Celebrity

Demi Lovato Is ‘Grateful’ for Efforts About Their Non-Binary Identity

Demi Lovato recently came out as non-binary. Here's what they've said since then.

by Audrey Rock

Published on July 16, 2021

3 min read

Lovato said they had already told their loved ones

Lovato attends the “Demi Lovato: Simply Complicated” YouTube premiere in Los Angeles, California. | Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

The world learned about their non-binary identity in May. “I’m doing this for those out there that haven’t been able to share who they truly are with their loved ones,” they said via Instagram. “Please keep living in your truths and know I am sending so much love your way.”

But Lovato said close friends and family knew a while back. “I actually had come out to loved ones and friends, like, last year, but this year, I made it public,” they said in June, during YouTube Pride 2021.

The next-level announcement to fans was a big step, but Lovato said they are thankful for the efforts of those close to them.

“I am grateful for the progress that my family members have made in using my pronouns, team members, friends.”

Lovato is exceptionally open with their fans

Lovato felt it was time to share their truth, mainly because they have been exceptionally open with fans in the past, talking openly about their depression and addictions.

“I felt it was really important for me to share that with the world,” they said at YouTube Pride. “I’ve been so open and honest with my truth to my fans. I felt holding it in any longer just didn’t feel right, and I wanted to share that — my truth — with the world.”

Lovato said they are pleased about the fact that it’s starting a meaningful ongoing conversation about issues surrounding gender identity. “I love the conversation that it has begun to spark and I think that’s really important,” they said. “So I have officially changed my pronouns to they/them, and yeah, I feel better than ever.”

They said they are still getting used to the changes, as well

Demi Lovato performs at the 26th annual NYC Pride: Dance On The Pier in 2014. | Rob Kim/Getty Images

In an interview on Audacy Check-In last month, they admitted they took some time to get used to the changes in how they are addressed.

“Sometimes I still mess up myself,” they said on Audacy. “My friends have had a little harder time [getting] used to it actually, just because I think your friends are the ones that you’re more likely to be like, ‘B—-.’ And so, I’m like, ‘Look, you can still call me b—-.'”

They admitted that, due to a Christian upbringing in Dallas Texas, things weren’t ideal and could be “confusing.” The imposition of gender norms was rampant.

“Growing up in Dallas, Texas, in the South, being Christian, there were a lot of norms that were already pushed on to me when it came to sexuality and gender,” they explained to Jane Fonda during an interview for Fire Drill Friday last month. “And I’m a very fluid person, I’m a very free-spirited, open person.”

Lovato wasn’t exactly sure how they should identify at first. But, they were confident they wanted to avoid making themselves “smaller for the patriarchy.”

Lovato, it seems, doesn’t make themself smaller for anyone.