5 Easy Ways to Support Non-Binary Individuals Right Now

Gender fluid and Non-Binary people are making huge strides. From non-binary athlete, Alana Smith, qualifying for the 2020 Summer Olympics to Demi Lovato coming out as non-binary with a public pronoun change (and Lizzo hopping in to defend them), non-binary individuals have worked tirelessly to tell their stories on their own terms.

Supporting non-binary people and artists is part of our core mission at Fire & Bliss and we couldn't let July pass without taking a moment to celebrate the strides of the non-binary community and provide 5 ways you can support non-binary folks right this second!

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1. Respect their proper pronouns.

   • Action Item: Show your support for non-binary friends, acquaintances, and co-workers by adding your pronouns into your email signatures, social media bios, etc.

2. Accept and believe their stories, experiences, and identity.

3. Ask how they would like/need to be supported.

4. Educate yourself and make an effort to learn more about gender constructs.

   • Action Item: Do your research using some of the following resources:

     • Understanding Non-Binary People from The National Center for Transgender Equality

     • I Heart The Singular They

     • The History of Nonbinary Genders is Longer than you Know by thetempest.co

     • A Guide to Being An Ally to Transgender and Non-Binary Youth by The Trevor Project

5. Put your money where your mouth is.

   • Action Item: Consider supporting non-binary individuals by donating to one (or all) of these great causes:

     • The Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SRLP) works to guarantee that all people are free to self-determine their gender identity and expression, regardless of income or race, and without facing harassment, discrimination, or violence.

     • TGI Justice Project is a group of transgender, gender variant and intersex people–inside and outside of prisons, jails and detention centers–creating a united family in the struggle for survival and freedom.

     • Brave Space Alliance is the first Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ+ Center located on the South Side of Chicago, dedicated to creating and providing affirming, culturally competent, for-us by-us resources, programming, and services for LGBTQ+ individuals on the South and West sides of the city.

     • LGBTQ Freedom Fund pays bail to secure the safety and liberty of individuals in U.S. jails and immigration facilities.