There is no one right way to come out, and many celebrities have used creative and unique ways to publicly share their sexual orientation or gender identity with the public. When high-profile individuals come out as gay, it helps to increase visibility and representation for the LGBTQ+ community, this visibility can help to challenge harmful stereotypes and promote understanding and acceptance of queer people.
Celebrities coming out as gay can also help to break down stereotypes about the LGBTQ+ community and normalize the LGBTQ+ experience, making it more mainstream. It shows that sexual orientation and gender identity are not limited by any particular type of person or career. It also helps to dispel the notion that being LGBTQ+ is something to be ashamed of or that it is a barrier to success, creating a culture of acceptance and inclusion, and inspiring others to become allies and advocates. Here's how these celebrities uniquely came out as gay...
7 How Noah Schnapp Came Out In Signature Gen Z Style
Noah Schnapp, the actor best known for his role as Will Byers in the Netflix series Stranger Things, came out as gay in a Tiktok video posted on January 5. The actor posted a video of himself lip-syncing to a viral sound, sharing how his family reacted to the news of him coming out. The on-screen text of the video read: “When I finally told my friends and family I was gay after being scared in the closet for 18 years, and all they said was we know.”
The video also shows him lip-syncing a viral TikTok sound: “You know what it never was? That serious. It was never that serious. Quite frankly, it will never be that serious.” He captioned the video with the words: "I guess I'm more similar to Will (his on-screen Stranger Things character) than I thought," referencing the popular fan theory that Will Byers is in love with character Mike Wheeler on the show.
Schnapp's announcement was widely celebrated by the LGBTQ+ community and allies, who praised him for his bravery in coming out and for using his platform to raise awareness surrounding queer issues. Many saw his coming out as a significant moment for the representation of LGBTQ+ people in the entertainment industry, particularly for young people.
Earlier in Stranger Things‘ history, Schnapp declined to reveal his character’s sexuality, speaking to Variety, he said: “I find that people do reach to put a label on him and just want to know, so badly… He’s just confused and growing up. And that’s what it is to be a kid."
6 Lil Nas X Came Out As Gay Through A Tweet Posted On Pride Month
The Grammy award-winning rapper and singer came out as gay in 2019 on the last day of Pride Month, through a Tweet posted on Twitter, that read: "Some of y'all already know, some of y'all don't care, some of y'all not gone f--- with me no more. But before this month ends, I want y'all to listen closely to c7osure (a song released on his second EP)."
The following day, he posted another Tweet that showcased the cover artwork of his second EP titled "7". Zooming in on the skyscrapers in the background, a rainbow was projected on them, which is the symbol of gay pride. The tweet read: "Deadass thought I made it obvious."
Lil Nas X's announcement was widely praised, many saw his coming out as a significant moment for the representation of black queer people in the music industry, and a positive step forward for the LGBTQ+ representation as a whole.
5 Wentworth Miller Came Out In A Public Letter Slamming Russia's Anti-LGBT Laws
Wentworth Miller, the actor best known for his role as Michael Scofield in the popular TV show Prison Break came out as gay in 2013. He did so in a public letter declining an invitation to attend a film festival in Russia, when the largest country in the world was in the midst of passing anti-LGBTQ+ laws.
In his letter addressed to the public, Miller wrote about his own experiences growing up as a gay man and the difficulties he faced, and also spoke out against the Russian government's treatment of its LGBTQ+ citizens.
The letter read: "As someone who has enjoyed visiting Russia and can also claim a degree of Russian ancestry, it would make me happy to say yes. However, as a gay man, I must decline. I am deeply troubled by the current attitude 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."
Miller's announcement was well received by many in the LGBTQ+ community, who praised him for using his platform to raise awareness about the situation in Russia and to support the community. His letter was widely shared on social media and was seen as an important moment in the visibility of LGBTQ+ celebrities.
4 Raven Symoné Came Out As A Lesbian Through A Tweet Celebrating Gay Marriage
The actress and singer came out as a lesbian through a Tweet posted in 2013, the Tweet read: "I can finally get married! Yay government! So proud of you." The Tweet was in reference to the US Supreme Court's decision to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act, which had previously defined marriage as only being between a man and a woman.
Her Tweet was seen as a brave and celebratory moment in the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights. It helped to bring the issue of gay marriage into the mainstream media and sparked discussions about the importance of equality for all people, regardless of their sexual orientation.
3 Zachary Quinto Came Out In An Interview With New York Magazine
Zachary Quinto, the actor best known for his role in Star Trek and Heroes, came out as gay in a 2011 interview with New York Magazine. In the interview, Quinto discussed his own experiences growing up as a gay man and the challenges he faced.
He also spoke about the importance of role models in the entertainment industry, saying: "As a gay man, it made me feel like there's still so much work to be done, and there's still so many things that need to be looked at and addressed. 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,"
Quinto's announcement was well received by many in the LGBTQ+ community, who praised him for being open and honest about his sexuality. His coming out was widely covered by the media and was seen as a significant moment in the visibility of LGBTQ+ actors in Hollywood.
2 Ellen DeGeneres Came Out As A Lesbian During An Episode Of Her Hit Sitcom
The comedian and talk show host came out as gay in 1997 during the fourth season of her self-titled sitcom, Ellen. In the now-famous "Puppy Episode," DeGeneres's character, Ellen Morgan, came out as a lesbian to her therapist, played by Oprah Winfrey. This was a significant moment in queer history because it was one of the first times that a lead character on a mainstream television show had come out as gay.
Ellen DeGeneres's coming out as gay was a landmark moment in the visibility of LGBTQ+ people in the entertainment industry and was widely seen as a positive step forward for the community. Over the years, she has become one of the most influential figures in the LGBTQ+ community.
1 RuPaul Is Recognized For His Trailblazing Work In The Art Of Drag
The drag queen and television personality came out as gay in the early 1990s. His coming out was part of a larger cultural shift towards greater visibility and acceptance of LGBTQ+ people in the United States. Over the years, RuPaul has become one of the most recognizable figures in the community, known for his trailblazing work in the drag queen scene and for using his platform to raise awareness regarding LGBTQ+ causes.
His Emmy award-winning show RuPaul's Drag Race has helped to challenge traditional gender norms and stereotypes, through its representation of drag queens, and its emphasis on individuality, self-expression, and creativity. The show has helped to promote greater acceptance and understanding of gender diversity.
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