Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness describes himself as ‘non-binary’ and ‘gender non-conforming’

'Some days I feel like a man, but then other days I feel like a woman'

Sabrina Barr
Tuesday 11 June 2019 10:54 BST
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Jonathan Van Ness has opened up about his gender identity, describing himself as "non-binary" and "gender non-conforming".

In a new interview with Out magazine, the Queer Eye star explained that he often feels gender is used to "separate and divide" society.

While Van Ness said that he used to think of himself as a "gay man", his view on gender has changed in recent years.

"The older I get, the more I think that I'm non-binary – I'm gender non-conforming," the hairdresser stated.

"Like, some days I feel like a man, but then other days I feel like a woman."

Van Ness continued, explaining that he previously identified as a gay man because that was the label he thought he "had to be".

"I didn't think I was allowed to be non-conforming or gender-queer or non-binary," he said.

While the reality television personality describes himself as "non-binary" and "gender-queer", and does not identify as a "man", he prefers to use "he" and "him" pronouns.

During the interview, Van Ness also spoke in detail about his "feminine identity", explaining that he feels it makes him "the strongest".

The Queer Eye grooming expert explained that the majority of the people that he looks up to and wants to "emulate the most" are women, including Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin and Mariah Carey.

Several Twitter users have praised Van Ness for opening up about his gender identity, and have congratulated the Queer Eye star for speaking about being non-binary.

"This honestly makes me so happy," one person wrote. "Seeing fellow non-binary folks being themselves and living life loudly is so empowering."

"Seeing yet another big name celebrity (this time Jonathan Van Ness) come out as non-binary brings literal tears to my eyes," another added.

Earlier this year, Sam Smith revealed in an interview with Jameela Jamil that he identifies as non-binary and gender-queer.

The singer stated he's "not male or female", saying that he thinks he floats "somewhere in between".

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