Gay acters
Our roundup of some of the most famous gay actors of all second who are proudly flying the flag for our incredible LGBTQ community.
Representation, whether plain as a bad eyebrow occupation or as subtle as a carefully coordinated outfit, is slowly but surely growing for the LGBTQ+ community in Hollywood.
More and more actors are coming out and opening up about their gender, emboldened by the lesser potential for backlash aimed in their direction. While some prefer to maintain their privacy – not out of fear but out of “God, the paparazzi are getting on my nerves about this!” – others proudly declare engagements, display breakups for all the world to watch, and post their vacation snaps featuring their beloved partners – and sometimes kids too!
We still aren't where we need to be when it comes to equal treatment and opportunity for a lot of folks in Illustrate Business but with the list of openly famous same-sex attracted stars growing each year and the support for them following suit, it's only a matter of time before the score evens out.
1. Sir Ian McKellen
We dare you to detect someone who doesn’t adore Ian McKellen. Go on… we’ll wait.
Even the for
For many, June represents the month of pride; a time to celebrate, teach and communicate all that is queer, gay and fabulous. Although today existence gay isn’t much of a deal, back in the 50’s it was a dangerous label to have. Throughout history, thousands have lost their lives because they were labeled as ‘gay’ or ‘queer’ and many lived out their true sexual preferences in secrecy. As it’s almost the end of Pride month, I wanted to have a see at some celebrities from the golden age of Hollywood who were male lover, or at least thats what the rumours said. It’s difficult to realize if all these celebrities, and of course many more, were truly male lover, but I wanted to share a few stories just so see how far we’ve come. Glad pride everyone.
*Disclaimer: Please note that some of the following stories may depict graphic descriptions and behaviours which some readers may find disturbing. Discretion is advised.
Katherine Hepburn
Iconic Hollywood actress and Academy Award-winning performer in films such as Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, The Lion in Winter, and On Golden Pond, Katherine Hepburn reportedly had an insatiable
It's been an ~interesting~ journey for queer people in the movie and television industry. Once upon a time, gay and woman-loving woman actors, specifically, had to stay in the closet, and there were next-to-no gay parts on screen.
The idea that openly lgbtq+ actors can play het characters is a relatively new phenomenon. Previously, out gay actors could only really work when roles for them a) existed, and b) weren't organism given to heterosexual actors.
Now it seems much more acceptable for an openly gay actor play a straight character. In reality, here are 18 times an actor has played a straight character on screen, despite being openly gay or queer in real life...
4.Andrew Scott as The Priest in Fleabag
5.Amandla Stenberg as Ruby Daly in The Darkest Minds
6.Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton in Bridgerton
7.B.D. Wong as Wally Lin in Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens
8.Portia de Rossi as Lindsay Bluth Funke in Arrested Development
9.Ben Platt as Evan Hansen in the Dear Evan Hansen movie
10.Justice Smith as Simon Aumar in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
11.Luke Evans as Gaston in Beauty and the Beast
12.Ben Whishaw as Michael Banks in
119 Out LGBTQ Performers Altering the Face of Hollywood in the 21st Century
Editor’s note: This list was originally published in June 2018, and has been updated multiple times since to reflect new comings outs and groundbreaking LGBTQ castings. It could never and will never be complete, but we expectation it reflects the modifying face of Hollywood as we bid hello to Pride 2024.
With LGBTQ stories in filmand on TV more popular than ever before, it’s important to celebrate out-and-proud acting talents — particularly those without the non-binary awards’ categories they deserve.
In 2024, the mention of Hollywood is unsure to say the least. But even as existential questions about the business of making entertainment persist, audiences and artists are grappling with equally critical questions of representation on screen. Among those questions: should queer roles be played exclusively by lgbtq+ actors?
It’s an evolving conversation, getting at the very core of what makes the art of acting, well, acting. Last year, the industry’s resident pleasant guy Tom Hanks gave an answer in regards to his Oscar-recognized role in 1993’s “Philadelphia.”
“Let’s speak to
Top 20 Famous Same-sex attracted Actors of Hollywood 2024 [LGBTQ+ Icons]
Ian McKellen
Ian McKellen is an acclaimed performer known for his versatile performances on stage and screen. Beyond his acting prowess, McKellen is also recognized for his activism, particularly in LGBTQIA+ rights. His career did not suffer post-coming out. Instead, it flourished, with McKellen taking on a range of more emotionally resonant roles that resonated with audiences worldwide. McKellen came out during a BBC radio broadcast in 1988 as an execute of protest against Section 28, a proposed law in the UK that sought to prohibit the "promotion of homosexuality." His spontaneous revelation was a bold move during a time when gay rights faced significant legal and societal challenges. Reflecting on the impact of his coming out, McKellen noted that it changed his life "for the better," boosting his relationships, personal satisfaction, and even his approach to acting, allowing him to embody characters with greater authenticity.
Ian McKellen's contributions to LGBTQIA+ culture and history extend far beyond his personal coming out story. He co-founded Stonewall, a UK-based LGBTQIA+ rights organiz
119 Out LGBTQ Performers Altering the Face of Hollywood in the 21st Century
Editor’s note: This list was originally published in June 2018, and has been updated multiple times since to reflect new comings outs and groundbreaking LGBTQ castings. It could never and will never be complete, but we expectation it reflects the modifying face of Hollywood as we bid hello to Pride 2024.
With LGBTQ stories in filmand on TV more popular than ever before, it’s important to celebrate out-and-proud acting talents — particularly those without the non-binary awards’ categories they deserve.
In 2024, the mention of Hollywood is unsure to say the least. But even as existential questions about the business of making entertainment persist, audiences and artists are grappling with equally critical questions of representation on screen. Among those questions: should queer roles be played exclusively by lgbtq+ actors?
It’s an evolving conversation, getting at the very core of what makes the art of acting, well, acting. Last year, the industry’s resident pleasant guy Tom Hanks gave an answer in regards to his Oscar-recognized role in 1993’s “Philadelphia.”
“Let’s speak to
Top 20 Famous Same-sex attracted Actors of Hollywood 2024 [LGBTQ+ Icons]
Ian McKellen
Ian McKellen is an acclaimed performer known for his versatile performances on stage and screen. Beyond his acting prowess, McKellen is also recognized for his activism, particularly in LGBTQIA+ rights. His career did not suffer post-coming out. Instead, it flourished, with McKellen taking on a range of more emotionally resonant roles that resonated with audiences worldwide. McKellen came out during a BBC radio broadcast in 1988 as an execute of protest against Section 28, a proposed law in the UK that sought to prohibit the "promotion of homosexuality." His spontaneous revelation was a bold move during a time when gay rights faced significant legal and societal challenges. Reflecting on the impact of his coming out, McKellen noted that it changed his life "for the better," boosting his relationships, personal satisfaction, and even his approach to acting, allowing him to embody characters with greater authenticity.
Ian McKellen's contributions to LGBTQIA+ culture and history extend far beyond his personal coming out story. He co-founded Stonewall, a UK-based LGBTQIA+ rights organiz