Given the stigma benched around LGBTQ+, it makes sense that celebrities who identify as being a member haven’t been quite open about their status. But thankfully, 2021 witnessed a significant change as many LGBTQ+ stars aren’t overly pressured anymore and have since been helping in destigmatization while boosting the self-esteem of a few struggling to accept their real self.
Indeed, a person’s sexual preference or gender identity shouldn’t be a headline, but the impact of these celebs discussing their experiences can’t be overstated. Here we’ve collated a list of 11 celebrities who have confidently come out and inspired a whole new generation of queer youth. From Elliot's page, Tessa Thompson to Sam Smith, it’s increasingly becoming apparent that a celebrity’s sexual orientation need not be career-damaging as it might have been in the past. Curious? You don’t have to be, for we have got you all covered. Grab a drink, have a look, and you sure will enjoy the read!
Sarah Paulson.
Paulson, in 2015 revealed herself as a lesbian at the Tony Awards. In the same year, in an interview with Pride Source, the actress highlighted her history of dating men and women but claimed she refuses to give any label to satisfy what people need. Likewise, in an interview with NoTofu, Paulson recalled the moment she mistakenly kissed her GF at the time, Cherry Jones, when she was awarded at an event.
Elliot Page.
The Juno star first came out as a gay at the Human Rights Campaign’s Time to Thrive Conference in 2014. Elliot, formerly known as Ellen Page, claimed he’s tired of hiding and lying by omission during her speech. They confessed to have suffered years of being scared to be out, but eventually, they’re triumphing. In 2020, Page shared they go by he/they pronouns.
— Elliot Page (@TheElliotPage) December 1, 2020
Ricky Martin.
Ricky Martin officially came out in 2010 via his blog. “I’m proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am,” he had written.
Sam Smith.
During an interview with the British GQ in 2019, Sam Smith came out as a non-binary. Smith claimed ever since he was a little human; he never felt comfortable being a man. He added: “I never did. Some days I’ve got my manly side, and some days, I’ve got my womanly side, but it’s when I’m in the middle of that switch that I get depressed and sad. Because I don’t know who I am or where I am, or what I’m doing, and I feel very misunderstood by myself. I realize that’s because I don’t fit into either.”
Today is a good day so here goes. I’ve decided I am changing my pronouns to THEY/THEM after a lifetime of being at war with my gender I’ve decided to embrace myself for who I am, inside and out... pic.twitter.com/IVoLTYbAWd
— samsmith (@samsmith) September 13, 2019
Lil Nas X.
Rapper Lil Nas X officially came out as gay during Pride Month 2019 using the release of his song titled ‘C7osure.’ Speaking to the Guardian; the Old Town Road confessed that “he had planned to die with the secret, but nothing was holding him back anymore.”
some of y’all already know, some of y’all don’t care, some of y’all not gone fwm no more. but before this month ends i want y’all to listen closely to c7osure.
Jojo Siwa.
17-Year-Old Siwa came out as gay on social media. The media influencer and singer first hinted at her sexuality in a clip to TikTok, where she lip-synced Lady’s Gaga’s ‘Born This Way.’ In January 2021, Jojo again confirmed it with a single photo on Instagram and Twitter. She had, in particular, posted a photo of herself putting on a shirt that reads: “Best. Gay. Cousin. Ever.”
My cousin got me a new shirt pic.twitter.com/DuHhgRto7b
— JoJo Siwa!(@itsjojosiwa) January 22, 2021
Cara Delevingne.
During The Goop podcast with Gwenyth Paltrow, Delevingne opened up about her sexuality, admitting that she felt suicidal when agreeing with her sexuality. “I didn’t know that was a thing and I think growing up, I wasn’t knowledgeable of the fact that I was homophobic. The idea of same-sex partners, I was disgusted by that in myself. I was like, ‘oh my God, I would never, and that’s disgusting, ugh.” Delevingne had explained.
Miley Cyrus.
Cyrus is pansexual, and she’s proud of it! In an interview with Variety, the singer claimed she never understood her gender, sexuality all her life and had hated the word, bisexual. But at 5th or 6th grade, her eyes opened, and that her first relationship was with a chick despite growing up in a religious Southern family. “The universe has always given me the power to know I’ll be OK. Even at the time, when my parents didn’t understand, I just felt that one day they are going to understand.” Cyrus explained.
Laverne Cox.
In an interview with Out in 2017, Cox revealed she has had two coming out. She knew she liked boys, so she came out as gay first. “I came out to my mom first as gay my sophomore year, and she freaked out. And then, when I came out to my mother as Trans a few years later, it was after I started my medical transition. She took that easier.” However, Cox said that her mom had issues with the pronoun thing and the name change.
Kristen Stewart.
Kristen first spoke of her sexuality via comedy skit amid hosting SNL in 2017, reading tweets about her made by Donald Trump. But later in an interview with The Guardian, Kristen, the Twilight actress, said: “The whole issue with sexuality is grey. I’m just trying to acknowledge that fluidity, that greyness, which has always existed.”
Tessa Thompson.
In response to rumors of dating singer Janelle Monae in 2018, Tessa Thompson came out as a bisexual. The actress is attracted to men and also to women. Speaking to Net-A-Porter, Tessa had shared: “Janelle and I love each other deeply. We’re so close; we vibrate on the same frequency. If people want to speculate about what we are, it doesn’t bother me.” Recently, Tessa was photographed in a three-way kiss with Rita Ora and Taika Waititi while filming the new Thor movie.
