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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."
Pride Month 2019: All the brands giving back to LGBT+ charitiesShow all 13 1 /13Pride Month 2019: All the brands giving back to LGBT+ charities Pride Month 2019: All the brands giving back to LGBT+ charities ASOS x GLAAD ASOS and GLAAD - an organisation devoted to countering discrimination against the LGBT+ community - have launched their third exclusive collaboration for Pride 2019. The collection includes 50 pieces such as T-shirts, Co-ord sets and tote bags with 100 per cent of all net profits being donated to the LGBT+ charity.
Pride Month 2019: All the brands giving back to LGBT+ charities Converse Converse honours the origins of Pride with this year’s collection of footwear and apparel, specifically, the 1969 Stonewall Riots. The capsule includes the Chuck Taylor and the Chuck 70 which are emblazoned with rainbow hues and a lightening bolt design. For 2019, proceeds from the Converse Pride Collection will support the brand’s longstanding local and global LGBTQ partners, including It Gets Better Project and OUT MetroWest.
Pride Month 2019: All the brands giving back to LGBT+ charities DKNY DKNY have launched a capsule collection celebrating Pride in partnership with NY based charity Hetrick-Martin Institute. The collection consists of clothing, accessories, footwear, eyewear, intimates, and jewellery, all with the pride flag incorporated into the design. A donation has been made by DKNY to HMI to support its pioneering mission and empowering results.
Pride Month 2019: All the brands giving back to LGBT+ charities Pride Gin, £36 For 2019, Pride in London has launched Pride Gin: a crisp and refreshing tipple with an added bonus - each bottle sold helps keep Pride free for everyone to attend. Pride Gin will launch at Harvey Nichols and Gerry’s Wine & Spirits on Old Compton Street for £36 from mid-June, as well as being available by the glass at various bars in Soho.
Pride Month 2019: All the brands giving back to LGBT+ charities Harry's Shave with Pride Set, £28 Popular men’s grooming company, Harry’s, has launched a “Shave With Pride” set, which includes their signature razor customized with a unique iridescent handle. The set also includes three blade cartridges and a bottle of Harry’s shave gel. The limited-edition set comes in an art-inspired box designed by Spanish illustrator, José Antonio Roda. Harry’s says 100 per cent of profits from the sale of this set will go to The Trevor Project, which will help the non-profit group serve more than 80,000 LGBTQ youth in crisis this year.
Pride Month 2019: All the brands giving back to LGBT+ charities Marc Jacobs, Enamoured (with Pride) Dazzling Gloss Lip Lacquer, £22 Marc Jacobs Beauty is adding six shades of Pride-themed lip gloss to its best-selling Enamored Lip Lacquer collection. Available in June, the lip gloss will be sold in limited-edition rainbow packaging and 10 per cent of sales will be donated to Sage, an organization that supports older members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Pride Month 2019: All the brands giving back to LGBT+ charities Boohoo Online retailer Boohoo has launched the LoveWithoutLimits collection to celebrate Pride 2019. 10 per cent from each sale will be donated between two amazing pride charities - OutRight Action International & LGBT Foundation.
Pride Month 2019: All the brands giving back to LGBT+ charities House of Holland For 2019, House of Holland is celebrating Pride and supporting the work of the Albert Kennedy Trust - charity that serves the LGBT+ youth community in the UK. A fresh new suiting capsule of 3 piece satin tuxedos in the colours of the Transgender Pride Flag will launch alongside the brand's Resort 20 collection. The four colour-blocked suits include a fitted blazer with large scalloped lapel, fitted waistcoat and a flared tailored trouser. 25 per cent of the profit generated from the sales of the range will be donated to the AKT.
Pride Month 2019: All the brands giving back to LGBT+ charities H&M H&M continues its support of LGBT+ equality with a capsule collection for women, men and non-binary individuals. Featuring a range of slogan t-shirts, sportswear-inspired garments and fun accessories, 10 per cent of the sales price will be donated to the UN Free & Equal campaign.
Pride Month 2019: All the brands giving back to LGBT+ charities Hunter is celebrating Pride by reimagining its Play boot with a rainbow sole and pull tab. The British boot brand has teamed up with five ambassadors on the launch including ShayShay, Tia Simon-Campbell, Jay Espinosa, Glyn Fussell and Lucy Fizz. Each of the partners has chosen a charity for the brand to donate proceeds to, such as The Outside Project, NAZ, Albert Kennedy Trust, MindOut and Mermaids.
Pride Month 2019: All the brands giving back to LGBT+ charities Morphe Morphe has teamed up with The Trevor Project, a charity that helps fund 24/7 suicide prevention and crisis intervention services for LGBT+ youth. One-hundred percent of net proceeds from the Live in Color Artistry Palette (£20) and the Live in Color Brush Set 7 Piece Eye Brush Collection (£26) will be donated to the organisation.
Pride Month 2019: All the brands giving back to LGBT+ charities UGG Ugg’s new limited-edition capsule for Pride Month will benefit LGTBQ youths through the Born This Way Foundation, a crisis support and suicide prevention program. The Fluff Yeah Pride slides retail at £100 each with 25 per cent of the proceeds going to the Born This Way Foundation.
Pride Month 2019: All the brands giving back to LGBT+ charities Ikea Ikea US has released a rainbow version of its classic blue bag for Pride 2019 to help raise money for the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRCF). All proceeds from the bags will go directly to the HRCF.
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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