In the past few years, many celebrities have made public announcements relating to their gender identity. Some, like Elliot Page of Umbrella Academy, came out as transgender. There have also been many talented individuals in the entertainment industry who have come out as non-binary or gender fluid. By being open about their experiences and willing to live authentically, these talented folks contribute to wider acceptance of people who don’t conform to the gender binary. Let’s take a closer look at these entertainers who remind us that the gender spectrum is diverse. This article will also cover some basics about non binary identities, why it’s helpful when celebs are open about who they are, and how folks can be supportive.
Let’s start by learning some important definition and context before delving into a list of non binary celebrities. This isn’t just an academic exercise. This basic understanding helps us to foster acceptance, and play a role in how these communities are supported.
What it Means to be Non-Binary
Non-binary means that a person’s gender identity or understanding of their own gender does not fit neatly into the categories of male or female that are defined by the gender binary. That might mean:
- Using terms such as non-binary, gender fluid, or gender flux to describe their identity
- Identifying as “a lil bit boy, lil bit girl, lil bit neither” or another term
- Using gender neutral pronouns or adopting new pronouns – although this isn’t always the case
- Stating that they don’t identify as male or female, or conversely, stating they feel like both. For example, Sam Smith stated that he is not male or female, but instead floats somewhere inbetween
- Engaging in gender expression in ways that may not align with social norms
The most important thing to know is that biological sex which is assigned at birth and based on visible anatomy is not the same as gender identity. The latter is a social construct that is influenced by culture, self-perception, and other factors. For a non-binary person, they may have been assigned female at birth or male, but their identity doesn’t align with that.
People who are non-binary don’t always reject gender entirely, but some might. Instead, it’s about owning one’s gender identity so that it aligns with their self-concept and lived experiences. It is a rejection of the status quo that insists there are only two genders. Because of this, the enby identity challenges gender norms that are applied to everyboy.
Enby Identity Labels And Language
It’s helpful to understand the language and labels around the enby identity. For many folks, nonbinary is simply the label. It’s a useful descriptor that reflects a part of, but not the totality of who they are. For others, their lived experiences may have included struggles to figure out they truly are, fights against discrimination, and other hard fought battles to be able to consider themselves nonbinary and part of a community.
Identity is internal, but it flows out as well. Just like people express other identities through their clothing, interests, hairtyles, and mannerisms – so do nonbinary folks. That may mean choosing to dress completely femme-presenting one day and opting for something more masculine the next. It may also mean selecting clothing that doesn’t communicate a particular gender at all.
Another concept you may have encountered is that gender is a spectrum. This concept helps us move beyond the idea that people can only be men or woment. It acknowledges a wide range of gender experiences.
There is a lot of discussion about pronouns in relationship to both transgender and nonbinary people. A lot of it is derisive and ill-informed. Simply put, some nonbinary individuals may choose new pronouns to reflect their identity. Many choose they/them as a gender neutral choice. Others may select an alternative like ze/zir. Preferences vary. Using someone’s chosen pronoun is not oppression, and nobody is “forced” to do so anymore than they are “forced” to use the preferred terms for cisgender folks. No, gender neutral pronouns are not “incorrect” for singular usage. This has long been grammatically and stylistically acceptable.
Nonbinary Folks And The Transgender Label
Does the label transgender apply to nonbinary people? That depends. It’s a matter of personal preference, and what feels authentic to each person. There are nonbinary people who do identify as trans, because they see themselves as having an identity that was different than the one they were assigned at birth. Others see themselves as part of the larger transgender community, but their experiences are not always the same. Finally, some nonbinary folks do not identify as either transgender or cisgender. Instead, they may choose a label like genderqueer or no label at all. It’s important to remember individual preferences and experiences.
Elliot Page is an example of a transgender actor who has also identifed as enby. When he came out, he wrote, “I love that I am trans. And I love that I am queer. And the more I hold myself close and fully embrace who I am, the more I dream, the more my heart grows and the more I thrive. To all the trans people who deal with harassment, self-loathing, abuse, and the threat of violence every day: I see you, I love you, and I will do everything I can to change this world for the better”
Why it Makes a Difference When Celebrities Are Open About Their Identities
Representation is so important. When a public figure announces they are nonbinary, they help to validate enby identities. They communicate tht people can live outside of the binary, and do great things.
This visibility is especially important for young people or anyone who is struggling with their gender journey. Realizing that you may be a gender nonbinary individual too is a big internal discovery.
Additionally, celebrities have wide platforms. When they speak out it has an impact, and can change the conversations that are being held. When those conversations take place, more people break away from the notion that there are just two genders, and that can reduce stigma.
This visibility also creates change in industries. For example:
- How nonbinary characters are portrayed
- How awards categories can be shifted to be more inclusive
- The creation of gender-inclusive policies even outside of the entertainment industry.
Remember that it isn’t about celebrity gossip or nosiness. It’s about community impact. Nonbinary people face invisibility, discrimination, and ignorance. Representation helps.
Is it Ever Negative When a Famous Person Comes Out as Non-Binary?
Yes, there can be negative impacts both for non binary celebrities and others living outside the gender binary. First, people who live in marginalized groups are often held accountable for the actions of their fellow community members in ways that more privileged people are not. For example, if a nonbinary actor engages in criminal or socially unacceptable behavior, that may reflect on other non binary individuals. Additionally, there is no single set of characteristics or gender presentation that defines non binary. However, if a celebrity comes out, many people may assume that their appearance, their behaviors, etc. are the defining characteristics of this identity.
Finally, celebrities themselves may face criticism, bullying, and employment discrimination when they decide to disclose that they are non binary. For example, Demi Lovato has been been mocked for being open about her identity journey. For example, both Sam Smith and Asia Kate Dillon have discussed being bullied, subjected to ignorant questions, and in Smith’s case physically assaulted.
This also demonstrates how important it is for the media outlets to cover these stories responsibly without sensationalizing people’s experiences or attempting to reduce people down to one aspectd of their identity. When news outlets like MTV News, The Guardian, or NYT engage in harmful stereotyping or portray people as just the label of their gender, they do both celebrities and the public a huge disservice.
How to Support The Non Binary Community
Here are some things that all of us can do to support the non-binary community, including celebrities:
- Use a person’s pronouns whether they are someone you know personally or someone you are referring to. This is the case, even when it is someone you don’t care for.
- Understand that someone doesn’t have to dress completely femme presenting or have masculine energy or eschew those things to be considered non-binary. A person can have feminine energy and identify as non-binary or even as a man, for example. Non binary people don’t owe anyone any type of gender expression or presentation to be treated as valid.
- Avoid exclusive, binary only language. Instead try to acknowledge the gender spectrum wherever you can.
- Don’t refer to nonbinary identities as being trendy or attention seeking, even if you don’t understand a particular person’s experiences or behavior. Instead, respect their lived experiences.
- Be an advocate for inclusion where you have influence. This includes gender-neutral bathroons, forms that offer choices beyond male and female, inclusion of non-binary characters in media, and workplace policies that respect people who are gender non-conforming
- Amplify the voices of non binary celebrities, content creators, and others.
Be careful to avoid treating inclusion as a box or set of boxes to check. The entire point is to help shift culture and conversation so that both non-binary and trans peeople are respected, safe, and empowered.
Challenges And Realities When Celebrities Come Out
New Section: Challenges & Realities When Celebrities Are “Out”
While visibility is positive, there are very real challenges for celebrities who come out as non-binary.
Public scrutiny and mischaracterisation: When a celebrity declares their identity, media sometimes frames it simplistically: “They were male, now non-binary,” or “Drag queen reveals gender change.” This reduces nuance.
Typecasting and industry hurdles: An actor may face roles coded strictly “male” or “female” (e.g., characters in the mold of “boyish boy,” “girlish girl”) and find fewer roles defined as non-binary. For example, Emma Corrin has spoken about industry expectations.
Backlash and harassment: Even famous individuals face bullying, misgendering, invasive questions, or physical threat — the “only two genders” mindset still fuels hostility.
Structural invisibility: Despite celebrities’ stories, many nonbinary folks lack representation in rural spaces, healthcare, workplaces or legal systems. Visibility helps but doesn’t solve all barriers.
The “entire life” effect: When someone is publicly non-binary, their identity becomes part of their public persona. Their relationships, roles, style, pronouns all attract commentary. That can be exhausting — for anyone, but especially for a “very complex person” navigating identity and visibility.
Tokenism risk: A celebrity may become a symbolic representative of non-binary identity, expected to speak for everyone. That’s unfair — each person’s journey is unique.
Media framing: Coverage in outlets like the New York Times or Hollywood Reporter can help, but still often asks simplistic questions: “Now that you’re non‐binary how do you identify?” The framing sometimes reinforces binary logic or creates a spectacle of the “gender reveal.”
Non Binary Celebrities to Know
Here are some celebrities who are living openly as non-binary. They are helping to change how we think about gender. Each one has a unique journey and has made contributions to a more accepting society.
Sam Smith
Sam Smith is a singer songwriter and Academy Award winner who came out as non-binary in 2019. They use they/them pronouns. In an interview with People magazine, Smith described being at war with their gender. They said they feel just as much woman as man. Sam’s visibility has helped non-binary people see someone who has staked their claim on the as an enby person while thriving in the music industry.
Sam’s journey and choices around expression show that gender identity and presentation can have so many depths. They reflect who they are in their dress, music, performance, and even the energy they exude.
Asia Kate Dillon
Asia Kate Dillon is an actor who is non-binary and chooses they/then pronouns. They portrayed Taylor Mason on Billions. Many outlets have described Taylor Mason as the first non-binary character on American TV.
In Dillon’s case, reality reflected fiction. When they read the script, that triggered their own thoughts about being non-binary. So, not only did their role in a high-profile series upend myths about what a nonbinary person looks like, it also played a role in the actor being able to live more authentically.
Emma Corrin
Emma Corrin is an English actor who is best known for portraying Princess Diana in The Crown. They disclosed that they were both queer and non-binary in 2021. Emma uses they/them pronouns. Corrin has speoken about their fluid identity. They said that their gender isn’t fixed, that there will always be fluidity for them.
In addition to her portrayal of Princess Diana, Emma Corrin was the first only non-binary person to be featured on the cover of Vogue magazine in the United States. This was a key moment for non-binary visibility in mainstream culture. Corrin has also spoken openly about some of the challenges they face in the entertainment industry. This includes acting roles beign largely limited to male and female identities with very few explicitly non-binary characters portrayed in mainstrean media.
Janelle Monae
Musician/actor Janelle Monae came out as non-binary in 2020. Monael uses they/she pronouns. She has described feminine energy, masculine, energy, and energy that defies explanation. Monae’s identity spans both gender and race. They also famously retweeted the Steven Universe Meme “Are you a boy or a girl? I’m an experience.” They serve as representation of sucess and talent in an important intersectional space. Their journey represents that non binary folks have a wide range of presentation and expression.
Jonathan Van Ness
Jonathan Van Ness is a media personality who is well-known for his appearance on the reboot of Queer Eye. He identifies as both non binary and gender nonconforming. He describes his energies as being all over the place. Somedays they feel like a man and other days theyfeel like a woman according to Jonathan Van Ness.
Jonathan Van Ness is open about his experiences in a way that shows that being non binary isn’t static. It can be shifting and nuanced. The Queer Eye star engages in advocacy for queer rights including for queer and trans people living with HIV.
Ashrita Kumar
Ashrita Kumar is the nonbinary lead singer of the band PinkShift, based in Baltimore. They have spoken on how their enby identity and their identity as a South Asian-American influences their work and has empowered them to push boundaries.
Liv Hewson
Liv Hewson is a talented non binary actor who is known for playing Abby Hammond in Netflix’s Santa Clarita diet. Hewson is very open about being nonbinary, and has described themself as a very complex person who doesn’t fit within the gender binary.
Hewson prefers they/them pronouns and has acknowledged the importance of being visible as an enby person in Hollywood. They have emphasized how seeing nonbinary characters onscreen can normalize gender diversity, and give hope to young viewers who may be discovering who they are.
Ruby Rose
Non binary actor Ruby Rose first came into the public eye in their breakout role on Orange is The New Black. Later, she starred in Batwoman. Rose identifies as both gender fluid and nonbinary. Rose has also acted in The Hunger Games. They are a strong advocate for transgender and queer rights. Recently, Ruby Rose came out with harsh criticism of far-right actress and eugenics supporter Sidney Sweeney after Sweeney refused to condemn white supremacy.
Amandla Stenberg
Amandla Stenberg is an actor and musician who has used their public platform to advocate for creativity and self-acceptance. They have starred as a young actor in Hunger Games, The Hate You Give, and The Acolyte. They have shared they began questioning their identity as a young age.
Angel Haze
Angel Haze is an actor and rapper who openly defies traditional labels. They identify as agender, meaning that rather than identifying as part of the traditional gender spectrum, they don’t align with gender as an identity at all. Haze has spoken about the evolution of their identity. Their breakout album Dirty Gold breas ground thanks to their raw talent and evocative storytelling.
Sara Ramirez
Mexican American actor Sara Ramirez played Dr. Callie Torres on Grey’s Anatomy. They came out as nonbinary in 2020 when they updated their social media bio to include the pronouns she/they. They posted, “In me is the capactiy to be girlish boy, boyish girl, boyish boy, girlish girl, all, neither.”
The girlish boy, boyish girl quote aligns with the sentiment of feeling lil bit boy, lil bit girl lil bit neither that many nonbinary people as well as some trans people experience. They articulated how there are experiences outside of society’s binary expectations, emphasing how important it is to live authentically with one’s own gender identity.
After Grey’s Anatomy Sara Ramirez appeared in Madam Secretary, …and Just Like That, and did voice over work in Sofia The First and Vampirina.
Bob The Drag Queen
Bob the Drag Queen is more than a drag performer and winner of Rupaul’s Drag Race. They are a comedian and well-known media personality who is known for breaking barriers. Bob The Drag uses both he/him and she/her pronouns, and identifies as nonbinary.
Bob’s visibility in the drag world is just one example of how expression, performance, advocacy, and gender nonconforming presentation can exist together. Bob demonstrates how challenging gender norms as an entertainer and living as an openly non-binary person can fuel authenticity.
Visibility Empowers us All
No matter if you identify as enby, a trans man, a trans woman, genderqueer or something else, it’s more than a bit exciting to see a celebrity proudly acknowledging who they are and using their platform to advocate for equality. Thanks to these folks rly putting themselves on the line, young gender-diverse folks have role models to look to when they feel discouraged on their own journeys.
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