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BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGE BY JUAN MOYANO
This week marks a very special time in the LGBTQIA+ calendar – it’s Non-binary Awareness Week! Taking place from 14–20 July this year, this week aims to celebrate, amplify and platform the voices of non-binary people.
What does non-binary mean?
There is no one definition for the term non-binary, and it is often used as an umbrella term. GLAAD’s definition reads: “Non-binary is a word used by people who experience their gender identity and/or gender expression as falling outside the binary gender categories of ‘man’ and ‘woman’.”
How did International Non-binary People’s Day begin?
Before we had Non-binary Awareness Week, International Non-binary People’s Day was a designated celebration of non-binary identities. Observed on 14 July, it was started in 2012 by Katje van Loon. Taking place exactly halfway between International Women’s Day and International Men’s Day, the day became a powerful place to amplify the voices of non-binary individuals.
What does Non-Binary Awareness Week celebrate?
Like a number of other awareness weeks, this celebration aims to raise awareness about the challenges and issues the non-binary community is facing. It also hopes to promote inclusivity and understanding within society. With advocacy at the forefront, the week often focuses on platforming non-binary voices.
What does the non-binary flag mean?
Designed by Kye Rowan in 2014, the flag is made up of yellow, white, purple, and black. In this case, the yellow represents people outside the gender binary, the white represents people with multiple genders, the purple represents those who feel like a mix of male and female and the black represents agender people.
How can you celebrate Non-Binary Awareness Week?
Why not blast some tunes by artists like G Flip, Sam Smith and Demi Lovato? Or could you drop a follow to celebs like Travis Alabanza, Bella Ramsey and Janelle Monáe. If you’re looking for books, pick up I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver or Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe.
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