Since non-binary became a thing, several celebrities have joined the bandwagon, stepping away from the binarist conformation of individuals into male or female gender.
Growing up, everyone learned the idealistic definition of gender as the biological classification of individuals as male or female. Although these definitions may differ between persons, the common numeration remained that gender was a set of binary, that is either man or woman.
Fast-forward years later, this binary conformation has prevailed in western society, forcing one to adopt either one or the other. However, some individuals often feel they are gender-non-conforming, making them feel out of place in the otherwise binary-structured universe.
Over the years, psychologists have discovered that certain individuals indeed do not fit into their biologically assigned gender for one reason or the other. As a result, the term gender non-binary came to play.
What Does Non-Binary Mean?
Non-binary generally describes a person whose gender is neither man nor woman, meaning they fall beyond, in between, and/or completely independent of the gender binary, according to sex therapist Jesse Kahn.
While some consider non-binary as their gender, others merely consider it an umbrella term given that their gender barely fits neatly into the male or female description.
As the world has become more liberal in recent years, more people have become receptive to this gender classification. By implication, non-binary has gained popularity, so much that some consider it synonymous with being “cool.”
Promoting more visibility for the non-binary community, the world celebrates International Non-Binary People’s Day annually on January 14.
Expectedly, several celebrities have openly identified as non-binary in recent years, further popularizing the trend. From Demi Lovato to Amandla Stenberg, here are ten Hollywood A-listers that have come out as non-binary.
1. Demi Lovato
Several celebrities have identified as non-binary in the last decade. However, none has been more publicized than the former child star Demi Lovato.
The iconic actor and singer, who previously came out as queer, pansexual, and sexually fluid, added non-binary to their list of society-defying descriptors in May 2021. They made the revelation via an Instagram Live video of their show, “4D With Demi Lovato.”
After outing themselves as gender non-binary, Lovato also announced they would thereon officially change their pronouns to they/them. The move was their way of embracing a true representation of their fluidity, but in no way affected their femme-presenting fashion choices.
2. Sam Smith
Singer Sam Smith publicly came out as non-binary during a 2019 interview for “I Weigh,” disclosing their new pronouns as they/them. The identity was a welcome relief after a lifetime of being at war with their gender.
Prior to the big reveal, the star hinted at their possible gender-non-conformation, saying they felt they identified somewhere between man and woman, but had no word to describe their supposed “middle gender.” Good to know he finally found the befitting term.
3. Miley Cyrus
In 2015, actress and singer Miley Cyrus opened up about her gender fluidity, divulging that her gender and that of people around her did not matter to her. She also admitted that she didn’t relate to being a boy or girl.
However, the icon never changed her pronouns and has since stuck to she/her as her official descriptors.
4. Amandla Stenberg
Actress Amandla Stenberg first identified as gender non-binary in 2016, following a revealing post on Tumblr. At the time, the icon disclosed their preferred pronouns as she/her, admitting the media may not understand their use of they/them.
Subsequently, they changed their pronouns to they/them, attracting public criticism. Years later, the star granted an interview, where they revealed the pronouns did not matter to them, as it did not determine how comfortable they felt.
The youngster, best known for her roles on “Everything, Everything,” “The Darkest Minds,” and “The Hate You Gave,” has also openly come out as gay.
5. Indya Moore
Model and actor Indya Moore went candid about identifying as non-binary during a sit-down with co-star MJ Rodriguez for L’Official Magazine. The transwoman disclosed they were non-binary but preferred not to discuss it, as many may not understand.
They took to social media shortly after to clarify that they preferred the use of they/them/theirs pronouns. Moore also deemed the descriptors, femme and agender, befitting.
6. Tom Phelan
Tom Phelan warmed his way into people’s hearts as the transgender kid, Cole, on the Freeform show “Fosters.” At the peak of his stardom, Phelan hinted at a shared connection to their onscreen character.
Taking to social media, the actor disclosed they were non-binary, revealing later in 2021 that they preferred the pronouns they/them.
7. Jonathan Van Ness
In 2019, Jonathan Van Ness granted an interview with “Out,” where he disclosed he was non-binary and gender nonconforming. According to the icon, he felt like a man on some days and felt like a woman on other days.
Van Ness, who is known for his femme-presenting outfits and make-up, also revealed he preferred the pronouns he/him.
8. Sara Ramirez
“Grey’s Anatomy” star Sara Ramirez joined the list of non-binary celebrities in August 2020, shortly after quitting her onscreen role as the non-binary Dr. Callie Torres.
They disclosed their gender in a powerful Instagram post. Sharing a stunning photo of themselves, they explained that they had the capacity to become whoever they wanted. Be it a “girlish boy,” “boyish girl,” “boyish boy,” “girlish girl,” “all” or “neither,” it hardly mattered provided they were comfortable with the identification.
The star concluded the post with the hashtag #nonbinary. They identify with the pronouns he/him, she/her, or they/them.
9. Janelle Monae
“Pynk” star Janelle Monae came out as non-binary in January 2020, retweeting the Seven Universe meme, “Are you a boy or a girl? I’m an experience.”
She concluded the tweet with the hashtag #IAmNonbinary.” During an interview for “The Cut,” she admitted that she chose to disclose her status with the meme because it resonated with her.
She has since announced her preferred pronouns as she/her.
10. Nico Tortorella
Television personality Nicole Tortorella has openly identified as gender-fluid for years. In their 2019 book “Space Between,” the star went candid about their views on gender and sexuality among other characterizations.
They disclosed that they and their wife Bethany Meyers, who stuck to their society-assigned genders when they first met, eventually learned to embrace their true identities. Ultimately, the lovebirds, who practice polyamory, both identify as non-binary and prefer they/them pronouns.
The growing trend of celebrities owning up to their true selves has not only promoted more non-binary gender visibility but has also inspired millions, who have spent years battling identity crises, to finally feel a sense of belonging and summon the courage to come out.