28 non-binary activists, politicians and stars who are proud, visible and making the world a better place

Jul 12 2021
Written by Vic Parsons

Indya Moore, Bimini Bon Boulash and Demi Lovato. (Getty/BBC)

Despite all the struggles it takes to navigate this world as a non-binary person, living outside the gender binary is a beautiful, magical, powerful thing.

It takes courage and privilege to be out and proud as a non-binary person. Many of us are not safe enough to be openly non-binary, or might only be out in certain situations or with certain people. But all of us are part of a community whose existence stretches back thousands of years.

And with the advent of the internet, more of us have been able to find each other, and find words that describe ourselves. Non-binary is an umbrella term that includes genderqueer, gender-fluid, agender, androgynous and gender non-conforming people – though not all will find that non-binary fits as a label for them. Many non-binary people are trans, too.

To celebrate Non-Binary Awareness Week, we’ve rounded up non-binary politicians, celebrities, activists and performers who are out, proud, and working to make the world a better place for their siblings.

Mauree Turner, a Black queer Muslim state House candidate in Oklahoma

The first non-binary state lawmaker in the US, Oklahoma’s Mauree Turner. (Mauree for House District 88)

Demi Lovato. The “Sorry Not Sorry” hitmaker, who proudly came out as pansexual earlier this year, said they/them pronouns capture “the fluidity I feel in my gender expression, and allows me to feel most authentic and true to the person I both know I am and still am discovering”.

Sam Smith. British singer who came out as non-binary in March 2019.

Bimini Bon Boulash. Fan favourite from the second series of Drag Race UK, praised for their LGBT+ advocacy and non-binary representation.

Bimini Bon Boulash met London mayor Sadiq Khan to talk about supporting queer venues. (Bimini/Twitter)

Mauree Turner. The first non-binary state lawmaker in US history, Turner won election to the Oklahoma state House in November 2020.

Ginny Lemon. Drag Race UK star who won praise for the moving heart-to-heart discussion they shared with Bimini Bon Boulash about being non-binary.

Owen Hurcum. Elected mayor of Bangor, Wales – the “first-ever openly non-binary mayor of any city anywhere”.

Taiwan’s Digital Minister Audrey Tang posing at the Executive Yuan in Taipei, June 2020. (SAM YEH/AFP via Getty Images)

Audrey Tang. The first-ever digital minister of Taiwan. They are non-binary and have described themselves as “post-gender”.

Tobi. A non-binary Hungarian teen, seen in documentary in Colors of Tobi, who spent four years being followed by a film crew to give audiences a rare insight into the journey of love and acceptance within families of trans kids.

Ki Griffin. An intersex and non-binary actor and advocate, Ki stars in British soap Hollyoaks and spoke at this year’s London Trans+ Pride.

Layshia Clarendon: Basketball star felt 'gender euphoria' after top surgery

Layshia Clarendon said they felt freedom and euphoria after having top surgery. (Instagram/LayshiaC)

Wednesday Holmes. Non-binary lesbian artist and activist with Voices4 London.

Layshia Clarendon. The trans non-binary Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) player shared their euphoria after having a gender-affirming surgery and prompted a wave of support for trans people in sports.

Shivani Dave. Bisexual BBC presenter who came out as non-binary live on air to make a powerful point about acceptance.

Divina giving side-eye on Drag Race UK. (BBC).

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.

Amrou Al-Kadhi. Non-binary Muslim drag queen, award-winning author and performer.

Travis Alabanza on success, their mum, and working with Pantene

Travis and their mum, Desiree, on set for the Pantene campaign. (Pantene)

Travis Alabanza. Non-binary writer, performer, and artist.

Indya Moore. Non-binary star of Pose, model and trans rights activist.

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.