International Non-Binary People's Day

International Non-Binary People’s Day 14th July 2022

Celebrate International Non-Binary People’s Day!

To celebrate International Non-Binary People’s Day, the LGBTQI+ Staff Network will be hosting a Pronouns and Pride Flag Badge Making Workshop on Friday 29^th July 12:15pm-1:15pm. The event is open to everyone and will be held in Oastler Building room OA7/30.

If you have any questions or any accessibility needs, please contact Lauren Minto.

What is International Non-Binary People’s Day?

July 14^th is International Non-Binary People’s Day, a day which aims to recognise and celebrate the wide range of people worldwide who identify as non-binary and to raise awareness about issues that non-binary people face.

What does non-binary mean?

The term non-binary has been defined as “an umbrella term for anyone who doesn’t currently identify with the binary notion of being exclusively male or female” (Twist et al, 2020). Non-binary identities are varied and can include people who identify with some aspects of binary identities, while others reject them entirely.

Non-binary identities also include those who think of gender as a spectrum. Their gender identities may be fixed or more fluid and move around the scale between ‘male’ and ‘female’. Non-binary can also refer to those who feel gender is more complex than a sliding scale, or who find themselves completely outside of such binaries.

Common terms used to describe non-binary people include:

genderqueer
genderfluid
agender
bigender
trans masculine or trans feminine.
enby– a shortening of non-binary, based on the phonetic sound of its initial letters, NB (plural: enbies)

Is non-binary the same as trans?

No. While the term trans (transgender) generally encompasses people whose gender is not the same as, or does not sit comfortably with, the sex they were assigned at birth, they are not the same. Some trans people may identify as non-binary; and some non-binary people may identify as trans, it is down to the individual whether they identify with either, neither or both of these umbrella terms.

Gender identity vs gender expression

In order to understand non-binary gender identities better, it’s vital to understand the difference between gender identity and gender expression.

Gender identity is defined as: ‘A person’s innate sense of their own gender, which for some people, doesn’t match up with the gender they were assigned at birth.’ Whereas gender expression is ‘how a person chooses to outwardly express their gender, within the context of societal expectations of gender.’ (Stonewall)

Gender expression can be linked to the clothes you wear, how you style and cut your hair, or any other traits that can be stereotypically related to gender. But gender identity is not something which is governed by a person’s physical attributes.

Therefore, gender expression can’t always be relied on as an indicator of someone’s gender identity. While many people’s gender expression does match their gender identity, this isn’t the case for everyone. That is why it is important not to assume someone’s gender identity, based on how you perceive their appearance.

What can I do to step up as an Ally to Non-Binary People?

There are many ways to be inclusive of everyone, regardless of their gender identity. Our language and the way we speak is often embedded with hidden gendered cues. Once we start to notice them, we can move towards using language that is inclusive for all. Please see below some useful tips for how to use and promote inclusive language:

If you feel comfortable, a good way to create a safe space is by introducing yourself with your name and pronoun. Stating your pronouns reminds people that it might not always be immediately obvious what pronoun someone uses and helps people to feel more comfortable introducing theirs.
Put your pronouns in your email signature.
Instead of addressing groups of people with binary language such as ‘ladies and gentlemen’, try a more inclusive alternative such as ‘everyone’ or ‘folks’.
Use words that define the relationship instead of the relationship and gender. For example, use ‘partner’.
Not everyone uses gendered titles such as ‘Ms’ or ‘Mr’. Titles are not always necessary, but if they must be used it is good to provide alternative ones such as ‘Mx’ (pronounced mix or mux).
Not everyone uses ‘he’ or ‘she’ pronouns and it’s important to be respectful of people who use different pronouns. The most common gender-neutral pronoun is the singular ‘they’ (they/them/theirs). Using people’s correct pronouns shows that you respect them and who they are.
Using the pronoun ‘they’ is very useful when someone’s gender or identity is unknown. You will often already be using it without realising, i.e. “There is someone to see you”, I’ll ask them to take a seat”.
Try to use inclusive language in writing, i.e. using ‘they’ instead of ‘he/she’ and avoiding sentences that imply two genders.

Want to learn more?

Reading

Watching

Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness, EPISODE: ‘Can We Please Say Bye Bye to the Binary?’ A short, feel-good episode of Queer Eye’s Johnathan Van Ness talking to trans and non-binary activists about the gender binary (2022) [26 minutes watch]
Sex Education: Season 3 The third season of Sex Education sees the introduction of Cal, a non-binary teenager. The season explores what it means to move through the world while being non-binary, navigating an environment that, from its school uniforms to its gender-divided classes on sexual health, is rigid and unforgiving in its adherence to binaries.
Bimini On Exploring Their Identity as Non-Binary and Finding Happiness In this episode of The Happiness Podcast, the non-binary star of RuPaul's Drag Race UK Bimini Bon Boulash is on a mission to ensure everyone feels safe to express who they are without fear.