32 non-binary activists, performers and stars who are proud, visible and making the world a better place
Sam Smith in rehearsals for their first-ever performance at Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. (Instagram/samsmith)
It’s International Non-Binary People’s Day, also known as a great day to learn more about prominent people in the non-binary community.
Non-binary people have existed for as long as humans have. In some historical cultures, people living outside the gender binary were revered as spiritual leaders.
While Western colonisation wiped many of these traditions out (due to the Christian ideal of the heteronormative nuclear family unit), non-binary people continue to exist – though the language we use to describe ourselves has evolved.
At a time when non-binary people around the world have vastly uneven access to healthcare, discrimination protection and legal gender recognition, this International Non-Binary People’s Day is a good time for us to remember how many non-binary people are out, proud and disrupting the gender binary.
Jinkx Monsoon. Performer and winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 5.
Chella Man. Deaf actor, model and artist, who last year joined the second season of DC Universe’s live-action series Titans in the role of Joseph Wilson, aka Jericho.
Nim Ralph. Community organiser, writer and trans activist.
I have noticed a lot of media referring to me as a trans man.
To clarify, I identify non-binary or genderqueer.
I still use he/him pronouns.
I still present masculine.
If this doesn’t add up for you, check out my captioned TedX Talk here:https://t.co/koXhWNCQNI pic.twitter.com/Z8CKf17aeg
— CHELLA MAN (@chellamanart) June 19, 2019
Tommy Dorfman. Writer, model and star of 13 Reasons Why.
Divina De Campo. The first non-binary queen on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.
SonicFox. Black non-binary furry and gamer who was Outsports‘ first-ever non-binary person of the year.
I’m a nonbinary gamer that just happens to be really godlike at fighting games and very outspoked about my beliefs. I live by empathy, understanding, and sticking true to myself! See me in Skullgirls ????#UnderneathTheFursona pic.twitter.com/hN0AoF00v8
— SonicFox 1312 (@SonicFox) June 6, 2020
Caitlin Benedict. Radio producer and presenter of NB: My non-binary life on BBC Sounds.
Fox and Owl Fisher. Non-binary writers, filmmakers, educators and founders of trans production company My Genderation.
Travis Alabanza. Non-binary writer, performer, and artist.
ggggrimes. Non-binary artist.
Wednesday Holmes. Community organiser with Voices4, activist and artist.
Amrou Al-Kadhi. Non-binary Muslim drag queen, award-winning author and performer.
“If subatomic particles defy constructs all the time, why should we believe in fixed constructs of gender or any kind of reality?”
Drag performer & writer Amrou Al-Kadhi aka @Glamrou questions why gender should be binary when the physics which underpins the universe can change. pic.twitter.com/LMZCvh32Hf
— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) July 3, 2020
Indya Moore. Non-binary star of Pose, model and trans-rights activist.
Valentina. RuPaul’s Drag Race star.
Jamie Windust. Iconic non-binary activist, model and TedxLondonWomen speaker.
Sam Smith. Singer, probably the most famous non-binary person in the world.
Aja. Musician and Drag Race alumna who’s been outspoken with their criticism of RuPaul’s lack of trans inclusivity.
Jacob Edwards. Radio presenter at Gaydio and the first openly non-binary person to present on BBC Radio 1.
Don’t say you support drag if you think only male dressed as female drag is valid. ????
— AJA ???????????? (@ajaqueen) January 26, 2020
Asia Kate Dillon. Hollywood actor who plays Taylor, the first-ever non-binary lead character in a TV series, in Billions. Also seen in John Wick 3.
Alok Menon. Gender non-conforming writer, poet and performance artist.
Theo Germaine. Actor and star of Netflix’s The Politician.
Lach Watson. Hollywood actor who starred in Netflix’s Sabrina reboot.
Jamie Wildman. Non-binary lesbian and LGBT+ activist who sadly passed away in 2020.
Joshua Allen. Artist, writer and community organiser.
Brigette Lundy-Paine. Star of Netflix’s Atypical.
Radam Ridwan. Writer and model.
Dr Ronx. Emergency medicine doctor and BBC TV presenter on The Unshockable Dr Ronx.
Nayuka Gorrie. Actor, writer and Indigenous rights activist.
Victoria Sin. Drag artist.
Tom Glitter. Author, singer and writer.
Naeem Dxvis. Co-founder of London club night BBZ London.