By Wanique Block
Although International Pride Month may be over, many social media users and activists have dedicated this week to celebrating Non-Binary Awareness Week.
Non-Binary Awareness week (11TH July 2022- 17TH July 2022) is a week dedicated to raising awareness, uplifting, and sharing information on how to better support the non-binary community and how to become better allies.
Non-Binary is an umbrella term that describes the fluidity of gender. People who identify as non-binary do not conform to the margins of binary gender.
This means that these individuals experience gender that is not exclusive to the notion of being a man, woman, or in-between, and goes beyond both genders.
In honor of non-binary awareness week, here are a few simple ways to show your support to the Non-Binary Community:
- Educate yourself and do thorough research about the issues non-binary people face. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, respectfully of course.
- Normalize the use of pronouns. Always use and address people with the pronouns they have instructed you to use. E.g. They/Them.
- Don’t assume all non-binary people are the same.
- Be mindful of your language. Language can often isolate non-binary people, therefore use language terms that are gender neutral. E.g. Instead of using words like “Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen“, Use Words like “Good morning Everyone, People or Folks“
- Be inclusive. Pay, hire and promote non-binary people.
- Last but not least; give non-binary people the respect that they deserve.
For more on understanding conversations around the LGBTQIA+ community listen to the 959 Breakfast conversation with Dineo Ranaka and Sol Phenduka who interviewed South African LGBTQIA+ activist and reality television star Yaya Mavundla.
Read Next: Busi Lurayi receives a SAFTA nomination four days after her passing