International Non Binary Day
International non-binary people's day has been celebrated on 14 July since 2012. This date was chosen because it falls at the midpoint between International Women's Day (8 March) and International Men's Day (19 November).
What does being ‘non-binary’ mean?
Being ‘non-binary’, sometimes referred to as ‘enby’ is simply an umbrella term that includes all people who do not identify wholly as a ‘man’ or a ‘woman’ There are many ways to be non-binary including identifying as both a man and a woman, somewhere in between, or having no gender at all.
A few common non-binary identities are:
Agender – either not having a gender or being gender neutral
Bi-gender – having aspects of more than one gender, either at different times or at the same time
Gender-fluid – having a gender identity that changes over time
Gender-queer – this can be used as an umbrella term for non-binary identities or can be used as a gender identity itself
Are Enbies legally recognised?
While some countries, such as Australia, Germany, India, and Canada do recognise enbies there is no such legal recognition in the UK. When asked about recognition for non-binary people in the Gender Recognition Act a statement from the UK Government in May 2021 cited practical considerations as the reason for the continued requirement for people to identify as either a man or a woman:
“The Government noted that there were complex practical consequences for other areas of the law, service provision and public life if provision were to be made for non-binary gender recognition in the GRA.”
However these practical limitations have been overcome in some areas, for example in 2017 the Metropolitan Police issued two warrant cards to a bi-gender officer on their force.
Is this a new concept?
Being non-binary can be dismissed by some as a new fad, born from a western identity-obsessed culture - however non-binary people have been recognised and recorded round the world. In India non-binary people have been mentioned in Hindu texts dating back over 2000 years, and many cultures, such as some Native American peoples, Hawaiians, and Tahitians, have a history of inclusion of a third gender in their societies’ roles.
What do Enbies look like?
Being non-binary is a gender identity, i.e. a personal sense of gender, rather than any prescribed way of looking, acting, or being.
Some enbies may choose to express their gender in ways not considered traditional for the gender they were assigned at birth, some may dress and act male or female at different times or act in a more gender-neutral way, but many also act in ways that seem to conform to the gender they have been assigned.
Are Enbies transgender?
This is a very difficult question to answer as often transgender is defined as being those people whose gender is not the same as the one they were assigned at birth – a definition that includes all enbies.
However not all enbies define themselves as trans, either because they are comfortable conforming to the norms for their assigned gender or, in the case of many agender people, they consider themselves neither transgender nor cis-gender.
What pronouns do Enbies use?
Many enbies use they/them pronouns but many also prefer other gender-neutral pronouns, are happy with gendered pronouns, or simply do not care what pronouns are used. As is the case with everyone if in doubt – ask.
What can I do to support?
- update your pronouns on your signature and Zoom screen
- use a non-binary pride flag backdrop for your video calls on 14 July
- become an ALLOUT Ally
- tweet your support for International Non-binary Day using #NonBinaryAwarenessWeek and tagging @UoMLGBT
This year Stonewall have also shared the following content to help educate and celebrate Non-Binary People's Day:
- TikTok live with Bee Illustrates on Thursday 14th July 6-7pm!
- Watch this webinar on advancing non-binary inclusion in the workplace
- Read this article on issues that fact LGBTQ+ women and non-binary people since the pandemic
- Attend this LGBTQ+ Network Group Masterclass 2022, which falls on International Non-binary people’s day this year!
- Be an ally to non-binary people (see an extract from Stonewall's article ’10 ways to be an ally to non-binary people’ below!)
Useful links
Inclusive Language
https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/equality-and-diversity/training/inclusive-language/
Stonewall
https://www.stonewall.org.uk/about-us/news/10-ways-step-ally-non-binary-people
National Centre of Transgender Equality (U.S.)
https://transequality.org/issues/resources/understanding-non-binary-people-how-to-be-respectful-and-supportive
Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-binary_gender
An explanation of an Agender viewpoint from mathematics YouTuber Vi Hart:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmKix-75dsg