Incredible LGBT Celebrity Coming Out Stories
Over the years, more and more LGBTQ celebrities have come forward with their stories about coming out. In their valiant efforts they have encouraged and supported gay, bisexual, transgender and so many others across the globe. Coming out as gay or any identification on the spectrum of LGBTQ celebrities has not always been celebrated. Clearly, it’s becoming more accepted in society, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. We applaud all of these LGBTQ celebrities for sharing their personal lives with the public to empower others. From Lauren Morelli (writer on Orange is the New Black) to Kendrell Bowman and Anderson Cooper, there are so many incredible stories the world has watched over the years. Even Shannon Purser of Stranger Things has become an advocate amongst LGBTQ celebrities after coming out publicly. Of course, many know certain LGBTQ celebrities like Cara Delevingne have always been very open. So, let’s get into these amazing stories!
Kristen Stewart
Many first got to know Kristen Stewart from the Twilight films. Once she began dating a female after her relationship with Robert Pattinson, she came to some new conclusions about the value of LGBTQ celebrities. She told The London Sunday Times of her coming out in 2015, “Considering I had so many eyes on me, I suddenly realized [my private life] affects a greater number of people than just me. It was an opportunity to surrender a bit of what was mine, to make even one other person feel good about themselves.” She also joked on SNL in response to Donald Trump’s ‘obsession’ over her, responding, “I’m, like, so gay, dude.” Since then, she has told the press she identifies as bisexual. Stewart began dating Victoria Secret angel, Stella Maxwell in 2016.
Kristen Stewart
Aaron Carter
In August of 2017, former child pop star, Aaron Carter, posted an emotional and deeply personal tweet. In this Twitter post, the 30 year old wrote, he “started to find boys and girls attractive” since he was a teenager and also had “an experience with a male” who he had “worked with and grew up with.” Following this post, he interviewed with an LGBTQ&A podcast and said, “I definitely embrace my bisexuality and, you know, it’s still new to me because I just started talking about it, really.” Fans were really supportive of Carter as he came to terms with his sexuality.
Aaron Carter
Shannon Purser
Ah, the famous Barb from Stranger Things or perhaps, you know her as Ethel Muggs from Riverdale. In a tweet in April 2017, actress Shannon Purser announced, “I’ve only recently come out as bisexual to my family and friends. It’s something I am still processing and trying to understand and I don’t like talking about it too much. I’m very very new to the LGBT community.” Of course, her announcement was met with celebration from her fans. She also apologized for using the term “queerbaiting” in another tweet that offended some fans.
Shannon Purser
Ellen DeGeneres
Of course, we all know that Ellen DeGeneres has been dating Portia de Rossi since 2004. Now, the two are married and are one of the world’s favorite celebrity couples. Ellen first came out publicly with that Time magazine covering, declaring, “Yep, I’m gay.” Shortly after that 1997 cover, she also had a plot line on her ABC show Ellen where she jumped out of the closet. When speaking with Diane Sawyer, she said, “I decided this was not going to be something that I was going to live the rest of my life being ashamed of.” Nowadays, she is a huge LGBTQ advocate, helping others in need.
Ellen DeGeneres
Brandon Flynn
Rising star Brandon Flynn from Thirteen Reasons Why came out publicly in an Instagram post in September 2017. His post came as a response to the vote on Australia’s same-sex marriage law. Flynn responded to a ‘vote no’ written in the sky above Sydney, and posted, “I hope your hate and lack of understanding fades, just like those words will…And you are scared that if we vote YES, you won’t be able to show your hate for Us.” Shortly after, fans spotted him around New York City with singer Sam Smith. They’ve been dating since late 2017.
Brandon Flynn
Cara Delevingne
There have been numerous occasions where Cara Delevingne has spoken about her sexuality. She considers herself sexually fulid and in her Vogue interview she said, “It took me a long time to accept the idea [of being attracted to women]—until I first fell in love with a girl at 20 and recognized that I had to accept it…. We’re all liquid. We change, we grow.” In other interviews she spoke about being fluid and not wanting to be ‘pigeonholed.’ Recently, she was spotted out on a double date with Michael Jackson’s daughter, Paris and Paris’ godfather, Macaulay Culkin and his girlfriend, Brenda Song. Many are speculating that Cara and Paris Jackson have been dating for some time.
Cara Delevingne
Kendrell Bowman
Kendrell Bowman is a Broadway actor and producer. He and his partner, Anthony Wayne, created the musical, Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester. On his personal blog, he’s been very open about his sexuality and relationship. He even wrote, “It’s funny that Anthony and I are making history being 2 black gay men producing a show that we created for Broadway. The funny thing is that it’s not the thing that gives me my high.”
Kendrell Bowman
Anderson Cooper
In that famous email, Anderson Cooper wrote, “The fact is, I’m gay, always have been, always will be, and I couldn’t be any more happy, comfortable with myself, and proud.” He explained himself in that email to Andrew Sullivan in 2012, saying, “I have always been very open and honest about this part of my life with my friends, my family, and my colleagues. In a perfect world, I don’t think it’s anyone else’s business, but I do think there is value in standing up and being counted.” He added, “It’s become clear to me that by remaining silent on certain aspects of my personal life for so long, I have given some the mistaken impression that I am trying to hide something – something that makes me uncomfortable, ashamed or even afraid. This is distressing…” Anderson was with Benjamin Maisani for many years, but in March 2018 he announced their separation in a statement to PEOPLE.
Anderson Cooper
Frank Ocean
The incredibly talented artist Frank Ocean chose to come out on his blog. He wrote, “4 summer ago, I met somebody. I was 19 years old. He was too. We spent that summer, and the summer after, together. Everyday almost… Sleep I would often share with him. By the time I realized I was in love, it was malignant. It was hopeless. There was no escaping.” He continued that this liberating love made him feel free. Fans also applauded his music released just days before like, “Pink Matter” and “Bad Religion” about love, using the male pronouns, a clear message. Other stars like Tyler the Creator took to Twitter to celebrate him.
Frank Ocean
Elton John
Sir Elton Jon was married to both Linda Woodrow and then Renate Blauel before coming out. Actually in 1976, he interviewed with Rolling Stone saying he was bisexual. After he divorced Blauel, he told Rolling Stone he finally felt ‘comfortable’ as a homosexual. Remember, things were not the same back in the 70s and actually his identification as bisexual brought him lots of hate mail. Many admired his immense courage in coming out.
Elton John
Alia Shawkat
Most know Alia Shawkat as Maeybe from Arrested Development or even from Search Party. In a 2017 interview with Out, Shawkat came out as bisexual. She said, “I think balancing my male and female energies has been a big part of me growing as an actor. As a woman, an Arab-American, and a member of the LGBTQ community, I have to use whatever voice I have.” Immediately, fans began celebrating her among other LGBTQ celebrities. Also have you seen her guest appearance on Broad City? Amazing!
Alia Shawkat
Neil Patrick Harris
Although he played the womanizer in How I Met Your Mother, Neil Patrick Harris officially came out to the public as gay in November of 2006. He made a public statement, saying, “I am happy to dispel any rumors or misconceptions and am quite proud to say that I am a very content gay man living my life to the fullest and feel most fortunate to be working with wonderful people in the business I love.” Of course, you probably know he married actor/chef David Burtka in 2014 and they have twins together. Oh and speaking of LGBTQ celebrities, Elton John performed at their wedding reception!
Neil Patrick Harris
Laverne Cox
Another Orange is the New Black star, we have Laverne Cox, who spoke with both OUT and Barefoot Wine in 2017 about her coming out experiences. Cox said, “I have kind of two coming outs. So, I always knew I liked boys, so I came out as gay first. I’m from Mobile, Alabama, but I went to Alabama School of Fine Arts. The funny thing about coming out in art school was that everybody was like, ‘Yeah, of course you are.'” Then, she came out to her mom as gay and a few years after as trans, which she said her mom took better after some time. Eventually, her mom even got her a plate that said “No. 1 Daughter” to show her acceptance.
Laverne Cox
Matt Bomer
When Matt Bomer of White Collar worked on Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, he told OUT that it was a makeup artist that helped inspire him to come out. He wrote a letter to his religious parents, who then refused to talk to him for half a year. Bomer said, “I would say within a matter of years we started to figure it out. It was a struggle…I’m here to tell people it can get better. Because I had so many people in my life saying, ‘You need to get rid of all expectations — you need to cut them out.’ But I was like, ‘They’re my family.'” Then in 2012 during an acceptance speech, he thanked his partner, Simon Halls.
Matt Bomer
Ellen Page
At the 2014 Human Rights Campaign “Time to Thrive,” actress Ellen Page came out, saying, “I’m here today because I am gay, and because maybe I can make a difference, to help others have an easier and more hopeful time…I am tired of hiding and I am tired of lying by omission.” In January of 2018, she married her partner, Emma Portner. In late 2017, Page accused director Brett Ratner of outing her when she was only 18, working on X-Men: The Last Stand. Actress Anna Paquin supported her statement, saying she witnessed it. People are thrilled that Page had the courage to speak up and reclaim her identity.
Ellen Page
Cynthia Nixon
Cynthia Nixon shot to fame with her role as Miranda in the cult hit Sex and the City. She decided to come out after replacing her publicist who advised her against it. Nixon spoke with The Advocate and said her next publicist encouraged her. To this Nixon said, “I was like, ‘Really, we can just confirm?’. So that’s just what we did. It was so fantastic.” In 2012, she married her partner, Christine Marinoni. In 2012 she also identified as bisexual. Her and her family are members of an LGBT synagogue in NYC called Congregation Beit Simchat Torah.
Cynthia Nixon
Tom Daley
British diver Tom Daley came out in 2013 via a YouTube video. He said, “I met someone and they make me feel so happy and safe; everything just feels great. That someone is a guy.” The Olympic bronze medalist went on to confirm he was gay months later on Celebrity Juice. Now, he’s married to Dustin Lance Black. In February 2018, the two announced they’re expected a child through a surrogate.
Tom Daley
Sarah Paulson
As her Broadway partner Cherry Jones accepted her Tony, Sarah Paulson (of American Horror Story) kissed her. Later she told NoTofu, “She won a Tony Award, I kissed her, and all of a sudden I was outed. 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.” The two dated until 2009. She told Broadway.com she considers herself sexually fluid. Since 2015, Paulson has been dating Holland Taylor.
Sarah Paulson
Lauren Morelli
Writer Lauren Morelli explained on Mic how she discovered her sexuality while writing the lesbian love scenes for Orange is the New Black. Morelli wrote, “…while it certainly would have been disorienting to begin to question my sexuality after three decades of knowing myself, it was particularly blinding because I’d gotten married only a few months before…Which is why it’s now a punch in the gut every time I have to say, ‘I’m getting divorced because I’m gay.'” She got divorced from her husband and saw her life paralleling the main character Piper. Remarkably, Morelli even found love on set with star Samira Wiley, and they married in 2017.
Lauren Morelli
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus spoke with Variety Magazine about her struggle coming out as pansexual to her parents. Cyrus said, “My first relationship in my life was with a chick. I grew up in a very religious Southern family. The universe has always given me the power to know I’ll be OK. Even at that time, when my parents didn’t understand, I just felt that one day they are going to understand.” Now, she’s engaged to Australian actor, Liam Hemsworth, who she met while costarring together in The Last Song.
Miley Cyrus
Wentworth Miller
When Prison Break‘s Wentworth Miller was invited to the 2013 St. Petersburg International Film Festival, he came out in GLAAD, saying, “As a gay man, I must decline.” His statement continued, “I am deeply troubled by the current attitude toward and treatment of gay men and women by the Russian government. The situation is in no way acceptable, and I 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.” He has gone on to join the ranks of LGBTQ celebrities by opening up about his struggles before coming out.
Wentworth Miller
Colton Haynes
Colton Haynes from Arrow and Teen Wolf spoke candidly about being gay at the Human Rights Campaign conference where he got awarded the Visibility Award. He said his sexuality came “as naturally as the colour of [his] eyes.” Before that he also had responded to a fan’s Tumblr post exposing his sexuality, saying it wasn’t a secret and confirming he was gay with Entertainment Weekly. Now, he’s married to the Kardashian’s favorite flower arranger, Jeff Leatham. The two tied the knot in 2017.
Colton Haynes
George Michael
Sadly, the late, musician George Michael’s privacy was invaded when he was caught with another man at a public park. Then during a CNN interview in 1998, Michael officially came out. Then he told The Advocate in 1999, that “falling in love with a man that ended his conflict over bisexuality…I never had a moral problem with being gay. I thought I had fallen in love with a woman a couple of times. Then I fell in love with a man, and realised that none of those things had been love.” He became celebrated among LGBTQ celebrities for all his work with AIDS victims in Africa. Sadly, he passed in 2016.
George Michael
Barry Manilow
Remember, Barry Manilow lived through not just the HIV/AIDS crisis, but also many anti-gay waves in the 90’s and so much more. Thus, he only came out to fans in 2017. He’s been married to Garry Kief since 2014. However, he told PEOPLE that he didn’t come out sooner, since “I thought I would be disappointing them if they knew I was gay. So I never did anything.”
Barry Manilow
Harvey Fierstein
Actually, Harvey Fierstein is one of the first openly LGBTQ celebrities in Hollywood who didn’t really need to come out. Maybe you know him as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray, the hilarious mother or for his Tony winning Kinky Boots. During his 1983 interview with Barbara Walters, he spoke about his work promoting gay-themed Broadway shows as a gay man. Then in 2012 he told CBS, “I never came out…I didn’t knwo what it was to be ‘in,’ so I was never’out.'” Fierstein was openly gay before many celebrities were, and has been an advocate for many years.
Harvey Fierstein
Daniel Franzese
His character on Mean Girls was ‘almost too gay to function,’ and apparently helped Daniel Franzese come out. In April 2014, Franzese addressed his character from the movie, Damian to publicly come out. He wrote, “You became an iconic character that people looked up to; I wished I’d had you as a role model when I was younger. I might’ve been easier to be gay growing up. You were beautiful in every single way and words couldn’t bring you down.” He continued to rise to fame for portraying an HIV-positive character on HBO’s Looking. He proposed to his boyfriend, Joseph Bradley Phillips in 2016 at a North Hollywood Starbucks, which fans couldn’t stop gushing over.
Daniel Franzese
Melissa Etheridge
Of course, we all know Melissa Etheridge from her hit song, “Come To My Window.” During the gay celebration of Bill Clinton’s presidential inauguration called Triangle Ball, Etheridge came out officially. That was back in 1993. Now, she shares her twins with ex-partner Tammy Lynn Michaels. However, Etheridge found love again when she married producer/actress Linda Wallem in 2014.
Melissa Etheridge
Wanda Sykes
Back in 2008, Wanda Sykes came out during a gay rights rally in Las Vegas. Wanda Sykes said, “I don’t really talk about my sexual orientation. I didn’t feel like I had to. I was just living my life, not necessarily in the closet, but I was living my life. Everybody that knows me personally, they know I’m gay.” That same year she married Alex Niedbalski and they welcomed twins in 2009. However, she only came out to her conservative parents when she was 40 years old. They didn’t attend her wedding, but have come around since then and are enjoying their role as grandparents too.
Wanda Sykes
Kristian Nairn
Every Game of Thrones fan recognizes Kristian Nairn as his character Hodor. In response to a Game of Thrones fan blog in 2014, Nairn officially came out. He wrote, “Well, in all honesty, when you talk about ‘the gay community,’ you are talking about MY community. I’ve never hidden my sexuality from anyone, my whole life in fact. I’ve been waiting for someone to ask about it in an interview.” He added that his sexuality is “a very small part of who I am on the whole, but nonetheless, in this day and age, it’s important to stand up and be counted.”
Kristian Nairn
Jodie Foster
While accepting the Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2013 Golden Globes, Jodie Foster came out. She said, “There is no way i could ever stand here without acknowledging one of the deepest loves of my life, my heroic co-parent, expert in love, my soul sister in life…Cydney Bernard.” She shares two sons with her ex, Bernard. Since 2014, Jodie Foster has been married to Alexandra Hedison.
Jodie Foster
Natalie Morales
Perhaps, you know Natalie Morales from Parks and Recreation. Well, she used Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls website to come out in honor of LGBTQ Pride month. Morales wrote about being attracted to people. She wrote, “I don’t like labeling myself, or anyone else but if it’s easier for you to understand me, what I’m saying is that I’m queer. What queer means to me is just simply that I’m not straight. That’s all. It’s not scary, even though that word used to be really, really scary to me.”
Natalie Morales
Cody Alan
In 2017, country singer and host on CMT came out to the public. He explained, “You see, I’m gay. This is not a choice I made, but something I’ve known about myself my whole life. Through life’s twists and turns, marriage, divorce, fatherhood, successes, failures — I’ve landed on this day, a day when I’m happier and healthier than I’ve ever been.” He also emphasized that there is a place for gays in country music, despite what others say. Fans also celebrated his engagement in late 2017 to partner, Trea Smith.
Cody Allan
Rutina Wesley
You know her as Tara from True Blood. Wesley posted to Instagram in November 2017 to reveal her engagement to a woman named Chef Shonda. She called her, “the light of my life” and even “fire in my loins.” However, many noted she did not specifically use the terms bisexual, gay or lesbian in her posts.
Rutina Wesley
Mara Wilson
Wow, time really flies! Can you believe this woman was little Matilda? Let’s not forget Mrs. Doubtfire. Anyway, Mara Wilson has gone on the record to say, “I *used* to identify as mostly straight. I’ve embraced the bi/queer label lately,” via her Twitter.
Mara Wilson
Thomas Dekker
Many know actor Thomas Dekker from his role as Zach on Heroes. Oh and he’s a musician, as well. Dekker wrote a short essay proclaiming he was a “man who proudly loves other men,” which he released on Twitter. Apparently, a “prominent gay man” outed him and he claimed this inspired him to come out in July 2017. In this announcement, he also revealed that he married his husband in April 2017. Dekker is married to fellow actor, Jesse Haddock.
Thomas Dekker
Gordon Thomson
About thirty years after Dynasty went off air, this star from the show came out. Actually, he played a homophobic villain on the soap opera named Adam. While interviewing with the Daily Beast, he explained keeping his sexuality a secret was due to the times. Thomson said, “When I was growing up it [homosexuality] was a crime, and then classified as a mental illness … so you’re dealing with that. And the shame, the breathtaking lack of self-esteem, has only just begun to seep out of my soul.”
Gordon Thomson
Lance Bass
Of course, teenage girls or parents of those girls from the 90’s know Lance Bass from NSYNC. Ah, those were the days with him alongside Justin Timberlake. Bass came out publicly in his 2006 interview with People magazine. Bass said, “The thing is, I’m not ashamed – that’s the one thing I want to say. I don’t think it’s wrong, I’m not devastated going through this. I’m more liberated and happy than I’ve been my whole life. I’m just happy.” He married his partner in 2014 and it was broadcast on television.
Lance Bass
Ricky Martin
Did “Livin’ La Vida Loca” just play in your head? Us too. Anyway, there was some speculation about Martin’s sexuality and even Barbara Walters pushed him to confirm whether he was gay or not in an interview, but she later apologized. Then in 2010, Ricky Martin wrote on his website, “I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am.” In 2018, he married painter Jwan Yosef. Now, Martin is an active advocate for LGBTQ rights.
Ricky Martin
Robin Roberts
ABC anchor Robin Roberts publicly came out in her 2013 Facebook post to update fans on her bone marrow transplant during her battle against myelodysplastic syndrome. In the post she also thanked her “longtime girlfriend, Amber.” The two had been dating since 2005, and friends and family knew about Roberts’ sexual orientation. Then in 2015, Roberts was named one of the 31 Icons of the 2015 LGBT History Month by Equality Forum.
Robin Roberts
Jason Collins
Many call NBA’s Jason Collins a hero and leader in the LGBT community. Collins came out as gay in Sports Illustrated‘s May 6, 2013 issue and was their cover story. This made him the first openly gay athlete to play in one of America’s four major leagues. This retired basketball player is an activist and also explained his jersey number, 98, was in honor of the late Matthew Shepard who was murdered in 1998 as a antigay hate crime. Collins has been dating producer Brunson Green since 2014.
Jason Collins
Haaz Sleiman
During a Facebook video in August 2017, actor Haaz Sleiman came out. You know him from his roles in things like Nurse Jackie and Killing Jesus. In his video he said he was “a gay, Muslim, Arab-American man…not only am I gay, but I’m also a bottom.” He released the video to fight back against violence towards the LGBTQ community.
Haaz Sleiman
Reid Ewing
If you’re a Modern Family fan, then you know Reid Ewing as Dylan, Haley’s on and off boyfriend. Ewing opened up about his body dysmorphic disorder and resulting cosmetic surgeries in 2015. In November 2015, he publicly came out as gay while speaking about his body dysmorphia. When responding to a Twitter question about his sexuality and being in the closet, he wrote, “I was never in.”
Reid Ewing
Chaz Bono
Sonny and Cher’s only child, Chaz Bono is probably the most famous transgender advocate in America. First in 1995, the tabloids outed Bono as a lesbian, so Bono wrote for years about gay rights. From 2008 to 2019, he transitioned and became a bigger celebrity. Chaz spoke about his transition with Entertainment Tonight in 2009 and also has a documentary called Becoming Chaz.
Chaz Bono
Sally Ride
Sally Ride became famous as the first American woman to fly in space, but only after her death was it revealed she was also the first known LGBT astronaut. Sadly, she passed away from pancreatic cancer in July 2012. Ride had been with her partner, Tam O’Shaughnessy for 27 years. Now, science writer O’Shaughnessy serves as Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer for the Board of Sally Ride Science. Thus, the company and Ride’s sister confirmed their relationship, but said Ride wanted keep her personal life private, including her illness.
Sally Ride
Jim Parsons
Of course, everyone knows Jim Parsons for his role as Sheldon Cooper on The Big Bang Theory. During his profile interview with the New York Times while starring in the Broadway show, Harvey, he came out publicly. The article just stated ‘Mr. Parsons is gay and in a 10-year relationship.’ In 20103, Jim Parsons referred to his relationship as, “an act of love, coffee in the morning, going to work, washing the clothes, taking the dogs out—a regular life, boring love.” Parsons and partner Todd Spiewak married in May of 2017.
Jim Parsons
Maulik Pancholy
You know him and love him as Jonathan from 30 Rock, this actor came out with Out magazine in a 2013 interview. During this interview he spoke about his partner, Ryan Corvaia, who he was dating at the time. Now, the two are married. Pancholy said, “It feels like a nice time to be celebrating something like that, especially on the heels of the DOMA and Prop 8 decisions.”
Maulik Pancholy
Zachary Quinto
Quinto starred on Heroes, Star Trek, American Horror Story and so much more. In 2011, he came out in New York magazine, saying, “In light of Jamey’s [Rodemeyer] death — it became clear to me in an instant that living a gay life without publicly acknowledging it — is simply not enough to make any significant contribution to the immense work that lies ahead on the road to complete equality. Our society needs to recognize the unstoppable momentum toward unequivocal civil equality for every gay lesbian bisexual and transgendered citizen of this country.” He began dating model/painter Miles McMillan in 2013.
Zachary Quinto
Rosie O’Donnell
Back in 2002, comedian Rosie O’Donnell came out during stand up routine at the Ovarian Cancer Research benefit. She said, “I’m a dyke!” Later she explained her impetus for coming out. She hoped to bring light to the adoption issue gays face, since she herself adopted. Some agencies, particularly in Florida would refuse to let gay and lesbians adopt.
Rosie O’Donnell
Tyler Glenn
Tyler Glenn, lead singer of The Neon Trees, was Mormon his entire life. He had kept his sexuality a secret since childhood. In Rolling Stone, Glenn came out saying, “I had my crushes on guys throughout high school, but it was never an overwhelming thing until my twenties. Then I’d be dating girls and in love with my straight friend and it was the worst feeling in the world…we were always taught, and I hate this word, ‘tolerance,’” he spoke of, referencing his church’s position on homosexuality, adding, “The only time that felt different was when the Prop 8 thing came up.”
Tyler Glenn