2024 has been a landmark year in LGBTQ+ representation, with a stunning array of celebrities coming out. These inspiring disclosures across entertainment, sports, and public life have boosted visibility, shattered stereotypes, and expanded societal acceptance.
Here’s a look at some of the trailblazers who’ve stepped into the light this year, showcasing the power of living authentically.
Bethany Antonia
Bethany Antonia, known for playing Baela Targaryen in House of the Dragon, was responding to racist trolls online when she decided to open up about her sexuality.
“Wait till they find out I’m gay too.”
Parvati Shallow
Parvati Shallow, famed Survivor contestant, rang in the New Year by publicly coming out and announcing her relationship with comedian Mae Martin. The couple shared their joy through a charming photo booth strip and a lively beachside Ferris wheel video, both embracing the caption: “We’re here. We’re queer. Happy new year.”
Tom Hollander
The versatile actor described his sexuality as “sufficiently liberal,” sparking discussions on sexual fluidity and personal identity.
“My own sexuality is sufficiently liberal to have encompassed many different experiences, which are not anyone’s business.”
Zoe Lister-Jones
Best known for her roles in Life in Pieces and Confirmation, Zoe took a significant step by openly identifying as queer.
“I’m here, I’m queer, I have some fear but I’m working through it.”
She arrived at the Spirit Awards in February with her partner, filmmaker Sammi Cohen.
Sophia Bush
Sophia Bush, famed for her role on One Tree Hill, openly shares her queer identity and her relationship with soccer star Ashlyn Harris in Glamour. At 41, Bush describes feeling a profound sense of freedom and joy, marking a fresh start and a new chapter in her life.
Reneé Rapp
Star Reneé Rapp made a bold statement on Saturday Night Live, proudly announcing she’s lesbian, after previously identifying as bisexual. This revelation sparked immense support from fans and a candid discussion about embracing one’s true self in the face of skepticism and challenges.
However, Reneé does not care about what the haters have to say. “If I say I’m a lesbian, I am a lesbian,” she tweeted, adding a sprinkle of sass to ward off the doubters, “I’ve had enough of you witches.”
Related | Reneé Rapp Calls Out Haters: “If I Say I’m a Lesbian I Am a Lesbian”
Matt Terry
This singer proudly declared his LGBTQIA+ identity, adding a vibrant note to the symphony of queer voices in the music industry.
Amanda Tori Meating
This charismatic star from RuPaul’s Drag Race season 16 came out as a trans woman, becoming a beacon of hope for the transgender community.
“[I was] in this environment for the first time where everyone’s calling me Amanda and not my government name, and realizing how good that felt, and I started to feel a bit more comfortable in the reformation of my identity.”
Madame LaQueer
Also from RuPaul’s Drag Race (season 4), she embraced her identity as a trans woman, using her platform to champion transgender visibility. She now goes by the name Cassie when outside of drag.
“It’s something I’ve been pondering for myself for years,” she told Entertainment Weekly. “It’s now or never…It’s never too late to come out and live your true experience and be yourself and be authentic. There’s nothing like feeling loved in your own skin.”
Colin Grafton
Known for his graceful moves on Dancing On Ice, Colin skated into the spotlight of queer representation by coming out as gay.
Erika Casupana
Erika Casupanan, the first Filipino Canadian Survivor winner, came out as a lesbian in a playful Instagram video. Fans and the LGBTQ+ community celebrated her, marking another first in her trailblazing journey. Fellow contestants and fans expressed joy and support for her revelation.
Grace Wilson
This Australian soccer powerhouse came out as non-binary, challenging traditional gender norms in sports. They became the first A-League soccer player in the country to come out as nonbinary. “It simply just means that my gender, and my perception of gender doesn’t fit into the Western standards of man or woman. And so, for me, personally, I don’t really feel like I’m anywhere near that.”
Sean Gunn
Zimbabwean Olympic swimmer Sean Gunn, 30, has courageously shared his journey of coming out as gay, admitting he struggled with telling his family for a long time. Gunn revealed that he first came out to his teammates at the University of Kentucky in the United States, where he moved in 2012 to study and compete in swimming. He found acceptance and support from his team and felt his friendships grew stronger. Gunn, who now lives in South Africa with his boyfriend, expressed gratitude for the love and acceptance he’s received from friends and family since coming out at age 27.
Daniel Bedingfield
Daniel Bedingfield, brother of Natasha Bedingfield, made a candid revelation during a recent performance at London Palladium on April 23, where he disclosed that his song ‘Borderline’ was penned about a former male love interest. The British singer-songwriter, known for hits like ‘Gotta Get Thru This,’ shared, “I wrote this song with a man I loved about a girl we both loved.”
Taylor Tomlinson
Comedian and late-night host Taylor Tomlinson recently came out as bisexual during her stand-up special “Taylor Tomlinson: Have It All.”
“So, anyway, I’ve been trying to figure out if I’m bisexual, or if I just binged Euphoria too fast,” she shared with her audience. Addressing the challenges of dating women, she humorously admitted, “I’ve been trying to date women, but it is so hard. I don’t know how to get women to like me.”
Jessica Madsen
Pride Month is kicking off with a bang, thanks to Bridgerton star Jessica Madsen. The actress, known for her role as Cressida Cowper on the hit show, has just revealed the leading lady in her life.
Madsen posted a joyful video on her Instagram stories, featuring herself adorned in rainbow-colored face jewels with her hair blowing in the wind. Her caption read, “In love with a woman, loud about it and proud about it!”
Last year, Madsen first opened up about her identity, sharing a post that read, “Bi the way…. Happy Pride month.” This year, her announcement about being in love with a woman received an outpouring of support, especially from her Bridgerton co-stars.
Jessica Gunning
British actress Jessica Gunning, star of Netflix’s Baby Reindeer, has come out publicly as gay. The 38-year-old actress, who plays the character Martha in the hit thriller-comedy series, shared her personal story during a recent podcast interview.
“I came out in November 2022. And that was a mega, mega thing for me,” she revealed. “I am surrounded by gays, like all my friends are gay, so it wasn’t that I was repressing anything, it was just that I didn’t think that I could be.
She continued, “I still can’t articulate it in the best way. But I realized I was a big, old gay. I was like, ‘That’s what it’s been, that’s what it is’. And that was like a massive moment where everything kind of clicked and I made sense of myself then.”
Chappell Roan
Chappell Roan, one of pop music’s freshest talents in recent years, delighted her fans with a bold update: “I’m a lesbian now,” she proudly declared in a video reposted by @subwaymp3. Formerly identifying as queer, Roan’s announcement sparked joy and celebration among her supporters.
“Some sh*t’s changed… but, b*tch, I hope you’re happy, cause I’m a lesbian now!”
Maren Morris
On June 9, the Grammy-winning artist took to Instagram, sharing photos from her Phoenix stop on the RSVP Redux Tour. Among the snaps was a picture of Morris waving a Pride Progress flag, accompanied by the caption: “Happy to be the B in LGBTQ+. Happy pride.”
Deshawn Radden
Survivor 41 runner-up Deshawn Radden celebrated Pride Month by coming out as a “queer Black man,” sharing, “I came out to my family and a few close friends a few years ago.” Reflecting on his journey, he navigated challenges reconciling his identity with faith but found strength in loved ones’ unconditional support. Overcoming fears of rejection, Radden now embraces his authentic self, grateful for the chance to live openly and wholly.
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