Gay Actresses Who Are Atheists

Many Hollywood stars openly discuss their faith, but a growing number of actresses from the LGBTQ+ community have embraced atheism or secularism. These women often speak about finding meaning through human connection, art, and personal integrity rather than religious dogma. Some have left the faiths of their childhoods behind, while others were raised in non-religious households from the start. This list highlights talented performers who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or queer and have expressed a lack of belief in a higher power.

Jodie Foster

Foster has been in the public eye for decades and is known for her intellect as well as her acting ability. She publicly came out as gay in 2013 during a speech at the Golden Globe Awards after years of privacy regarding her personal life. The actress has stated in interviews that she is an atheist but still enjoys religious rituals and holidays for their cultural value. She emphasizes the importance of family traditions without the need for a theological belief system. Foster continues to be a respected figure in Hollywood for her directing and acting work.

Amber Heard

Heard has been open about her bisexuality throughout her career and has advocated for LGBTQ+ rights. She was raised in a Catholic household in Texas but began questioning her faith at a young age. The actress declared herself an atheist after losing a close friend in a car accident when she was sixteen. She has mentioned in interviews that she read the works of Ayn Rand and George Orwell which influenced her skeptical worldview. Heard maintains that her lack of belief allows her to take responsibility for her own actions and life choices.

Jane Lynch

Lynch is a celebrated comedian and actress known for her role in the musical comedy series ‘Glee’. She is a lesbian who has been an outspoken advocate for the gay community and equal rights. In various interviews and podcasts, she has described herself as an atheist or non-religious person who does not believe in a god. Lynch often approaches the topic with her signature humor and suggests that people can be good without divine intervention. Her career spans film, television, and theater where she brings her sharp wit to every performance.

Marlene Dietrich

Dietrich was a screen legend of the Golden Age of Hollywood who challenged gender norms with her androgynous style and bisexual relationships. She was born in Germany and became a staunch anti-Nazi activist during World War II. The actress lost her faith during the war after witnessing the devastation and suffering it caused. She wrote in her autobiography that she gave up belief in a god who could allow such tragedies to occur. Dietrich remained a secular humanist for the rest of her life and focused on her career and romantic freedoms.

Angelina Jolie

Jolie is a global superstar who has spoken openly about her bisexuality and relationships with women in the past. She is known for her extensive humanitarian work with refugees and her roles in action and dramatic films. When asked about the existence of God, she has stated that there does not need to be a god for her. The actress finds spirituality in her children and the people she meets through her work around the world. Her focus remains on tangible human rights issues rather than religious practice.

Kristen Stewart

Stewart identifies as bisexual and queer and has had high-profile relationships with both men and women. She gained massive fame from the ‘Twilight’ series but has since built a career in independent and arthouse cinema. The actress has described herself as not religious and has used terms like agnostic or atheist to define her stance. She prefers to keep her belief system flexible and grounded in her own experiences. Stewart often explores complex and unconventional characters that reflect her own non-conforming approach to life.

Aubrey Plaza

Plaza is a comedian and actress known for her deadpan humor and roles in sitcoms like ‘Parks and Recreation’. she came out as bisexual in 2016 and stated that she falls in love with girls and guys. In interviews and candid moments, she has mentioned that she does not believe in God. Plaza often plays dark or cynical characters that align with her skeptical public persona. She continues to be a unique voice in comedy who rejects traditional labels and expectations.

Sandi Toksvig

Toksvig is a British-Danish broadcaster and comedian who is a prominent lesbian figure in the entertainment industry. She is a dedicated humanist and a patron of Humanists UK which advocates for secularism. The presenter often discusses her atheism and believes that morality comes from human empathy rather than religious instruction. She co-founded the Women’s Equality Party and uses her platform to fight for social justice. Toksvig brings a rational and compassionate perspective to her work in television and radio.

Fiona Shaw

Shaw is a highly respected Irish actress known for her work in the ‘Harry Potter’ franchise and the series ‘Killing Eve’. She is a lesbian who has spoken about the difficulties of growing up in a strictly religious society. The actress has stated that she does not believe in God and finds the concept of atheism just as valid as theism. She focuses her energy on the power of imagination and the arts to transform human understanding. Shaw continues to deliver powerful performances on stage and screen.

Tig Notaro

Notaro is a stand-up comedian and actress who is famous for her dry delivery and honest storytelling. She is a lesbian who is married to actress Stephanie Allynne and they raise twin sons together. Notaro has addressed the topic of religion in her comedy by stating she is not a religious person and does not believe in a divine plan. She famously discussed her cancer diagnosis on stage with a raw and secular perspective on suffering and survival. Her work often highlights the absurdity of life without relying on spiritual platitudes.

Lily Tomlin

Tomlin is a comedy legend who has been with her partner Jane Wagner for decades before they legally married. She was raised in a Southern Baptist family but grew away from religion as she became an adult. The actress has described herself as irreligious and focuses her efforts on feminist and LGBTQ+ activism. She often uses her comedy to critique social norms and explore the human condition from a secular viewpoint. Tomlin remains a beloved figure who champions critical thinking and personal freedom.

Kate McKinnon

McKinnon was the first openly lesbian cast member on ‘Saturday Night Live’ and is known for her versatile impressions. She has been described in biographical profiles as secular or agnostic in her personal beliefs. The comedian often satirizes political and religious hypocrisy in her sketches. She grew up in a supportive family that encouraged her creativity and intellectual curiosity. McKinnon focuses on her craft and uses comedy to navigate complex social issues.

Miriam Margolyes

Margolyes is a veteran character actress with a prolific career in film and television including the ‘Harry Potter’ movies. She is a lesbian who has been with her partner for over fifty years and is known for her candid and often shocking interviews. The actress is Jewish by heritage but describes herself as an atheist who does not believe in God. She values her cultural identity while rejecting the supernatural claims of religion. Margolyes advocates for secular values and human rights with her trademark bluntness.

Anna Paquin

Paquin is an Academy Award-winning actress who has starred in the ‘X-Men’ franchise and the series ‘True Blood’. She came out as bisexual in 2010 and has been a vocal advocate for the erasure of bisexual identity. Profiles and interviews suggest she is non-religious and approaches life with a secular mindset. She focuses on her family and her work rather than public displays of faith. Paquin continues to take on challenging roles that explore the darker sides of human nature.

Sarah Paulson

Paulson is a celebrated actress known for her collaboration with Ryan Murphy on ‘American Horror Story’. She is in a long-term relationship with actress Holland Taylor and identifies as sexually fluid. The actress has stated that she was not brought up with religion and maintains a secular worldview. She believes in the power of human connection and the spiritual nature of art rather than organized religion. Paulson is admired for her intense and grounded performances.

Hannah Gadsby

Gadsby is an Australian comedian who gained international acclaim with her stand-up special ‘Nanette’. She is a lesbian who frequently discusses her experiences with homophobia and growing up in a conservative environment. Her work is deeply critical of the way religious institutions have treated the LGBTQ+ community. Gadsby uses her platform to challenge patriarchal and religious power structures through storytelling. She identifies as a humanist and focuses on truth and trauma in her performances.

Lea DeLaria

DeLaria is a comedian, actress, and jazz singer who is best known for her role in ‘Orange Is the New Black’. She was the first openly gay comic to appear on a late-night talk show in the early nineties. The actress is a staunch critic of the religious right and often mocks religious hypocrisy in her stand-up routines. She identifies as a secular progressive who fights for equality and freedom of expression. DeLaria uses her loud and proud persona to advocate for a society free from religious oppression.

Saffron Burrows

Burrows is a British-American actress known for her roles in ‘Troy’ and the series ‘Mozart in the Jungle’. She has identified as bisexual and has had relationships with both men and women. The actress was raised in a politically active socialist family where religion was not a central focus. She maintains a secular outlook and is involved in various social justice causes. Burrows often speaks about the importance of political activism and human rights over religious observance.

Carrie Brownstein

Brownstein is a musician and actress who co-created the sketch comedy series ‘Portlandia’. She is bisexual and has been a key figure in the riot grrrl music movement with her band Sleater-Kinney. The performer comes from a Jewish background but identifies as culturally Jewish rather than religious. Her work is characterized by a satirical look at modern liberal culture and secular lifestyles. Brownstein focuses on creativity and social commentary in her artistic endeavors.

Louise Brooks

Brooks was an iconic silent film star and dancer who symbolized the flapper generation of the 1920s. She was known for her sexually liberated lifestyle and had relationships with both men and women. In her later years she became a writer and lived a reclusive life where she expressed her lack of religious faith. She stated plainly that she had no religion and lived by her own moral code. Brooks remains a symbol of rebellious independence and secular modernity.

Please leave a comment to let us know which of these actresses has inspired you the most with their work or activism.