In recent years, a growing number of stars, including Demi Lovato, have made it public that they identify as non-binary. But what does it exactly mean?
While many stars have been open about their sexual orientation, others have celebrated coming out in terms of their gender identity. Just weeks after Demi Lovato revealed she was pansexual, the music star has also come out as non-binary.
Non-binary: what does it mean?
The binary gender or gender binary describes a gender system that only allows two options: male and female. People who identify as neither man nor woman are called non-binary or non-binary. Non-binary gender identities usually do not result from certain physical characteristics, but from one’s own gender perception.
These 13 stars don’t care about gender norms
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Difference between non-binary and gender fluid
Non-binary is a generic term for people whose gender identity is neither female nor male. However, this also includes people who identify as agender (sexless) or demigender (person only partially feels they belong to one gender).
In gender-fluid people, gender identity changes over time or depending on specific situations. The gender of gender-fluid people can therefore change between different genders, between male and female or, for example, between female and agender.
Demi Lovato: ‘I’m proud of it’
In May 2021, Demi Lovato announced that she identified as non-binary. “Today is a day that makes me happy to share more of my life with you – I’m proud to announce that I identify as non-binary and will officially change my pronouns to they/them going forward [dt.: sie/ihre im Plural, Anmerkung der Redaktion] change,” the music star tweeted.
“This came after a lot of healing and self-reflection. I’m still learning and finding myself. […] Sharing this with you opens up another layer of vulnerability for me. I’m doing this for those out there who haven’t been able to share who they really are with their loved ones.”
In August 2021, Demi revealed at “The 19th Represents Summit” that Demi had a very feminine appearance in school, but could never really identify with it. With the start of Lovato’s career on “Disney Channel”, including the “Camp Rock” films, the first red carpet appearances began. “When I see pictures of myself on a red carpet when I was 17 or 18, I feel like I’m not seeing me,” Lovato said. Meanwhile, the star is finally comfortable with her short hair and non-binary gender identity.
Sam Smith: “I’m neither male nor female”
Sam Smith celebrated coming out as non-binary back in March 2019, when the music star revealed his gender identity in an interview with the BBC. “There’s always been a little war in my body and in my head,” Sam said. “I think like a woman sometimes. Sometimes I’ve been like, ‘Do I want a gender reassignment?'” Smith added.
Talking about non-binary people eventually would have opened Sam Smith’s eyes. “I’m neither male nor female. I think I’m somewhere in between. It’s all on the spectrum,” says the British singing talent.
Finally, in September of that year, Sam Smith tweeted: “I’ve decided to change my pronouns to they/them. After a lifelong war with my gender, I’ve decided to accept myself for who I am, inside and out externally. […] I’m terrified, but I finally feel free.”
Sara Ramirez: “I discovered my own opportunities for change”
The acting star, best known as Dr. Callie Torres of Grey’s Anatomy made it known in August 2020 that she identified as non-binary. Sara Ramirez posted a picture of herself and wrote that Sara has the ability “to be anything” from a “girly boy” to a “boyy girl”.
The ‘And Just Like That’ star added the hashtag “#nonbinary” and has since included “nonbinary human” and the pronouns they/them in all social media descriptions. Speaking about coming out, Ramirez told People late last year: “In this society, we often feel the pressure of living in these rigid boxes. When I stepped out of the box I put myself in, I discovered my own opportunities for change.”
Sources used: queer-lexikon.net, regenbogenportal.de, queerintheworld.com, instagram.com, twitter.com, bbc.com, people.com