Well now, let me tell ya somethin’ ’bout this thing they call “non-binary.” You might not know much about it, but it’s important to pay attention to, ‘specially with how the world’s changin’ and all. See, most folks think there’s only two ways to be—either a man or a woman. But there’s folks who don’t fit either of them boxes. They call themselves non-binary, which just means they don’t go by the regular rules of gender that we’re used to. Some folks might even be a bit confused by it, and that’s okay, but it’s good to learn so we don’t leave people out or make ‘em feel bad for bein’ who they are.
Now, every year, there’s this day they call International Non-Binary People’s Day, and it happens on July 14th. Ain’t that somethin’? It was started back in 2012 by a person named Katje van Loon, and the idea behind it is to raise awareness about non-binary folks and the struggles they might face in this world. They say July 14th was picked ’cause it’s smack in the middle of the year, which sounds good to me. This day helps people learn ’bout what non-binary means, and how we can be more acceptin’ of folks who don’t fit into the usual boxes that society’s put up for us.
You see, the world’s been real stuck on this idea of a “gender binary”—that is, that there’s only two kinds of people: men and women. Well, turns out, that’s not the whole picture. Not everyone feels like they fit into those two categories. And that’s where non-binary comes in. Some people might call it “gender fluid” or “genderqueer” too, but the main thing is, they don’t fit neatly into one box or the other.
What does it mean to be non-binary? Well, to put it plain and simple, it means a person don’t identify strictly as a man or a woman. Some non-binary folks might feel a bit of both, or neither, or maybe their gender shifts over time. It’s all about what feels right to ‘em. Some folks might even choose not to use any labels at all, and that’s fine too. The important thing is respectin’ how folks choose to identify themselves, just like we’d want the same for us.
Now, you might be wonderin’ what we can do to be more understandin’ of non-binary folks. Well, first off, it’s just about listenin’ and askin’ respectful questions. Don’t go around assuming what people are or how they should be based on how they look. If they tell ya they’re non-binary, ya just gotta trust ’em. And ya don’t need to understand it all at once, but just bein’ kind and open is a good start.
There’s a whole week they call Non-Binary Awareness Week, and that happens every year from the Sunday right before International Non-Binary People’s Day, right through to the Saturday after. It’s a whole week to celebrate and learn more ’bout non-binary folks and their lives. People do things like holdin’ events, talkin’ about the issues non-binary people face, and just generally tryin’ to raise awareness. It’s important to remember that while a day or a week might seem like a lot of fuss, it’s about startin’ conversations that can last all year long.
What else can we do? Well, one thing we can do is be better allies. It’s like standin’ up for someone when they need help, right? If you see someone bein’ treated badly just because they don’t fit the usual mold, you speak up. You don’t have to be a non-binary person yourself to support ’em—just be decent, that’s all. And when you talk to people, make sure to ask ‘em what pronouns they use. Not everybody uses the typical “he” or “she” pronouns. Some might use “they” or other ones, and it’s important to respect that, even if it’s new to ya. It’s just good manners!
And ya know, it ain’t just about being respectful. It’s about changin’ the way we think and talk about gender in general. Maybe you’ve noticed lately that more and more people are talkin’ about this. That’s ‘cause more and more folks are realizing that gender isn’t just a simple thing, but a whole spectrum of possibilities. We all deserve to feel seen and understood, no matter where we fall on that spectrum.
So, to wrap it all up, non-binary awareness is somethin’ we should all be thinkin’ ‘bout. It’s about being kinder, more open-minded, and ready to learn from the folks around us. Whether it’s on July 14th or any other day of the year, remember that we can always do better by treatin’ people with respect, no matter what their gender identity is. And if you ever get confused, just ask, and listen. The important thing is we all deserve to be who we are, without fear or shame.
Tags：[Non-binary, Gender Awareness, LGBTQ, Allyship, Gender Identity, Non-binary People’s Day]
