International Non-Binary People's Day

 

Greetings folks!

For work I still have the opportunity to write weekly reflections related to health equity. Here is today's reflection. 

July 14 is International Non-Binary People’s Day. This day is intended to raise awareness and celebrate individuals who identify as non-binary. The term “non-binary” is an umbrella term that includes individuals whose gender identify and/or expression does not conform to the socially constructed gender binary. These individuals may identify as being both a man and a woman or their identify may fall outside of these categories. While many transgender people may identify as non-binary, they are not the same. American culture has reinforced that two-gender binary, creating stress and tension for those who may identify as non-binary but choose to not to live as their authentic selves for fear of judgement and repercussion. As we consider ways to create inclusive environments, we must consider how to make them inclusive for all- including non-binary people. This can look like introducing yourself with your pronouns and addressing groups as ‘folks’, ‘pals’, or ‘everyone’ instead of the traditional ‘ladies and gentlemen. Move towards using gender inclusive language in your polices and documents (i.e. use ‘they’ instead of ‘he/she’). These small ways can help you become an ally for non-binary people and help you bring about more inclusivity.

A Late Wrap Up for Pride Month

It’s July and Pride Month is over. I intended to write a few posts about Pride Mont, but the month quickly got away from me....and now July seems to be getting away from me. 

An article that came up during June was the Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy Linked to Better MH in Trans Youth. For me, it was exciting to see some research in this area because it has been a concern of mine for some time. I don’t like giving my unfounded opinion on things and from time to time I would find myself in some conversations regarding hormone therapy for youth.  Experts are calling for youth to receive gender-affirming care including gender-affirming hormone therapy if it is the desire of the youth. This is really important information for social workers working with you. Social workers should be advocating for laws and policies that increase access to gender-affirming care. While there is a wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, research like this provides evidence for effectiveness rather than leaving things up to opinion.

Back in July of 2021, I shared some writing I had done awhile ago about cyberbullying. This piece really focused on educating social workers on cyberbullying and educating parents on internet safety. Online safety is a major concern for everyone these days- not just youth. Someone found this blog and shared an online guide to for LGBTQ to protect themselves online. Here is the link to the guide: https://www.vpnmentor.com/blog/lgbtq-guide-online-safety/. There is actually a lot of good information in the safety guide that can help a lot of people.

For work, I was able to develop a short learning challenge to encourage behavioral health leaders and providers to learn more about the LGBTQ+ community and the challenges the community faces and how to build inclusivity. The challenge can be found here. You don’t have to wait for June again to learn about LGBTQ+ issues so feel free to use the resource anytime.