14 July is International Non-Binary People's Day. Victoria University (VU) is committed to celebrating diverse identities and perspectives, and part of this is through marking days of significance. To all non-binary people in the VU staff and student community, whether you are out or not, we value you.
Non-binary is an umbrella term for gender identities that sit within, outside of, across or between the spectrum of the male and female binary. A non-binary person might identify as gender fluid, trans masculine, trans feminine, agender, bigender etc. Non-binary is sometimes shortened to NB or enby.
Formal recognition of non-binary as a valid gender identity is growing rapidly. In fact, this year Australia's Census includes a non-binary option for the first time.
From non-binary VU staff members
"For me, being non-binary means being free from the constructs of the gendered binary and allowing for degrees of being. I live my life in shades of grey and that makes sense for my gender identity too. Victoria University is the first workplace where I have identified myself as non-binary to my co-workers and the university more broadly. It is like a weight lifted off my shoulders, even if there is sometimes a struggle with my pronouns."
Dr Brandy Cochrane, they/them
College of Law and Justice
Co-Chair, Pride & Ally Network
"Being out as non-binary at work is a huge relief. I've been using they/them pronouns in other spaces for a few years now and it felt like the right time update things at work. If you're comfortable doing so, it's a lovely act of solidarity to add your pronouns to your email signature, and making the effort to use correct pronouns (even if it's a bit of a learning curve at first!) can really make the difference to non-binary folks. If you make a mistake, simply correct yourself and move on with a quick apology. It also helps to practice out loud!"
Emma Osborne, they/them
Coordinator, Policy and Procedure Implementation
Risk and Compliance
