Over the years, more and more people have come out and openly celebrated their LGBTQ+ identities. And as public figures, they have helped break down barriers and challenged stereotypes in the media, inspiring and encouraging millions to embrace their own true selves. Here are 12 such inspiring celebrities:
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1. Ellen DeGeneres
Source: tvinsider.com
One of the most famous and beloved talk show hosts in the world, Ellen DeGeneres came out publicly as gay in 1997 on her sitcom “Ellen.” She has been married to actress Portia de Rossi since 2008, and they are a true power couple in Hollywood. Over the years, DeGeneres has been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, using her platform to raise awareness and challenge discrimination.
2. Neil Patrick Harris
Known for his roles in “Doogie Howser, M.D.” and “How I Met Your Mother,” Neil Patrick Harris came out as gay in 2006, and in 2014 he married his longtime partner, David Burtka. According to CelebSexuality.com, the couple has two children together. Harris is a vocal supporter of LGBTQ+ causes, and in 2010 he and Burtka were honored with the Family Equality Council’s “Family Award” for their work in promoting family acceptance and equality.
3. RuPaul
Source: variety.com
One of the most iconic drag queens in history, RuPaul has been openly gay since the 1980s. He married his partner of 23 years, Georges LeBar, in 2017. Over the years, RuPaul has been a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, using his platform to raise awareness and promote equality. In addition to his work on “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” he has also been involved in a number of LGBTQ+ organizations, including the Hetrick-Martin Institute and the Los Angeles LGBT Center.
4. Ricky Martin
The Puerto Rican singer and actor came out as gay in 2010, after years of speculation about his sexuality. Martin has been in a relationship with artist Jwan Yosef since 2016, and the couple has four children together. Martin has been a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, using his fame and platform to raise awareness and promote equality around the world.
5. Anderson Cooper
Source: apnews.com
A respected journalist and news anchor, Anderson Cooper publicly came out as gay in 2012. He has been in a relationship with nightclub owner Benjamin Maisani since 2009. Cooper has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, and in 2015 he was honored with the Vito Russo Award at the GLAAD Media Awards for his work in promoting LGBTQ+ acceptance and equality.
6. Jodie Foster
One of Hollywood’s most respected actresses, Jodie Foster came out publicly as gay in 2013 during her acceptance speech for the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globe Awards. She has been in a long-term relationship with photographer Alexandra Hedison since 2013. Foster has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and has used her platform to raise awareness and promote equality.
7. Sam Smith
Source: bbc.com
The British singer came out as gay in 2014, and he has been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights ever since. In 2019, Smith revealed that he identified as non-binary and asked to be referred to by the pronouns they/them. Smith has been in a number of high-profile relationships, including with actor Brandon Flynn and dancer Jonathan Zeizel.
8. Kristen Stewart
The actress and model publicly came out as gay in 2017 during an appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” She has been in a number of relationships with both men and women, including with model Stella Maxwell. Stewart has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and has used her platform to raise awareness and promote equality.
9. Elton John
Source: iheart.com
The legendary singer and songwriter Elton John came out as gay in 1988, after years of speculation about his sexuality. He has been in a long-term relationship with David Furnish since 1993, and the couple was married in 2014 after same-sex marriage was legalized in the UK. Together, they have two children. John has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, using his fame and platform to raise awareness and promote equality around the world. In 1992, he founded the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which has raised millions of dollars to support HIV/AIDS research and prevention efforts.
10. Megan Fox
The actress Megan Fox has identified as bisexual since 2009, when she opened up about her sexuality in an interview with Esquire magazine. She has been married to actor Brian Austin Green since 2010, and the couple has three children together. Fox has been a supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and has spoken out against discrimination and intolerance. In 2017, she participated in a video campaign for the Human Rights Campaign’s “Americans for Marriage Equality” campaign, calling for the legalization of same-sex marriage nationwide. She also recently said she’s “seeking a girlfriend.”
11. Luke Macfarlane
Source: indiewire.com
The Canadian actor Luke Macfarlane came out as gay in 2008, during an interview with The Globe and Mail. He has been in a number of relationships over the years, including with actor Charlie David and musician T.R. Knight. Macfarlane has been a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, and in 2009 he was honored with the Human Rights Campaign’s “Visibility Award” for his work in promoting equality and acceptance.
12. Graham Norton
The Irish comedian and television presenter Graham Norton came out as gay in the late 1980s, during an interview with The Guardian. He has been in a number of relationships over the years, including with actor Scott Michaels and marketing manager Trevor Patterson. Norton has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, and he has used his platform to raise awareness and promote acceptance. In 2017, he hosted the Eurovision Song Contest, which featured a performance by a group of drag queens from Ukraine, who were promoting LGBTQ+ rights in their country.
These Celebs Are Examples of Inclusion, Equality, and Pride
All of these celebrities have been trailblazers in their own way, using their platforms and voices to raise awareness and promote acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community. Whether through activism, philanthropy, or simply by living their lives openly and proudly, they have shown that being true to oneself is the most important thing of all. Their stories serve as a reminder that no matter who you are or where you come from, you have the right to be yourself and to love whomever you choose.
