In the last few years, celebrities have been getting increasingly candid over social media, using it as a platform to communicate to their fans about sexuality and gender identities.
With every negative element of social media comes something undeniably important, and conversations like these are up there.
Social media allows transparency on a whole new level. Now we know that the media don’t always get it right and that celebrities deserve to have their own voice when it comes to things as deeply personal as how they identify themselves.
Through talking about their own struggles with gender identity, sharing their journey to self-discovery and even simply changing their pronouns on social media, it sparks important conversations within every aspect of society.
Ever since Instagram added a dedicated spot for pronouns on profiles, celebrities have been adding theirs, which has been inspiring to see. Conversations around pronouns are becoming normalised and educating others on who you are and why that’s important is just so necessary, that it seems strange to think of a world without these platforms.
Here are just a few of the inspiring celebrities that have publicly changed their pronouns.
Emma Corrin
Emma Corrin first made waves on our newsfeeds with her impeccable portrayal of Princess Diana in Netflix’s The Crown. A few days ago, Corrin shared a series of portraits to Instagram, that showed them wearing a homemade chest-binder. They also updated the pronoun section on their Instagram bio to “she/they”.
Elliot Page
Elliot Page came out as transgender via Instagram in December 2020, changing their pronouns to he/they. This was an incredible moment of transparency via social media, as Elliot was able to be raw and honest about their transition, receiving an overwhelming amount of support from fans and fellow celebrities. Elliot continues to be a leader and spokesperson for the LGBTQIA+ community in amazing ways.
Demi Lovato
Weeks after releasing their most recent docu-series, Demi Lovato: Dancing With The Devil, Lovato came out as non-binary and changed their pronouns to they/them. Demi has been an incredible source of inspiration to millions of people around the world, struggling with addiction, eating disorders and gender identity. They have also always been aligned with the LGBTQIA+ community and have been outspoken about their fluid sexuality. Along with their coming out, Lovato also launched their new podcast 4D, attempting to reach the fourth dimension through open, honest and sometimes shocking conversations.
Jonathan Van Ness
Everyone’s favourite hairstylist from Netflix’s Queer Eye, Jonathan Van Ness (JVN), identifies as non-binary, saying that “some days I feel like a man, but then other days I feel like a woman.” JVN uses the pronouns they/he/she and is a true beacon for self-love and self-expression. Follow @jvn on Instagram, you won’t regret it.
Sam Smith
Sam Smith has the voice of an angel and has done a tremendous amount of growth during their years of fame. Regardless of what they’re going through, Smith’s songs are always relatable anthems that make it impossible to not be a stan. Smith’s pronouns are they/them and they identify as gender fluid. Smith has also been super open about their struggle with body, weight and body image. They did an amazing interview with Jameela Jamil, which you should all watch.
Indya Moore
Indya Moore Moore was assigned male at birth and now they play a Trans woman on Ryan Murphy’s Pose, a trailblazing show about NYC’s legendary underground ballroom culture that began in the 1980s. Moore’s pronouns are they/them/she/her and they identify as non-binary, femme and Agender.
In a conversation with costar MJ Rodriguez, Moore talked about why representation is mandatory, as well as identifying as non-binary.
“I’m non-binary but I don’t really talk about it that much,” they said. “I don’t feel like people really are there yet for understanding it, which I don’t mind, but I also acknowledge the way people see me as a woman.”
Nico Tortorella
Younger‘s Nico Tortorella, who plays the ever-handsome tattoo artist Josh, is perhaps one of the most inspiring celebrities when it comes to breaking relationship and gender norms. They are in an open marriage with partner Bethany C Meyers, and both of them identify as non-binary with the pronouns they/them.
Halsey
Halsey is a powerful singer, songwriter, poet and just all-round artist, who changed their pronouns to she/they on Instagram earlier this year.
Here’s what she had to say about it:
“For those asking RE: my updated IG bio, I am happy with either pronouns. The inclusion of ‘they’ in addition to ‘she’ feels most authentic to me. If you know me at all, you know what it means to me to express this outwardly. Thanks for being the best.”
Halsey has always been open and raw through their music, singing candidly about break-ups and sexuality, and has always been an advocate of the LGBTQIA+ community.
