International Non-Binary People’s Day
Every individual deserves to be recognised, respected, and celebrated for who they are. International Non-Binary People’s Day provides us with an opportunity to highlight and honour those who identify as non-binary, a term that encompasses a diverse range of gender identities beyond the binary concepts of male and female. On this special day, we can explore the significance of this celebration and the importance of embracing gender diversity worldwide.
Non-binary individuals, also termed as enbies, do not exclusively identify as male or female. Their gender identity exists outside of the traditional binary framework and may encompass a variety of expressions, such as agender, genderqueer, bigender, or genderfluid. Some individuals may choose to express aspects of both binaries and some individuals choose to reject all aspects. Individuals who identify non-binary are on a unique journey of self-discovery and explore their gender identity beyond societal expectations.
International Non-Binary People’s Day is celebrated on July 14th, a date falling in between International Women’s Day and International Men’s Day. This day provides the perfect opportunity to recognise and validate the experiences of non-binary individuals, it also encourages acceptance and understanding for different identities in society. On this day we can raise awareness and help to eliminate prejudice and harmful stereotypes against non-binary individuals.
Research shows that non-binary individuals face significant rates of discrimination in the workplace. One reason for this is a lack of understanding by others around the workplace, combined with gender-specific policies and practices. A recent survey (Fernandez et al. 2017) found the top 5 practices that were most significant their experience in the workplace:
- Inclusive dress codes
- Non-Binary genders on records
- Gender neutral titles
- No tolerance policies
- Gender neutral restrooms
What can I do to create an inclusive workplace?
Many individuals but not all, choose to use gender neutral pronouns. If someone tells you their preferred pronoun, use their pronoun – this shows courtesy and respect towards your colleague.
Another way to make non-binary individuals feel more comfortable is to use gender neutral language in the workplace. For example, when greeting colleagues in a meeting, instead of saying “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen” try “Good morning, everyone” this small change reduces the chance of someone feeling left out or different from others in the room. Be an ally by actively educating yourself, advocate for non-binary rights and amplify their voices, create a safe and supportive environment for everyone. We all have a responsibility to make sure everyone feels included in the workplace, and by challenging your own biases we can create positive environments for all and encourage a sense of belonging. To learn more about non-binary inclusion in the workplace, check out https://outandequal.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/OE-Non-Binary-Best-Practices.pdf
Ultimately, International Non-Binary People’s Day is a time for celebration! By celebrating non-binary individuals’ unique contributions, experiences, achievements, and creativity, we can affirm our commitment to creating an inclusive and accepting society.
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