's Day, we can all do our part to support non-binary people. We can educate ourselves about non-binary identities, use gender-neutral pronouns, and challenge discrimination. We can also support non-binary organizations and initiatives.
Resources for Celebrating International Non-Binary People's Day
- Workplace Pride hosts an annual event for International Non-Binary People's Day. The event includes speakers, workshops, and networking opportunities.
- The Human Rights Campaign also has a number of resources for celebrating International Non-Binary People's Day.
- The Trevor Project is a national organization that provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ youth. They have a number of resources on their website about non-binary identity, including a glossary of terms and a list of support groups.
- GLAAD is a media advocacy organization that works to promote accurate and inclusive representation of LGBTQ people in the media. They have a number of resources on their website about non-binary identity, including a list of films and TV shows with non-binary characters.
Ways to include Non-Binary People Everyday
- Learn more about non-binary people. There are a number of books, articles, and websites that can help you learn more about non-binary people, including Book Riot's Memoirs by Non-Binary authors.
- Introduce yourself with your pronouns when you meet someone new. This gives others the opportunity to share their pronouns. In addition, make sure to check for pronouns in someone's email signature or on their user profile (for example: LinkedIn, Zoom, and Slack).
- Support non-binary organizations. There are a number of organizations that work to support non-binary people. You can donate to these organizations or volunteer your time.
- Speak out against discrimination. If you see a person& being discriminated against, speak up. Complete Right to Be's Online Bystander Training to learn how you can intervene effectively as a bystander.
By taking these steps, we can create a more inclusive and accepting world for non-binary people.
Communication developed by Vanita Chawla.