Marking International Non-Binary People’s Day

Monday 14 July is International Non-Binary People’s Day, a time to recognise and celebrate non-binary people across our workplaces and communities.

For many non-binary people, navigating daily life can be challenging. Assumptions are too often made based on appearance, and outdated systems continue to exclude those who don’t fit neatly into male or female categories.

While non-binary people know who they are, they face significant barriers to recognition. The UK offers limited legal recognition for non-binary people. Unlike in some other countries, ‘X’ markers are not available on passports, and birth certificates cannot reflect non-binary or intersex identities.

Even when it comes to everyday things, like filling in forms, many non-binary people are left out. Some forms now offer the gender-neutral title ‘Mx’, but this isn’t applied consistently. Most still require a choice between male or female.

The gender recognition process currently excludes non-binary people altogether. And without a gender recognition certificate, trans and non-binary people face legal restrictions around equal marriage. For example, couples are still required to be registered as a ‘husband’ or ‘wife’, based on the sex recorded at birth.

This lack of recognition isn’t just frustrating, it can be exhausting. It limits choices and can make people feel invisible or forced to conform to something they are not.

On International Non-Binary People’s Day, UNISON is asking members and employers to reflect on the systems in place at work. Are they inclusive of everyone? Do they allow non-binary staff to be recognised and respected for who they are?

Non-binary people are our colleagues, our members, and part of the communities we serve. Their identities are valid, and it is time the law and our workplaces caught up.

Download UNISON’s non-binary factsheet