J. Harrison Ghee

J. Harrison Ghee’s acclaimed performance in the Broadway musical Some Like It Hot, in which they portray the gender-bending Jerry/Daphne role, moved the needle forward when it comes to onstage representation. This year, Ghee and Alex Newell of Shucked became the first nonbinary actors to take home Tony Awards.

The North Carolina native didn’t see much of that kind of representation in the past. So after moving to New York City in 2007 and starring in celebrated projects (including Mrs. Doubtfire and Kinky Boots), Ghee has made it their mission to help folks feel seen.

“These days, queer visibility means so much more. I think about what it would mean to my younger self because it is a dream to see me here now, living in such an authentic way and being celebrated for that,” they say. “Queer visibility is something I cherish and being able to make that space not only for myself but for others in the world is so important to me.”

Though they admit it can be an everyday battle to face their own fears and doubts, Ghee chooses to overcome those hurdles by continuing to fight for and walk in queer joy. “It’s not easy for any individual to make the choices they make every day, but it can get tough as a Black queer human in this world,” Ghee says. “I choose to push through to walk in truth, joy, and love every day.”

And with more new projects coming in the near future, Ghee wants the world to know that LGBTQ+ people deserve all the love and respect for them that the world has to offer. “It’s so simple, yet it can be so difficult for people,” they say. “I want everyone to just come to the table with a little more consideration of humanity.” @jharrisonghee