Sam Smith Announces Preferred Pronouns: They/Them

UPDATE 11:20 a.m.:

Sam Smith posted to Instagram on Friday morning they preferred the pronouns "they/them".

Read their full statement below:

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. 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 but f--k it! I understand there will be many mistakes and mis gendering but all I ask is you please please try. I hope you can see me like I see myself now. Thank you.P.s. I am at no stage just yet to eloquently speak at length about what it means to be non binary but I can't wait for the day that I am. So for now I just want to be VISIBLE and open. If you have questions and are wondering what this all means I'll try my best to explain but I have also tagged below the human beings who are fighting the good fight everyday. These are activists and leaders of the non binary/trans community that have helped me and given me so much clarity and understanding.

@tomglitter @munroebergdorf @transnormativity @alokvmenon @katemoross @glamrou @travisalabanza @twyrent @chellaman @jvn @lavernecox @stonewalluk @glaad @humanrightscampaign @mermaidsgender

Love you all. I'm scared shitless, but feeling super free right now. Be kind x

Original story below:

Sam Smith is still figuring out their path in this world, and the next step in their journey appears to be embracing a gender-neutral pronoun. The singer came out as non-binary earlier this year, and recently thanked a radio deejay for using "they" and "them" instead of "he" and "him" in a tweet.

"You're one of the first people to use these pronouns with me," Smith wrote in response to a tweet from Hits Radio's James Barr. "Thank you. That feels really beautiful."

The deejay had given Smith a shout-out after their interview, writing that he "just interviewed @samsmith and they sounded so happy and free and more themselves than ever."

According to a source speaking with The Sun, Smith has been doing a lot of reading on the subject of non-binary and the use of pronoun identifiers before making this decision.

"He knows that it will take some people longer than others to fully get it," the source said. "First the request is going out to mates and then it will be passed on to the music industry too. It's an exciting and groundbreaking time for him."

Clearly even the source had yet to fully make the adjustment, referring to Smith as both "he" and "him" through the course of that statement.

2019 has been a journey of discovery for Smith, who first came out as non-binary in March. The singer, who identifies as gay, said that they often struggle with depression and feeling like they don't fit in.

Smith told British GQ in May that they had never felt comfortable as a man "ever since I was a little boy, ever since I was a little human."

They went on to explain, "Some days I've got my manly side and some days I've got my womanly side, but it's when I'm in the middle of that switch that I get really, really depressed and sad. Because I don't know who I am or where I am or what I'm doing, and I feel very misunderstood by myself. I realised that's because I don't fit into either."

Identifying that this was a non-binary experience and reading and learning that it is a perfectly normal and acceptable way to feel helped Smith tremendously in being comfortable in their own skin.

Adopting a pronoun that feels more comfortable and right is just another step in Smith owning their own identity and sense of self.

If Smith has struggled their entire life feeling uncomfortable under this identifier as a man, of course "he" isn't going to sit right. And Smith thanking Barr for using "they" instead of "he," going so far as to say that it "feels really beautiful," is all that really needs to be said.

They clearly felt accepted and acknowledged for who they are in a way that felt right.

Here's hoping that if and when Sam Smith goes public with this pronoun request that the music industry, the media and even sources talking about them to The Sun get on board and show the superstar singer the respect they deserve by honoring their wishes.

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