This decade has seen more celebrities than ever proudly coming out and flying the rainbow flag as members of the LGBTQ+ community. Yes, a person’s sexual preference or gender identity should no longer be headline news, but the impact of these stars discussing their experiences on such a public scale cannot be overstated for those who are struggling to accept their authentic selves. Here, we round up all the stars who proudly – and publicly – came out in 2021 and inspired a whole new generation of queer youth in the process.
Abigail Thorn
Known for: YouTuber
Identifies as: Transgender woman
“My existing following means I have now instantly become one of the most recognisable trans people in the country.”
Read the full story here.
Alexandra Shipp
Known for: Actor
Identifies as: Queer
“I was scared I wasn’t going to be able to get work. I was scared no one would ever love me. Scared. Scared. Scared. It’s exhausting being scared all the time. It’s exhausting chasing other people’s ideas and opinions of who you should be.”
Read the full story here.
Aquinas
Known for: Rapper
Identifies as: Bisexual
“In our society, LGBTQ+ people are still discriminated against and criticized. I thought that if I made this confession at a young age, LGBT people would gain courage and be comforted.”
Read the full story here.
Becky Hill
Known for: Musician
Identifies as: Queer
“I’ve definitely felt uncomfortable branding myself as straight, or anything else for that matter, but queer seems to be the most fitting identity for who I am.”
Read the full story here.
Carl Nassib
Known for: NFL player
Identifies as: Gay
“I just wanted to take a quick moment to say that I’m gay. I’ve been meaning to do this for a while now but I finally feel comfortable enough to get it off my chest.”
Read the full story here.
Cara Cunningham
Known for: Social media personality and “Leave Britney Alone” creator
Identifies as: Transgender woman
“I am transitioning and I have no more apologies to make for who I am.”
Read the full story here.
Cassandra Peterson/Elvira
Known for: Actress
Identifies as: LGBTQ+
“For the first time in my life, I’m with someone who makes me feel safe, blessed, and truly loved.”
Read the full story here.
Colton Underwood
Known for: Television personality
Identifies as: Gay
“I would rather have died than say I’m gay, and that was sort of my wake up call.”
Read the full story here.
Corey Walsh
Known for: BMX rider
Identifies as: Gay
“If you were to tell me a year ago that today was going to be the day where I said fuck it and let the world in on my personal life I would have told you that’s never going to happen.”
Read the full story here.
Courtney Stodden
Known for: Model and singer
Identifies as: Non-binary
“I was afraid I would be ignored because I present as high-femme non-binary.”
Read the full story here.
Chimago
Known for: Singer
Identifies as: Gay
“It is the first time I am expressing myself in a song. You really get to know who Chimano is and that is a heavy crown to carry. It is just a representation of the underground ballroom culture within the queer community… which I am part of.”
Read the full story here.
Chris Stuckmann
Known for: YouTuber and film critic
Identifies as: Pansexual
“If you don’t know what pansexuality is, essentially you are attracted to all genders, and that’s me.”
Read the full story here.
David Archuleta
Known for: Singer
Identifies as: Gay
“You can be part of the LGBTQIA+ community and still believe in God and his gospel plan.”
Read the full story here.
Demi Lovato
Known for: Singer and actor
Identifies as: Pansexual and non-binary
“Yeah, pansexual. I like anything, really. I heard someone call the LGBTQIA+ community the alphabet mafia. That’s it! That’s what I’m going with.”
Read the full story here.
Dehenna Davison
Known for: Tory MP
Identifies as: Bisexual
“If anyone were to explicitly ask me, I certainly wouldn’t try and hide it because I don’t think it’s anything to be ashamed of.”
Read the full story here.
Devin Ibañez
Known for: Rugby player
Identifies as: Gay
“I will proudly call myself “that gay rugger” in hopes that one day it won’t sound strange in men’s rugby.”
Read the full story here.
Eduardo Leite
Known for: Politician
Identifies as: Gay
“I have nothing to hide, I am gay. I am a governor who is gay, not a gay governor.”
Read the full story here.
Ella Hunt
Known for: Actress
Identifies as: Queer
“When the interviewer asked me directly if I was queer I got anxious and fumbled my answer (having not openly talked about my identity for long).”
Read the full story here.
Emma Corrin
Known for: Actress
Identifies as: Queer
“ur fave queer bride”.
Read the full story here.
Ezra Furman
Known for: Musician
Identifies as: Transgender woman
“I am very proud to be a trans woman and to have come to know it and be able to say it. This has not been an easy journey.”
Read the full story here.
Gabbi Tuft
Known for: WWE star
Identifies as: Transgender woman
“I am no longer afraid and I am no longer fearful. I can now say with confidence, that I love myself for WHO I am.”
Read the full story here.
Gigi Goode
Known for: Drag queen
Identifies as: Transgender and non-binary
“I identify as a trans/nonbinary person and I prefer she/her pronouns.”
Read the full story here.
Gigi Gorgeous
Known for: YouTube
Identifies as: Transgender and Pansexual
Though coming out as transgender years ago, it was only this year that Gigi Gorgeous came out as pansexual.
Hayley Vernon
Known for: Married At First Sight Australia
Identifies as: Bisexual
“It was only after [Married at First Sight that] I was confident enough to explore my sexuality.”
Read the full story here.
Hikaru Utada
Known for: Singer
Identifies as: Non-binary
Hugh Sheridan
Known for: Actor
Identifies as: Bisexual and non-binary
“I am still a human (non binary/bi/me/Hughman) but I’m in a monogamous relationship with another human, who I love.”
Read the full story here.
Irma Testa
Known for: Boxer
Identifies as: Queer
“I’m not saying I’m a lesbian because there can also be a man in my future. Since I was a little girl I have been attracted to women, but sometimes I have also felt it to men.”
Read the full story here.
Jack Dunne
Known for: Rugby player
Identifies as: Bisexual
“It’s definitely on my mind that people could be like, he is the bisexual rugby player, instead of – he is a bisexual who plays rugby. But at the same time, maybe there are some kids across the country who could do with a role model.”
Read the full story here.
Jack Dylan Grazer
Known for: Actor
Identifies as: Bisexual
“Are you gay? I’m biiii.”
Read the full story here.
Jen Atkin
Known for: Miss Great Britain winner
Identifies as: Bisexual
“I could meet the woman of my dreams tomorrow and be with her for the rest of my life happily. But guys just have this porn image in their head. Just because I’m bi that doesn’t mean I want a threesome with everyone.”
Read the full story here.
Josh Cavallo
Known for: Footballer
Identifies as: Gay
“There’s something personal that I need to share with everyone. I am a footballer and I am gay.”
Read the full story here.
Jojo Siwa
Known for: YouTube personality and entertainer
Identifies as: LGBTQ+
“My cousin got me a new shirt.”
Read the full story here.
Joshua Bassett
Known for: Actor and singer
Identifies as: LGBTQ+
“I’m happy to be a part of the LGBTQ+ community because they embrace all. Don’t let anyone tell you love isn’t love. They’re the ones who probably need it the most.”
Read the full story here.
Julian Morris
Known for: Actor
Identifies as: LGBTQ+
He wrote under an Instagram post of him and his boyfriend, “18 years together, and they were the best ones because they were with you. I love you.”
Read the full story here.
Kal Penn
Known for: Actor and former White House staff member
Identifies as: Gay
“There’s no timeline on this stuff. People figure their s**t out at different times in their lives, so I’m glad I did when I did.”
Read the full story here.
Kaylee Bryant
Known for: Actor
Identifies as: Queer
“Hi. My name is Kaylee and I’m queer!”
Read the full story here.
Kehlani
Known for: Singer
Identifies as: Lesbian
Though being a big member within the LGBTQ+ community for some time, this year Kehlani spoke out on how she finally realised she was a lesbian on an Instagram live with her friends.
Kieran Lovegrove
Known for: Baseball player
Identifies as: Bisexual
“Baseball is a game of statistics. And if you want to tell me that I’m the only queer person in baseball, I’m just not going to agree with you.”
Read the full story here.
Krys Marshall
Known for: Actor
Identifies as: Pansexual
“Once upon a time, a Pan-girl and a Straight-boy met and fell in love. They got married and lived happily ever after. The end.”
Read the full story here.
Laganja Estranja
Known for: Dancer and drag queen
Identifies as: Transgender
“I am so proud to identify as TRANS and to be living my truth. Happy PRIDE, you are beautiful as you are.”
Read the full story here.
Larry Saperstein
Known for: Actor
Identifies as: Bisexual
“Is it really that unexpected tho.”
Read the full story here.
Lily Cole
Known for: Supermodel
Identifies as: Queer
“Had my mixed-race daughter been born in a different country, she would have been a crime. If I were living in another country today, my queerness would be a crime.”
Read the full story here.
Lio Tipton
Known for: Actor and model
Identifies as: Non-binary
“Hi. My name is Lio. my pronouns are they/them. I am proud to announce I am queer and I identify as non-binary.”
Read the full story here.
Luke Prokop
Known for: NHL player
Identifies as: Gay
“Today I am proud to publicly tell everyone that I am gay.”
Read the full story here.
Maddie Hasson
Known for: Actress
Identifies as: Bisexual
“Hi, I’m bi and proud!”
Read the full story here.
Mae Whitman
Known for: Actress
Identifies as: Pansexual
“I know ppl might be unfamiliar with what pansexual means; for me it means I know I can fall in love with people of all genders.”
Read the full story here.
Marco Lehmann
Known for: Basketball player
Identifies as: Gay
“This is for the future generations so they can live a free sporting life without hiding.”
Read the full story here.
Marvin Cortes
Known for: Supermodel
Identifies as: Gay
“I’ve been in love with both men and women and I’ve been proud to be apart of the gay community in my personal life and now I want to share publicly.”
Read the full story here.
Matilda Freeman
Known for: Actor
Identifies as: Bisexual
“Can I just say – thank you for all the love and support I’ve received after making my sexuality aware on my socials.”
Read the full story here.
Mr Grim
Known for: Professional wrestler
Identifies as: Pansexual
“For years, I’ve struggled with my identity. Too worried about how others would feel or think about me. I’ve finally gained the courage to openly express that I’m pansexual.”
Read the full story here.
Nats Getty
Known for: Model and activist
Identifies as: Transgender and non-binary
“I am transgender, non-binary. I have spent my entire life not in sync with the body I was born with and confined by an outward appearance that did not match my mind or my soul.”
Read the full story here.
Nikki Hiltz
Known for: Middle distance runner
Identifies as: Transgender non-binary
“I’m Nikki and I’m transgender. That means I don’t identify with the gender I was assigned at birth.”
Read the full story here.
Olivia Ponton
Known for: Model and TikToker
Identifies as: Bisexual
“I want to announce that I’m bisexual, and I’m now proud to be a part of the LGBTQ+ community.”
Read the full story here.
Raymond Gutierrez
Known for: TV host
Identifies as: Gay
“I’m here to formally say that I am a proud member of the LGBTQ community. And it feels great saying that publicly because I am.”
Read the full story here.
Roberto Manrique
Known for: Actor
Identifies as: Gay
“It had never seemed important to me to say that I am homosexual because I never considered that to be relevant.”
Read the full story here.
Ronen Rubinstein
Known for: Actor
Identifies as: Bisexual
“I fully identify as bisexual. I literally just got goosebumps saying that. It feels so good to talk about it, it feels so good to finally be comfortable with it.”
Read the full story here.
Shakina Nayfack
Known for: Actress and transgender activist
Identifies as: Non-binary
“I always felt “non-binary” was implicit in my identity.”
Read the full story here.
Shawn Bennett
Known for: WWE Referee
Identifies as: Gay
“I didn’t come to my own full realization about myself until early 20s. That’s when I knew it was the way of life that would make me happy. As cliche as it sounds, I feel I was born this way.”
Read the full story here.
T.J. Osborne
Known for: Country singer
Identifies as: Gay
“At this point, my happiness is more valuable than anything else I’d ever be able to achieve.”
Read the full story here.
Theo Carow
Known for: TikTok
Identifies as: Bisexual
“Hi, this is an official statement.”
Read the full story here.
Tommy Dorfman
Known for: Actor
Identifies as: Transgender woman
“Today is about clarity: I am a trans woman. My pronouns are she/her. My name is Tommy.”
Read the full story here.
Trisha Paytas
Known for: YouTuber and singer
Identifies as: Non-binary
“They/them is my preferred at the moment. I really adore u. Thank u for this.”
Read the full story here.
Uche Maduagwu
Known for: Actor
Identifies as: Gay
“Don’t let anybody intimidate you. I be gay, I be no herdsman, and I am proud.”
Read the full story here.
Vesta Lugg
Known for: Singer
Identifies as: Bisexual
“I think sexuality is fluid. And perhaps more as a child, from the information I had, I assumed that as I was always with men, therefore I was straight.”
Read the full story here.
Yetide Badaki
Known for: Actress
Identifies as: Bisexual
“I always say that regression comes from repression. When you’re actually able to face whatever it is, that’s when growth and evolution can occur.”
Read the full story here.
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