International Non-Binary People's Day is observed annually on 14 July. It is aimed at celebrating the people worldwide who identify as non-binary, whilst highlighting the issues they face.
Stonewall provides a definition of non-binary: “Non-binary is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity doesn’t sit comfortably with ‘man’ or ‘woman’. Non-binary people can feel that their gender identity and gender experience involves being both a man and a woman, or that it is fluid, in between, or completely outside of that binary.” Being non-binary in the UK today | Stonewall
To mark the date, the University of Sussex will be flying the non-binary flag over Sussex House.
Non-binary inclusion
Sussex has an ongoing LGBTQ+ Inclusion Action Plan which includes specific developments toward further inclusion of staff and students with non-binary identities.
Staff are also encouraged to complete the ‘Equality Data’ tab under the ‘Personal Information’ section in the online HR Portal: My View. Collecting information on equalities is important as it helps us to develop initiatives to improve inclusion for all people facing marginalisation or discrimination, and to improve access and inclusion.
Some staff may choose to put their pronouns in their email signature or wear pronouns badges. These are available from the EDI Unit, including he/him, she/her, they/them, and blank badges where you can write your own pronouns. Edi.unit@sussex.ac.uk
Information and support
Trans and Non-Binary (TNB) Staff Network
The TNB Staff Network is open to all trans and non-binary members of staff at the University.
It is a confidential and a fully inclusive group, open to all members of staff who identify as Trans/Non-Binary. The network aims to meet monthly for socials, and to discuss and review policy development, as well as organising different events throughout the year.
If you would like to join the network or would like further information you can contact the network by emailing the mailing list transnonbinarystaff@sussex.ac.uk. The mailing list is monitored and – to ensure confidentially – is accessed only by the Chair of the Trans and Non-binary Staff Network.
LGBTQ+ Staff Network
The LGBTQ+ Staff Network welcomes trans and non-binary staff members. It is an inclusive group for all LGBTQIA+ staff at Sussex. The LGBTQ+ Staff Network seeks to raise awareness and understanding of issues affecting the LGBTQIA+ community. To join the LGBTQ+ Staff Network, contact: lgbt-staff@sussex.ac.uk.
For staff
If you or someone else has experienced behaviours such as bullying, harassment, a hate incident, sexual violence, domestic abuse or discrimination you can let us know using the Report and Support tool: Report + Support - Report + Support - University of Sussex.
More information can be found on the EDI Unit’s LGBTQ+ Equality web pages.
For students
Students who identify as trans and/or non-binary, or who are intersex, can contact the Students’ Union Trans and Non-Binary Group by emailing transnonbinary@sussexstudent.com
Students who identify as LGBTQ+ can join the Students’ Union’s LGBTQ+ Society and contact the Students’ Union officers for support or information.
Students can also find a number of resources and support at the Student Centre and on the Sexuality and Gender Support and Information web pages.