Five facts about Non-Binary identities

Non-binary people have existed for as long as recorded history; their gender identity is not a new trend or growing phenomenon but a normal variation in gender across our population. Still today, misconceptions and misinformation about the non-binary community persist; with a growing divide across society, we are seeing ever-rising discrimination towards non-binary people.

This is why we need allyship now more than ever - visible and vocal allyship that is ready to educate and call out behaviour. We must all speak up for non-binary people because creating an inclusive and equal world cannot be done without non-binary acceptance too. Everyone deserves to live wholly as they are without fear of discrimination, so here are a few facts about non-binary identities to supplement your tools as an ally.

1. Identity: Identifying as non-binary isn’t just a ‘recent trend.’ There is sufficient evidence that gender identities beyond cisgender binaries have existed throughout human history and are understood by various cultures around the world.
   
2. Traits: You don’t have to display equally feminine and masculine traits to identify as non-binary, nor do you have to be completely removed from either. Different people express their identity in different ways, there is no set behavior to follow.
   
3. Pronouns: Not all non-binary people use solely they/them pronouns. Many prefer to keep gendered pronouns as well, e.g, she/they, he/him. This does not make them any less non-binary, and it is important to recognize and respect how they identify and actively use their preferred pronouns.
   
4. Visibility: Being non-binary isn’t necessarily a rare occurrence, it just hasn’t been as openly discussed or given visibility historically as it has in recent years. Many current celebrities have come out as non-binary, including Demi Lovato, Sam Smith, Janelle Monae and Jonathan Van Ness.
   
5. Society: Non-binary people experience disproportionate mental health challenges in comparison to the cisgender population because of the discrimination they face. In 2021, The Mental State of the World Report found that 51% of non-binary people are clinically distressed or struggling. By normalizing and accepting the non-binary community, we can create a society in which they feel safer and more protected.