“Incorrect Pronouns Feel Like People Calling You By The Wrong Name.” 

Can you explain why that is meaningful to you?
“Second to our names, our pronouns are what people most use to identify us. Particularly when we’re not around. So in simple terms, using incorrect pronouns often feels like a group of people calling you by the wrong name, sometimes on purpose or out of a lack of willingness to try. This would be incredibly disrespectful. In the same way, when someone uses the correct pronouns, I feel instantly respected, valued and seen.”

Obviously, at THE ICONIC, we’re all about being playful with fashion, dressing however makes you feel good! Describe how you like to dress...
“Fashion is central to who I am and how I present and has been since as early as four years old. I dress according to mood, emotion and an overall vibe I’m feeling. I love to experiment with fashion and I particularly like contrasts. High with low. Masc and femme. Hard and soft. My ultimate style icons are the fictional characters of Carrie Bradshaw and Fran Fine. So think over the top femininity, mixed back with streetwear. Or a ball gown worn with a basketball jersey. That’s the energy.”

Can you tell us from experience how important it is for someone to be accepted for who they are, and affirmed as such?
“It’s important because more often than not it can be a matter of life and death. Contentment and happiness versus internal trauma and depression. LGBTQIA+ youth in Australia are five times more likely to attempt suicide than their straight peers. Trans and gender-diverse people, eleven times more likely. To be loved, supported and accepted by those around you and society as a whole means everything and can make that difference and help bring those statistics down, in droves.”

What if someone accidentally uses the wrong pronoun?
“This happens and it’s natural when you first start wrapping your head around gender-neutral pronouns. Even I, a non binary human, occasionally stuff up. The best solution is a quick apology, a quick correction and then move right along. The more of a big deal you make it the more uncomfortable it becomes. You will slip up, you will continue to slip up. Just keep doing better. It takes practice and before long it will just become second nature to you.”

How does it feel if someone purposely uses the wrong pronoun?
“In one word – disrespected. It’s a blatant act of disrespect and when it’s done on purpose it can be so incredibly harmful.”

What is the dream in terms of acceptance and how people treat one another?
"Ultimately equality is the dream. Equal rights, equal representation, equal respect, an equal exchange of language and an equal exchange of empathy. We are all human and we are all one – as soon as society begins to act accordingly the safer our world becomes.”

Anything else you’d like people to be aware of?
“Pronouns are neither preferred or a choice; they are our identity so please respect them accordingly.

“I also urge each and every single person reading this to think before they speak. Your words hold power, more than you may even know and the power within those words could mean the difference to someone’s life - so please lead with empathy, love and kindness.”