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Looking to connect with some incredible and inspiring non-binary and transgender Instagram influencers? Read on to discover eight non-binary and transgender Instagram influencers that can add some much-needed representation to your timeline!
Non-Binary and Transgender Folks
A study in 2016 found that about 1 in 250 Americans are transgendered, and that number is only predicted to grow. There are no accurate statistics on the number of people who identify as non-binary. Quite frankly, it’s hard to say just how many people identify as trans or non-binary.
Why? For a number of reasons, ranging from the number of people who may be scared to come out to the number of people who haven’t yet embraced these types of identities. It’s certainly not the easiest thing to be gender-nonconforming, especially if you don’t have many trans or non-binary people to look up to and gain strength from.
An increase in diverse gender representation can have a positive impact on both the perception and comfort of trans and non-binary folks. And where better to find that representation than on the most popular social media platform?
8 Stars of Non-Binary and Transgender Instagram
1. Eli Erlick, AKA @elierlick
Eli Erlick has accomplished a lot in her young life. By the time she was eight years old, she came out as transgendered. Now, at age twenty-four, she is an activist, writer, and the director of an organization called Trans Student Educational Resources.
Eli co-founded TSER, which stands for Trans Student Educational Resources. TSER provides tools and resources to the public to improve the relationship between trans youths and their teachers, parents, and more.
On her Instagram, you can catch up with her latest doings while admiring her style.It’s no wonder Eli is a staple of trans advocacy on Instagram.
2. Kai Wes, AKA @kai_wes
Kai Wes is a fantastic non-binary Instagram influencer. They are transmasculine and non-binary and prefer the pronouns they/them or he/him. They love to speak out about gender identity, fluidity, and how confusing it can be at times.
Kai documented their top surgery and transition on their Instagram, highlighting the highs and the lows. Kai is an inspiration and shows the power of perseverance.
3. Nikita Dragun, AKA @nikita_dragun
Nikita Dragun is a transgender Instagram influencer, makeup artist, model, and trans rights activist. She’s also the CEO of her own makeup company, Dragun Beauty.
One of the first things you’ll notice when browsing Nikita’s Instagram is her hair–it’s as bright and stunning as she is.
When she’s not modeling, Nikita is speaking out for trans rights. For example, she posted a video (that went viral, of course) addressing the lingerie company, Victoria’s Secret, after they defended their exclusion of trans models in their shows. Like Jamie Windust, Nikita wants to see more representation in the fashion world.
4. Devin Michael Lowe, AKA @devinmichaellowe
Devin Michael Lowe is a trans man who strives to redefine masculinity. He is an actor, model, and intersectional activist.
Devin runs support groups and workshops for transmasculine folks, where he hopes to open the conversation of masculinity to include softness and emotional health. He also advocates for change in the film industry. Specifically, he wants to see a world where trans actors can play any character–not just trans characters.
Devin also supports the Black Trans Travel Fund, a project that supports black transgender women with travel resources to enhance safety.
Devin’s Instagram is a great place to witness his journey, his work, and get in touch with him if you want more information about his support groups.
5. Jamie Windust, AKA @jamie_windust
If you love fashion and vibrant, edgy makeup, you will love non-binary creator Jamie Windust’s Instagram page.
They are the Editor-in-Chief at Fruitcake Magazine, an award-winning magazine focused on LGBTQIA+ creatives. They are also a freelance writer and have contributed to publications like Dazed and The Independent.
Jamie uses their Instagram account to showcase their talent and style, but also to speak out about the need for more inclusivity and diverse representation in the fashion industry.
6. Rain Dove, AKA @raindovemodel
Rain Dove is a fluid, gender-nonconforming model who is revolutionizing both the fashion industry and LGBTQ Instagram. Rain has said that they don’t care what pronouns are used to describe them–he, she, they, whatever–as long as it’s coming from a positive place.
Rain was assigned female at birth, but never quite identified that way. As a firefighter, they began presenting as male, and from that point forward lived and presented fluidly.
Their modeling career began after auditioning for a Calvin Klein men’s underwear advertisement and landing it.
In their modeling, Rain presents as both masculine and feminine, encouraging everyone to defy binaries and explore their identity in any way that feels right to them.
7. Alok Vaid-Menon, AKA @alokvmenon
Alok Vaid-Menon is a incredible gender non-conforming performance artist, educator, and writer who uses the pronouns they/them. Alok has received international recognition for challenging the gender binary through fashion and poetry, and in particular, aims to normalize discussions of trauma, shame, and violence against trans and gender non-conforming people of color.
Alok is based in New York and identifies as gender non-conforming and transfeminine. Recently, Alok was the youngest recipient of the prestigious Live Works Performance Act Award granted to ten performance artists across the world. Alok has been featured on MTV, HBO, The Guardian, The New York Times, National Geographic, The New Yorker, and The New York Times.
Whether you’re looking for an inclusive tough-leader, inspiration, or fashion, head over to Alok’s Instagram page.
8. Bex Taylor-Klaus, @bex_tk
I love Bex Taylor-Klaus, because they’re unapologetically non-binary. They’re best known for their role as Bullet on the crime drama series The Killing (a show which I loved, btw)!
However, they also starred in Arrow (superhero drama series), House of Lies (comedy series), Scream (horror series), and numerous other shows. In November 2016, Taylor-Klaus came out as gay on Twitter, with a tweet that read: “Hello my name is bex and yes the rumors are true I am gay.” In July 2018, Taylor-Klaus came out as non-binary and requested the use of gender-neutral they/them pronouns.
Most recently, Bex announced an engagement to fellow actor, Alicia Sixtos. I have a hunch they’ll be continuing their advocacy together a couple. ⬇️
Why Supporting Transgender Instagram Influencers and Non-binary Instagram Influencers is Important
We live in a world where technology and social media can bring communities together and empower marginalized folks. Showing support to transgender and non-binary people can make it clear to the leaders in other industries that we want to see more diversity.
Plus, with all of the haters online, it’s always nice to connect with like-minded people.
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