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In 2016, it wasn’t just celebrities with incredible platforms who drew attention to gender identity issues or LGBTQ rights. More and more people spoke up about what it means to embrace who you are instead of relying on categories chosen by the media and society. These individuals showed the world how great it is to be exactly who you are, male, female, transgender, queergender, genderfluid or simply a label less rockstar. Check out these 5 inspiring people who challenged gender norms last year.
1. AVERY JACKSON
At only nine-years-old, Jackson covered an issue of National Geographics in their special Gender Revolution Issue. The cover star shared her own experiences as a transgender and left us all with this *drop the mic moment.* “The best thing about being a girl is now I don't have to pretend to be a boy."
2. GARY THOMPSON
Thompson and his blog, ThePlasticBoy encourages men to step outside gender norms and embrace who they are, makeup or no makeup. The blogger was the first male star of a cosmetics campaign, lending his glowing skin and shining personality to a L’Oreal ad.
3. DAISY EDMONDS
In her viral video, Daisy Edmonds explained why it’s problematic for children to be categorized based off of outdated gender norms. "It’s unfair because everyone thinks that girls should just be pretty and boys should just be adventurous," the 8-year-old said. We couldn’t agree more.
4. BRUCE VAIN AND SONAM MITTAL
Vain and Mittal were the brains behind the meme “Spoilt Modern Woman,” which raises awareness for India’s struggle with sexism. The page uses common cultural stereotypes and then flips the switch in a hilarious way. One of our favorite memes? “I really wanna settle down...with a glass of wine as I write my thesis.”
5. RUBY ROSE
The Australian model, DJ, and actress isn’t afraid to show off her androgynous style and speak about how she chooses to identify herself as genderfluid. "I am very gender fluid and feel more like I wake up every day sort of gender neutral." Cheers to that.
(Andrea Raffin / Shutterstock.com)
