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The 2020s have seen more celebrities coming out and flying the rainbow flag as members of the LGBTQ+ community than ever before. While a person’s sexual preference or gender should no longer be headline news, it’s important for youth – particularly queer youth who are struggling to come to terms with their own identity – to have visible role models to look up to and find inspiration from in mainstream media. Read ahead for all of the actors, singers, musicians, artists and influencers who publicly came out in 2022.

Adam B

Known for: YouTuber and presenter
Identifies as: Gay

“It just feels so good to be able to like share more of my life with you know and being able to in such a way that I’m not scared anymore and in such a way that I’m happy to share.”

Read the full story here.

Anna Paul

Known for: Influencer
Identifies as: Bisexual

“I’d date any gender as long as they’re nice.”

Ashley Gray

Known for: Singer
Identifies as: Transgender

“So, if you didn’t know, I’m trans and I’ve been waiting on the gender clinic waiting list for quite a while.”

Read the full story here.

AUNJANUE ELLIS

Known for: Actress
Identifies as: Bisexual

“The way that I live my life, around the people that I live my life around, I am public about it. I am very clear about being bisexual.”

Read the full story here.

Ava Phillippe

Known for: Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe’s daughter
Identifies as: LGBTQ+

“I’m attracted to… people! (Gender is whatever).”

Read the full story here.

Bosco

Known for: RuPaul’s Drag Race season 14
Identifies as: Transgender

“I started HRT [hormone replacement therapy] after getting back from Drag Race. I also plan to start exploring some surgical options in the near future.”

Read the full story here.

Charlee Corra Disney

Known for: Disney heir
Identifies as: Transgender

“I certainly didn’t have any trans or non-binary role models. I didn’t see myself reflected in anyone, and that made me feel like there was something wrong with me.”

Read the full story here

Cynthia Erivo

Known for: Actress
Identifies as: Bisexual

“[LGBTQ+ people] still feel the need to be constantly justifying why we deserve to be treated as equal beings when really the only difference is that we love differently and we express ourselves differently.”

Read the full story here.

Dan Jervis

Known for: British distance swimmer
Identifies as: Gay

“Everyone’s journey is different, but I think I’ve always known.”

Read the full story here.

Known for: Tennis player
Identifies as: Gay

“This notion of someone wanting to be gay or becoming [gay] is ridiculous. I think there is nothing easier in this world than being straight.”

Read the full story here.

David Barta

Known for: Ex on the Beach (US) season 5
Identifies as: Pansexual

“Talking to guys is still pretty new for me. I’ve been interested in men for years now, I just haven’t been honest with myself.”

Read the full story here.

Elizabeth Corrigan

Known for: The Bachelor season 26
Identifies as: Bisexual

“It’s important to me today to share with you all that I am queer. More specifically, I am, always have been, and always will be bisexual.”

Read the full story here.

Ellia Green

Known for: Rugby player
Identifies as: Trans man

“I promised myself that when my rugby career ended, I would continue to live the rest of my life in the identity and the body that I know I am meant to be in.”

Read the full story here.

Emeli Sande

Known for: Singer
Identifies as: LGBTQ+

“I’m not sure what I identify as but I guess so. I just feel like I should fall in love with whoever I fall in love with.”

Read the full story here.

Eureka O’Hara

Known for: RuPaul’s Drag Race season 9, 10, All Stars 3, We’re Here
Identifies as: Trans woman

“It just had me searching my mind, ‘What is happening, what is going on?’ Then I just answered myself: ‘I’m trans. I’m a trans woman.’ It just clicked.”

Read the full story here.

Gerard McCarthy

Known for: Actor
Identifies as: Non-binary

“I like the term non-binary. It makes sense to me. Maybe if it existed when I was a teenager, I’d have been more comfortable in my own skin.”

Read the full story here.

Gina Pareno

Known for: Actress
Identifies as: LGBTQ+

“Yes [I am LGBTQ+] – why, is there a problem?”

Read the full story here.

Known for: Rapper
Identifies as: Sexually fluid

“I’d say, like, I’m sexually fluid. I’m still learning about it myself.”

Read the full story here.

Jaiden Animations

Known for: YouTuber
Identifies as: Aroace

“I know what you’re thinking. That’s not gay, what the hell is that?”

 

Jake Daniels

Known for: Footballer
Identifies as: Gay

“I asked myself if I should wait until I’ve retired to come out. No other player in the professional game here is out.”

Read the full story here.

Janelle Monáe

Known for: Singer
Identifies as: Non-binary

“I’m non-binary, so I just don’t see myself as a woman, solely. I feel all of my energy. I feel like God is so much bigger than the ‘he’ or the ‘she’.”

Read the full story here.

Jena Malone

Known for: Actress
Identifies as: Pansexual

“I feel like I’m a little bit late to the game in being able to have less shame.”

Read the full story here.

John Cameron Mitchell

Known for: Actor
Identifies as: Non-binary

“I’m not trans, I’m non-binary, but that’s a slippery slope because the character is forced into an operation and is not really trans.”

Read the full story here.

Jasmine Kennedie

Known for: RuPaul’s Drag Race season 14
Identifies as: Transgender

“Seeing Kerri [Colby], seeing how confident she is in who she is, it just further affirmed what I’ve been feeling my whole life. I as well definitely do feel like I’m trans.”

Read the full story here.

Jerrod Carmichael

Known for: Stand-up comedian
Identifies as: Gay

“I thought I’d never, ever come out. At many points I thought I’d rather die than confront the truth of that, to actually say it to people. Because I know it changes some people’s perceptions of me. I can’t control that.”

Read the full story here.

Jessica Phillips

Known for: Broadway
Identifies as: LGBTQ+

“My relationship to myself — with myself — has been a decade in the making.”

Read the full story here.

Kelly Holmes

Known for: British middle distance athlete
Identifies as: Gay

“I needed to do this now, for me. It was my decision. I’m nervous about saying it. I feel like I’m going to explode with excitement.”

Read the full story here.

Kit Connor

Known for: Actor
Identifies as: Bisexual

“Back for a minute. I’m bi. Congrats for forcing an 18-year-old to out himself.”

Read the full story here.

Lil Wop

Known for: Rapper
Identifies as: Bisexual

“I’m Bisexual I Like Guys & Girls.”

 

Luke Baines

Known for: Actor
Identifies as: LGBTQ+

“I’ve been lucky enough to have been in love twice – the first with a woman, the second with a man. Label that however you like, but all I know is that… love is love. Happy Pride.”

Read the full story here.

M.A. Voepel

Known for: ESPN reporter
Identifies as: Trans man

“In sports media, we’re lucky to tell stories of others’ journeys. We have our own, too. Part of mine is being transgender, and I’m transitioning to male.”

Read the full story here.

Maria Thattil

Known for: Miss Universe Australia
Identifies as: Bisexual

“I’m grateful that I could model how to have a feared, big conversation in a gentle, simple way with no shame or stigma.”

Read the full story here.

Maybelle Blair

Known for: Baseball player
Identifies as: Lesbian

“I hid for 75, 85 years, and this is actually basically the first time I’ve ever come out.”

Read the full story here.

Photo: Leinster Rugby

Nick McCarthy

Known for: Leinster scrum-half
Identifies as: Gay

“I needed to accept being gay myself before I could address it with others.”

Read the full story here.

Known for: Christian singer
Identifies as: Non-binary and lesbian

“I just started slowly coming out to myself, basically, and realising this is how I’ve always been and that there was nothing I could do to like, earn or lose worthiness or love.”

Read the full story here.

Ola Hoftun Lillelien

Known for:Norwegian handball player
Identifies as: Gay

“I hope today’s society has come to a point that boys and girls no longer have to feel the fear of being accepted for who they are.”

Read the full story here.

Ozzy Lusth

Known for: Survivor
Identifies as: Bisexual

“And for my Republican Colleagues, and anyone else who matters, Yeah I’m Bisexual.”

Read the full story here.

Peach PRC

Known for: Singer
Identifies as: Lesbian

“I guess now is a good time to tell you all, I’m a lesbian.”

Read the full story here.

Sawyer Fredericks

Known for: The Voice
Identifies as: Bisexual

“Since I have not publicly said this in a post, I wanted to say that I am bisexual.”

Read the full story here.

Instagram [@solomonbates]

Solomon Bates

Known for: Baseball player
Identifies as: Gay

“Being gay in this sport you don’t know what comes at you! I thank the giants for giving me the opportunity to be myself and go out there and play the game that I love the most.”

Read the full story here.

Tevin Campbell

Known for: Singer/actor
Identifies as: LGBTQ+

“I didn’t hide anything about me. I didn’t try to act a certain way or anything.”

Read the full story here.

 

 

TJ House

Known for: Former professional baseball player
Identifies as: Gay

“It has taken me years to wake up every morning and tell myself that you are loved for you, the one that’s deep down inside that you’ve never truly let out.”

Read the full story here.

Toby Rudolf

Known for: Rugby player
Identifies as: LGBTQ+

“Sexuality is very fluid. I’ve been out and kissed many gay men, kissed many straight women and kissed many gay women.”

Read the full story here.

Trinity The Tuck

Known for: RuPaul’s Drag Race season 9/All Stars 4
Identifies as: Trans non-binary

“I still don’t know where my journey will take me but I am trans-NB.”

Read the full story here.

Willow Pill

Known for: RuPaul’s Drag Race season 14
Identifies as: Trans femme

“It’s taken me a long time to come to terms with my transness because so much space has been taken up by my illness.”

Read the full story here.

Zander Murray

Known for: Scottish footballer
Identifies as: Gay

“I knew I was different for many years, but with other people in the game coming out, it’s been amazing.”

Read the full story here.