John,
From Indigenous cultures of North America to the hijra communities of South Asia, nonbinary people have always been a part of our history. Across the world, many have long recognized and celebrated the diversity of gender expressions and identities, reminding us that the gender binary is a social construct, not a universal truth. Over the years, our state partners have made significant progress in securing the rights and protections of nonbinary individuals. This includes improved access to trans and nonbinary healthcare, the introduction of "X" gender markers in over 22 states, and increased protections against discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations. Today, we celebrate the beauty and diversity of life outside the binary and honor the long history with words from some of Equality Federation’s staff. |
“Binary? What’s that?” - Sami
“Nonbinary identity is sacred. We are the living embodiment of possibility, and in a world that tries to erase us, our very existence is an act of resistance. Today's a day to celebrate the beauty of our in-betweenness and the fact that we exist and resist together in community! So much love to my queer and nonbinary siblings!!” - Ari
"My gender journey started with a simple yet complex question: ‘Who would you be if no one told you who you are?’ To me, living outside the binary isn't about breaking rules; it's about living authentically and writing my own story. Our diverse histories reveal that gender has always been a rich tapestry, not a rigid framework." - Skye
“Genderqueer is at once a personal identity that reflects my disinterest in conforming to dominant cultural norms around gender presentation and behavior and a political one that brings attention to the way these systems function to perpetuate racism, patriarchy, and heterosexism.” - Hutch |
