119 Out LGBTQ Performers Changing the Face of Hollywood in the 21st Century

Jessica Gunning

British actress Jessica Gunning broke out in 2024 after years as a character actor for her mesmerizing role as an abusive stalker in viral Netflix hit ‘Baby Reindeer.’ Shortly after her star-making moment, she publicly came out as a lesbian in a June 2024 interview with the podcast ‘Reign With Josh Smith.’ Gunning recalled coming out to her friends and loved ones in 2022. 

‘That was a mega, mega thing for me because I, for so long, I’m surrounded by gays. Like all my friends are gay. So it wasn’t that I was, like, repressing anything. It was just that I didn’t think I could be and I still can’t articulate it in the best way,’ Gunning said. ‘I told my family in Christmas that year and I slept for like 10 hours at night. Yeah, because I kind of was like, ‘Oh, that’s what this has been.’ It’s been like a little secret, I guess, I’ve been keeping from myself even.’ 

Reneé Rapp

Actor and singer Reneé Rapp spoke about her lesbian identity in 2024, after having previously identified as bisexual. Rapp began her career on broadway in productions like ‘Mean Girls’ before transitioning to TV with Max’s ‘The Sex Lives of College Girls.’ She reprised her ‘Mean Girls’ role of Regina George on film in 2024, and released a debut album ‘Snow Angel’ in summer 2023. 

Sophia Bush

Sophia Bush, best known for her role in early 2000s teen drama ‘One Tree Hill’ came out as queer in an April 2024 article for Glamour where she revealed she is in a relationship with former professional soccer player Ashlyn Harris. 

‘I sort of hate the notion of having to come out in 2024. But I’m deeply aware that we are having this conversation in a year when we’re seeing the most aggressive attacks on the LGBTQIA+ community in modern history. There were more than 500 anti-LGBTQIA+ bills proposed in state legislatures in 2023, so for that reason I want to give the act of coming out the respect and honor it deserves,’ Bush wrote. ‘I’ve experienced so much safety, respect, and love in the queer community, as an ally all of my life, that, as I came into myself, I already felt it was my home. I think I’ve always known that my sexuality exists on a spectrum. Right now I think the word that best defines it is queer. I can’t say it without smiling, actually. And that feels pretty great.’ 

Taylor Tomlinson

Comedian and ‘After Midnight’ host Taylor Tomlinson came out as bisexual in her February 2024 Netflix stand-up special ‘Have It All,’ joking that ‘I’ve been trying to figure out if I’m bisexual, or if I just binged ‘Euphoria’ too fast. Cause I’ve been trying to date women, but it is so hard. I don’t know how to get women to like me.’

‘It’s scary to just say you’re bisexual, cause then someone’s always like, ‘Fuckin’ prove it,” she added. ‘Here’s a picture of Margot Robbie, are you wet? Let me feel.’ 

Jerrod Carmichael

Comedian Jerrod Carmichael discussed having relationships with men in several of his specials before formally coming out as gay in his acclaimed, Emmy-winning special ‘Rothaniel.’ The performer recently starred in Yorgos Lanthimos’ ‘Poor Things,’ and created and starred in an HBO reality series about his life. 

Andrew Scott

Andrew Scott, most famous as the Hot Priest from ‘Fleabag’ and his role as Moriarty in ‘Sherlock.’ first spoke about his sexuality in 2013 in an interview with The Independent. ‘Mercifully, these days people don’t see being gay as a character flaw. But nor is it a virtue, like kindness. Or a talent, like playing the banjo,’ Scott said. ‘It’s just a fact. Of course, it’s part of my make-up, but I don’t want to trade on it.’ Scott most recently received acclaim for his performance in ‘All of Us Strangers’ and Netflix limited series ‘Ripley,’ and will star in ‘Knives Out’ sequel film ‘Wake Up Dead Man.’ 

Rupert Everett

Rupert Everett, best known for his role in ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding,’ has identified as gay since early in his career, although he has had relationships with both men and women, including a six-year-long affair with TV presenter Paula Yates. He most recently appeared in ‘Napoleon’ and the queer romance drama ‘My Policeman.’ 

David Dawson

British actor David Dawson attracted notice in 2022 when he starred alongside Harry Styles in gay romance drama ‘My Policeman.’ He has been married to author Josh Silver since 2023. 

Kit Connor

Kit Connor got his start as a child actor in films like ‘Get Santa’ and ‘Rocketman’ before breaking out at 18 with his role as a bisexual teenager in Netflix rom-com series ‘Heartstopper.’ Connor himself came out as bi in 2022 following harassment from fans accusing him of queerbaiting and intrusive speculation over his sexuality, and was supported by his ‘Heartstopper’ castmates. The star will next appear on Broadway alongside Rachel Zelger in a production of ‘Romeo + Juliet.’ 

Joe Locke

‘Heartstopper’ star Joe Locke came out as gay at 15 prior to breaking through with his leading role in the Netflix LGBT romance series. The actor currently stars in ‘Sweeney Todd’ on Broadway and will appear in the Disney+ series Marvel ‘Agatha All Along’ later this year. 

Yasmin Finney

A trans woman, Yasmin Finney plays queer high schooler Elle in Netflix’s ‘Heartstopper.’ She currently has a recurring role on ‘Doctor Who,’ playing the daughter of previous series regular Donna Noble (Catherine Tate). 

Jessica Madsen

Jessica Madsen, who plays the character Cressida Cowper on ‘Bridgerton,’ came out as queer on Instagram in June 2024. ‘In love with a woman, loud about it, and proud about it!’ she wrote. 

Abbi Jacobson

In the words of the Passover ritual, if she had only given us “Broad City,” it would have been enough. But since her massive breakout success as one hald of the Comedy Central hit, Abbi Jacobson has forged her own path without Ilana Glazer, making a mark all her own. In addition to lending her voice stylings to “The Mitchells vs. the Machines,” “BoJack Horseman,” and “Disenchantment,” she wrote, created, and produced Amazon’s “A League of Their Own” series. —JD

Alan Cumming

Scottish Emmy winner, Tony winner, and “The Traitors” reality show host Alan Cumming has been openly bisexual his entire career, and married his husband in 2012. —WC

Alia Shawkat

Everyone’s favorite “Arrested Development” star played Ilana’s lover on “Broad City” before publicly coming out as bisexual, ushering in queer roles from “Transparent” to “Duck Butter,” for which she also wrote the script. “Now I consider myself bisexual, and I think balancing my male and female energies has been a big part of me growing as an actor,” she told Out in 2017. —JD

Amandla Stenberg 

You may remember Amandla Stenberg as Katniss’ sidekick Rue in “The Hunger Games,” or as the fiery recluse Maddy from “Everything, Everything.” But she’s best known for the A24 horror joint “Bodies Bodies Bodies” from Halina Reijn. —JD

Andrew Rannells

This Broadway baby broke onto the scene with “The Book of Mormon,” catapulting to TV stardom in HBO’s “Girls.” Of his character, Elijah, he told New York Magazine in 2012: “As a gay man, I think there’s a responsibility to show a fully realized person, so even though Elijah might not be the the best person in the world, I want to make him as fully fleshed out and human as possible.”

Anna Paquin

The second-youngest Oscar winner in history for “The Piano,” Paquin left movies behind to star in HBO’s highly successful (and very queer) “True Blood.” She returned to film when she co-starred in Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman,” in which she plays the daughter of Robert De Niro’s title character. She has been out as bisexual since 2010, and is a vocal advocate for bisexual visibility. —JD

Aubrey Plaza

Your favorite deadpan “Parks and Recreation” star knows she has an avid gay following, and she’s down. As she told The Advocate in 2016: “Girls are into me — that’s no secret. Hey, I’m into them too. I fall in love with girls and guys. I can’t help it.” In 2021, she starred in her husband Jeff Baena’s “Spin Me Round,” which sees her co-starring alongside Alison Brie. —JD

Aunjanue Ellis

Shortly after receiving an Oscar nomination for her performance as Serena and Venus Williams’ mother in “King Richard,” Aunjanue Ellis came out as bisexual in an interview with Variety: “I am Black, I am queer. This is who I am.” —WC

BD Wong

First known to film lovers for his comedic turn playing Franck’s (Martin Short) assistant Howard in “Father of the Bride,” BD Wong is also a Tony-winning stage actor, having been awarded for his breakout role in 1988’s “M. Butterfly” on Broadway. He has been out for his entire career, which includes roles in “Jurassic World,” “Mr. Robot,” and “Oz.” —JD 

Ben Platt

Ben Platt publicly came out as gay in 2019, during promotion for the release of his song “Ease My Mind.” He currently stars in the Broadway revival of “Parade,” and will next appear with his fiancé Noah Galvin in the film “Theater Camp.” —WC

Ben Whishaw

You may know his face as Q in the James Bond films, but you’ll recognize British actor Ben Whishaw’s voice as that of the cuddly bear “Paddington.” In 2013, a representative for Whishaw confirmed his marriage to composer Mark Bradshaw, whom he met on the set of Jane Campion’s “Bright Star” in 2009.

“Everyone was surprisingly lovely,” he told the UK’s Sunday Times in 2014. “I hadn’t anticipated that they would be, but they were. It takes courage [to come out] and people have to do it in their own time.” —JD

Billy Eichner

No shade, but Billy Eichner has been out for as long as people have cared who he is. The actor and “Billy on the Street” creator has been publicly queer since his early stand-up days, appearing in a show at Joe’s Pub called “Billy Eichner: Gay, White, and Terrified!” He played a fictionalized version of himself on “Difficult People” (also gay), but “Billy on the Street” fans should know any man who is that obsessed with Meryl Streep is probably a homosexual. —JD

Billy Porter

The Broadway sensation originated the role of “Lola” on Broadway in Harvey Fierstein’s “Kinky Boots,” winning the Tony for Best Actor in a Musical in 2013. He won an Emmy for his portrayal of larger-than-life ball announcer Pray Tell in Ryan Murphy’s “Pose,” which brought unprecedented representation for people of color and trans people on television. Porter made his directorial debut with “Anything’s Possible” last year. —JD

Bowen Yang

Apple of our eyes, light of our lives. “Saturday Night Live” breakout star Bowen Yang singlehandledly steered the sluggish sketch show past its flop phase fully into a flaming queer rennaissance. Whether he’s playing the iceberg that sank the Titanic, a jaded sweetie looking for love in “Fire Island,” or decreeing what culture is on his wildly popular “Las Culturistas” podcast, Bowen Yang is many a queer SNL fan’s fave. —JD

Brandon Flynn

Best known for his role as Justin Foley in the controversial Netflix series “13 Reasons Why,” Flynn made gossip headlines for his relationship with British singer Sam Smith. He also appeared in “Hellraiser,” “Who Am I?,” and “The Senior.” —JD

Brigette Lundy-Paine

“Atypical” star Brigette Lundy-Paine came out as nonbinary in 2019, sharing that they’ve “always felt a lil bit boy, lil bit girl, lil bit neither.” They will next star in the A24 feature “I Saw the TV Glow,” from director Jane Schoenbrun. —WC

Cara Delevingne

This model-turned-actress reached new prominence when she starred in Luc Besson’s “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets.” While she has had many public relationships with women, including with the singer St. Vincent, Cara Delevingne identifies as pansexual. —JD

Carl Clemons-Hopkins

An Emmy nominee for their role as Jean Smart’s personal assistant in “Hacks,” Carl Clemons-Hopkins is non-binary and identifies as queer, writing in a 2021 guest column that they found taking gender labels away “kind of freeing, actually.” —WC

Carrie Brownstein

Sleater-Kinney fans have been preaching the gospel of Carrie Brownstein since the ’90s, but we got to witness her comedy-shredding skills as Fred Armisen’s other half in “Portlandia.” Since then, she’s appeared in queer canon projects like “Carol” and “Transparent,” as well as working with Gus Van Sant in “Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot.” —JD

Cheyenne Jackson

Broadway and “Call Me Kat” star Cheyenne Jackson has been openly gay for the majority of his career, and married his husband in 2014. He will next appear in the videogame film adaptation “Borderlands.” —WC

Clea DuVall

To queer audiences, she’ll always be Graham, the tomboy heartthrob from “But I’m a Cheerleader,” but Clea DuVall made an even bigger splash in 2016 when she made her directorial debut with “The Intervention,” a funny and smart update on “The Big Chill.” —JD

Cole Escola

Since their breakout Logo series “Jeffrey & Cole Casserole,” this delightfully idiosyncratic New York cabaret darling has made waves with memorable turns in “Difficult People,” “At Home With Amy Sedaris,” and “Mozart in the Jungle.” —JD

Colman Domingo

Since his Tony-winning breakout in 2011’s Broadway hit “The Scottsboro Boys,” Colan Domingo has established himself as one of the finest and most versatile actors working today. Whether it’s as the hair-raising villain of “Zola,” Rue’s tough-love mentor on “Euphoria,” or a towering civil rights leader in “Selma,” there is seemingly nothing he can’t do. —JD

Colton Haynes

“Teen Wolf” and “Arrow” star Colton Haynes revealed he was gay in a 2016 interview with Entertainment Weekly, stating that he was advised to hide his sexuality by entertainment professionals to further his career. —WC

Conrad Ricamora

After steaming up primetime TV with his turn as an ambitious lawyer in “How to Get Away with Murder,” this former Broadway star won hearts in the Hulu comedy “Fire Island.” He has been out since the beginning of his career, and was honored with the Human Rights Campaign’s Visibility Award in 2016. —JD

Cynthia Erivo

“The Color Purple” Tony winner Cynthia Erivo first spoke publicly about being bisexual in a 2022 issue of British Vogue, saying that LGBTQ people “still feel the need to be constantly justifying why we deserve to be treated as equal beings, when really the only difference is that we love differently and we express ourselves differently.” Erivo will next star as Elphaba in the “Wicked” musical adaptation. —WC

Cynthia Nixon

The woman who gave us Miranda Hobbes and ran against Andrew Cuomo before his fall from grace hardly needs an introduction, but suffice it to say that Cynthia Nixon will always be welcome at any Pride parade. If that weren’t enough, it was her creative hand as executive producer on “And Just Like That” that gave us veritable trainwreck Che Diaz. —JD

Dan Levy

“Schitt’s Creek” creator Dan Levy called himself a member of the LGBTQ community in a 2015 interview, and said he was “obviously gay” in a 2020 interview with Andy Cohen. The Canadian actor currently stars in HBO’s “The Idol,” and will next star in the fourth season of Netflix teen comedy “Sex Education,” as well as the Netflix romantic comedy “Good Grief,” which he also wrote and directed. —WC

Daniela Vega

Chilean actress Daniela Vega launched into international fame for her her lead role in Sebastián Lelio’s “A Fantastic Woman,” which in 2017 became the first film with a transgender lead ever to win an Academy Award. As a consulting producer on the film, Vega worked directly with Lelio to avoid common pitfalls and stereotypes, keeping her character subjective and fully autonomous. —JD

Elliot Page

The “Inception” and “Umbrella Academy” star has been in the public eye since “Juno” made him an overnight sensation at 20 years old. Page publicly came out as queer in 2014, delivering a powerful speech at a Human Rights Campaign event benefiting LGBTQ youth. “I’m here today because I am gay,” they said. “I am tired of hiding and I am tired of lying by omission.” In 2020, Page once again made history for trans visibility when he came out as a trans man, and his transition was embraced by writers on “The Umbrella Academy.” —JD

Elvira

After years as a gay icon, Elvira portrayer Cassandra Peterson revealed in her 2021 memoir that she was queer and had been in a relationship with another woman for 20 years. In an interview with Variety, she said she had fear about losing fans but was compelled to formally come out after turning 70. —WC

Emma Corrin

As a spitting image of the young Princess Diana, Emma Corrin certainly caught industry attention for playing the Princess of Wales in Season 4 of “The Crown.” Shortly after taking home a Golden Globe for their performance, the 26-year-old actor came out publicly as non-binary, changing their pronouns on Instagram. “My journey has been a long one and has still got a long way to go,” they said. “I think we are so used to defining ourselves. That’s the way society works within these binaries and it’s taken me a long time to realize that I exist somewhere in between and I’m still not sure where that is yet.” —JD

Evan Rachel Wood

“Yeah, I’m more kind of like the guy when it comes to girls. I’m the dominant one,” the “Westworld” actress told Esquire in 2011. “I’m opening the doors, I’m buying dinner. Yeah, I’m romantic.” —JD

Guillermo Diaz

Known for playing disturbing characters with hearts of gold on popular TV shows “Weeds” and “Scandal,” Guillermo Diaz came out publicly in a 2011 interview with Out. In 2010, after years of playing the bad guy, he jumped into his role as a gay nurse on NBC’s short-lived medical drama, “Mercy.” “Sometimes I’m butch, and sometimes when I’m with my friends, I queen out,” he told Out at the time. —JD

Hannah Einbinder

Like her character Ava on the acclaimed Max series “Hacks,” comedian Hannah Einbinder identifies as bisexual, saying in a 2021 interview that, “If I had seen more images of bisexual characters, it would have been easier. It would have been more clear. My journey wouldn’t have taken me so long to accept that I had been kind of brainwashed by the binary in a lot of ways.” —WC

Hari Nef

Trans actor and model Hari Nef broke through in 2015 with a recurring role in Amazon Prime’s “Transparent.” She currently has a recurring role in “The Idol,” and will star as a Barbie in Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” film. —WC

Harvey Guillén

Best known for his role as vampire familiar Guillermo in FX’s “What We Do in the Shadows,” actor Harvey Guillén has identified as queer in multiple interviews. He will next appear in the comedy film “Stays,” as well as the DC superhero film “Blue Beetle.” —WC

Holland Taylor

“The Practice” and “Two and a Half Men” star Holland Taylor was first reported to be dating Sarah Paulson in 2015, and the two confirmed their relationship the next year. Taylor spoke about being gay, saying she was more public with her personal life now because “people do speak very personally in interviews. But when I was younger, I didn’t have a big public marriage or relationship with children and a big public life. I just lived my life normally. I wasn’t behind closed doors.” —WC

Hunter Schafer

A star was born when Hunter Schafer was introduced as Jules in HBO’s “Euphoria,” an instant success of a dark high school drama that instantly drowned all other “teen” shows in its wake. Embodying a manic pixie trans girl energy that hadn’t been seen onscreen before, Schafer delivered the kind of raw and engaging performance that could break down preconcieved notions about gender and sexuality in a way only television can. —WC

Ian McKellen

One of the most acclaimed LGBTQ performers of all time, Ian McKellen came out as gay in 1988. The British stage actor’s next screen role is as the lead in the upcoming political thriller film “The Critic.” —WC

Jameela Jamil

“The Good Place” star Jameela Jamil identified as queer in 2020, after criticism online that she participated as a judge in the HBO Max series “Legendary,” about ballroom culture. —WC

Jamie Clayton 

As political blogger and hacktivist Nomi Marks on Netflix’s “Sense8,” Jamie Clayton brought humor and charm to the Wachowskis’ humanist sci-fi series. Before that, she played a recurring role in Showtime’s “Hung,” and later appeared in Nicolas Winding Refn’s “The Neon Demon” and alongside Michael Fassbender and Charlotte Gainsbourg in “The Snowman.” —JD

Jane Lynch

“Glee” Emmy winner and Christopher Guest staple Jane Lynch has been married to her longtime partner since 2021. —WC

Janelle Monáe

Admired for her dapper sartorial style from the beginning of her career, the musician and “Moonlight” actress made headlines earlier this year when she came out as pansexual. “Being a queer black woman in America,” she told Rolling Stone. “Someone who has been in relationships with both men and women — I consider myself to be a free-ass motherfucker.” —JD

Jasmin Savoy Brown

“Yellowjackets” and “Scream” star Jasmin Savoy Brown identified herself as a lesbian in a 2019 interview with Out, saying that: “Me being comfortable in my skin as a biracial, queer woman, being happy in my life — that’s the most important thing.” —WC

Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman

The model-turned-actor caught everyone’s attention for his comedic timing and dashing good looks in Marti Noxon’s “The Bachelor” send-up “UnREAL.” “I feel like for so many years in the industry, LGBT-identifying actors were told to play small or water themselves down or ‘butch it up,’ he told The Observer in 2016. “We were told what we were naturally, what came organically, was not good enough.” —JD

Jesse Tyler Ferguson

Broadway lovers know the adorable Jesse Tyler Ferguson from his scene-stealing turn in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” but he became an international celebrity as the more uptight half of the beloved gay couple on “Modern Family,” Mitchell and Cameron. “Modern Family” frequently rated as television’s top series for adults 18–49, making his visibility as a gay man all the more vital. —JD

Jim Parsons

Jim Parsons, pictured here with husband Todd Spiewak, came out publicly in 2012 in a New York Times profile surrounding his role in “The Normal Heart.” He is best known for playing Sheldon Cooper on “The Big Bang Theory,” CBS’s highest-rated scripted show in the coveted 18–49 demographic, making his visibility all the more impactful. He recently produced and starred in “A Kid Like Jake,” about the parents of a gender non-conforming child, opposite Claire Danes and Octavia Spencer. —JD

Jodi Balfour

“For All Mankind” star Jodie Balfour publicly came out as queer in 2021 for Pride Month: “How undeniably freeing it has been to finally embrace and explore my queerness,” she wrote on Instagram. Balfour is currently engaged to “Broad City” star Abbi Jacobson. —WC

Jodie Foster

The “Silence of the Lambs” star’s lesbianism was a bit of an open secret for years, before she publicly came out during an awards luncheon in 2007. In 2013, she playfully acknowledged her sexuality in her acceptance speech of the Golden Globes’ Cecil B. DeMille award, “coming out” as single before saying she “already did my coming out about a thousands years ago in the Stone Age.” —WC

Joel Kim Booster

The stand-up comedian had a major breakout year in 2022, as the Hulu comedy he wrote and starred in, “Fire Island,” earned rave reviews and devoted audiences alike. After proving he had the stuff for Primetime with the NBC sitcom “Sunnyside,” he has charted a course through half-hour comedies like “Shrill,” “Search Party,” and “Loot.” —JD

John Early

We’ve loved John Early since his early stand-up days, but audiences really fell for his over-the top-performance as Elliott in the pitch-perfect millennial satire “Search Party.” If he hadn’t been out his entire career, that spot-on Toni Collette impression would have given it away. —JD

Jonathan Bailey

“Bridgerton” leading man Jonathan Bailey first spoke about being gay in 2018, when he starred as a gay man in a gender-flipped adaptation of “Company,” winning an Olivier Award for the role. He will next star in the gay romance limited series “Fellow Travelers” with Matt Bomer, before playing heartthrob Fieyero in th “Wicked” film adaptation. —WC 

Julio Tores

Everyone’s favorite weirdo comedian, Julio Torres has forged a career in comedy unlike any other. He began as a writer on “Saturday Night Live” before launching the delightful horror comedy series “Los Espookys” on HBO. A proud Salvadoran immigrant, he tells stories rooted in the absurdity of the immigrant experience that also speak to anyone who lives outside societal norms. His debut feature film, “Problemista,” takes a surrealist approach to the alienating experience of existing between borders. The film stars Torres opposite an unhinged Tilda Swinton in what is sure to be one of the summer’s biggest hits. —JD

Justice Smith

“Dungeons & Dragons” and “Detective Pikachu” star Justice Smith came out as queer in June 2020 while promoting greater inclusivity in the Black Lives Matter movement, saying that, “As a Black queer man myself, I am disappointed to see certain people eager to say Black Lives Matter, but hold their tongues when Trans/Queer was added.” Smith will next star in the A24 film “I Saw the TV Glow.” —WC

Kate McKinnon 

Kate McKinnon landed her first big gig on Logo’s “The Big Gay Sketch Show” when she was fresh out of Columbia University. She debuted as a featured player on “Saturday Night Live” in 2012, making her the first openly gay cast member of the legendary sketch show. —JD

Keiynan Lonsdale

As the teenage love interest in “Love, Simon,” Keiynan Lonsdale brought heightened authenticity to his role when he came out as bisexual shortly after the film’s release. Directed by television’s Greg Berlanti, “Love, Simon” made headlines as the first major studio movie with a gay teenage lead. The 25-year-old actor also starred on The CW’s “The Flash.” —JD

Kiersey Clemons

Clemons bounded onto the indie film scene as adorable tomboy Diggy in 2015’s “Dope,” unknowingly opening herself up to questions about her own sexuality at just 19. She openly idenifies as queer, and has since played queer characters in “Easy” and “Hearts Beat Loud.” —JD

Kristen Stewart

The reigning queen of Cannes (and Oscar nominee), Kristen “I’m like, so gay” Stewart came out with a vengance on “Saturday Night Live” in 2017. The previous year she told Elle UK: “Right now I’m just really in love with my girlfriend,” proving that coming out is more than a one-time thing. —JD

Laverne Cox

The GOAT of all GOATs, goddess blessed the queers when they gave Laverne Cox the part of Sophia Burset on “Orange Is the New Black.” Aside from her killer delivery and deep emotional range, her breakout acting success meant Cox became an international spokeswoman for transgender rights overnight, and we could not have dreamed up a more thoughtful, passionate, eloquent, and graceful ambassador. Thank you, Laverne. Now let’s hope she gets another project worthy of her talents soon. —JD

Lea DeLaria

As the self-described “lord of the lesbians,” comedian and jazz singer Lea DeLaria has been television’s go-to butch lesbian for nearly 20 years. She may be best known for “Orange Is the New Black,” but once you know to look for her, DeLaria will pop up during reruns of “Friends,” “Will & Grace,” “Broad City,” and that seminal queer classic “The First Wives Club.” —JD

Lee Pace 

After starring on Broadway as Joe Pitt in “Angels in America,” the ubiquitous character actor Lee Pace, best known for AMC’s “Halt and Catch Fire,” came out rather reluctantly in 2018. “I’ve dated men. I’ve dated women,” he told W Magazine. “I don’t know why anyone would care. I’m an actor and I play roles. To be honest, I don’t know what to say — I find your question intrusive.” —JD

Lena Waithe

When Lena Waithe became the first Black woman to win an Emmy in comedy writing last year for the “Thanksgiving” episode of “Master of None,” she spoke directly to her “LGBTQIA family,” saying: “The things that make us different — those are our superpowers.” —JD

Lili Reinhart

Best known for playing the comic character Betty Cooper in The CW’s “Riverdale,” Lili Reinhart came out as queer in 2020 while participating in a LGBTQ for Black Lives Matter protest, describing herself as a “Proud bisexual woman.” —WC

Lily Tomlin

Lily Tomlin married her long-time partner, writer Jane Wagner, in 2013; the two initially met in 1971. Tomlin never formally came out publicly, but acknowledged Wagner in the press several times, and said in 2015 that, “Everybody in the business knew I was gay, and certainly everybody I worked with and everything like that.” —WC

Liv Hewson

“Santa Clarita Diet” and “Yellowjackets” star Liv Hewson came out as nonbinary as a teenager, and has been an advocate for nonbinary representation. Earlier this year, they pulled themself out of consideration for Emmy nominations, saying that, ” It’s quite straightforward and not that loaded. I can’t submit myself for this because there’s no space for me.” —WC

Lukas Gage

“The White Lotus” and “You” star Lukas Gage seemed to confirm he was queer in 2022, when he replied to a fan accusing him of queerbaiting, “You don’t know my rainbow.” The actor has since married hairstylist Chris Appleton, and is set to star in the next season of “Fargo,” along with the Netflix series “Dead Boy Detectives” and the upcoming “Road House” movie. —WC

Luke Evans

The “Beauty and the Beast” star brought a certain je ne sais quoi to beefcake blowhard Gaston, evidence of his years acting in musicals in London’s West End. Back in 2002, he told The Advocate: “Everybody knew me as a gay man, and in my life in London I never tried to hide it.” —JD

Madison Bailey

Madison Bailey, who starred in Netflix teen drama “Outer Banks,” has been openly pansexual since 2017. In an interview with Glamour, she explained that she chose to identify as pan because it “makes the most sense for how I feel, and how I feel is I want to choose somebody based on a soul connection.” —WC

Maria Bello

“Beef” star Maria Bello first spoke about being queer in 2013, when she shared she was in a same-sex relationship via an essay in the New York Times. She has since become engaged to celebrity chef Dominique Crenn. —WC

Matt Bomer

After starring on Broadway in “The Boys in the Band,” Bomer is best known for his roles on “White Collar” and “The Normal Heart.” He officially came out by publicly thanking his partner and children at an awards show in 2012: “I’d really especially like to thank my beautiful family: Simon, Kit, Walker, Henry. Thank you for teaching me what unconditional love is. You will always be my proudest accomplishment.” —JD

Max Jenkins

You may recognize the effortlessly charming Max Jenkins from his breakout role on HBO’s stoner comedy “High Maintenance,” where he made waves as one half of the hilariously self-absorbed duo who never pay for weed. He went on to star opposite Debra Messing in ABC’s “The Mysteries of Laura,” where he put his compelling naturalism and killer comedic timing to good use. —JD

Meredith Baxter

“Family Ties” actor Meredith Baxter came out as a lesbian in 2009, saying that she “never fought” her awakening because, “I understand why I had the issues I had early in life. I had a great deal of difficulty connecting with men in relationships.” She has been married to her current wife since 2013. —WC

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez

Forever beloved for her role as Blanca in “Pose,” Rodriguez became the first openly trangender woman to earn an Emmy nomination in any major acting category in 2021. She made history again when she won a Golden Globe that same year for the role. With small roles in “Nurse Jackie,” “Nick Cage,” and “Tick Tick Boom”, she landed her first post-“Pose” series regular role in Apple TV’s “Loot.”  —JD

Murray Bartlett

Gay audiences have been swooning for this mustached Aussi ever since his turn on HBO’s short-lived “Looking,” and had been waiting to see more of him ever since that show’s unceremonious cancelation after just two seasons. We got our wish, and then some, when he stole the show in Mike White’s 2021 dark comedy “The White Lotus,” running circles around some killer performances as Armand, the slowly unraveling emcee of the whole rotten affair. —JD

Ncuti Gatwa

Though fans of Netflix’s most wholesome show about sex “Sex Education” have long known the star power of this firecracker performer, the rest of the world is about to find out just how brilliant Ncuti Gatwa is. The Scottish actor won three BAFTA Television awards for his performance as Eric, and will soon take up the mantle of Britain’s “Doctor Who,” becoming the franchise’s first Black actor to play the part. —JD

Neil Patrick Harris

Neil Patrick Harris publicly came out as gay in 2006, in the middle of the long run of hit sitcom “How I Met Your Mother.” The Tony and Emmy winner currently stars in the Netflix-turned-Showtime series “Uncoupled,” as a gay man navigating dating after his long-term partner leaves him. —WC

Niecy Nash

“Claws” star Niecy Nash made headlines in 2020 when she announced via Instagram her marriage to singer Jessica Betts. In an interview with Ellen, Nash said she was attracted to both men and women, but declined to label her sexuality. “My daughter, the youngest one, she made me sit down to watch a program. She said, ‘Mom you got to know how you identify,'” Nash said. “I don’t know, I’m Black and I’m your mama. Now go sit down.’” —WC

Noah Galvin

Noah Galvin first attracted attention when he played a gay teenager in the ABC sitcom “The Real O’Neals.” He will next star in the Sundance comedy film “Theater Camp” with his fiancé Ben Platt. —WC

Noah Schnapp

After confirming that his “Stranger Things” character Will was gay in 2022, actor Noah Schnapp came out himself a year later. —WC

Patti Harrison

The queer comedy boom led to some pretty fabulous discoveries, but Patti Harrison went from underground stand-up to maintsream TV star in a short number of years. After small appearances on “Broad City,” “Search Party,” and “High Maintenance,” Harrison was soon a series regular on critically beloved comedies “Shrill” and “I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson.” She also starred opposite Ed Helms in the indie comedy “Together Together,” for which she received an Independent Spirit Award nomination. —JD

Portia de Rossi

“Arrested Development” star Portia de Rossi first spoke about being a lesbian publicly in 2005, when she began dating her now wife Ellen DeGeneres. In a 2010 interview, she spoke about being afraid to come out as an actress during her time as an “Ally McBeal” cast member, saying that “all of a sudden, being some kind of celebrity and being on a hit TV show, who I was was completely unacceptable, so I had to create a character of someone I thought that people could accept.” —WC

Raven Symoné

Disney Channel icon Raven Symoné came out as a lesbian in 2013, when she tweeted “I can finally get married! Yay government! So proud of you,” in response to several states legalizing gay marriage. She currently stars as her iconic character Raven Baxter in the Disney Channel series “Raven’s Home.” —WC

Rebel Wilson

Rebel Wilson surprised “Pitch Perfect” fans in 2022 when she revealed she was in a relationship with another woman: “I thought I was searching for a Disney Prince… but maybe what I really needed all this time was a Disney Princess,” Wilson wrote on Instagram. Sadly, her coming out wasn’t totally her plan, as it eventually was revealed that Wilson made the announcement to preempt a Sydney Morning Herald story that would have outed her. —WC

Richard Armitage

Best known for his role as the Dwarf king Thorin in “The Hobbit” film trilogy, Richard Armitage first publicly spoke about being queer in a 2023 interview, but said he first came out to his friends and family when he was 19 years old. He declined to specifically label his sexuality, saying that: “That was always a thing: if I declare who I am and my sexuality, then I’m saying it’s fixed and I don’t know that, or if I might feel something for somebody further down the line. I doubt it, but I don’t know.” —WC

Robin Lord Taylor

Accomplished character actor and “Gotham” star Robin Lord Taylor earned rave reviews for his sinister and layered portrayal of Penguin/Oswald Cobblepot on Fox’s long-running superhero show. He came out publicly in 2015, telling Slate it hasn’t affected his career: “I feel like the landscape has totally changed. Regardless of sexual preference, it’s more that as a character actor, the less I reveal about myself, the better.” —JD

Rosie O’Donnell

“The View” host and stand-up comedien Rosie O’Donnell came out as a lesbian in 2002, saying in a set that: “I’m a dyke! … I don’t know why people make such a big deal about the gay thing. … People are confused, they’re shocked like this is a big revelation to somebody.” —WC

Rowan Blanchard

Growing up in the spotlight is never easy, especially as a queer kid. But this Disney Channel star has matured with grace despite the pressures of fame, coming out as queer on Twitter when she was just 14. “Yes, [I’m] open to liking any gender in future is why I identify as queer,” she wrote in 2016. Since then, she has played a queer teenager in Hulu’s “Crush” and has been an influential activist for LGBTQ rights. 

Ruby Rose

“Orange is the New Black” star Ruby Rose came out as a lesbian and genderfluid when they were a teenager. The star played a lesbian comic book icon on the CW’s “Batgirl,” and will next star in the thriller “Dirty Angels” with Eva Green. —WC

Rutina Wesley

As Tara Thornton on HBO’s campy vampire drama “True Blood,” Rutina Wesley established herself as a strong character actress with sharp comic skills. Wesley surprised fans in 2017 when she announced her engagement to a woman on Instagram. —JD

Samira Wiley

Since leaving her breakout role on Netflix’s “Orange Is the New Black,” Samira Wiley has established herself as one of prestige television’s most sought-after actors, earning Emmy recognition for her work as Moira in Hulu’s “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Wiley came out early into her tenure as a public figure in 2014, when she announced a relationship with her now-wife Lauren Morelli, a writer on “Orange.” —JD

Sara Ramirez

Best known for playing the proudly bisexual character Callie Torres on “Grey’s Anatomy,” Tony-winner Sara Ramirez came out publicly as bisexual and queer in a 2016 speech for the True Colors Fund, which works to works to end homelessness for LGBTQ youth. Ramirez gifted the culture yet again with Che Diaz, Miranda’s love-to-hate-them comic heartthrob in “And Just Like That.” —JD

Sara Gilbert

After getting her start as a child actress in the ’80s sitcom “Roseanne,” Sara Gilbert came out as a lesbian in 2010 after launching her talk show “The Talk,” although she had been out in her private life since she was a teenager. She currently stars with the rest of the “Roseanne” cast (sans Roseanne Barr) in the spinoff sequel series “The Connors.” —WC

Sarah Paulson

The Ryan Murphy muse and “Ocean’s 8″ actress outed herself accidentally when she kissed then-girlfriend Cherry Jones at the Tony Awards in 2005. “She won a Tony Award, I kissed her, and all of a sudden I was outed,” she told NoTofu in 2016. “I didn’t really think about it in that way at the time — I was just doing what one would do when a person they love has just won a big fat acting prize.” —JD

Sasha Lane

After her breakout role in “American Honey,” Lane played Kiersey Clemons’ love interest in “Hearts Beat Loud,” as well as a laidback tomboy in Desiree Akhavan’s “The Miseducation of Cameron Post.” She unceremoniously came out on Twitter in 2015, when she wrote: “I feel like people keep trynna include me in they threesomes bc I’m bi and they think ill do all the work and it’ll make their bf amused.” —JD

Sean Hayes

Despite playing an iconic gay character on NBC’s “Will and Grace” for years, Sean Hayes only publicly spoke about his sexual orientation in 2010, calling himself “a gay guy” in a 2010 interview with The Advocate. The star most recently won a Tony for his performance in the Broadway play “Good Night, Oscar.” —WC

Shannon Purser

A year after starring as Barb in Season 1 of “Stranger Things,” Shannon Purser shared on Twitter in 2017 that she had “recently” come out as bisexual to friends and family members. —WC

T.R. Knight

“Grey’s Anatomy” star T.R. Knight came out of the closet via People Magazine in 2006: “While I prefer to keep my personal life private, I hope the fact that I am gay isn’t the most interesting thing about me.” —WC

Taylor Schilling

Best known for playing a bisexual convict in “Orange is the New Black,” Taylor Schilling also identifies as queer, having been in a relationship with mucisian and artist Emily Ritz since 2020. —WC

Tessa Thompson

Although Thompson was outspoken about her “Thor” character being bisexual, the actress had not spoken about her own sexuality until 2018. “I’m attracted to men and also to women,” the “Sorry to Bother You” actress told Net-a-Porter. Of her frequent collaborator Janelle Monáe, Thompson said: “We love each other deeply, we’re so close. We vibrate on the same frequency. If people want to speculate about what we are, that’s okay. It doesn’t bother me.” —JD

Tig Notaro

Like the tortoise beating out the hare with her wry smile, deadpan comedian Tig Notaro has slowly become a steadfast member of the comedy establishment in Hollywood. After her breakout comedy album “Live” made waves for its the way she shared her cancer health issues with vulnerability and humor, Notaro quickly proved she’s much more than a one-trick-pony. She’s won multiple Emmy for subsequent comedy specials, received critical acclaim for her autobiographical series “One Mississippi,” and released the charming lesbian rom-com “Am I OK,” which she wrote with her wife Stephanie Allyne, in 2022. —JD

Tituss Burgess

Broadway tenor–turned–television favorite, Tituss Burgess made such an impression on Tina Fey when she saw him as Sebastian in Broadway’s “The Little Mermaid” that she wrote him into her then-new Netflix show. “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” introduced Burgess to a worldwide audience, and he quickly became one of our funniest, brightest, and most visible gay character actors. —JD

Troye Sivan

Not content to simply be known as a global pop icon, Aussie singer Troye Sivan has quietly made a name for himself in indie films with a queer bent. He first showed his dramatic chops as a wayward youth in Joel Edgerton’s “Boy Erased,” and later proved he could lead a whole film with the heartfelt coming-of-age comedy “Three Months,” which brought humanity to the experience of a young man awaiting the results of an HIV test. He most recently appeared in the scariest parts of HBO’s “The Idol.” —JD

Wanda Skyes

Emmy-winning stand-up and actor Wanda Sykes publicly came out as a lesbian in 2008, during a Las Vegas rally against same-sex marriage.  “When California passed Prop. 8…I felt like I was being personally attacked, our community was attacked,” she said. “They pissed off the wrong group of people!” That same year, she married her current wife Alex Niedbalsk, who she has since had two children with. —WC

Wentworth Miller

“Prison Break” and “We Belong Together” music video star Wentworth Miller came out in 2013 when he posted an open letter denying an invitation to the Saint Petersburg International Film Festival, saying that “cannot in good conscience participate in a celebratory occasion hosted by a country where people like myself are being systematically denied their basic right to live and love openly.” In 2020, Miller said he would not participate in a “Prison Break” revival becuase he was “no longer interested” in playing straight characters. —WC

Wilson Cruz

As “My So-Called Life” heartthrob Rickie Vasquez, Wilson Cruz waltzed into our hearts and made history as an openly gay man of color on a network television show in 1994. “I wanted to see people who looked like me on TV. I wanted to see people who had similar experiences as I had, growing up,” Cruz told New York Magazine in 2014. —JD

Zachary Quinto

The “Star Trek” actor publicly came out in 2011, after playing Louis in Signature Theater’s restaging of “Angels in America.” “As a gay man, it made me feel like there’s still so much work to be done,” he told New York Magazine of his role in the production. Quinto went on to star in “The Boys in the Band” on Broadway, alongside fellow out actors Matt Bomer and Jim Parsons. —JD