A Young Sheldon actor has come out as non-binary, after admitting that ‘it’s cool’ to be an example of queer representation.PauseMute
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The actor, just 17-years-old, has revealed their gender identity while releasing a new novel – a queer love story called Rules for Fake Girlfriends.
During an interview with Entertainment Tonight, the star explained that it is ‘super important’ to them to use their platform to be an example of a queer person in the public eye.
They noted how little representation there was even when they were growing up, despite still being a teenager.
And it was Alice Oseman’s beloved series Heartstopper, that convinced them to write a rom-com book.
Ragaen Revord, who portrayed Melissa Cooper – the younger twin sister of Big Bang Theory character Sheldon – revealed that they now identify as non-binary.
They noted: “It’s crazy to say growing up, because I am only 17, but even in 2014 or whenever I was getting more into reading and broadening my horizons and reading stories and watching TV and stuff, there wasn’t a lot of queer representation.
“It’s so cool because growing up, whenever I would see a celebrity, or whoever, come out as nonbinary or queer, I was like, ‘Oh my god, this is so cool, I see myself in you.’”
Having revealed their gender identity, the star added: “It’s so crazy to have that experience where I’m now that person and there might be a kid somewhere who’s like, ‘Oh my god, I see myself in you.’
“And that’s such an insane thing ’cause I was in that kid’s shoes at some point in my life.”
Their new novel, Rules for Fake Girlfriends, follows a college student who accidentally finds herself in the middle of a fake-dating scheme.
Having been inspired by 2022 drama, they said: “Heartstopper was such an accurate representation of found family friend groups, queer youth, and I think it’s so important to have that.
“I loved the story and I always wanted to write something that was like that.”
When asked about their writing influences, Revord noted that it runs in the family.
They said: “We have a lot of teachers and librarians in our family, so it’s always been a big influence in my life.
“But because I’ve been reading so much ever since I was little, [I’ve] always been in the world of books. I knew as a reader myself what other readers might want.”
And Revord offered some advice to other young writers in the space.
“A lot of people will doubt you because of your age, and a lot of people will not take you seriously,” they said.
“I had such a passion and such a love for this book and this story, and I thought it was so important to tell.
“And if that’s how you feel about being a writer, then you have enough.”
