Jonathan Van Ness

Every LGBTQ+ person is on a journey: of discovery, of self-acceptance, and of pride in who they are. Nobody owns and embodies that journey quite like Jonathan Van Ness.

Jonathan is the creator of the Emmy Award nominated web series Gay of Thrones and the New York Times top ten podcast Getting Curious, but he is most recognisable as the hairstylist and grooming expert on Netflix’s award winning lifestyle show Queer Eye. In this series he shows people their true beauty and reminds them to love and care for themselves as much as they do for others. This platform has allowed him to spread his message of self-love across the globe.

More than this, however, he has encouraged LGBTQ+ and gender non-conforming people to embrace their true, authentic selves. Jonathan identifies as non-binary, explained in his words as “either both of the genders or somewhere in between”, and is happy to be referred to by any pronouns. This meant growing up in a small town in America was a difficult experience. He faced bullying and discrimination for the way he acted and the clothes he wore, but Jonathan slowly turned these experiences into an inner strength that has allowed him to not only survive, but flourish.

In September 2019, Jonathan revealed to the world that he is HIV+. He was first diagnosed at the age of 25 but, thanks to modern medicine, he is able to live a full and vibrant life; he can treat his HIV as easily as someone might treat their diabetes. Jonathan was eager to tell his story at this time because he saw powerful political figures in his country doing everything they could to encourage stigmatisation and fear of the LGBTQ+ community. By speaking out and taking a stand, he is working to make the path easier for others who are living with HIV and educate everyone on the facts surrounding it.

Now, Jonathan is an outspoken supporter of equality and self-love. In his eyes, every person has a beauty that neither their past experiences nor their own insecurities can diminish. We can make the world a far better place if we try to see it in the same way as Jonathan Van Ness.