English singer and songwriter Sam Smith announced on Twitter on Friday that they are changing their pronouns to they/them, and their fans are so proud.
Like many people in their 20s, Smith has been going through a process of self-discovery. In 2014, they came out as gay, saying their debut album was inspired by unrequited love they had for a man. In 2017, they said in an interview, “I don’t know what the title would be but I feel just as much a woman as I am man.”
While they didn’t have the language at the time to put a label to their feelings, in March, Smith elaborated on their gender identity in an interview with Jameela Jamil. “When I saw the word nonbinary, genderqueer, and I read into it, and I heard these people speaking, I was like, ‘Fuck, that is me,’” Smith said. “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.” At that time, Smith told Jamil that many nonbinary people use they/them pronouns, but for the time being, Smith would be sticking with he/him.
On Friday, Smith tweeted an announcement about their preferred pronouns. “Today is a good day so here goes I’ve decided I am changing my pronouns to THEY/THEM,” Smith said. “After a lifetime of being at war with my gender I’ve decided to embrace myself for who I am, inside and out…”
Today is a good day so here goes. I’ve decided I am changing my pronouns to THEY/THEM ❤ after a lifetime of being at war with my gender I’ve decided to embrace myself for who I am, inside and out… pic.twitter.com/IVoLTYbAWd
— SAM SMITH (@samsmith) September 13, 2019
“I understand there will be many mistakes and mis gendering but all I ask is you please please try,” they continued. “I hope you can see me like I see myself now. Thank you.”
The replies to Smith’s tweets were filled with fans, nonbinary and otherwise, expressing pride and thanking them for their courage.
not gonna lie, i teared up a bit when i saw you posted this. as a young nonbinary adult i’ve always struggled to find other people like me in media and now here you are, out and proud and AWESOME. so proud of you 🖤
— valo 🏴 (@valotpois) September 13, 2019
I love you ❤️ 💋 just be you and be happy my lovely forever here to support you xxxx
— 🖤welshpaula 🖤 (@paulaparsons45) September 13, 2019
you can still use ”you” 😃 you use they/them where you use she/her and he/him!
— Linnéa (@linneaxst) September 13, 2019
Smith says they’re not quite ready to speak at length about what it means to be nonbinary, but they can’t wait for that day to come.
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