Sara Ramirez’s Gender Journey: Why Their Pronouns Are Now ‘She/They’ And The Impact On Hollywood

As of late 2024, the acclaimed actor and activist Sara Ramirez uses the pronouns she/they. This subtle but significant shift in their public-facing identity reflects a deeper, ongoing personal exploration of gender, moving from their initial public declaration of "they/them" to a more fluid, dual presentation. Ramirez has long been a trailblazer in Hollywood, using their platform to champion LGBTQ+ visibility, and their journey serves as a powerful, evolving example of what it means to be non-binary in the public eye. Their path has been one of increasing authenticity, sharing their identity with the world first as a bisexual and queer person, and later as non-binary. This evolution is crucial for fans to understand, as it underscores the fact that gender identity is not static and can change over time. From their iconic role as Dr. Callie Torres on *Grey's Anatomy* to the polarizing character Che Diaz on *And Just Like That...*, Ramirez’s personal life has continually informed their groundbreaking work on screen.

Sara Ramirez: A Biography and Career Profile

Sara Elena Ramírez Vargas is a Mexican-American actor, singer, and activist whose career spans Broadway, television, and film. Born on August 31, 1975, in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico, Ramirez moved to the United States at the age of eight.

• Full Name: Sara Elena Ramírez Vargas
• Date of Birth: August 31, 1975
• Place of Birth: Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
• Nationality: Mexican-American
• Education: Graduated from the Juilliard School in New York City.
• Key Career Highlights:
• Broadway: Won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for their role as the Lady of the Lake in *Spamalot* (2005).
• Television (Breakout Role): Dr. Callie Torres on *Grey's Anatomy* (2006–2016), one of the longest-running LGBTQ+ characters in TV history.
• Television (Recent Role): Che Diaz on the *Sex and the City* revival *And Just Like That...* (2021–2023).
• Sexual Orientation: Bisexual and Queer.
• Gender Identity: Non-Binary.
• Current Pronouns: She/They.

The Evolution of Sara Ramirez’s Pronouns and Gender Journey

Sara Ramirez's public journey with their gender identity has been a source of inspiration and education for millions of fans globally. Their initial coming out as bisexual and queer in 2016 was a major moment for LGBTQ+ visibility, but their exploration didn't stop there. In August 2020, Ramirez made a powerful announcement on social media, sharing that they identify as non-binary. At that time, they updated their bio to reflect their identity, initially stating their pronouns as "they/them." This declaration resonated deeply, especially within the non-binary community, as it provided a high-profile example of a successful actor embracing their true self. The statement they shared at the time spoke to the fluidity of their identity, expressing their capacity to be a "girlish boy, boyish girl, boyish boy, all, neither." This articulation helped to destigmatize the concept of a non-binary identity that exists outside of traditional gender norms.

The Shift to She/They: Embracing Gender Fluidity

More recently, Ramirez quietly updated their public-facing pronouns to "she/they." This change is a vital detail for fans and the media to respect and understand. It signifies that while they still identify as non-binary, they are comfortable with being referred to using either "she" or "they" pronouns. This dual pronoun usage is common among genderqueer and non-binary individuals, indicating a preference for both sets of pronouns or a more fluid experience of gender that incorporates aspects of both femininity and non-binary identity. For an LGBTQ+ icon of Ramirez's stature, this update is a powerful reminder that gender identity is a personal, evolving journey, not a fixed destination. It encourages a more nuanced conversation about gender outside of rigid binaries.

Impact on Hollywood and LGBTQ+ Representation

Ramirez's decision to live openly and authentically has had a profound impact on the landscape of television and film, particularly in how non-binary and queer characters are portrayed.

Dr. Callie Torres: The Trailblazer

Before their personal coming out as non-binary, Ramirez’s character Dr. Callie Torres on *Grey's Anatomy* was already a major figure in queer representation. Callie was one of the first regular bisexual characters on primetime television, and her decade-long arc helped normalize and humanize queer relationships for a mainstream audience. Ramirez played Callie as a strong, complex woman, and her portrayal laid the groundwork for more diverse LGBTQ+ characters to follow.

Che Diaz: The Non-Binary Lightning Rod

Ramirez's casting as Che Diaz in the *Sex and the City* revival, *And Just Like That...*, was a monumental moment. Che Diaz was explicitly written as a non-binary, bisexual stand-up comedian—a character that mirrored Ramirez's own identity. The character was met with intense public discussion and, at times, criticism. However, Che Diaz represented a significant shift: a high-profile, non-binary character played by an openly non-binary actor. This level of authentic casting is crucial for representation, ensuring that the stories of marginalized communities are told by those who truly understand the experience. While the character may have been polarizing, their existence on a major streaming platform solidified Sara Ramirez's role as a key figure in the push for authentic, non-tokenized LGBTQ+ representation.

The Importance of Authentic Casting

The visibility of an actor like Sara Ramirez, who is openly non-binary and uses "she/they" pronouns, sends a clear message to the industry and to young queer people: your identity is valid, and you can achieve success while being your authentic self. Their presence helps normalize non-binary identities and educates the public on respecting personal pronoun choices. By openly sharing their personal gender journey, including the subtle but important change in their preferred pronouns, Sara Ramirez continues to be a vital voice in the ongoing conversation about gender, sexuality, and identity in the 21st century. Their legacy is one of courage, authenticity, and groundbreaking representation that will continue to shape Hollywood for years to come.