This archive report was first published on 14 September 2019.
On September 14, 2019, Grammy-winning musician Sam Smith made a significant announcement on Instagram, sharing their decision to use they/them pronouns.
“I've decided to embrace myself for who I am, inside and out. I'm so excited and privileged to be surrounded by people that support me in this decision but I've been very nervous about announcing this because I care too much about what people think,” the singer wrote.
Smith's Instagram post garnered over 400,000 likes, marking a significant moment in their journey towards self-acceptance.
This announcement comes six months after Smith publicly stated that they identify as “not male or female, but floating somewhere in between.” The singer has since clarified that it is too early to explain what it means to be non-binary.
Smith has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and has used their platform to raise awareness about the importance of using inclusive language. Their decision to use they/them pronouns joins a growing number of individuals embracing gender-neutral language, including Jill Soloway, the Emmy-winning creator of the transgender series “Transparent,” and Asia Kate Dillon, an actor known for their role in the TV series “Billions.”
Smith won four Grammy awards in 2015 for their debut studio album “In the Lonely Hour,” which explored themes of unrequited love.
