We believe in empowering people to affirm and express gender identity, and feel confident in sharing your authentic self with others.
July 14 is recognised around the world as an occasion to shine a light on those who identify as non-binary. It is aimed at raising awareness of the issues that Non-Binary people face around the world.
So we thought we would take the opportunity to give a quick overview of what this means and how to be an Ally to this community.
Many thanks to
What is Non-Binary People’s Day?
International Non Binary People's Day is aimed at raising awareness of the issues that Non-Binary people face around the world.
LaTrobe University has released research that helps clear some of the confusion around being non-binary. Providing insights into Non-Binary people’s experiences.
What does it mean to be Non-Binary?
A person whose gender identity may not fit within the typical definitions of man or woman. Non-binary, also sometimes known as Enby, is an umbrella term for people who do not exclusively identify as the male or female genders.
A non-binary person may identify as trans, although Non-binary people have by definition identified as a different gender to the one they were assigned at birth. As such they may use a wide range of pronouns outside that of he/him/his and she/her/hers Eg. They/them/theirs
Enby gender expression may align visually with the gender they were assigned at birth. Alternatively some Enby people may dress in a unisex way or to throw away the rules and mix items from different genders.
Want to be a better ally to Non-Binary People?
Below are some basic actions you can do to affirm and support Non-Binary folk.
- Undertake Self directed awareness and education
- Don’t make assumptions
- Using gender neutral language wherever possible
- Pronoun confirming, cueing & correcting.
- Don’t ask about sex assigned at birth unless necessary for service delivery
Take steps to ensure non binary inclusive service provision in healthcare settings.
- These are all actions that can affirm and support Non-Binary people and communities
In total, 6,835 people took part in the Private Lives 3 (PL3) survey, 13.6% participants identified as non-binary.
General Research and Data
PL3 participants reported lower self-rated health than the general Australian population. Less than one third of participants rated their health as very good or excellent compared to more than half (56.4%) of the general Australian population aged over 15 years.
- Just over 20% Non-Binary participants reported very good/excellent health.
- 63.3% of Non-Binary people stated they had ever experienced gender euphoria and 14.9% stated they were currently experiencing it.
- 65.9% of non-binary participants reported currently living their lives in a gender that is different from the one assigned at birth, compared to 91% for trans men and 81% for trans women.
- Gender euphoria has been defined in a variety of ways but broadly refers to an experience of feeling totally affirmed in one’s gender where there is a sense of positive gender fulfillment
Actions for allyship:
- Take steps to ensure non binary inclusive service provision in healthcare settings.
- Communicate this work with communities and consult with community and seek feedback to assess how you are progressing.
- Use pronouns and gender affirming language. If not sure, ask respectfully and privately.
- Don’t make assumptions about people’s gender.
- Create safer spaces for people to affirm their identity and respect people’s readiness and sense of safety with regards to disclosing.
QC can help organisations and services through this journey of embedding inclusion. https://www.qc.org.au/rainbow-pride-work-training
Relationships:
- 54.5% of Non-Binary participants reported being in committed relationship/s.
- 63.5% of Non-Binary people strongly agreed that ‘My sexual and romantic partners have affirmed my gender in ways that support me’.
Actions for allyship:
- Affirm health relationship dynamics.
- Compassionately challenge internalised phobias or acceptance of power and control imbalances in relationships.
- Understand impact of previous trauma and discrimination upon people’s current lives and their ability to access safe services.
Compassionately challenge internalised phobias or acceptance of power and control imbalances in relationships. - Understand impact of previous trauma and discrimination upon people’s current lives and their ability to access safe services.
For more information on living your best life confidently take a look at the La Trobe Queer Without Fear resources.
All stats taken from: Hill, A. O., Bourne, A., McNair, R., Carman, M. & Lyons, A. (2020). Private Lives 3: The health and Wellbeing of LGBTIQ people in Australia. ARCSHS Monograph Series No. 122. Melbourne, Australia: Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University
