Celeste Yim, the first out nonbinary and trans writer for Saturday Night Live, announced they’re departing the show after five years in the writing room.

Yim, 29, was hired in 2020 as a staff writer and promoted in 2023 to writing supervisor. They announced their decision in an Instagram post last week, following SNL’s 50th anniversary season.

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“Lorne hired me over the phone when I was 23 and the job literally made all of my dreams come true,” Yim said of Lorne Michaels, the show’s creator. “BUT it was also grueling and I slept in my office every week BUT my friends helped me with everything BUT I got yelled at by random famous men BUT some famous girls too BUT I loved it and I laughed every day and it’s where I grew up.”

The Korean Canadian comic and writer, who started their career in stand-up in Toronto, was ambivalent about their status as a “first” on the show.

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“I hate when other people say this but it’s true that I was the first ever out trans person to be a writer for SNL,” the 29-year-old wrote. “I always felt honored to be working within the long tradition of queer writing at the show.”

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While Yim’s time on the NBC late night staple saw the addition of queer and nonbinary cast members, including Molly Kearney and Punkie Johnson, the writer also had fun with political sendups like a parody of “It Gets Better” (showcasing Kate McKinnon with an iguana), and a Weekend Update monologue addressing anti-Asian hate crimes featuring close friend and out SNL colleague Bowen Yang.

“Thank you Bowen for changing my life and for making me feel normal,” Yim wrote.

During Yim’s tenure, SNL also earned backlash over hosting gigs granted to Shane Gillis and Dave Chappelle, both on record with homophobic and transphobic routines. When Chappelle hosted in 2022, an unnamed writer took the week off in protest. Unconfirmed reports revealed it was Yim.

During a taped dress rehearsal, Chappelle referred to the writer as “a they.”

The sit-out and the slight didn’t seem to affect Yim’s sense of humor; they were promoted the following season.

“Many don’t know this, but Chevy is non-binary!” Yim wrote of founding cast member Chevy Chase in their farewell post.

The replies were chock-full of well-wishes from fans and colleagues alike.

Cast member Cecily Strong dubbed Yim’s time on the show “The Celeste era,” while SNL vet and fan favorite Aidy Bryant said simply, “My baby.”

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