Sam Smith Identified as gender non-binary in an interview released Friday.
Smith made the announcement during an interview on The Good Place actress Jameela Jamil's new Instagram talk show, I Weigh Interviews.
"I've sometimes sat and questioned, do I want a sex change? It's something I still think about: 'Do I want to?' I don't think it is," Smith said, coming to the conclusion while doing some research into "people who have come out as genderqueer and nonbinary."
They added:
"Nonbinary/genderqueer is that you do not identify in a gender. You are a mixture of all different things. You are your own special creation. That's how I take it: I am not male or female. I think I float somewhere in between. It's all on the spectrum."
For those of you looking to understand what it means to be "gender nonbinary," it's worth looking to the National Center for Transgender Equality:
"Most people – including most transgender people – are either male or female. But some people don't neatly fit into the categories of "man" or "woman," or "male" or "female." For example, some people have a gender that blends elements of being a man or a woman, or a gender that is different than either male or female. Some people don't identify with any gender. Some people's gender changes over time."
"People whose gender is not male or female use many different terms to describe themselves, with non-binary being one of the most common. Other terms include genderqueer, agender, bigender, and more. None of these terms mean exactly the same thing – but all speak to an experience of gender that is not simply male or female."
"Some societies – like ours – tend to recognize just two genders, male and female. The idea that there are only two genders is sometimes called a "gender binary," because binary means "having two parts" (male and female).
Therefore, "non-binary" is one term people use to describe genders that don't fall into one of these two categories, male or female."
The NCTE also offers a basic primer on nonbinary identity:
Non-binary people are nothing new. Non-binary people aren't confused about their gender identity or following a new fad – non-binary identities have been recognized for millennia by cultures and societies around the world.
Some, but not all, non-binary people undergo medical procedures to make their bodies more congruent with their gender identity. While not all non-binary people need medical care to live a fulfilling life, it's critical and even life-saving for many.
Most transgender people are not non-binary. While some transgender people are non-binary, most transgender people have a gender identity that is either male or female, and should be treated like any other man or woman.
Being non-binary is not the same thing as being intersex. Intersex people have anatomy or genes that don't fit typical definitions of male and female. Most intersex people identify as either men or women. Non-binary people are usually not intersex: they're usually born with bodies that may fit typical definitions of male and female, but their innate gender identity is something other than male or female.
Smith had previously been open about sexuality and came out as gay in 2014.
Smith had a highly publicized relationship with 13 Reasons Why actor Brandon Flynn. The announcement about gender identity earned praise from such organizations as the Human Rights Campaign and other advocates.
“Self-love, I think people think it's a destination,” said @SamSmith “It’s a practice.” Thank you, Sam Smith, for… https://t.co/cQymwcNCCJ— Human Rights Campaign (@Human Rights Campaign) 1552694400
sam smith came out as nonbinary today and even said "you don't identify as a gender you are a mix and creation of t… https://t.co/mhtcM9zXYp— vin; androgyne (@vin; androgyne) 1552676638
sam smith came out as non-binary and deep down i always knew this aaaaa power to ya pal! @samsmith— nemo (@nemo) 1552667774
@Metro_Ents Im so happy for them I hope they do so well ❤❤— Basard Basset 💙💛 (@Basard Basset 💙💛) 1552728011
@HRC @samsmith Good to see more people like me coming out. Makes me feel less weird. No one in my life has heard of… https://t.co/0E8wZQoOT0— TannerM.--- IanEmoon (@TannerM.--- IanEmoon) 1552695669
Smith also spoke candidly about issues with body image, noting receiving liposuction treatments at age 12 to reduce the chest weight.
"I think I put the weight back on in two weeks because I hadn't figured out my relationship with food, so it didn't really change anything," Smith recalled.
Smith's come a long way since first bursting onto the scene.
We appreciate such honesty.
It's refreshing.