International Non-Binary People’s Day

Non-binary is a term that is used for people whose gender identities do not sit comfortably in the traditional categories of male or female. There exists a range of ways that each individual person may identify, some sitting somewhere between a man and a woman, some identifying as both man and woman, and some who don’t identify as either. Some find that their gender is experienced with fluidity and they don’t consider it helpful or important to be placed in a specific category. 

For many years, people who do not fall on the gender spectrum have often faced discrimination, devastating challenges and trauma from the ways they have been treated. From workplace discrimination and housing issues to healthcare and even violence, many non-binary people would benefit from the support of their communities, knowing they are cared for and included.

History of International Non-Binary People’s Day

The inaugural celebration of International Non-Binary People’s Day took place in 2012 when it was founded by Katje van Loon. The reason behind choosing this date to observe the event is because it lies halfway between International Women’s Day on March 8th and International Men’s Day on November 19th. 

The purpose behind founding this day was to raise awareness and provide encouragement for those who do not identify with the traditional gender binary. International Non-Binary People’s Day offers an opportunity for the diversity of individuals to be celebrated and championed through education, support initiatives, use of gender-neutral pronouns, challenging discrimination and more.

How to Celebrate International Non-Binary People’s Day

Speak out against discrimination, support non-binary causes, introduce yourself with your pronouns, and so many other activities can be considered for this event. Get started with International Non-Binary People’s Day with some of these ideas:

Attend International Non-Binary People’s Day Events

Many different organizations and groups celebrate this occasion by hosting different events and activities in their communities, or sometimes online. For instance, Workplace Pride hosts an annual event that includes various workshops, speakers, networking opportunities and more. Further resources for getting involved with the day can be found through the Human Rights Campaign. 

Fly the Non-Binary Flag

Those who are interested in celebrating International Non-Binary People’s Day can do so with a colorful symbol. The non-binary flag consists of four equally wide horizontal stripes, including yellow (for people whose gender doesn’t exist within the binary), white (for people with all or many genders), purple (representing people whose genders may be a mix of male and female) and black (standing for those who don’t identify with a gender at all).

Share Your Own Non-Binary Stories

When those who identify as non-binary are willing to share their stories, it can be an encouragement to others. Whether it is about celebrating a person’s authentic self, representing the non-binary population from their specific cultural roots, or fighting for more freedom against gender exclusivity, many non-binary people may find that International Non-Binary People’s Day is the right time to raise their own individual, unique voices in their community.