Fantastic! To all my non-binary friends, today I celebrate you!
International Non-Binary People's Day is observed each year on 14 July and is aimed at raising awareness and organizing around the issues faced by non-binary people around the world. The day was first celebrated in 2012, started by Katje van Loon. The date was chosen for being precisely midway between International Men's Day and International Women's Day.
While it is important to celebrate the queer community year-round, this is a dedicated day to celebrate non-binary folks and the value they bring to our world. This day was first celebrated in 2012, making this year its 12th anniversary.
Unfortunately, mainstream culture reinforces the misconception that there are only two genders, male and female. This is sometimes referred to as the “gender binary.” The National Center for Transgender Equality describes “non-binary” as one term to describe genders that don’t fall exclusively into the two categories of “male” or “female.”
I have friends who resist even believing this exists. What I try and explain to them is as a CIS person, we can't really understand, so just accept it. Straight people don't necessarily understand being GLB, and visa versa. But it is very real. As a CIS man, I can't really understand wanting to change my sex, but I do my best, and I totally accept it.
So, in the end, be kind, be loving, be accepting, and celebrate that non-binary people finally have a way to step out of the closet and be who they really are. What could be better than that?
Happy Internation Non-Binary Day!
Famous People Who Identify as Non-Binary
Demi Lovato, Jonathan Van Ness, Janelle Monáe, Sam Smith, Cara Delevingne, Elliot Page, Amandla Stenberg, Bob the Drag Queen, Sara Ramirez, Lachlan Watson, Tom Phelan, Shea Couleé, Nico Tortorella, Indya Moore, Ruby Rose
Celebrate everyday!