NON-BINARY 101: Why, who and what is Non-Binary?

Hey there! It’s awesome that you’re curious about non-binary identities. Let’s dive in!

So, what does “non-binary” mean?

Well, think of it as a way people describe their gender identity when they don’t feel like they fit neatly into the categories of “man” or “woman.” Basically, it’s like saying, “Hey, I’m not just one or the other.”

Now, being non-binary can look different for everyone. Some folks might feel a mix of masculine and feminine, some might lean more towards one side, or some might feel like they’re outside of those labels altogether.

And did you know? While “non-binary” is its own thing, it’s also an umbrella term. That means it covers a bunch of other gender identities too. It’s like a big, inclusive family!

Okay, next up: where did the term “non-binary” come from?

It’s pretty cool! The name is actually a combination of “non-” (meaning “not” or “lack of”) and “binary” (meaning “consisting of two”). So when you put them together, you’ve got “not consisting of two.” Makes sense, right? It’s all about breaking free from those rigid gender categories.

What does ENBY mean?

Oh, and here’s a fun fact: there’s this alternative name, “enby,” which comes from how you say the abbreviation “NB.” It’s like a cool nickname for non-binary folks.

Now, let’s talk about if there’s a special day, week, or month for non-binary folks.

You bet there is! It’s called International Non-Binary People’s Day, and it’s celebrated every July 14th. Why that date? Well, it’s right between International Women’s Day and International Men’s Day, showing that there’s more to gender than just two categories.

But wait, there’s more! The whole week surrounding July 14th is known as Non-Binary Awareness Week. It’s a time for celebrating non-binary people, spreading awareness, and being awesome allies.

Lastly, what’s the deal with the non-binary flag?

It’s pretty rad! The flag has four horizontal stripes, each with its own meaning. Yellow stands for folks whose gender exists completely outside the traditional binary. Purple is for those who relate to the binary but feel somewhere in between. White represents multigender people, and black is for those who are agender.

So there you have it—non-binary identities and celebrations in a nutshell. Ready to be an awesome ally? Check out how you can support non-binary folks and be a part of the inclusive community!