11 non-binary role models paving the way for representation and visibility

As Non-binary Awareness Week is in full swing, we celebrate the role models that have paved the way toward a more accepting, equal society.

Community . Written by Sara Shannahan.

Split screen of three non-binary role models, Travis Alabanza, Bella Ramsey and Janelle monae.
Image: Via X - @daraenthusiast, @heatherpaterson, @JanelleMonae

To mark Non-binary Awareness Week, let’s celebrate together these role models who are paving the way for the representation and visibility of the non-binary community.

This year, Non-binary Awareness Week takes place from July 8 to the 14, with the official International Non-binary People’s Day on Sunday 14. Katje Van Loon, the creator of the holiday, originally started the day of celebration in 2012. July 14 was chosen as a symbolic day for the occurrence because it is midway between International Women’s Day and International Men’s Day.

In recognition of Non-binary Awareness Week, here are 11 non-binary role models to celebrate.

Bella Ramsey
Widely known for their roles in The Last of Us and Game of Thrones, Ramsey is a strong voice for the non-binary community in the media industry. 

“I’m very much just a person,” Ramsey told the New York Times in a past interview. “ Being gendered isn’t something that I particularly like.”

 

Sam Smith
Five-time Grammy award-winning artist Sam Smith is a world-renowned singer who came out as nonbinary in 2019. 

Known for their hit songs like ‘Stay With Me’, ‘Unholy’, and ‘Too Good at Goodbyes’, Smith not only dominates the music industry, but was also the first non-binary person to win a Grammy.

 

Liv Hewson
Australian actor Liv Hewson is a hugely influential figure in the non-binary community. Famously known for their role in Netflix’s Santa Clarita Diet, Hewson came out as non-binary at just 16 years old.

In an interview with Teen Vogue, they stated, “I deserve to be in the world as much as anybody else; so do all nonbinary and trans people.”

 

Janelle Monáe
Monáe has publicly identified as non-binary since April of 2022. As a successful singer, songwriter, rapper, and actress, Monáe has an incredible outlook on their identity.

“I’m nonbinary, so I just don’t see myself as a woman … solely. I feel like God is so much bigger than the he or the she. And if I am from God, I am everything,” they told the Los Angeles Times.

 

Layshia Clarendon

Clarendon will surely go down in history as they are the first non-binary person in the Women’s National Basketball Association, as well as the first active player in the WNBA to undergo top surgery.

Playing for the Los Angeles Sparks, Clarendon paves the way for non-binary representation in sports.

 

Demi Lovato
Former Disney Channel star Demi Lovato has identified as non-binary since May 2021. After originally using they/them pronouns, they also use she/her now.

The talented singer-songwriter has had many smash hits, including ‘Cool for the Summer’, ‘Sorry Not Sorry’, and ‘Confident’, all of which are especially popular within the LGBTQ+ community.

 

Naomi Mcpherson
Guitarist and singer Naomi Mcpherson is a member of the iconic queer band Muna. Recognisable from their hit song, ‘Silk Chiffon’, Muna became extremely popular on social media. 

Their success even led them to open for Taylor Swift during the Eras Tour in 2023.

 

Leith Ross
Trending singer-songwriter Leith Ross is on the rise as an artist. Ross initially came out as gay during their first year of college, then later came out as transgender, queer and non-binary.

The 26-year-old has found wide success through Tik Tok, with their trending song ‘We’ll Never Have Sex’.

 

Theo Germaine
Known for their role in The Politician on Netflix, actor Theo Germaine provides non-binary representation in the movie industry.

Recently starring in the horror film They/Them, Germaine gives a powerful performance portraying struggles with identity.

 

Emma Corrin
Coming out as queer and non-binary in 2021, actor Emma Corrin has had great success in the film industry.

They are famously known for starring in Netflix’s hit show The Crown, Deadpool & Wolverine, and A Murder at the End of the World.  

 

Travis Alabanza
Alabanza, British artist and writer, uses the labels gender non-conforming and non-binary.

Exploring gender identity through their writing, they are well-known for their books “None of the Above,” and “Gender.”

 

Non-binary Awareness Week is a crucial time to celebrate role-models, activists, and fellow peers within the community. Seeing non-binary representation in film, music, and society is extremely beneficial to taking a step closer to a more accepting society.

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