Much like the characters they have played throughout the years, Sara Ramirez has undergone quite the evolution in their real life -- a fact they opened up about as a cover star for Out magazine’s OUT100.
The actor, who uses they/them pronouns, is best known for their landmark LGBTQ+ role on "Grey's Anatomy," and said it was this part that helped them feel seen and discover more about themself.
"Prior to Callie Torres, I'd never seen myself represented on television," Ramirez, 46, told Out of the character they played for a decade for the magazine for the publication's milestone 300th issue, on newsstands Nov. 22. "Good Morning America" has an exclusive first look at Ramirez's cover and its accompanying story.
Callie, the longest-running LGBTQ+ character in TV history, was a beacon for bisexual representation on the small screen. Ramirez came out as bisexual in 2016, around the time they left "Grey's," and later came out as nonbinary in 2020.
After "Grey's," they played Kat Sandoval on "Madam Secretary." Kat, who leaned into the masculine side of gender expression and rocked an undercut, was a departure from Callie, who had longer hair and presented more feminine -- reflecting Ramirez's own transformation.
Ramirez, who was born in Mexico, is now set to make history once again for playing the first nonbinary character in the "Sex and the City" franchise. They are playing a character named Che Diaz on the upcoming "And Just Like That..." revival series coming to HBO Max in December.
The Tony winner described Che to Out as a stand-up comedian and podcast host who has a "smart and funny and dynamic -- and I've been told sexy" swagger.
Ramirez said it has always been their "dream" to appear in the world of "Sex and the City" and they were "elated" when series creator Michael Patrick King offered them a role alongside original stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis.
"If we can spark fresh, new conversations in spaces that normally would not be engaging in those conversations, I think that visibility ... can change how we view ourselves and the world," Ramirez said of the power of representations in the characters they've played and their upcoming role.
These days, Ramirez is using their platform and privilege to bring attention to a slew of important issues, which has earned them the title of "the ultimate actorvist" bestowed upon them by Out.
"Sometimes, we have to be the hero of our own story," Ramirez said when reflecting on being a 2021 Out100 honoree. "Sometimes, we are the one we've been looking for."