Demi Lovato Speaks On Why They Came Out; Calls Out Patriarchy In Entertainment Industry

Demi Lovato opened up about why they came out as non-binary and called out patriarchy in Hollywood.

Lovato recently came out to the world as non-binary. The star just sat down virtually with Jane Fonda, and they discussed their reason for coming out as well as explained the use of they/them pronouns. Lovato said they didn’t come out sooner because they were battling “the patriarchy” and its expectations for women.

“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 center of everything. When I realized that, I thought, ‘What are the ways that the patriarchy has been holding me back?’” Lovato said on Fonda’s Fire Drill Friday livestream. “And for me, it was putting me in a box telling [me] that ‘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.’ That didn’t vibe for me because I’m too outspoken for that.”

Lovato also discussed their stance on speaking out about political issues as a celeb. “I think all I can encourage people to do is to find more compassion and to have more empathy for others,” Lovato explained. “If you’re having a hard time finding that towards others, go within yourself, find it within yourself so you can find it for others because that’s what will bring us together is that unity.”

They added: “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.”