Entertainment
Demi Lovato claims ‘patriarchy’ was holding them back from coming out as non-binary: ‘It was putting me in a box’
Demi Lovato says ‘patriarchy’ was stopping them from coming out as non-binary by ‘putting me in a box’.
The singer changed their pronouns to they/them in an honest and open post on social media earlier this month, saying that it best reflects ‘the fluidity I feel in my gender expression’.
In a new interview the 28-year-old said they had been thinking about what was ‘holding them back’ in the past and concluded that ‘patriarchy’ had been forcing them to live in a way they weren’t comfortable with.
Patriarchy has been defined as a society or system in which men have the power and play dominant roles.
Appearing on Jane Fonda’s programme Fire Drill Fridays, Demi told the acting legend: ‘After years of living my life for other people, trying to make myself smaller for the patriarchy, they run the industry, they are at the centre of everything.
‘When I realised that, I thought, “What are the ways that the patriarchy has been holding me back?” And for me, it was putting me in a box telling [me], “You are a female, this is what you’re supposed to like, this is what you’re supposed to do, don’t dream bigger and don’t speak louder.”‘
They added that they ‘didn’t vibe’ with the idea as they are ‘too outspoken’.
The Skyscraper singer also warned against ‘excluding’ people and encouraged others to be more accepting.
Demi said: ‘Remembering that even though we are individuals, we are one, and when we start excluding people, that’s when things get really hateful and dangerous.’
The star first spoke in-depth about being non-binary on their podcast 4D with Demi Lovato, describing it as ‘freeing’.
‘I fully believe that gender is just another boundary that separates humanity from divine wisdom,’ they shared.
‘There might be a time where I wanna wear a full wig, there might be a time where I want to dress completely femme presenting. That doesn’t mean that in that moment, I’m identifying as a woman, it just means that’s what I want to wear in that moment.
‘I want people to understand that just because I’m non-binary, doesn’t mean I’m not going to dress the way I want.’
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