LGBTQ+ Actresses Who Saved Lives in Real Life

Many famous figures use their platforms for good, but some have gone a step further by directly intervening in crises or launching initiatives that provide life-saving resources. These LGBTQ+ actresses have performed heroic acts ranging from physical rescues to legislative changes that protect the vulnerable. Their courage extends beyond the screen, proving that their commitment to humanitarian aid, mental health, and physical safety has made a tangible difference in the world.

Rosie O’Donnell

The comedian and former talk show host is known for her quick wit, but her quick thinking in a restaurant once prevented a tragedy. While dining in Dublin, O’Donnell noticed a woman at a nearby table choking and unable to breathe. She immediately jumped into action and performed the Heimlich maneuver, dislodging the food and allowing the woman to breathe again. Her decisive response turned a potential emergency into a moment of relief for everyone involved.

Angelina Jolie

This Academy Award-winning actress has dedicated decades to humanitarian work that has undoubtedly saved countless lives in conflict zones. As a Special Envoy for the UNHCR, Jolie has completed over 60 field missions to aid refugees in war-torn regions like Syria, Cambodia, and Sierra Leone. Her advocacy focuses on protecting displaced families from starvation and violence, as well as funding schools and medical facilities. She also founded the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative to stop war-zone rape and hold perpetrators accountable.

Wanda Sykes

After being diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, this stand-up comic and actress made the difficult decision to undergo a double mastectomy. Sykes chose to go public with her story to strip away the shame and fear surrounding the disease for other women. Her transparency highlighted the critical importance of early detection and regular screenings, particularly for Black women who statistically face higher mortality rates. By sharing her personal medical journey, she inspired countless fans to schedule life-saving appointments.

Evan Rachel Wood

Wood channeled her personal trauma into legislative action that protects victims of domestic violence. She co-authored and successfully lobbied for the Phoenix Act in California, which extended the statute of limitations for domestic violence felonies. This change in the law allows survivors more time to seek justice and escape dangerous abusers who might otherwise go unpunished. Her tireless testimony and advocacy have provided legal safety nets that literally save women from ongoing harm.

Lady Gaga

Through her Born This Way Foundation, the pop icon and actress has created a massive support system for LGBTQ+ youth struggling with mental health. The foundation provides resources for suicide prevention and funds programs that offer direct emotional support to at-risk teenagers. Gaga often pauses her concerts to address mental health, checking on fans and connecting them with professional help if they are in crisis. Her “Kindness” campaigns have built a global community focused on saving young people from self-harm.

Indya Moore

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the ‘Pose’ star launched a massive fundraising initiative specifically designed to save Black trans lives. Recognizing that trans people were disproportionately affected by homelessness and lack of healthcare, Moore raised thousands of dollars to provide direct cash assistance for rent and food. This immediate financial intervention helped keep hundreds of vulnerable individuals off the streets during a global health crisis. Their work highlighted the urgent need for community-based safety nets.

Miley Cyrus

Cyrus founded the Happy Hippie Foundation to fight the epidemic of homelessness among LGBTQ+ youth in America. The organization raises funds to provide meals, shelter, and support services for teenagers who have been kicked out of their homes due to their identity. By focusing on this specific demographic, Cyrus addresses a critical gap in social services and helps prevent the dangers of life on the street. Her “Backyard Sessions” helped generate the resources needed to pull vulnerable youth out of dangerous situations.

Laverne Cox

As one of the most visible trans actresses in Hollywood, Cox has used her platform to highlight the epidemic of violence against trans women of color. She frequently amplifies the stories of victims to demand justice and policy changes that ensure safety for the community. Her documentary work and speaking tours provide education that reduces stigma, which is a key factor in reducing violence. By normalizing trans existence in mainstream media, she creates a safer environment for trans people everywhere.

Cynthia Nixon

Following her own battle with breast cancer, the ‘Sex and the City’ star became a fierce advocate for women’s health rights. She has worked extensively to ensure that women in underserved communities have access to the same life-saving treatments and screenings that she did. Nixon also advocates for reproductive rights, sharing her mother’s story to emphasize the dangers of restricting healthcare access. Her political activism focuses on funding hospitals and medical programs that keep communities alive and healthy.

Elliot Page

Since coming out, Page has become a vital voice for trans healthcare access, sharing his own story to fight against legislation that seeks to ban gender-affirming care. His memoir and interviews describe how access to medical transition saved his own life, providing a powerful counter-narrative to dangerous political rhetoric. By testifying to the life-saving nature of gender-affirming care, he helps protect the rights of trans youth to receive essential medical support. His visibility offers hope and a roadmap for survival to young people facing gender dysphoria.

Demi Lovato

Lovato has been incredibly open about their struggles with addiction and overdose, turning a near-death experience into a lesson for others. By sharing the brutal reality of recovery, they have helped destigmatize addiction and encouraged fans to seek rehabilitation services. Lovato has funded treatment programs and used their tour to offer free therapy sessions and mental health workshops to fans. This direct access to professional help provides a lifeline for those who might not otherwise afford it.

Ellen DeGeneres

Beyond her television career, DeGeneres has been a massive benefactor for wildlife conservation, specifically for the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. Her contributions built a permanent campus in Rwanda dedicated to the protection and study of endangered mountain gorillas. This facility safeguards the species from poachers and habitat destruction, ensuring the survival of the population. Her philanthropic efforts also extend to disaster relief funds that have aided victims of hurricanes and wildfires.

Angelica Ross

Ross founded TransTech Social Enterprises to provide job training and economic empowerment to trans people who face employment discrimination. By teaching tech skills and offering remote work opportunities, she gives community members the financial stability needed to survive and access healthcare. This economic independence is a literal lifesaver for many who might otherwise resort to dangerous survival sex work. Her organization creates a pathway out of poverty and into a sustainable life.

Drew Barrymore

Barrymore has served as an Ambassador against Hunger for the UN World Food Programme, dedicating her time to feeding children in developing nations. She has traveled to Kenya and other nations to oversee school feeding projects that provide the only daily meal for many students. Her fundraising efforts have delivered millions of meals to areas stricken by famine and poverty. By focusing on child nutrition, she helps ensure the survival and development of the next generation.

Ruby Rose

The ‘Batwoman’ actress has been a vocal supporter of mental health initiatives and disaster relief efforts. During the devastating Australian bushfires, she donated significant funds to organizations fighting the fires and rescuing wildlife. She also openly discusses her struggles with depression, directing her fanbase toward suicide prevention hotlines and resources. Her contributions help fund the equipment and teams necessary to save lives during environmental catastrophes.

Cara Delevingne

Delevingne is a passionate eco-warrior who supports organizations dedicated to halting climate change and preserving biodiversity. She also works with initiatives that focus on youth mental health, partnering with charities to provide counseling services. Her fundraising campaigns have supported refugees and victims of war, ensuring they receive emergency aid. By combining environmentalism with humanitarian aid, she addresses the root causes that threaten human safety.

Portia de Rossi

After suffering from a severe eating disorder that nearly claimed her life, de Rossi wrote a memoir to help others recognize the signs of anorexia and bulimia. She works with organizations to provide treatment options for those who cannot afford expensive rehab centers. Her honesty about the physical toll of the disease serves as a wake-up call for many struggling in silence. Her advocacy has helped shift the conversation around body image and health in Hollywood.

Tig Notaro

Following a diagnosis of bilateral breast cancer, the comedian performed a legendary stand-up set almost immediately after receiving the news. She later performed topless in a special to normalize the appearance of post-mastectomy bodies, helping survivors feel less alienated and ashamed. Her radical vulnerability provided emotional lifelines to women struggling with their own diagnoses and body image. Notaro’s work transforms the terrifying experience of cancer into a conversation about survival and resilience.

Jamie Clayton

Clayton uses her visibility as a trans actress to advocate for the safety and employment of trans people in the entertainment industry. She works with organizations that help trans individuals navigate legal systems and healthcare obstacles. Her advocacy emphasizes that representation is a matter of safety, as humanizing trans people reduces violence against them. She actively supports shelters and funds that assist trans women living on the street.

Sara Ramirez

Ramirez works closely with organizations that support bisexual and non-binary youth, a group that often faces high rates of mental health issues. They advocate for inclusive healthcare policies that recognize the specific needs of the bisexual community. Their work with the True Colors United organization helps prevent homelessness among queer youth. Ramirez uses their public profile to secure funding for shelters and counseling programs.

Janelle Monáe

Monáe advocates for the mental health of Black women and the LGBTQ+ community, frequently partnering with grassroots organizations. She has helped fund initiatives that provide free therapy and wellness resources to marginalized communities. Her “Fem the Future” initiative creates opportunities for women in music and film, providing economic stability that improves overall health outcomes. Monáe’s holistic approach to activism addresses both the mental and financial well-being of her community.

Megan Fox

Fox has worked with various charities that support victims of domestic abuse and human trafficking. She has used her platform to raise awareness about the signs of abuse and the resources available for those trying to escape dangerous relationships. Her donations have supported shelters that provide physical safety for women and children fleeing violence. By amplifying these causes, she helps connect victims with the life-saving help they need.

Lily Tomlin

A lifelong advocate for animal welfare, Tomlin has spent decades working to save elephants from captivity and abuse. She championed the release of elephants from zoos to sanctuaries where they can live natural lives, free from the stress that often kills them prematurely. Her activism extends to protecting habitats and stopping the ivory trade. Tomlin’s dedication has directly contributed to the rescue and rehabilitation of numerous animals.

Jane Lynch

Lynch is a staunch defender of animal rights, working with PETA and local shelters to save dogs and cats from euthanasia. She advocates for “adopt, don’t shop” policies that reduce the population of stray animals and save them from kill shelters. Her fundraising efforts support no-kill sanctuaries that provide medical care and homes for unwanted pets. Through her work, countless animals have been rescued from neglect and given a second chance at life.

Kristen Stewart

Stewart works with various philanthropies focused on medical research and social justice. She has auctioned personal items and attended galas to raise massive sums for relief efforts following natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy. Her contributions have gone toward rebuilding homes and providing medical supplies to survivors. She prefers to keep her charity work low-profile, but her financial impact on relief organizations has been substantial.

Aubrey Plaza

Plaza has participated in charity basketball games and events to raise money for various medical and social causes. She supports organizations that provide aid to Puerto Rico following devastating hurricanes, ensuring that island residents receive power and medical supplies. Her involvement helps keep attention on disaster zones long after the news cycle has moved on. These efforts provide essential resources for rebuilding communities and saving lives in the aftermath of storms.

Tessa Thompson

Thompson is an advocate for the “Time’s Up” movement, which fights for safety and equity in the workplace. Her work helps fund legal defense for individuals who have experienced sexual harassment and assault, protecting them from retaliation and further harm. She also supports initiatives that address police violence and systemic racism. By funding legal protection, she helps ensure the physical and professional survival of vulnerable workers.

What other heroic acts by celebrities do you know about? Share your thoughts in the comments.