These 17 Queer Celebs Made So Much Possible For Those Who Followed Them

The impact of these trailblazers can't be understated.

It isn't easy to be a queer person in Hollywood today. There is still a lot for people to learn and understand, and sadly, ignorance and bigotry are still alive and well.

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Still, there has been some progress made and that is entirely due to those who came first and made progress and understanding possible by living their truth.

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Here are some major queer celebrities who paved the way for those who came after them.

1. Stephen Sondheim

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Stephen Sondheim's music was the soundtrack of countless film and stage productions. The musical genius came out at age 40 in 1970, and though he never overtly addressed being gay in his works, countless listeners have been able to identify with the stories he told.

2. George Takei

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George Takei rose to stardom as Mr. Sulu on Star Trek and has gone on to star in plenty of television and movie spots. It wasn't until 2005 that he came out, but in the time since, he has been a fierce advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community.

3. Freddie Mercury

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Freddie Mercury was truly one of a kind. The lead singer of Queen, his stardom allowed him to push boundaries that brought his sexuality into question. Mercury never came out, though he admitted to living with AIDS just a day before he died of the illness. Though Mercury feared his status as a gay man would negatively impact his legacy, it only heightened it, proving a flamboyant gay man could be loved by the masses and successful.

4. Elton John

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Elton John eased his way out of the closet at the height of his fame. He first came out as bisexual in 1976 on the cover of Rolling Stone. He wouldn't identify as gay until a later interview with the magazine in 1992. That year, he also started the Elton John AIDS Foundation, his attempt to help fight the disease which had touched so many in the community.

5. David Bowie

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David Bowie came out as gay in 1972 and later clarified himself as bisexual in 1976. By doing so at a time when it was still so taboo, he opened up the possibility of living life as a man who was out, successful, and authentic to himself. His music and his persona continued to be aspirational to many queer youths for generations to come.

6. Boy George

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Boy George recalled being inspired by David Bowie, but he has also helped pave the way for many queer artists today by further pushing the boundaries of gender and sexuality in life and with his musical persona. 

7. RuPaul Charles

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RuPaul has built an empire that celebrates queerness through drag. From his own persona to the many that have spawned as a result of Drag Race, just as savvy in the business of business as he is in the business of beauty.

8. David Geffen

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David Geffen was one of the first openly gay business executives after coming out in 1992. From Geffen Records to Dreamworks, his professional footprint could be felt throughout the industry. He was also a philanthropic giant, donating to the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, where he donated over $400 million throughout his life, as well as other educational and research institutes.

9. Ellen DeGeneres

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Ellen DeGeneres put her career on the line when she came out as a lesbian in an episode of her sitcom, Ellen. She later confirmed that not only her character, but she herself, was gay. For years, Ellen's career suffered, but fast forward a little further and according to 2015 study, she did more to influence Americans' attitudes about gay rights than anyone else.

10. George Michael

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George Michael was widely regarded as gay before he was ultimately outed by the media as the result of an arrest. Yet his music was full of queer narratives, including the heartwrenching "Jesus to a Child," about losing his partner to HIV/AIDS.

11. Melissa Etheridge

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Melissa Etheridge paved the way for lesbian rockers by always being exactly who she is. She didn't publicly come out until 1992 and her music has always reflected her identity. Etheridge continues to make music for her community while uplifting other young queer artists.

12. Sir Ian McKellen

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Sir Ian McKellen publicly came out as gay in a radio interview in 1988. McKellen got his first Oscar nomination for playing gay film director James Whale. He has also tirelessly advocated for the LGBTQIA+ community since. McKellen co-founded the UK's most prominent LGBTQ rights organization, Stonewall. 

13. Billy Porter

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Billy Porter overcame growing up in an abusive, religious household and an industry that wasn't kind to anyone Black and queer to find success and community in Hollywood on stage and screen. In May 2021, Porter revealed he is HIV positive and has been living with HIV since 2007.

14. Lee Daniels

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Lee Daniels has had immense success in different areas of film, from being the first African-American film producer to solely producing an Oscar-winning film (Monster's Ball) to bringing to life hits like Precious and Lee Daniels' The Butler. He has also done a lot of work with HIV/AIDS patients after having lost over 40 friends at the height of the crisis.

15. Andy Cohen

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Andy Cohen helped build Bravo into an empire and became the first openly gay late-night host in the process. As his reach increases, Cohen has championed, celebrated, and supported queer talent.

16. Laverne Cox

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Laverne Cox identified as queer in her college years and ultimately transitioned in the years that followed. She became the first openly transgender person nominated for an Emmy and has been invaluable in opening up trans visibility. She has never hesitated to use her platform to promote LGBTQ+ rights.

17. Janelle Monáe

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Janelle Monáe didn't openly discuss her queerness until the release of 2019's Dirty Computer, where she opened up about her identity as a pansexual woman. The album has been widely regarded as a pivotal celebration of queerness today. As her star rises, she uses her platform to advocate for LGBTQIA+ artists, youth, and more.

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