International Non-Binary People’s Day

International Non-Binary People’s Day has been observed on 14 July since 2012. After identifying as non-binary, the author Katje van Loon wrote a blog calling for the creation of the day, which is exactly in-between International Women’s Day and International Men’s Day.

This is a particularly important date because non-binary identities are often misunderstood and the UK does not legally recognise them – we have no option other than the binary of “F” and “M” on formal documentation like birth certificates, passports, and driving licenses. Gender recognition certificates also don’t cover non-binary identities. 

The term Trans+ is an inclusive umbrella term used to describe the entire spectrum of gender identities outside of traditional cisgender norms and includes trans-adjacent non-binary identities. Though not all non-binary people identify as trans. We say that non-binary identities fall under the Trans+ umbrella because non-binary people benefit from some of the same services and support. 

The Supreme Court ruling in April 2025 does not account for non-binary identities, or the reality that intersex people exist, with its view that “sex” is binary; although some protection in workplaces is afforded to genderfluid and non-binary identifying people through the protected characteristic of Gender Reassignment, as established in the case of Taylor v Jaguar. 

Delegates to the 2026 PCS annual delegate conference overwhelmingly carried Motion A348 which called on PCS to lobby parliament to amend the law to explicitly state that trans women are women and trans men are men for all purposes, with protections for non-binary identities.

A common complaint regarding the LGBT+ community is there are too many labels now, and younger generations are “over labelling” themselves. But I ask you, aren’t terms like male, female, man, woman, heterosexual, straight also labels? As soon as a child is born, they are labelled “male” or “female” and placed into one of two binary boxes; their upbringing is heavily influenced on what they are assigned at birth. Labels have always existed, we just now have more information about how diverse we are, so it makes sense that newer terms which are outside of the binary are being adopted.

Growing up, I always felt as “other” and like I couldn’t fully fit in with boys or girls. I was a bit of a tomboy growing up and didn’t like the label of “girl”. There were times, particularly as a teenager and in my early twenties, where I really pushed myself to be feminine, although I started to realise in my mid-late twenties that maybe I was non-binary. A loved one coming out helped me realise that too. 

I go by She/They pronouns, and my gender is quite fluid, sometimes I feel more feminine or masculine, other times in-between or neither. As I was assigned female at birth (AFAB) and have always been treated as such, many of my life experiences align more with women, hence why I still go by “she” at times.

In my experience, most people equate androgyny or being non-binary with being a smaller size, and so without the context of my gender identity, I am still constantly called "woman", "girl" and "lady" – all of which don’t feel like they fit right and I’d rather people wouldn’t. It’s important to remember that androgyny is not synonymous with non-binary, although it doesn’t exclude it. The gender binary is so ingrained in our society, which makes it even more important that non-binary people are out and proud and we can raise awareness with days like this. 

Diversity in humanity is what makes communities stronger, beautiful and more interesting in general. Life would be boring if we were all the same! We have always existed and we will continue to exist. As the world moves forward and becomes more progressive, transphobia will be a thing of the past. We continue to fight for this progressive world.