8 Famous Actors You Probably Didn’t Know Were LGBTQ+
Even though LGBTQ+ representation in film and television has improved over the years, the community has a long way to go. However, there have been some notable figures who have come out and used their platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, such as Penny Marshall, who publicly identified as a lesbian in her memoir released in 2012. Her openness about her sexual orientation helped to further normalize LGBTQ+ identities in mainstream media.
Thankfully, many of today's LGBTQ+ celebrities aren't overly pressured by the media and social critics when they decide to acknowledge themselves as LGBTQ+. It increased the visibility of LGBTQ+ celebrities matters. Celebs speaking openly about their identity and experiences can help destigmatize LGBTQ+ identities and boost the self-esteem of LGBTQ+ people by citing that there are successful stars with the same identity out there.
In this post, we look closer at some of the more unexpected LGBTQ+ revelations you might not know. Celebs are human beings, after all, they have secrets and stories that they want to sound off as well as need sympathy and encouragement. For example, Penny Marshall's public coming out as a lesbian in her memoir was a brave and unexpected revelation that shed light on the diversity of experiences within the LGBTQ+ community. These actors are parts of the LGBTQ community.
#1. Scott Evans
Source: Kristin Callahan/ACE Pictures/Shutterstock
Scott Evans is most famous for his recurring role on ABC’s soap opera One Life to Live. On the show, he played a gay police officer, Oliver Fish. Scott Evans never felt the need to announce his sexual orientation. He was actually publicly outed by his brother, Chris Evans. In 2009, in an interview, Chris detailed how his brother came out to him when they were hanging out alone in New York City. His friends were all horrified, so Chris was incredibly fearful that his brother would be upset.
Scott, though, couldn’t care less. He said he was happy that his brother was not ashamed of him and felt proud enough to talk about it even in interviews freely.
#2. Aubrey Plaza
Source: BY ALBERTO E. RODRIGUEZ/GETTY IMAGES
The Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates star revealed that she falls in love with both men and women. “I know I have an androgynous thing going on, and there’s something masculine about my energy” Plaza said. “I fall in love with girls and guys. I can’t help it.”
Plaza said she recognized that by age 12 she had found a home in community theater, which allowed her to let her “freak flag fly”. Her family has always been open about sexuality. Her younger sister is a lesbian, and Plaza has a pretty strong following in the LGBT community.
#3. Luke Evans
Source: Jordan Xinger-Xanger
"I am proud and happy, and I've lived a very big life that I'm super happy with," the Beauty and the Beast star responds to claims that he was 'hiding' his sexuality: 'I've never been ashamed".
Evans also offered his advice to young people in the LGBTQ community: "You can be happy with yourself and you can also be whoever you want. You can have any career you want, and nothing should dictate what you do because of your sexuality."
#4. Rita Ora
Source: Girls
Singer Rita Ora revealed that she was not scared to come out as bisexual especially after releasing her controversial song Girls which she received major backlash for. Rita said that she expected people’s surprised reactions.
The singer also expressed much of her gratitude to the LGBTQ+ community, stating that she wouldn’t be where she is today and that she had hoped that Girls would help those who are struggling to come out.
#5. Ian McKellen
Source: Kirsty Wigglesworth/Getty
It's 30 years since Sir Ian McKellen - the famous UK actor came out. He now spends a lot of his time going to schools across the country, including Bolton School, giving talks on what it was like to grow up when being gay was illegal. One thing he regrets is not coming out to his father, though he knew his father would have accepted and loved him.
#6. Tesa Thompson
Source: Getty / Axelle / Bauer-Griffin / FilmMagic
"That's been tremendous," Tessa Thompson said of the response from her LGBTQ fans after she opened up about her sexuality back in 2018. The Thor: Love and Thunder star opened up about how publicly coming out as bisexual empowered other members of her community to do the same. There was a rumor about her relationship with Janelle Monáe.
#7. Andrew Scott
Source: Prada
Fleabag star Andrew Scott doesn’t want to be referred to as “openly gay”. He says the term does not reflect who he is. Scott also dismissed the idea that LGBTQ actors can’t play heterosexual roles. He came out in an interview back in 2013.
#8. Taylor Schilling
Source: netflix
The Orange is the New Black star revealed her girlfriend via Instagram in 2020. According to reports, Ritz is a music artist who met Schilling through mutual friends. They began to date in 2019. Afterward, the actress has yet to place a label on her sexuality.
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