ActorAsia Kate Dillon has opened up about being a non-binary person and struggling with existing swimwear options.
Speaking to InStyle, Dillon revealed that growing up, summer was difficult because many bathing suits cater to specific genders.
“When I was younger, certainly summer was a very hard season, particularly because of bathing suits,” the 34-year-old said. “When I was a child, I never wore a top, just bathing suit bottoms, because I was a young person and that was seen as fine.
“But, as we get older, we have these gender boxes that we’re supposed to fit into when it comes to swimsuits, so I was always really uncomfortable.”
According to Dillon, they never wanted to dress in a bikini or one-piece, as they preferred just wearing bottoms without a top - which wasn’t always “acceptable” in public places such as the local pool.
However, Dillon has since found ways to make their swimwear preference work.
Growing up in Ithaca, New York, the Orange Is the New Black and John Wick 3 actor told the news outlet there were natural springs and watering holes where they were able to wear what they wanted.
And since moving to New York City, the actor has found they can wear the swimwear that makes them comfortable without running into issues on the local beaches.
During the interview, Dillon, whose personal style is about comfort, also touched on the idea of gender neutral clothing, which they explained doesn’t actually exist as clothing does not have a gender.
“All clothing is gender neutral,” Dillon said, before adding: “It’s all fabric sewn together to fit someone’s body.”
