Actresses Who Came Out as LGBTQ+ & the Fans Loved It

Coming out can reshape the way a public figure is seen and understood, and it can also give context to the stories they choose to tell. The actresses below shared their identities in different ways and at different times, from onstage speeches to thoughtful interviews and social posts. Their announcements connected to long careers across film and television and often lined up with advocacy that continued off camera.

Each profile includes when they publicly came out, along with key roles and milestones that show how their careers kept moving forward. You will find awards, notable projects, and public projects that highlight how they use their platforms. Titles of films and shows are in single quotes so you can quickly spot where you have seen them.

Kristen Stewart

Kristen Stewart spoke about her sexuality in interviews and said she was gay during a live monologue on a major sketch show in early 2017. She later confirmed her engagement to screenwriter Dylan Meyer and has discussed choosing queer roles and collaborators.
Her film work includes ‘Twilight’, ‘Clouds of Sils Maria’, and ‘Spencer’, which brought significant awards recognition. She has also directed short work and music videos and continues to develop independent projects alongside studio films.

Sarah Paulson

Sarah Paulson has been open about her relationships and has spoken publicly about dating women since early in her career. Her relationship with actress Holland Taylor became public in 2015.
Paulson’s credits span anthology TV and prestige limited series, including ‘American Horror Story’, ‘The People v. O.J. Simpson’, and ‘Ratched’. She has won major awards for her portrayal of Marcia Clark and regularly headlines film and television projects.

Cynthia Nixon

Cynthia Nixon publicly acknowledged her same sex relationship in the mid 2000s and married education activist Christine Marinoni in 2012. She has also run for public office in New York and has long supported education and equality initiatives.
On screen she is known for ‘Sex and the City’ and ‘And Just Like That’. Her stage career includes multiple Broadway roles, and she has earned top theater honors in addition to television accolades.

Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster addressed her private life in a widely watched awards speech in 2013 and later married photographer Alexandra Hedison in 2014. She had discussed privacy for many years and then marked a clear public moment about her family.
Her career includes ‘The Silence of the Lambs’, ‘Contact’, and ‘The Accused’, along with directing credits such as episodes of ‘Black Mirror’. She continues to alternate between acting and directing in film and television.

Kate McKinnon

Kate McKinnon has been openly gay since before joining network television and became the first openly lesbian woman in the ensemble of ‘Saturday Night Live’. She thanked trailblazers in a televised tribute that referenced a historic sitcom episode about coming out.
Her screen work includes ‘Saturday Night Live’, ‘Ghostbusters’, and ‘Barbie’. She has won multiple television awards for sketch performance and has appeared in limited series and voice roles.

Jane Lynch

Jane Lynch has long identified as gay in interviews and public appearances, and she married psychologist Lara Embry in 2010 before later divorcing. She has hosted major award shows and game shows and remains active on stage.
Lynch is widely known for ‘Glee’ and ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’, along with films like ‘Best in Show’. She has earned multiple Emmys and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Lily Tomlin

Lily Tomlin publicly discussed her relationship with writer Jane Wagner and married her in 2013 after decades together. She has supported LGBTQ organizations and arts funding throughout her career.
Tomlin’s screen work includes ‘Grace and Frankie’, ‘9 to 5’, and ‘Nashville’. She holds a rare combination of Emmy, Grammy, and Tony awards and continues to headline film and television projects.

Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen DeGeneres came out in 1997 in a magazine interview and on her sitcom in a landmark episode often called ‘The Puppy Episode’. She married actress Portia de Rossi in 2008 and has supported numerous causes through her production company and foundation.
As an actress and host, DeGeneres led ‘Ellen’ and later ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’. She voiced Dory in ‘Finding Nemo’ and ‘Finding Dory’ and has produced scripted and unscripted series.

Portia de Rossi

Portia de Rossi publicly discussed her sexuality in interviews in the mid 2000s and married Ellen DeGeneres in 2008. She has authored a memoir that covers her career and personal life.
De Rossi is known for ‘Arrested Development’ and ‘Scandal’. She has served in leadership roles at her art venture and has stepped back from acting at times to focus on business and philanthropy.

Anna Paquin

Anna Paquin came out as bisexual in 2010 through a campaign video that supported equality efforts and later spoke about it in interviews. She has continued to address bisexual visibility in public posts.
Her screen work spans ‘The Piano’, ‘X-Men’, and ‘True Blood’. She has produced independent films and television projects and remains active in both studio and indie spaces.

Evan Rachel Wood

Evan Rachel Wood came out as bisexual in 2012 on social media and later testified publicly about abuse while advocating for survivor protections. She has worked with organizations focused on domestic violence legislation.
Wood’s credits include ‘Thirteen’, ‘Across the Universe’, and ‘Westworld’. She has recorded music, performed live shows, and appeared in documentary work related to her advocacy.

Stephanie Beatriz

Stephanie Beatriz came out as bisexual in interviews and public posts in the mid 2010s and has spoken about bi representation. She married actor Brad Hoss in 2019.
Beatriz is known for ‘Brooklyn Nine Nine’ and for voicing Mirabel in ‘Encanto’. She has also appeared in ‘In the Heights’ and in multiple independent films and animated series.

Amandla Stenberg

Amandla Stenberg first came out as bisexual in 2016 and later described herself as gay in a 2018 interview. She has discussed identity and representation in long form profiles and talks.
Her film and TV work includes ‘The Hunger Games’, ‘Everything, Everything’, and ‘The Hate U Give’. She has also written for magazines and studied filmmaking while continuing to star in studio and streaming projects.

Tessa Thompson

Tessa Thompson shared in a 2018 interview that she is attracted to men and women and has supported LGBTQ community groups. She has collaborated with directors and musicians on projects that center identity and culture.
Her roles include ‘Creed’, ‘Westworld’, and ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ and its sequels. She has produced films through her company and participated in initiatives that support underrepresented creators.

Rebel Wilson

Rebel Wilson introduced her relationship with fashion designer Ramona Agruma in 2022 and later announced their engagement. She welcomed a daughter via surrogate that same year.
Wilson’s credits include ‘Pitch Perfect’, ‘Isn’t It Romantic’, and ‘Senior Year’. She has hosted award shows and authored a memoir that covers her career and personal milestones.

Niecy Nash-Betts

Niecy Nash shared her marriage to musician Jessica Betts in 2020 and later adopted the surname Nash Betts for professional use. She has described the announcement as a personal update rather than a label change.
Her screen work includes ‘Reno 911!’, ‘Claws’, and ‘Dahmer’. She has received top television honors for her dramatic work and continues to appear in limited series and procedurals.

Samira Wiley

Samira Wiley publicly celebrated her engagement to writer Lauren Morelli in 2016, and they married in 2017. They welcomed a daughter in 2021.
Wiley is known for ‘Orange Is the New Black’ and ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’. She has won a Primetime Emmy for guest acting and appears in audio dramas and video game voice roles.

Laverne Cox

Laverne Cox has been openly transgender throughout her rise to mainstream recognition and has advocated for trans rights in media and policy conversations. She became the first openly transgender performer nominated for a Primetime Emmy in an acting category.
Her work includes ‘Orange Is the New Black’, ‘Inventing Anna’, and ‘Promising Young Woman’. She has produced documentaries such as ‘Disclosure’ and hosts red carpet coverage for major award shows.

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez came out as a transgender woman early in her career and has spoken widely about trans representation. In 2022 she became the first openly transgender actor to win a Golden Globe for acting.
Rodriguez starred in ‘Pose’ and has appeared in comedies and dramas across streaming platforms. She releases music under the name MJ Rodriguez and performs live concerts.

Raven-Symoné

Raven-Symoné publicly signaled support for marriage equality in 2013 and later discussed her same sex relationship in interviews. She married Miranda Maday in 2020.
Her screen career began as a child and includes ‘That’s So Raven’ and ‘Raven’s Home’, along with cohosting ‘The View’. She also directs and produces episodes of her own series.

Share your picks in the comments and tell us which moments stood out to you.