International Non-Binary People’s Day

July 14
Today we celebrate International Non-Binary People’s Day. For individuals whose gender is not strictly male or female, various terms are used for describing them, with non-binary being one of the most common. Here’s how to be respectful and supportive of non-binary individuals: Use the name that an individual asks you to use, as the name you may have been using may not reflect their gender identity. Try not to make any assumptions about people’s gender. You cannot tell if someone is non-binary just by looking at them. Different non-binary individuals may use different pronouns. Asking whether someone should be referred to as “he,” “she,” “they,” or another pronoun may feel awkward at first, but it’s one of the simplest and most important ways to show respect for someone’s identity. You can help support non-binary individuals by acknowledging their experiences and where they feel most comfortable. The best way to understand what it’s like to be non-binary is to talk to non-binary individuals and listen to their stories.