The *Brief* History of the Non-Binary Flag & What It Represents

Nonbinary is an umbrella term, or specific identity meaning that one doesn’t identify with the gender binary (male & female) and cisnormativity. The flag was created by 17-year old Kye Rowan during February 2014, and this was due to a call from several members of their community that felt that the term genderqueer didn’t fit represent them, and wanted a flag that represented them in the correct way.

The flag itself consists of 4 striped colors (top to bottom)- yellow, white, purple and black. The colors represent the following:

-Yellow: Those whose gender exists outside the binary, as yellow is often used to represent something as its own.

-White: Represents those who are multigender (meaning they identify with multiple and/or all genders), as white can also represent the presence of color and/or light.

-Purple: Represents those who feel as though their gender is a mix of female and male, as purple is a mix of traditional boy and girl colors. Purple could also represent the fluidity & uniqueness of Non-binary individuals.

-Black: Represents those who feel as though they lack gender and/or feel as though they have no gender (agender), as black is the absence of color and/or light. 

Non-binary people may also identify as transgender. The label genderqueer has a lot of overlap between non-binary, but this is seen as the preferred term, because the term  “queer” may be used as a transphobic insult. They also may wish to transition so that their gender expression more accurately reflects their gender identity (and bear in mind, gender identity doesn’t necessarily equal gender expression, and vice versa). 

In addition, many non-binary people choose to appear androgynous and use gender-neutral names, and titles (such as Mx.) and/or gender-neutral pronouns – however, others choose to express themselves in a way that is traditionally more masculine or feminine or to mix aspects of the two. Furthermore, non – binary people can have any sexual or romantic orientation, but if they are attracted primarily to a single-gender they may prefer to use terms such as androsexual or gynosexual.