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BBC Radio presenter Shivani Dave comes out as non-binary live on air

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BBC Radio presenter Shivani Dave comes out as non-binary live on air

Shivani used their public platform on BBC Radio Wiltshire to come out as non-binary by playing Diana Ross' I'm Coming Out during a Pride special

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BBC Radio Wiltshire presenter Shivani Dave has come out as non-binary live on air.

The young radio star used their public platform to share the announcement during their first radio show as part of a Pride special.

Shivani spoke defiantly about acceptance and admitted that they "don't identify with being a man or woman" during the inspiring programme on Monday evening.

"I'm sort of outside those two options – I'm just a person," Shivani continued.

After they played I'm Coming Out by Diana Ross, Shivani explained that coming out for LGBT+ people is a never-ending process.

"Coming out is something a lot of us feel like we should do, and it isn't just a one time thing either," they insisted.

"It's something that we have to keep doing over and over and over again."

Before playing a song by non-binary singer Sam Smith, Shivani spoke candidly about their own gender identity.

The inspiring star said that being non-binary means "a lot of different things to a lot of different people."

"For me, it just means I don't identify with being a man or woman. I'm sort of outside those two options – I'm just a person."

They continued: "You know what I said about coming out over and over again? I just did it."

Shivani has been openly bisexual for three years, and made the incredible decision to come out as non-binary during their debut show on BBC Radio Wiltshire.

In a moving statement following their announcement, Shivani revealed that they made the decision in order to inspire others.

"The presence of non-binary representation in mainstream media like the BBC is virtually non-existent.

"In coming out so publicly I hope to show other non-binary people that they should be proud to embrace who they are."

Shivani follows in the footsteps of non-binary radio presenter Jacob Edward, a host at Gaydio.

Jacob made history last year when they presented on BBC Radio One, making them the first openly non-binary presenter to ever host a show on the BBC.