There is something about the celebrity lifestyle that popular culture and more recently social media just can't get enough of. If someone is famous the world MUST know everything about them, and for some reason, sexual orientation is usually the focal point of the media's curiosity. Through the decades, as social change has come into the forefront of conversation, members of the LGBTQ+ community have felt more comfortable being themselves without fear of persecution. As much as the paparazzi and general public tend to hound celebs about who they are attracted to or currently dating, there is so much more to who these people are. Here are 40 celebs who are part of the LGBTQ+ community, and a little about them that we might or might not have already known.
1. "The True Queen!"
We may as well start off big. Freddie Mercury is arguably one of the greatest frontmen to ever have lived. The way he could command the attention of every single person in a sold-out arena is a rare talent that few if any other people have been able to match.
It is well known that Freddie Mercury was a member of the LGBTQ+ community. It was not something that he tried to hide, nor should he have had to. Freddie was proud of who he was and what he stood for.
2. "You Can't Bull***t A Bulls***ter"
It should not come as a surprise to learn that Jane Lynch has acted alongside some of the funniest people in Hollywood, after all, she's one of them. Jane has flexed her acting muscles by performing flawlessly no matter how serious, or goofy a role might be. Lynch finally seemed to find her niche as Sue Sylvester in "Glee".
In 2005 Jane Lynch was listed as one of Power Up's "10 Amazing Lesbian Women In Showbiz", even though she wasn't just one of the 10 most amazing lesbians in showbiz. She was one of the 10 amazing women altogether, which she proved between 2009-2013 when she won 8 awards over the 5-year span for her role in "Glee", including the 2011 Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries, or Television Film.
3. "Breaking Free"
Throughout the 4 seasons of Prison Break, Wentworth Miller played TV's most loyal brother, Michael Scofield. It was not until 4 years after the show's conclusion in 2013, however, that he felt comfortable enough to come out to the world.
Miller has since reprised his role as Michael Scofield for a 5th season of "Prison Break" in 2017 and has had a reoccurring role in DC's "The Flash" as villain turned hero, turned villain, turned hero, Leonard Snart. When asked if he would once again reprise his role as Michael Scofield, Wentworth Miller has said that he doesn't know if he wants to play straight characters again.
4. "Quite The Development"
As Linsday Bluth Funke, Portia de Rossie was part of one of the funniest and most dysfunctional television families that this generation has seen on "Arrested Development".
In actuality, Portia is nothing like the character she played on TV. De Rossi and her wife are avid animal lovers and support many charities, including Locks For Love. Who is Portia's wife? For those who didn't know, she's been married to Ellen DeGeneres since 2008.
5. "Why Not Start The Day With A Dance?"
Being the first leading character on a TV series to openly be a member of the LGBTQ+ community was both a blessing and a curse for Ellen DeGeneres. A lot of people had the belief that she had used her sitcom, "Ellen", as a platform in order to promote her "agenda" and the series lasted only one season following her announcement.
It didn't take very long for the world to embrace, rather than reject Ellen, and she has since gone on to prove that we can't spell DeGeneres without the word "Generes". Ellen has spent most of the past few decades bringing joy to millions of viewers around the world and will continue to do so no matter where her life's journey takes her next.
6. "A True Hero"
We were introduced to Zachary Quinto's psychotic side when he played Sylar in "Heroes" and we learned of his logical side as Spock in the reboot of the Star Trek film franchise. It wasn't until after both of those roles, however, that we learned of his compassionate side.
After the suicide of Jamey Rodemeyer in 2011, a gay teenager who had endured an enormous amount of bullying, Quinto thought it necessary to come out as gay in order to contribute to the massive amount of work that lay ahead for complete equality. Zachary has become an inspiration to tens of thousands of LGBTQ kids around the world and continues to make it known that treating others differently because of who they love is just not okay.
7. "Living In Bright Technicolor"
During the 6 years from 1996-2002 few celebrities were more well known than Rosie O' Donnell. Her talk show was one of the most talked-about shows on television, but it wasn't until after her show ended that she began to speak out about the more important issues.
Rosie O', came out as a lesbian in 2002, not long after she appeared on an episode of Will and Grace, but well before that, she was already an advocate for equality. Rosie O' Donnell has been in the public eye more often recently due to her vocally blatant dislike of "The Donald", with whom she has a well-documented rivalry.
8. "Got Any Reese's Pieces?"
Drew Barrymore is one of the few stars whom we have watched grow up before our eyes. As a child, Drew Barrymore captured the hearts of the world in Steven Speilberg's "E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial". As an adult, Drew became a strong and confident woman who also happened to be one of the modern-day "Charlie's Angels".
As Drew came into her own, she became more comfortable with who she was. This became evident in 2003 when Barrymore had said that she had always considered herself to be bisexual. In the same interview, she also told Contactmusic.com, "Being with a woman is like exploring your own body but through someone else."
9. "I am Looking For Someone To Share In An Adventure..."
Millennials would probably have an easier time recognizing this man if he had a long white beard and robe. That's right, the next person on our list is none other than Sir Ian McKellen. He's best known for playing Gandalf and Magneto on the silver screen and every major Shakespearean role on the stage. This man has pretty much done it all. What else could he ask for? He's been a knight, by order of the British Empire, since 1979 and his best friend is Patrick Stewart
Although his colleagues knew of his sexual orientation from early on in his career, it wasn't until the late 80s that he came out publicly. Co-founder of LGBT group Stonewall, Sir Gandalf has been a vocal activist for the LGBTQ+ community for more than 30 years.
10. "The Show Must Go On"
He might have been the runner-up on season 8 of "American Idol", but Adam Lambert was the true winner of that season. Following a successful solo career, Lambert got the call to front the very band whose songs he had sung 10 years earlier on, "American Idol".
I could think of no one who Freddie Mercury would prefer to have taken his place with Queen, than Adam Lambert. His vocal range and stage presence are simply impeccable, and the things that he has done for the LGBTQ+ community would have made The Queen himself proud.
11. "Oh Myyy!"
In the acting world, George Takei is best known for his role as Mr. Sulu on "Star Trek: The Original Series" and the follow-up Star Trek film franchise. Trekkies all over the world will forever know him as Hikaru Sulu, but his life's accomplishments far surpass what he has done onscreen.
When George came out publicly in 2005, he did so with his long-time boyfriend Brad Altman at his side and has been a vocal advocate for the LQBTQ+ community ever since. In 2012 George's efforts were recognized by the American Humanist Association when they awarded him with the LGBT Humanist Award. I'm happy to say that in 2008, after 21 years together, George and Brad tied the knot, and are still living happily together.
12. "The King Of Latin Pop"
Throughout his career, everyone was watching the way that Ricky Martin was moving. He started his solo career in 1991 and has since become one of the highest-selling Latin artists of all time, having sold over 70 million albums across parts of 5 decades.
After "Livin' la Vida Loca" for nearly 3 decades, Ricky Martin settled down and married, Syrian-Swedish painter, Jwan Yosef in 2018. Aside from the work that Ricky Martin has done for the LGBTQ+ community, he has also done a great deal of work to help promote "Project Hope". During the Coronavirus pandemic, he created a campaign to help healthcare workers through the organization, which was created in order to help healthcare workers worldwide.
13. "Out Of This World"
In his younger days, Lance Bass was a member of the pop boyband NSYNC where he gained fame alongside none other than Justin Timberlake. Lance wasn't able to come into his own, however, until after NSYNC disbanded.
Many people believed that when Lance Bass came out as homosexual in 2006 that he had committed career suicide. On the contrary, his sexual orientation has, to this day, not defined who he is. For a short time, it seemed as though Lance was actually going to be an astronaut, and then those plans fell apart. More recently, Bass has become quite an activist and has worked with organizations such as PETA and GLADD.
14. "Whatcha Gonna Do With All That Junk?"
Throughout the first decade of the 2000s, Fergie was one of the biggest names in the music industry. She performed with Wild Orchid and opened for Cher. She performed with The Black Eyed Peas in sold-out arenas, and then she went solo and performed in front of capacity crowds in even bigger venues.
One thing is for sure, Fergie has never been one to shy away from anything, not even questions about her personal life. Her sexuality has never been something she needed to hide. In interviews, Fergie has said, "I have had lesbian experiences in the past."
15. "I Am Batwoman!"
If being twelve years old wasn't tough enough already, Ruby Rose came out as a lesbian at that age as well. Needless to say, the school bullies came out in full force. Although childhood in Melbourne was no walk in the park for Ruby, she persevered, came out as gender-neutral, and unintentionally became a role model to a new generation.
In 2019 Ruby Rose starred as Batwoman in the DC Comics Television Universe, and with the role became the first leading lady in a superhero program to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
16. "We Are Who We Are"
In 2008, they were nominated for Best Actress at the Academy Awards. On Valentine's Day in 2014, they showed the world that "love is love" when they told the public that they were a lesbian. And in 2020 they came out as transgender when they saw that the world needed more brave figures to be proud of who they are and to stand up against discrimination.
Elliot Page has since come out as transgender and has been a wonderful role model for countless others, who are finding it difficult to be comfortable with themselves. At the end of March 2021, Elliot broke down one more barrier when he became the first openly trans male to appear on the cover of Time Magazine.
17. "Breaking Aching Hearts"
At the age of 14 Miley Cyrus already knew that she wanted to be with someone who loved her for her, no matter their gender. She told her mother that she "never wanted to label herself", and has stayed true to this statement thus far.
The "Hannah Montana" star has been in long-term relationships with both men and women and has never let her sexuality define her. Throughout her career, Miley has been adamant about letting her work speak volumes for her, and she has done just that.
18. "That's Why They Call It The Blues"
Sir Elton Hercules John has been captivating audiences for more than 5 decades. He has written and performed some of the biggest songs to ever grace our ears. His awards are countless and his achievements wonderous, but one thing was missing...
On the day the Civil Partnership Act came into force on December 21st, 2005, Sir Elton and his partner of 22 years, David Furnish, were among the first to be civilly joined. In March of 2014 same-sex marriage became legal in the United Kingdom, and exactly 9 years to the day, "The Rocket Man" married the love of his life.
19. "Life Is Meant To Be Lived"
Kristien Stewart has starred in some of the highest-grossing films of the past few decades, and as a result, every aspect of her life has been subject to public curiosity and ridicule. As a role model, Kristen has been teaching young girls everywhere that it's okay to be who they are, even if someone tells them otherwise.
Stewart finds the whole idea that people think bisexual people are "confused" to be ridiculous. "You're not confused if you're bisexual..." she said in 2017, "...it's not confusing at all. For me, it's quite the opposite."
20. "No Longer Interrupted"
Angelina has always presented herself in a way that made it seem as though she knew that she would not be defined by just one thing her whole life. As a result of this, she never found it necessary to hide her bisexuality from the world. People would ask and she would answer. It didn't take long for people to stop asking and start focusing on what she was doing, instead of who she was.
There are many reasons why Angelina Jolie has become a household name. She has starred in blockbuster Hollywood films, has been married to multiple "A" List actors (at different times), and has done more humanitarian work than anyone could possibly imagine. Jolie is continuously doing what she can to raise awareness for children all around the world who are in need. She and her six children (3 adopted) are proof that love can help to mend a broken heart.
21. "The Red Pill, Or The Blue Pill?"
If it were not for the Wachowskis we would never have had the chance to follow Neo down a rabbit hole and into "The Matrix". The two of them wrote, directed, and produced the trilogy of course.
Sisters, Lana and Lilly (formerly brothers, Larry and Andy) were born 2 years apart, with Lana being the elder of the two. Over the course of about 8 years, both siblings came out as transgender and have since transitioned. The sisters have always been fairly private people and let their films do the talking for them. Hopefully, when "The Matrix 4" is released in late 2021 it will speak as loud as its predecessors.
22. "Raven?"
Raven Symoné is another celebrity on our list who has been in the public eye for almost her entire life. At just 4 years old she was the adorable Olivia on "The Cosby Show", and by the time she was 18 she had her own Disney Channel show, "That's So Raven".
A self-proclaimed "human who loves humans", Raven Symone married her social media manager Miranda Maday, in 2020.
23. "A Legendary Husband And Father"
Anyone who has watched the hit TV series "How I Met Your Mother" would have a hard time believing that the man who portrayed 'playboy' Barney Stinson was a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. But he is, and he's been loud and proud about it ever since he made the information public in 2006.
After being together for a decade, Neil Patrick Harris and his (now) husband David Burtka got married in, what could only have been a legen.....wait for it...dary ceremony in Italy in 2014. In attendance were their (then) 4-year-old twins, Gideon Scott and Harper Grace, whom the two had via a surrogate.
24. "Bazinga!"
For 12 years (2007-2019) Jim Parsons was on top of the world while starring as the quirky eccentric Dr. Sheldon Cooper on "The Big Band Theory".
In 2012, after much public speculation, Jim, told the world what his friends and family had known for years, and came out publicly. Half a decade later in May of 2017, Parsons and his husband got married in New York.
25. "Flying Home"
Before she was even a teenager, Anna Paquin had already achieved more recognition than most performers do in their lifetimes. Anna began acting at only 11 years old, and for her premiere performance, she starred in 1993's "The Piano", for which she won the Oscar for Best-Supporting Actress.
Recently, Paquin has become more vocal about her intolerance for intolerance in regards to the LGBTQ+ community. While citing her bisexuality, critics have been vocally critical of Anna Paquin's decade-long marriage to her husband, Stephen Moyer. The real question should be, "If it's not a problem for her husband, then why should it matter to anyone else?"
26. "She Refused To Be Unhappy"
After being married to a man through most of the 1990s, Wanda Sykes came out as a lesbian at a rally for same-sex marriage in 2008. Her parents, having conservative beliefs, were not accepting of Wanda when she came out at the age of 40, however, they have since come to realize that Wanda is still their daughter, no matter who she chooses to love.
Wanda Sykes has done work with PETA in recent years and although she isn't touring the comedy clubs like she used to, she remains in the public eye due to her advocacy of same-sex marriages. Wanda and her wife Alex have been married since 2008.
27. "The Force Is With You, Always"
Best known to the younger generation as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the original Star Wars trilogy, Sir Alec Guinness was a legend of both the stage and silver screen for decades before he picked up his first lightsaber. Being knighted in 1959 was probably one of the high points of his life, but it was not Sir Alec's only accomplishment...
In 1957 he won the Academy Award for Best Actor in "The Bridge on the River Kwai" and in 1991 he received an honorary doctorate from Cambridge University. Similar to others on our list, it was not until after this brave knight passed away that the world learned from his family and friends that he was bisexual. Growing up in the times that he did, Sir Alec sadly felt that he needed to hide the truth, in order to succeed.
28. "Gone Too Soon"
Amy Winehouse burst onto the scene in her early 20's and took the world by storm. She was the living embodiment of what people thought Rock & Roll was. In 2010 she confessed to a friend that she was indeed bisexual, which only fueled the fire of her critics' tabloids.
Amy Winehouse had had a long history of substance abuse and should have taken the advice of her own song and gone to rehab, but she said "no, no, no" and her talent was taken from this world far too soon.
29. "When I Come Around"
Green Day has been one of the biggest bands in the world ever since the release of their breakthrough album "Dookie" in 1994. Their personal and musical journies have taken Green Day from run-of-the-mill alt/rock band to top-tier headliners, selling out massive stadiums, and Billie Joe Armstrong has been the band's frontman throughout their journey.
In an interview with The Advocate in 1995, when Billie Joe said, "I think I've always been bisexual. I mean it's something I've always been interested in", people began to question his commitment to his wife Adrienne, whom he had married a year earlier. Time has proven that their marriage was the real deal, as the two have now been married for 26 years and have two sons together, Jakob Danger and Joseph Marciano.
30. "An Offer They Couldn't Refuse"
The Godfather himself, Marlon Brando, was a man like no other who had come before him. "He was Rock and Roll before anyone knew what Rock and Roll was." He looked life in the eye and said, "I'm comin' for you". And he did. Every day of his life, Marlon Brando lived life to the fullest. He won two Academy Awards for best picture and the hearts of men and women everywhere.
Brando had no problem openly letting people know that he enjoyed sleeping with both men and women, after all, it shouldn't matter anyway, and Marlon understood that. Allegedly, one of Brando's relationships was with none other than one of the funniest men in Hollywood, Richard Pryor.
31. "Everyone Carries Around His Own Monsters"
Richard Pryor was one of the biggest comedy stars of the 70s and 80s. His comedic partnership with legendary actor Gene Wilder has, to this day, been matched by few others. It was not until 9 years after Pryor's death, however, that the world learned about another one of Richard's relationships with a legendary actor.
According to Richard's widow Jennifer Lee, Pryor had an affair with screen legend Marlon Brando and used to speak openly with her and his friends about his bisexuality, but due to the times, that's as far as the knowledge of his sexual orientation went. These claims have been backed up multiple sources including legendary producer Quincy Jones.
32. "Standing Tall"
During his 14-year professional basketball career, Jason Collins matched up against some of the biggest and toughest players to ever play the game. The toughest challenge he would face, however, wouldn't be on the court, but off of it. Coming out as a gay man in professional sports took more bravery than anything he had previously had to do.
While playing in the NBA in 2013, Jason became the first openly gay male athlete to be actively competing in one of the four major North American sports leagues. Others have since come out thanks to Jason, who proved that perhaps the professional sports world is finally ready to catch up with the rest of the world.
33. "Quid Pro Quo"
There are few celebrities who have been in the public eye for more of their lives than Clarice Starling herself, Jodie Foster. At only 3 years old her career began. She was nominated for her first Academy Award in 1976 when she was just a teenager and won two Oscars for Best Actress before her 35th birthday. It wasn't until she was 55, however, while she was accepting an honorary award at the 2013 Golden Globes, that Jodie first publicly came out as a lesbian.
Foster and her former partner were together for almost 15 years and have 2 children together, but it wasn't until meeting photographer Alexandra Hedison, that Jodie would meet the woman who would capture her heart. The two were wed in 2014 after dating for just a year, and have remained almost inseparable ever since.
34. "He's Jim's Dad's Son"
As the son of comic legend Eugene Levy, Daniel had an excellent role model and mentor to help him through the start of his career. Daniel and his father are the co-creators of the hilarious "Schitt's Creek", in which they also play a father and son.
Daniel came out when he was 18 years old and has never let his sexual orientation define who he is. He has made a name for himself because of his talent as an artist and has been fortunate enough to work with his family on his more recent projects.
35. "Back In A Flash!"
After getting their feet wet with a few roles through the early 2010s Ezra Miller sped onto the scene and gained popularity as Barry Allen or The Flash, in the DC Movie Universe.
In 2012 Ezra came out as gay but has since begun to identify themselves as a queer polyamorous individual and has been quoted as saying "I don't identify as a man. I don't identify as a woman. I barely identify as a person".
36. "Don't Hold Your Breath"
Amber Heard has been in dozens of films and has starred alongside some of the biggest names in Hollywood, none of whom, however, hold a candle to the fame of her ex-husband Johnny Depp.
Amber has had successful relationships with both men and women. She has said that she loves who she loves and doesn't "label herself one way or another". Proving that the rights and lives of every American are just as important as the next, Amber Heard donated the settlement she received from her divorce to The American Civil Rights Union.
37. "Don't Panic!"
In 2004 when Brendon Urie joined Panic! at The Disco, I'm not sure that the other members of the band realized the pure talent that they had just acquired. Some people have that "it" quality that holds them apart from everyone else. Brendon Urie doesn't have that quality, he is the living embodiment of it.
In 2013 Brendon Urie had said for the first time that he had experimented with both men and women but classifies himself as pansexual. Although Brendon Urie is married to a woman, he says that he is not opposed to men and finds someone attractive based on the person they are and not their gender.
38. "What's Your Alias?"
For almost 50 years now, Victor Garber has been "that guy" that most people know from having seen him in something, but have no idea what his name is. Through his roles Victor has proven that he is capable of adapting to almost every situation that might arise. Garber not only starred alongside Jennifer Garner in "Alias" but also officiated her wedding to Ben Affleck.
Victor never felt it necessary to come out publicly, in 2013 he had said "I don't really talk about it, but everyone knows". He and his husband Rainer Andreesen have been together since 2000 and got married, in Victor's home country of Canada, in 2015.
39. "Hold The Door"
It's hard to believe that the first acting role that Kristian Nairn landed in his career was actually the one that he has become known for. As Hodor, Nairn captured the hearts of "Game Of Thrones" fans everywhere.
Holding doors shut and protecting Bran Stark on the hit HBO fantasy series "Game Of Thrones" was good for a while, but these days Kristian Nairn is helping to open the doors of opportunity for other members of the LGBTQ+ community, of which he is proud to be a member. Nairn has also dabbled in the music scene and used to be the house DJ at Kremlin, a gay bar in Belfast.
40. "Gotta Have Faith"
Early on in his career, in order not to keep anything from him, George Michael disclosed to Wham! groupmate Andrew Ridgeley that he was bisexual. It was not until 1998 that George publicly came out as homosexual, not bisexual. Although he drew headlines when this revelation hit the press, his sexuality was not what was causing a fuss, as much as it was how the world found out about it.
April 7th, 1998, George Michael was the subject of a sting operation and was arrested for "engaging in a lewd act" in a public washroom; the "lewd act" was with undercover police officer Marcelo Rodriguez. Although the arrest was not ideal, the events that transpired allowed George to live comfortably, as an openly gay man until he passed away at the early age of 53 in 2016.