Just a few months before publicly coming out as nonbinary, 17‑year-old actor and author Raegan Revord experienced a painful betrayal — a betrayal that would later shape not only their sense of self, but their understanding of what true friendship really means.
Though the world now celebrates Revord for their courage to embrace identity and visibility, their road to that clarity was not without emotional setbacks. Behind the bright lights of stardom — behind the smiles on red carpets or on‑screen as Missy Cooper — Revord once felt hurt when a friend they trusted deeply spoke ill of them behind their back. The friend dismissed parts of Revord’s identity and expressed cynical, unsupportive comments, especially about Revord’s interest in writing queer stories and embracing nonbinary identity. For a while, Revord questioned whether they could trust anyone at all.
That betrayal hit hard — but it also sparked a period of reflection and growth. It forced Revord to confront the uncomfortable truth that not everyone who calls themselves “friend” truly supports you when it matters most. That painful lesson laid the groundwork for what came next: self‑discovery, authenticity, and a stronger definition of love and loyalty.
When Revord publicly came out as nonbinary in September 2025 — adopting they/them pronouns and sharing their identity with fans — they did so with honesty, bravery, and a desire to represent others who may feel unseen. In an interview, they said: “Growing up, whenever I’d see someone come out, I thought, ‘I see myself in you.’ Now it’s crazy to think I’m that person.” Los Angeles Times+2thepinknews.com+2
But the betrayal from a former friend still lingers in memory — and it taught Revord a stark truth: you cannot force people to understand you, and sometimes the closest people can hurt you most.
Out of pain came clarity. Revord began to surround themselves with a chosen circle — people who truly accept them: friends who use the correct pronouns, support their writing ambitions, and uphold their honesty. They came to see that friendship is not just about shared laughs or convenient company. It’s about respect, empathy, and unconditional acceptance.
With this new foundation, Revord channeled emotion into creativity. Their debut novel, Rules for Fake Girlfriends — a young adult queer romance — became more than a book: it was a statement of self and a gift to others who have felt isolated. In promoting the book, Revord spoke about the importance of representation — how, as a kid, they rarely saw stories about queer youth like themselves. Now, they hope to offer that representation for younger readers. NonStop Local Tri-Cities/Yakima+2Los Angeles Times+2
Through writing and coming out, Revord reclaimed their voice. They transformed the pain of betrayal into fuel for authenticity and compassion. Their message is simple — and powerful: real friends don’t tear you down in private; they lift you up in public. Real identity isn’t something to hide out of fear; it’s something to share with pride.
In shedding the weight of betrayal and embracing their truth, Revord offers a lesson for us all: the people who deserve our trust and love are those who accept us completely, not conditionally. And when we find the courage to stand for who we are — even when it’s hard — we may find that the friendships built on respect and honesty are the ones that last.
