“Respect Sam Smith’s pronouns or die by Aziraphale’s flaming sword.”
Sam Smith’s fans have come out in the star’s defence after several publications referred to them by the incorrect pronouns.
The singer-songwriter came out as “non-binary genderqueer” earlier this year, where they said they “flow somewhere in between” male and female. And last week, they announced they wish to use they/them pronouns instead of he/him.
“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,” they wrote.
“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 fuck it!”
Sam expressed that they are “at no stage just yet to eloquently speak about what it means to be non-binary” but that they want to be as open and visible as possible – and pointed to activists like Munroe Bergdorf and Travis Alabanza as inspirations.
“Love you all. I’m scared shitless, but feeling super free right now. Be kind,” they concluded.
Sam’s post received an overwhelmingly positive response, with many celebrity friends and fellow activists voicing their support. However, there were a few publications who misgendered them, including The Sun and The Daily Telegraph.
“My father just sent me this horrific article which mis-genders Sam Smith SEVEN times in the opening paragraph. Douglas Murray, please fuck off,” said one user, who referred to The Daily Telegraph’s article, ‘Liberal ‘wokeness’ is now beyond parody.’
Another tweeted: “The right: “The left are always taking offence, bloody snowflakes!” Also the right: How dare Sam Smith ask for a different pronoun! How dare they say remove Fireman Sam! How dare they make vegan sausage rolls!”
One fan said “if you can allow your fucking car pronouns, you can allow humans that courtesy,” adding: “If you can accept women changing their names to marry, you can accept this. All you have to do is replace one word in your vocab.”
On Twitter, Sam said they “understand there will be many mistakes and misgendering but all I ask is you please please try, I hope you can see me like I see myself now. Thank you.”
Only a handful of publications have changed their articles to the correct pronouns. Others – such as Spiked – have made it their mission to disrespect the star for “committing crimes against grammar”. So fucking stupid.