International Non-Binary Day is observed annually on July 14. It’s a day to celebrate people who identify as non-binary and to raise awareness of what it means when your gender does not conform to society’s binary.
It is celebrated on July 14, because this date falls halfway between International Women’s Day (March 8) and International Men’s Day (November 19). The day was first suggested by writer Katje van Loon in 2012.
In 2023, the day will fall on a Friday.
What does it mean to be non-binary?
Non-binary is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity doesn’t conform to “man” or “woman”.
Stonewall says: “Non-binary identities are varied and can include people who identify with some aspects of binary identities, while others reject them entirely.
“Non-binary people can feel that their gender identity and gender experience involves being both a man and a woman, or that it is fluid, in between, or completely outside of that binary.”
Prishita Maheshwari-Aplin wrote for Stonewall that for them, being non-binary is “to exist outside of society’s confines and expectations.
“It’s to look at the world around me and to challenge its restrictive rules. To know that my existence is expansive and cannot be contained.”
What pronouns do non-binary people use?
The most common gender-neutral pronoun is the singular they/them/theirs.
However, non-binary people may choose to use a mix of pronouns, or neopronouns, such as xe/xem/xyr, ze/hir/hirs, and ey/em/eir.
If you’re unsure, you can ask the person what pronoun they use. Alternatively, Stonewall says: “Using the pronoun ‘they’ is very useful when someone’s gender or identity is unknown.”
What does the non-binary flag represent?
The non-binary flag has yellow, white, purple, and black lines.
Yellow represents people whose gender does not fit within the binary and white represents people who identify with multiple genders.
Purple represents people whose gender is a mixture of, or feels in between, male and female, while black represents people who don’t identify with any gender at all.
International Non-Binary Day tributes from 2022
A number of celebrities shared messages of support for International Non-Binary Day 2022.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “Non-binary people deserve safety and happiness.
“In London, we embrace diversity in all its forms, including gender diversity. On International Non-Binary People’s Day, I want to recognise all non-binary Londoners who enrich life in our city and contribute to its success.”
Non-binary people deserve safety and happiness.
— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) July 14, 2022
In London we embrace diversity in all its forms, including gender diversity. On International Non-Binary People's Day, I want to recognise all non-binary Londoners who enrich life in our city and contribute to its success.
Non-binary singer G Flip Tweeted: “Happy international non binary people’s day. If I had a song about being non-binary as a kid it would’ve help me understand myself. Hopefully this song can be that for someone. No matter how you identify you are not a waste of space.”
Happy international non binary people’s day. If I had a song about being non binary as a kid it would’ve help me understand myself. Hopefully this song can be that for someone. No matter how you identify you are not a waste of space. https://t.co/AmJk5zJNPv
— G FLIP (@gflipmusic) July 13, 2022
While comedian David Morgan said: “All genders are valid, people are who they tell you they are, they don’t owe you androgyny or explanation, and, they don’t require your approval or validation. And yes, we are all hot af.”
Happy International Non Binary People’s Day from me, an international non binary person.
— Theyvid Morgan (@thisisdavid) July 14, 2022
All genders are valid, people are who they tell you they are, they don’t owe you androgyny or explanation, and, they don’t require your approval or validation.
And yes, we are all hot af. pic.twitter.com/bigUICawIW
