Ore Oduba Pays Emotional Tribute to Late Non-Binary Sibling with Pride-Themed Speedos

Ore Oduba, television presenter and 2016 winner of Strictly Come Dancing, has captured widespread attention and admiration after sharing a moving tribute to his late non-binary sibling on social media. In a series of posts published last week, Oduba was pictured wearing white swimming briefs emblazoned with a rainbow motif on the front and the word “Pride” in bold rainbow letters on the back, a visual statement that both honored his sibling’s memory and celebrated LGBTQ+ identity in the public eye .

The inspiration for Oduba’s tribute, he explained, stems from a period of profound personal loss. In April, he lost his sibling, who had recently embraced a non-binary identity. Oduba’s post revealed that the rainbow symbol, featured in his Instagram bio and on his Speedos, had become a source of comfort and connection during his grief: “In losing my sister in April, the symbol of a rainbow has brought me closer to them in the times I’ve needed it desperately,” he wrote .

He continued, “My sister was very proudly black and very proudly queer. Definitely an ICON to me and so many of their friends and family. In the last year of their life, they identified as non-binary. My pride for them knows no bounds.” Oduba’s open embrace of his sibling’s journey, and his willingness to share it so publicly, has been widely praised as an act of both vulnerability and allyship.

Oduba’s tribute resonates within a broader context of LGBTQ+ visibility and remembrance. By sharing his personal journey—including the challenges of loss, self-discovery, and embracing authenticity—Oduba highlights the importance of creating space for LGBTQ+ stories in mainstream media. His post also touched on the transformative impact of his sibling’s life and identity: “In so many ways, my sister’s death gave ME a gift of life,” he said. “Having realised I’d lived the majority of my life for the attention of others, often suppressing my authentic self, my sister gave me the wake up call to live my life fully and express myself wholeheartedly” .

LGBTQ+ advocates have noted the significance of public figures like Oduba using their platforms to honor non-binary and queer loved ones, particularly when these tributes are delivered through visible, affirming symbols such as the Pride flag and rainbow imagery. For many, such gestures not only honor individuals who have passed, but also contribute to ongoing conversations about acceptance, identity, and the need for inclusive representation.

Oduba’s Instagram post quickly garnered support from fans, celebrities, and LGBTQ+ community members. Messages of solidarity poured in, with many applauding his openness and his commitment to celebrating his sibling’s legacy. The post also sparked discussions about the importance of visible allyship and the ways in which personal stories of loss can inspire positive change and deeper understanding.

For families and individuals navigating the complexities of gender identity, especially within communities of color, Oduba’s tribute stands as a testament to the healing power of love, remembrance, and public affirmation. By foregrounding his sibling’s identity as “very proudly black and very proudly queer,” Oduba also highlighted the intersectionality that shapes many LGBTQ+ experiences—a reminder of the multiple layers of identity that deserve recognition and respect.

Oduba’s message, and the powerful imagery accompanying it, serve as both a call to action and a source of comfort for many in the LGBTQ+ community. His story underscores the importance of living authentically, supporting one another through grief, and ensuring that the voices and stories of non-binary and queer individuals are heard, remembered, and celebrated.

As Pride events and celebrations continue around the globe, gestures like Oduba’s remind us that the work of visibility, allyship, and remembrance remains ongoing. In honoring his sibling so publicly, Ore Oduba not only celebrates a life lived authentically but also invites others to embrace their own identities with pride.