Jeffree Star, one of the most recognizable names in beauty and online celebrity culture, is facing fierce backlash for comments that many see as openly trans-exclusionary. In a series of recent posts and livestream remarks, Star defended conservative activist Charlie Kirk in the days after his assassination while also rejecting nonbinary pronouns and making clear that he does not see lesbian, gay, and bisexual identities as belonging in the same category as transgender and queer identities.
The controversy began when Star told his audience that “if you believe in they/thems, you’re a part of the problem,” insisting that gender is binary and rooted in science. He also dismissed nonbinary pronouns as misguided and, in at least one video, made the point that LGB should be understood separately from TQ+. His framing mirrors arguments pushed by trans-exclusionary activists who have long sought to fracture LGBTQ+ solidarity by dividing communities along those lines.
For decades, the LGBTQ+ acronym has symbolized a broad coalition of people bound together by overlapping struggles against marginalization. Star’s remarks, critics argue, undermine that unity at a time when trans and queer people are already facing escalating political hostility. Civil rights advocates say that by treating trans identities as fundamentally different from the rest of the acronym, Star is feeding a narrative used to justify exclusion and even rollback of protections.
Defenders of Star argue that he is simply voicing his personal beliefs and pushing back against what he sees as ideology overriding biology. They note that he has not called for any formal separation of communities or organizations. But his critics counter that the distinction he makes carries real weight because of his massive following. With millions of subscribers and fans, his rhetoric can shift perceptions, embolden anti-trans voices, and reinforce harmful stereotypes in ways that extend well beyond celebrity gossip.
The timing of his comments has also added to the uproar. Conservative outlets have already tried to link trans people to Kirk’s assassination despite no evidence, fueling a hostile environment for trans communities. In that context, a public figure like Star distancing himself from TQ+ identities is seen by many as legitimizing those same narratives.
Whether intentional or not, Star has signaled that he views the LGBTQ+ umbrella as fractured. For those who see themselves on the trans and queer side of that divide, the effect feels like a deep cut. Once celebrated by many queer fans for his boldness and refusal to conform, Star is now being criticized as someone willing to abandon parts of the community when solidarity is needed most.
