Sam Smith has chosen to embrace their identity in a way that feels right for them.
On Friday, the singer announced that their preferred pronouns are “they/them.”
“I’ve decided to change my pronouns to THEY/THEM,” Smith shared in an Instagram post. “After struggling with my gender for years, I have decided to accept myself completely,” they wrote.
Smith acknowledged that mistakes might happen but asked people to try their best. “I know people might get it wrong at first, but all I ask is that you try,” they said.
The singer also mentioned that they are still learning about their identity and are not ready to speak about it in full detail yet. “One day, I will be able to explain it better, but for now, I just want to be open and visible,” Smith added.
This year has been a journey for Smith. Earlier, they shared that they identify as nonbinary. Recently, they also made headlines by wearing heels at a public event for the first time. Smith chose to wear Gucci Chelsea boots to GQ’s “Man of the Year” awards, calling it an important moment for them.
“I don’t see myself as only male or female. I feel like I exist somewhere in between,” Smith said in a past interview with Jameela Jamil. They also mentioned that their views on gender have evolved over time, similar to how they have always been open-minded about their sexuality.
Smith is not alone in this journey. Other celebrities who have also come out as nonbinary include Jonathan Van Ness, Amandla Stenberg, and Ruby Rose.
A nonbinary person does not see themselves as strictly male or female. Some feel like a mix of both, neither, or something else entirely. While some transgender people are also nonbinary, the two identities are not the same. Nonbinary identity is also not related to a person’s physical characteristics.
In recent years, more places have started recognizing nonbinary identities. Some states now offer gender-neutral IDs and birth certificates, where people can choose “X” instead of “M” or “F.”