Gay Celebrities

Champion%20diver%20Greg%20Louganis%20is%20openly%20gay%20and%20HIV%20positive.%20Although%20he%20is%20best%20known%20as%20an%20Olympic%20gold%20medalist%2C%20Louganis%20has%20also%20written%20a%20bestselling%20book%2C%20appeared%20in%20a%20handful%20of%20movies%20and%20television%20shows%2C%20and%20now%20competes%20in%20dog%20agility.%20He%20continues%20in%20the%20sports%20world%20as%20a%20diving%20coach%20in%20California.%20%28credit%3A%20Mark%20Mainz%2FGetty%20Images%29

In%20her%20first%20role%20in%201995%E2%80%99s%20%E2%80%9CWelcome%20to%20the%20Dollhouse%2C%E2%80%9D%20actress%20Heather%20Matarazzo%20played%20a%20young%20girl%20who%20was%20teased%20by%20her%20classmates%20and%20called%20a%20lesbian.%20Perhaps%20it%20was%20some%20form%20of%20foreshadowing%2C%20because%20Matarazzo%20came%20out%20in%20front%20of%20the%20press%20in%20August%202004%2C%20talking%20openly%20about%20her%20longtime%20girlfriend.%20%28credit%3A%20Carlo%20Allegri%2FGetty%20Images%29

Country%20music%20star%20Chely%20Wright%20maintained%20relationships%20with%20women%20before%20and%20during%20her%20rise%20to%20stardom%2C%20but%20did%20not%20make%20them%20public%20until%202007%2C%20when%20she%20stopped%20believing%20that%20homosexuality%20was%20immoral.%20%E2%80%9CI%20am%20gay%2C%20and%20I%20am%20not%20seeking%20to%20be%20tolerated%2C%E2%80%9D%20Wright%20said.%20%E2%80%9COne%20tolerates%20a%20toothache%2C%20rush%20hour%20traffic%2C%20an%20annoying%20neighbor%20with%20a%20cluttered%20yard.%20I%20am%20not%20a%20negative%20to%20be%20tolerated.%E2%80%9D%20%28credit%3A%20Mike%20Simons%2FGetty%20Images%29

The%20first%20%E2%80%9CSurvivor%E2%80%9D%20winner%20earned%20a%20reputation%20as%20the%20%E2%80%9Cfat%20naked%20gay%20guy%2C%E2%80%9D%20but%20that%20didn%E2%80%99t%20stop%20his%20fellow%20players%20from%20awarding%20Richard%20Hatch%20the%20%241%20million%20prize.%20Since%20that%20time%2C%20Hatch%20has%20spent%20his%20days%20in-and-out%20of%20jail%20for%20failing%20to%20pay%20taxes%20on%20his%20winnings.%20%28credit%3A%20Paul%20Hawthorne%2FGetty%20Images%29

As%20the%20single%20openly%20gay%20man%20in%20the%20Kids%20in%20the%20Hall%20comedy%20troupe%2C%20Scott%20Thompson%20was%20responsible%20for%20crafting%20a%20large%20number%20of%20the%20gang%E2%80%99s%20homosexual-oriented%20skits%2C%20of%20which%20there%20were%20plenty.%20Thompson%2C%20and%20his%20sketches%2C%20helped%20the%20Kids%20earn%20a%20sizeable%20fanbase%20within%20the%20gay%20community.%20%28credit%3A%20Trish%20Lease%2FGetty%20Images%29

Comedy%20actor%20Jim%20J.%20Bullock%20lost%20his%20partner%20to%20AIDS%20in%201996.%20Bullock%20himself%20learned%20that%20he%20was%20HIV%20positive%20in%201985%2C%20but%20has%20survived%20the%20virus%20so%20far%20and%20continues%20to%20perform%20in%20movies%2C%20television%20shows%20and%20local%20stage%20productions.%20%28credit%3A%20Bowers%2FGetty%20Images%29

Child%20actor%20Danny%20Pintauro%20has%20seen%20his%20spotlight%20dim%20since%20starring%20in%20%E2%80%9CWho%E2%80%99s%20the%20Boss%3F%E2%80%9D%20when%20he%20was%208%20years%20old.%20In%20January%202011%2C%20the%20San%20Diego%20Union-Tribune%20revealed%20that%20the%20former%20TV%20star%20was%20now%20selling%20Tupperware.%20He%20admitted%20that%20he%20is%20gay%20in%201997.%20%28credit%3A%20Amanda%20Edwards%2FGetty%20Images%29

Political%20satirist%20Mo%20Rocca%20has%20served%20as%20a%20special%20correspondent%20for%20Larry%20King%2C%20National%20Public%20Radio%2C%20%E2%80%9CThe%20Tonight%20Show%E2%80%9D%20and%20CBS%20News%20Sunday%20Morning.%20But%20most%20people%20likely%20remember%20him%20for%20comedy%20pieces%20on%20%E2%80%9CThe%20Daily%20Show%E2%80%9D%20with%20Jon%20Stewart.%20Rocca%20is%20openly%20gay.%20%28credit%3A%20Fernando%20Leon%2FGetty%20Images%29

When%20musician%20Sophie%20B.%20Hawkins%20wrote%20%E2%80%9CDamn%20I%20Wish%20I%20Was%20Your%20Lover%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20performer%20must%20have%20been%20singing%20about%20everyone%2C%20men%20and%20women.%20Hawkins%20is%20bisexual%2C%20and%20has%20been%20with%20partner%20and%20manager%20Gigi%20Gaston%20for%20many%20years.%20Hawkins%20gave%20birth%20to%20a%20son%20in%20November%202008.%20%28credit%3A%20Phil%20McCarten%2FGetty%20Images%29

Comedian%20and%20actor%20Andy%20Dick%20was%20married%20to%20a%20woman%20from%201986%20to%201990%20and%20has%20three%20children.%20%E2%80%9CAfter%20my%20divorce%2C%20the%20plot%20really%20thickened%20for%20me%2C%E2%80%9D%20Dick%20explained.%20He%20has%20been%20describing%20himself%20as%20a%20gay%20man%20ever%20since.%20%28credit%3A%20David%20Livingston%2FGetty%20Images%29

Film%20director%20Bryan%20Singer%20is%20openly%20gay.%20He%20says%20that%20his%20experiences%20growing%20up%20gay%20in%20school%20have%20helped%20influence%20his%20movies.%20Singer%E2%80%99s%20films%20include%20%E2%80%9CValkyrie%E2%80%9D%20and%20%E2%80%9CThe%20Usual%20Suspects%E2%80%9D%20along%20with%20superhero%20flicks%20%E2%80%9CSuperman%20Returns%E2%80%9D%20and%20%E2%80%9CX-Men.%E2%80%9D%20%28credit%3A%20Michael%20Buckner%2FGetty%20Images%29

Since%20admitting%20that%20he%20is%20gay%20in%20September%202008%2C%20former%20%E2%80%9CAmerican%20Idol%E2%80%9D%20contestant%20Clay%20Aiken%20has%20spoken%20out%20against%20anti-gay%20bullying%20at%20Capitol%20Hill.%20The%20singer%20remains%20active%20in%20the%20recording%20industry%20and%20has%20even%20appeared%20on%20Broadway.%20%28credit%3A%20Scott%20Gries%2FGetty%20Images%29

Known%20for%20her%20role%20as%20Marcy%20on%20%E2%80%9CMarried%E2%80%A6%20With%20Children%2C%E2%80%9D%20Amanda%20Bearse%20has%20been%20out%20of%20the%20closet%20since%201993.%20As%20the%20television%20sitcom%20ran%20from%201987%20to%201997%2C%20Bearse%E2%80%99s%20sexual%20orientation%20was%20hinted%20at%20through%20a%20series%20of%20clever%20jokes.%20Bearse%20married%20her%20partner%20in%202010.%20%28credit%3A%20Vince%20Bucci%2FGetty%20Images%29

While%20the%20high-profile%20relationships%20of%20Drew%20Barrymore%20have%20all%20included%20men%2C%20the%20actress%20claims%20to%20be%20bisexual.%20%E2%80%9CA%20woman%20and%20a%20woman%20together%20are%20beautiful%2C%20just%20as%20a%20man%20and%20a%20woman%20together%20are%20beautiful%2C%E2%80%9D%20she%20once%20said.%20%E2%80%9CWhen%20I%20was%20younger%2C%20I%20used%20to%20go%20with%20lots%20of%20women.%20Totally.%20I%20love%20it.%E2%80%9D%20%28credit%3A%20Charley%20Gallay%2FGetty%20Images%29

Actor%20Sean%20Hayes%20won%20awards%20for%20playing%20the%20flamboyant%20Jack%20on%20%E2%80%9CWill%20%26amp%3B%20Grace%2C%E2%80%9D%20and%20he%20too%20is%20openly%20gay.%20Hayes%20skirted%20the%20issue%20for%20many%20years%2C%20so%20as%20not%20to%20be%20typecast%2C%20but%20he%20was%20quite%20frank%20about%20the%20issue%20in%20April%202010.%20%E2%80%9CI%20feel%20like%20I%E2%80%99ve%20contributed%20monumentally%20to%20the%20success%20of%20the%20gay%20movement%20in%20America%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.%20%28credit%3A%20Stephen%20Shugerman%2FGetty%20Images%29

Singer%20Rufus%20Wainwright%20came%20to%20terms%20with%20his%20sexuality%20as%20a%20teen%2C%20but%20said%20that%20his%20mom%20and%20dad%20%E2%80%9Ccould%20not%20even%20handle%20me%20being%20gay.%20We%20never%20talked%20about%20it%20really.%E2%80%9D%20After%20both%20spans%20of%20celibacy%20and%20promiscuity%2C%20Wainwright%20settled%20down%20with%20a%20partner%20in%20April%202010.%20%28credit%3A%20Jo%20Hale%2FGetty%20Images%29

In%20February%202010%2C%20The%20B-52%E2%80%99s%20lead%20singer%20Fred%20Schneider%20spoke%20with%20Howard%20Stern%20about%20coming%20out%20of%20the%20closet.%20He%20told%20his%20mother%20while%20she%20was%20vacuuming.%20Her%20response%3F%20%E2%80%9CI%20know%2C%20Freddie%2C%E2%80%9D%20she%20said%2C%20before%20continuing%20her%20work.%20Mother%20knows%20best.%20%28credit%3A%20Mark%20Wieland%2FGetty%20Images%29

Not%20usually%20one%20to%20shy%20away%20from%20controversy%2C%20singer%20Sinead%20O%E2%80%99Connor%20did%20not%20out%20herself%20until%20an%20interview%20in%202000.%20%E2%80%9CI%20haven%E2%80%99t%20been%20very%20open%20about%20that%2C%E2%80%9D%20O%E2%80%99Connor%20said.%20%E2%80%9CI%20haven%E2%80%99t%20necessarily%20been%20terribly%20comfortable%20about%20being%20a%20big%20lesbian%20mule.%E2%80%9D%20In%202005%2C%20the%20singer%20revised%20her%20statement.%20%E2%80%9CI%E2%80%99m%20three-quarters%20heterosexual%2C%20a%20quarter%20gay.%E2%80%9D%20%28credit%3A%20SASCHA%20SCHUERMANN%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29

Drag%20queen%20RuPaul%20has%20been%20an%20icon%20within%20the%20gay%20community%20for%20over%2020%20years%2C%20taking%20his%20fabulous%20supermodel%20routine%20to%20gay%20clubs%20and%20gay%20pride%20parades%20across%20the%20country.%20RuPaul%20has%20had%20cameo%20appearances%20in%20many%20films%20and%20TV%20shows%2C%20has%20hosted%20a%20handful%20of%20reality%20television%20shows%20and%20even%20had%20a%20hit%20song%20in%201992.%20%28credit%3A%20Mark%20Mainz%2FGetty%20Images%29

Known%20for%20her%20role%20in%20%E2%80%9CSex%20and%20the%20City%2C%E2%80%9D%20actress%20Cynthia%20Nixon%20began%20a%20relationship%20with%20a%20woman%20in%202004.%20%E2%80%9CI%E2%80%99d%20been%20with%20men%20all%20my%20life%2C%20and%20I%E2%80%99d%20never%20fallen%20in%20love%20with%20a%20woman.%20But%20when%20I%20did%2C%20it%20didn%E2%80%99t%20seem%20so%20strange%2C%E2%80%9D%20Nixon%20said.%20%28credit%3A%20Stephen%20Lovekin%2FGetty%20Images%29

Although%20he%20made%20little%20effort%20to%20conceal%20his%20homosexuality%2C%20George%20Takei%20did%20not%20officially%20reveal%20himself%20to%20be%20gay%20until%20October%202005%2C%20when%20he%20talked%20about%20his%20relationship%20with%20his%20partner%20of%2018%20years.%20The%20%E2%80%9CStar%20Trek%E2%80%9D%20star%20is%20now%20a%20very%20active%20proponent%20of%20gay%20rights.%20%28credit%3A%20VALERIE%20MACON%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29

British%20pop%20star%20George%20Michael%20has%20been%20involved%20in%20a%20couple%20of%20public%20sex%20controversies%20that%20ultimately%20led%20him%20to%20come%20clean%20about%20his%20sexuality.%20Michael%20has%20said%20that%20he%20kept%20his%20sexual%20orientation%20secret%20so%20as%20not%20to%20upset%20his%20mom.%20Michael%20and%20ex-partner%20Kenny%20Goss%20are%20the%20co-founders%20of%20the%20Goss-Michael%20Foundation%2C%20an%20art%20gallery%20based%20in%20Dallas.%20%28credit%3A%20Kevin%20Winter%2FGetty%20Images%29

Standup%20comic%20turned%20television%20star%20Ellen%20DeGeneres%20first%20discussed%20her%20homosexuality%20on%20%E2%80%9CThe%20Oprah%20Winfrey%20Show%E2%80%9D%20in%201997%2C%20before%20mirroring%20the%20events%20with%20her%20character%20on%20the%20sitcom%20%E2%80%9CEllen.%E2%80%9D%20Now%20hosting%20her%20own%20daytime%20talk%20show%2C%20DeGeneres%20has%20been%20legally%20married%20to%20actress%20Portia%20de%20Rossi%20since%202008.%20%28credit%3A%20Ethan%20Miller%2FGetty%20Images%29

Political%20commentator%20Rachel%20Maddow%20has%20been%20given%20numerous%20awards%20and%20placement%20on%20many%20lists%20honoring%20important%20gay%20and%20lesbian%20cultural%20figures.%20She%20has%20appeared%20as%20a%20guest%20on%20several%20news%20programs%20and%20currently%20hosts%20her%20own%20show%20on%20MSNBC.%20%28credit%3A%20Frederick%20M.%20Brown%2FGetty%20Images%29

Highly%20acclaimed%20portrait%20photographer%20Annie%20Leibovitz%20was%20coy%20about%20the%20exact%20nature%20of%20her%20relationship%20with%20writer%20Susan%20Sontag%20for%20many%20years.%20But%20after%20Sontag%E2%80%99s%20death%2C%20the%20artist%20opened%20up%20a%20bit%2C%20admitting%20that%20the%20two%20had%20been%20%E2%80%9Clovers.%E2%80%9D%20%28credit%3A%20Sean%20Gallup%2FGetty%20Images%29

Grammy%20winning%20musician%20Ani%20DiFranco%20is%20bisexual%2C%20talking%20about%20love%20with%20both%20men%20and%20women%20in%20her%20song%20%E2%80%9CIn%20or%20Out.%E2%80%9D%20She%20angered%20fans%20in%201998%20by%20marrying%20a%20man%2C%20but%20the%20two%20split%20up%20five%20years%20later.%20%28credit%3A%20Neilson%20Barnard%2FGetty%20Images%29

When%20not%20tormenting%20the%20New%20Directions%20kids%20on%20%E2%80%9CGlee%2C%E2%80%9D%20actress%20Jane%20Lynch%20and%20partner%20Dr.%20Lara%20Embry%2C%20who%20were%20married%20in%20May%202010%2C%20remain%20very%20active%20in%20the%20gay%20and%20lesbian%20community.%20%28credit%3A%20Charley%20Gallay%2FGetty%20Images%20for%20FOX%29

Financial%20advisor%20and%20television%20host%20Suze%20Orman%20opened%20up%20about%20her%20sexual%20orientation%20in%20February%202007.%20Orman%20married%20a%20co-producer%20of%20her%20cable%20show%20in%20September%202010%20in%20South%20Africa.%20%28credit%3A%20Stephen%20Lovekin%2FGetty%20Images%29

Accomplished%20pianist%20Van%20Cliburn%20has%20special%20ties%20to%20Texas.%20He%20was%20raised%20in%20Kilgore%20and%20profiled%20by%20Time%20magazine%20as%20%E2%80%98The%20Texan%20Who%20Conquered%20Russia%E2%80%99%20after%20he%20won%20a%20Russian%20piano%20competition%20during%20the%20Cold%20War.%20His%20Van%20Cliburn%20Foundation%2C%20which%20aims%20to%20foster%20and%20showcase%20extraordinary%20musical%20talent%2C%20is%20based%20in%20Fort%20Worth.%20%28credit%3A%20Pascal%20Le%20Segretain%2FGetty%20Images%20for%20Montblanc%29

Former%20professional%20tennis%20champion%20Billie%20Jean%20King%20won%20the%20famous%20Battle%20of%20the%20Sexes%20against%20men%E2%80%99s%20champion%20Bobby%20Riggs%20in%201973.%20Her%20sexual%20orientation%20was%20thrust%20into%20view%20in%20May%201981%20during%20an%20ugly%20legal%20hearing%20between%20King%20and%20her%20longtime%20partner.%20%E2%80%9CIt%20was%20very%20hard%20on%20me%20because%20I%20was%20outed%2C%E2%80%9D%20King%20later%20said%20in%202007.%20%E2%80%9CAnd%20I%20think%20you%20have%20to%20do%20it%20in%20your%20own%20time.%E2%80%9D%20%28credit%3A%20Jason%20Kempin%2FGetty%20Images%29

Gruff-voiced%20actor%20and%20playwright%20Harvey%20Fierstein%20has%20been%20openly%20gay%20for%20decades%2C%20at%20a%20time%20when%20many%20celebrities%20were%20not%20ready%20to%20admit%20their%20true%20feelings.%20Fierstein%20remains%20active%20in%20the%20entertainment%20industry%2C%20all%20while%20vocally%20battling%20for%20gay%20rights.%20%28credit%3A%20Jason%20Kempin%2FGetty%20Images%29

British%20actor%20Derek%20Jacobi%20has%20appeared%20in%20films%20like%20%E2%80%9CGladiator%2C%E2%80%9D%20%E2%80%9CThe%20Golden%20Compass%E2%80%9D%20and%20%E2%80%9CThe%20King%E2%80%99s%20Speech.%E2%80%9D%20Jacobi%20entered%20into%20a%20civil%20partnership%20with%20his%20partner%20in%20March%202006.%20%28credit%3A%20Fergus%20McDonald%2FGetty%20Images%29

British%20actor%20Ian%20McKellen%20came%20out%20of%20the%20closet%20well%20before%20playing%20the%20wizard%20Gandalf%20in%20%E2%80%9CThe%20Lord%20of%20the%20Rings%E2%80%9D%20trilogy.%20He%20made%20the%20announcement%20in%201988%2C%20after%20being%20involved%20in%20relationships%20with%20other%20men%20since%201964.%20McKellen%20helped%20found%20Stonewall%2C%20a%20gay%20rights%20group%20in%20the%20United%20Kingdom%2C%20and%20remains%20a%20spokesman%20for%20the%20organization.%20%28credit%3A%20Jason%20Kempin%2FGetty%20Images%29

As%20the%20R.E.M.%20frontman%2C%20Michael%20Stipe%20has%20never%20actually%20defined%20himself%20as%20gay%2C%20straight%2C%20bisexual%20or%20anything%20else.%20He%20calls%20himself%20a%20%E2%80%9Cqueer%20artist%2C%E2%80%9D%20but%20feels%20that%20the%20term%20is%20%E2%80%9Cmore%20inclusive%20of%20the%20grey%20areas.%E2%80%9D%20However%2C%20Stipe%20has%20primarily%20been%20seen%20in%20relationships%20with%20other%20men.%20%28credit%3A%20Stephen%20Lovekin%2FGetty%20Images%29

Standup%20comic%20Wanda%20Sykes%20was%20married%20to%20a%20man%20from%201991%20to%201998%2C%20but%20came%20out%20as%20a%20lesbian%20at%20a%20same-sex%20marriage%20rally%20in%20November%202008%2C%20after%20getting%20married%20to%20a%20woman%20just%20a%20month%20earlier.%20Sykes%20remains%20active%20in%20the%20battle%20for%20same-sex%20marriage.%20%28credit%3A%20Jesse%20Grant%2FGetty%20Images%29

Fashion%20critic%20and%20%E2%80%9CProject%20Runway%E2%80%9D%20personality%20Tim%20Gunn%20is%20gay%2C%20but%20said%20that%20he%20has%20not%20been%20in%20a%20serious%20relationship%20for%20nearly%2030%20years%2C%20after%20being%20with%20the%20same%20partner%20for%20six%20years.%20%28credit%3A%20Jason%20Kempin%2FGetty%20Images%29

After%2011%20years%20of%20playing%20Kelsey%20Grammer%E2%80%99s%20brother%20on%20television%E2%80%99s%20%E2%80%9CFrasier%2C%E2%80%9D%20actor%20David%20Hyde%20Pierce%20publically%20confirmed%20his%20long-time%20relationship%20with%20Brian%20Hargrove%20in%202007.%20The%20two%20were%20married%20in%20California%20just%20days%20before%20same-sex%20marriages%20were%20banned%20by%20the%20controversial%20Proposition%208.%20%28credit%3A%20Matt%20Carr%2FGetty%20Images%29

Latino%20actor%20Guillermo%20Diaz%20has%20been%20in%20movies%20like%20%E2%80%9CHalf%20Baked%E2%80%9D%20and%20%E2%80%9CCop%20Out.%E2%80%9D%20Diaz%20hid%20his%20sexual%20orientation%20for%20several%20years%20while%20growing%20up%20in%20a%20tough%20neighborhood%20of%20New%20York%20City.%20%E2%80%9CThat%20fa%C3%A7ade%20of%20being%20somebody%20I%E2%80%99m%20really%20not%2C%20just%20to%20protect%20myself%2C%20definitely%20helped%20with%20acting%2C%E2%80%9D%20Diaz%20said.%20%28credit%3A%20Stephen%20Lovekin%2FGetty%20Images%29

Film%20director%20John%20Waters%20is%20openly%20gay%20and%20addresses%20gay%20issues%20in%20many%20of%20his%20movies%2C%20most%20famously%20the%20cult%20hit%20%E2%80%9CPink%20Flamingos.%E2%80%9D%20Waters%20is%20also%20a%20very%20outspoken%20proponent%20of%20gay%20rights%20and%20gay%20pride.%20%28credit%3A%20Jordan%20Strauss%2FGetty%20Images%29

Entertainment%20mogul%20David%20Geffen%20is%20a%20record%20executive%2C%20film%20producer%2C%20theater%20producer%20and%20one%20of%20the%20founders%20of%20DreamWorks%20SKG.%20In%20May%202007%2C%20Geffen%20placed%20first%20on%20a%20list%20of%20Out%20magazine%E2%80%99s%20Most%20Powerful%20Men%20and%20Women%20in%20America.%20%28credit%3A%20Stephen%20Lovekin%2FGetty%20Images%29

Film%20and%20stage%20actor%20Nathan%20Lane%20came%20out%20publicly%20in%201999.%20When%20a%20reporter%20once%20asked%20Lane%20if%20he%20was%20gay%2C%20the%20actor%20said%2C%20%E2%80%9CI%E2%80%99m%2040%2C%20single%20and%20work%20in%20musical%20theater.%20You%20do%20the%20math.%E2%80%9D%20%28credit%3A%20Jemal%20Countess%2FGetty%20Images%29

Personal%20trainer%20and%20former%20%E2%80%9CThe%20Biggest%20Loser%E2%80%9D%20coach%20Jillian%20Michaels%20is%20open%20to%20having%20a%20relationship%20with%20men%20or%20women.%20%E2%80%9CI%E2%80%99ve%20been%20in%20love%20with%20both%2C%E2%80%9D%20she%20told%20Women%E2%80%99s%20Health%20magazine%20in%20May%202010.%20Michaels%20now%20appears%20on%20the%20self-help%20show%20%E2%80%9CThe%20Doctors.%E2%80%9D%20%28credit%3A%20Jason%20Merritt%2FGetty%20Images%29

Interior%20design%20expert%20Nate%20Berkus%20is%20openly%20gay.%20He%20was%20vacationing%20in%20Sri%20Lanka%20with%20his%20partner%20in%20December%202004%20when%20a%20tsunami%20hit.%20Berkus%20survived%20the%20storm%2C%20but%20his%20partner%20was%20among%20the%20missing%20and%20presumed%20dead.%20Berkus%20now%20hosts%20a%20daytime%20talk%20show.%20%28credit%3A%20Neilson%20Barnard%2FGetty%20Images%29

Musician%20Melissa%20Etheridge%20came%20out%20as%20a%20lesbian%20at%20a%201993%20event%20celebrating%20the%20election%20of%20President%20Bill%20Clinton.%20Since%20that%20time%2C%20Etheridge%20has%20become%20just%20as%20known%20for%20being%20a%20significant%20gay%20rights%20activist%20as%20she%20is%20for%20her%20music.%20%28credit%3A%20Jemal%20Countess%2FGetty%20Images%29

Lebanese%20pop%20singer%20Mika%20has%20discussed%20his%20sexuality%20in%20a%20number%20of%20media%20interviews.%20%E2%80%9CI%20have%20never%20limited%20my%20life.%20I%20have%20never%20limited%20who%20I%20sleep%20with%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20once%20stated.%20%E2%80%9CCall%20me%20bisexual%2C%20if%20you%20need%20a%20term%20for%20me.%E2%80%9D%20In%20another%20interview%2C%20he%20said%2C%20%E2%80%9CI%20could%20fall%20in%20love%20with%20anybody%2C%20literally.%20Any%20type%2C%20any%20body%20%E2%80%93%20I%E2%80%99m%20not%20picky.%E2%80%9D%20%28credit%3A%20SEBASTIEN%20BOZON%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29

Music%20icon%20Lady%20Gaga%20told%20Rolling%20Stone%20magazine%20that%20her%20song%20%E2%80%9CPoker%20Face%E2%80%9D%20is%20actually%20about%20her%20own%20bisexuality.%20Between%20speaking%20at%20numerous%20gay%20pride%20events%20and%20creating%20the%20gay%20anthem%20%E2%80%9CBorn%20This%20Way%2C%E2%80%9D%20Lady%20Gaga%20has%20become%20a%20popular%20advocate%20for%20the%20gay%20community.%20%28credit%3A%20Frederick%20M.%20Brown%2FGetty%20Images%29

The%20Green%20Day%20frontman%20married%20a%20woman%20in%201994%20and%20has%20two%20kids.%20But%20he%20claims%20to%20be%20bisexual.%20%E2%80%9CI%20think%20I%E2%80%99ve%20always%20been%20bisexual%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said%20in%20a%201995%20interview.%20%E2%80%9CIt%E2%80%99s%20ingrained%20in%20our%20heads%20that%20it%E2%80%99s%20bad%20when%20it%E2%80%99s%20not%20bad%20at%20all.%20It%E2%80%99s%20a%20very%20beautiful%20thing.%E2%80%9D%20%28credit%3A%20Jim%20McIsaac%2FGetty%20Images%29

Former%20%E2%80%9CRoseanne%E2%80%9D%20star%20Sara%20Gilbert%20came%20out%20as%20a%20lesbian%20in%202010%2C%20just%20as%20she%20was%20being%20announced%20as%20the%20executive%20producer%20and%20co-host%20of%20the%20CBS%20daytime%20show%20%E2%80%9CThe%20Talk.%E2%80%9D%20In%20August%202011%2C%20Gilbert%20announced%20that%20she%20was%20separating%20from%20her%20partner%20of%2010%20years.%20%28credit%3A%20Toby%20Canham%2FGetty%20Images%29

She%20took%20Tom%20Cruise%E2%80%99s%20breath%20away%20in%20%E2%80%9CTop%20Gun%2C%E2%80%9D%20but%20actress%20Kelly%20McGillis%20came%20out%20as%20a%20lesbian%20in%20April%202009%2C%20saying%20that%20she%20had%20been%20coming%20to%20terms%20with%20her%20sexuality%20since%20she%20was%2012%20years%20old.%20%28credit%3A%20Arthur%20Mola%2FGetty%20Images%29

Celebrity%20chef%20Cat%20Cora%20specializes%20in%20Greek-American%20cuisine%20as%20one%20of%20the%20culinary%20pros%20on%20%E2%80%9CIron%20Chef%20America.%E2%80%9D%20When%20not%20donning%20an%20apron%20in%20front%20of%20cameras%2C%20Cora%20raises%20four%20sons%20with%20her%20wife.%20The%20two%20have%20been%20married%20since%201999.%20%28credit%3A%20Michael%20Buckner%2FGetty%20Images%20for%20Muppets%20Kitchen%29

Former%20%E2%80%9CGrey%E2%80%99s%20Anatomy%E2%80%9D%20star%20T.R.%20Knight%20had%20his%20sexuality%20thrust%20into%20the%20spotlight%20when%20castmates%20Patrick%20Dempsey%20and%20Isaiah%20Washington%20began%20arguing%20on%20the%20set%2C%20prompting%20Washington%20to%20allegedly%20insult%20Knight%20and%20his%20sexual%20orientation.%20%28credit%3A%20Astrid%20Stawiarz%2FGetty%20Images%29

Wichita%20Falls%20native%20Tommy%20Tune%20has%20performed%2C%20directed%2C%20produced%20and%20choreographed%20some%20of%20the%20biggest%20shows%20on%20Broadway%2C%20winning%20nine%20Tony%20Awards%20along%20the%20way.%20Tune%20continues%20to%20perform%20to%20this%20day%2C%20while%20running%20an%20art%20gallery%20in%20New%20York.%20%28credit%3A%20Andy%20Kropa%2FGetty%20Images%29

Afraid%20of%20being%20exposed%20as%20a%20lesbian%20so%20early%20in%20her%20career%2C%20actress%20Portia%20de%20Rossi%20did%20not%20open%20up%20about%20her%20sexual%20orientation%20until%202005%2C%20after%20she%20had%20started%20dating%20daytime%20talk%20show%20host%20Ellen%20DeGeneres.%20The%20two%20are%20now%20married.%20%28credit%3A%20D%20Dipasupil%2FGetty%20Images%29

Fashion%20expert%20Carson%20Kressley%20was%20part%20of%20the%20Fab%20Five%20%28with%20food%20and%20wine%20connoisseur%20Ted%20Allen%2C%20interior%20designer%20Thom%20Filicia%2C%20culture%20expert%20Jai%20Rodriguez%20and%20male%20grooming%20expert%20Kyan%20Douglas%20%E2%80%93%20all%20of%20whom%20are%20gay%29%20on%20the%20makeover%20show%20%E2%80%9CQueer%20Eye.%E2%80%9D%20Kressley%20has%20since%20starred%20in%20several%20reality%20shows%2C%20helping%20people%20with%20their%20fashion%20and%20beauty.%20%28credit%3A%20Frazer%20Harrison%2FGetty%20Images%29

Those%20in%20the%20entertainment%20industry%20know%20comedy%20writer%20Bruce%20Vilanch%20for%20crafting%20many%20of%20the%20jokes%20on%20high-profile%20awards%20shows%20like%20the%20Oscars%2C%20Tonys%20and%20Emmys.%20He%20has%20also%20worked%20on%20scripts%20for%20several%20movies%20and%20TV%20shows.%20But%20those%20not%20in%20the%20business%20would%20best%20know%20Vilanch%20for%20his%20time%20as%20a%20featured%20celebrity%20on%20%E2%80%9CHollywood%20Squares.%E2%80%9D%20%28credit%3A%20Jason%20Kempin%2FGetty%20Images%29

There%20was%20once%20a%20time%20when%20most%20people%20probably%20knew%20actress%20Anne%20Heche%20only%20as%20the%20girlfriend%20of%20comedian%20Ellen%20DeGeneres.%20They%20split%20up%20in%20August%202000%2C%20and%20Heche%20went%20on%20to%20star%20in%20many%20successful%20movies%20and%20TV%20shows.%20Meanwhile%2C%20Heche%2C%20who%20has%20dated%20both%20men%20and%20women%20during%20her%20life%2C%20got%20married%2C%20divorced%20and%20had%20two%20kids%20%E2%80%93%20all%20with%20men.%20%28credit%3A%20Astrid%20Stawiarz%2FGetty%20Images%29

Scottish%20actor%20Alan%20Cumming%20has%20dated%20many%20women%20and%20describes%20himself%20as%20bisexual%2C%20but%20added%20that%20%E2%80%9Cthe%20pendulum%20has%20obviously%20swung%E2%80%9D%20after%20entering%20a%20civil%20partnership%20with%20another%20man%20in%20January%202007.%20%28credit%3A%20Jason%20Kempin%2FGetty%20Images%20for%20IMG%29

Comedian%20Margaret%20Cho%20is%20openly%20bisexual%2C%20and%20has%20said%20that%20she%20was%20bullying%20in%20the%20past%20because%20of%20her%20sexual%20orientation.%20%E2%80%9CI%20felt%20very%20insecure%20and%20very%20scared%2C%20and%20I%20didn%E2%80%99t%20want%20to%20live%2C%E2%80%9D%20she%20said.%20Cho%20now%20speaks%20against%20anti-gay%20bullying%2C%20encouraging%20gay%20pride.%20She%E2%80%99s%20been%20married%20%E2%80%93%20to%20a%20man%20%E2%80%93%20since%202003.%20%28credit%3A%20Chelsea%20Lauren%2FGetty%20Images%20for%20Pantages%20Theatre%29

Fashion%20designer%20Michael%20Kors%20has%20been%20creating%20clothes%20for%20men%20and%20women%20for%20over%2030%20years.%20Those%20not%20familiar%20with%20the%20fashion%20industry%20might%20recognize%20Kors%20as%20a%20judge%20on%20the%20reality%20television%20hit%20%E2%80%9CProject%20Runway.%E2%80%9D%20Kors%20married%20his%20longtime%20partner%20in%20August%202011.%20%28credit%3A%20Amy%20Sussman%2FGetty%20Images%20for%20FIJI%20Water%29

Best%20known%20as%20the%20mom%20on%20%E2%80%9CFamily%20Ties%2C%E2%80%9D%20Meredith%20Baxter%20has%20been%20married%20three%20times%2C%20and%20has%20five%20kids%20from%20those%20relationships.%20But%20in%20an%20interview%20with%20Matt%20Lauer%20in%202009%2C%20she%20came%20out%20as%20a%20lesbian.%20Baxter%20said%20that%20her%20first%20same-sex%20relationship%20was%20in%202002.%20%28credit%3A%20Astrid%20Stawiarz%2FGetty%20Images%29

After%20%2ANSYNC%20disbanded%2C%20former%20boy%20band%20member%20Lance%20Bass%20came%20out%20on%20the%20cover%20of%20People%20magazine%20in%20July%202006%2C%20after%20nearly%20a%20year%20of%20speculation.%20%E2%80%9CI%E2%80%99m%20not%20ashamed%2C%E2%80%9D%20Bass%20said.%20%E2%80%9CI%E2%80%99m%20more%20liberated%20and%20happy%20than%20I%E2%80%99ve%20been%20my%20whole%20life.%E2%80%9D%20%28credit%3A%20Frazer%20Harrison%2FGetty%20Images%20for%20Relativity%20Media%29

Latin%20pop%20singer%20Ricky%20Martin%20is%20known%20for%20hits%20like%20%E2%80%9CLivin%E2%80%99%20La%20Vida%20Loca%E2%80%9D%20and%20%E2%80%9CShe%20Bangs.%E2%80%9D%20He%20officially%20came%20out%20of%20the%20closet%20in%20March%202010%20through%20a%20posting%20on%20his%20website.%20%E2%80%9CI%20am%20proud%20to%20say%20that%20I%20am%20a%20fortunate%20homosexual%20man%2C%E2%80%9D%20Martin%20said.%20%E2%80%9CI%20am%20very%20blessed%20to%20be%20who%20I%20am.%E2%80%9D%20%28credit%3A%20Jason%20Kempin%2FGetty%20Images%29

Legendary%20musician%20Elton%20John%20first%20came%20out%20as%20a%20bisexual%20in%20a%201976%20interview%20published%20in%20Rolling%20Stone%20magazine.%20Later%2C%20in%201988%2C%20he%20told%20the%20magazine%20that%20he%20was%20%E2%80%9Ccomfortable%E2%80%9D%20being%20classified%20as%20gay.%20John%20and%20his%20partner%20became%20fathers%20in%202010.%20The%20child%20was%20born%20on%20Christmas%20Day.%20%28credit%3A%20Jeff%20Fusco%2FGetty%20Images%29

Sexual%20preferences%20were%20not%20really%20discussed%20during%20Adam%20Lambert%E2%80%99s%20stint%20on%20%E2%80%9CAmerican%20Idol%2C%E2%80%9D%20and%20the%20singer%20catapulted%20to%20the%20final%20show%2C%20ultimately%20losing%20out%20to%20Kris%20Allen.%20After%20the%20show%20ended%2C%20Lambert%20confirmed%20that%20he%20is%20gay%20in%20Rolling%20Stone%20magazine%2C%20and%20moved%20forward%20with%20his%20music%20career.%20%28credit%3A%20Kevin%20Winter%2FGetty%20Images%20for%20LOGO%29

After%20winning%20the%20first%20season%20of%20%E2%80%9CAmerica%E2%80%99s%20Next%20Top%20Model%2C%E2%80%9D%20Adrianne%20Curry%20had%20her%20life%20with%20husband%20Christopher%20Knight%20detailed%20in%20the%20TV%20show%20%E2%80%9CMy%20Fair%20Brady.%E2%80%9D%20Curry%20opened%20up%20about%20her%20bisexuality%20to%20Playboy%20magazine%20in%202007.%20%E2%80%9CI%20have%20a%20lot%20of%20testosterone%20in%20me%2C%E2%80%9D%20she%20said.%20%E2%80%9CThat%E2%80%99s%20why%20I%20dated%20women%20for%20so%20long.%20I%20was%20the%20guy%2C%20they%20were%20the%20girls.%20I%20was%20allotted%20powers%20you%20normally%20don%E2%80%99t%20get%20with%20men.%E2%80%9D%20%28credit%3A%20Michael%20Buckner%2FGetty%20Images%20for%20Reality%20Rocks%29

As%20an%20accomplished%20musician%2C%20K.D.%20Lang%20has%20done%20much%20to%20support%20gay%20rights%20and%20other%20related%20causes%2C%20including%20songs%20dedicated%20to%20the%20support%20of%20HIV%2FAIDS%20care%20and%20research.%20Lang%20herself%20came%20out%20as%20a%20lesbian%20in%201992.%20%28credit%3A%20Gareth%20Cattermole%2FGetty%20Images%29

Actor%20Chris%20Colfer%20plays%20gay%20character%20Kurt%20Hummel%20in%20television%E2%80%99s%20smash%20hit%20%E2%80%9CGlee%2C%E2%80%9D%20and%20Colfer%20himself%20is%20also%20openly%20gay.%20Colfer%20told%20%E2%80%9CAccess%20Hollywood%E2%80%9D%20that%20he%20was%20often%20bullied%20in%20school%2C%20and%20hopes%20that%20%E2%80%9CGlee%E2%80%9D%20can%20help%20prevent%20more%20bullying%20from%20tormenting%20kids.%20%28credit%3A%20Jason%20Merritt%2FGetty%20Images%29

Like%20his%20character%20on%20the%20sitcom%20%E2%80%9CModern%20Family%2C%E2%80%9D%20actor%20Jesse%20Tyler%20Ferguson%20is%20gay.%20And%20oddly%20enough%2C%20his%20on-screen%20partner%2C%20Eric%20Stonestreet%2C%20is%20actually%20straight.%20%28credit%3A%20Neilson%20Barnard%2FGetty%20Images%29

Although%20actress%20Jodie%20Foster%20has%20never%20explicitly%20said%20that%20she%20is%20gay%2C%20and%20tends%20to%20keep%20the%20details%20of%20her%20life%20very%20private%2C%20she%20hinted%20at%20the%20notion%20in%20December%202007.%20While%20on%20the%20stage%20accepting%20an%20award%2C%20she%20thanked%20%E2%80%9Cmy%20beautiful%20Cydney%E2%80%9D%20%28movie%20producer%20Cydney%20Bernard%29%2C%20leading%20most%20people%20to%20believe%20the%20two%20were%20dating.%20They%20have%20since%20split.%20%28credit%3A%20Michael%20Buckner%2FGetty%20Images%29

During%20his%20time%20with%20New%20Kids%20on%20the%20Block%2C%20boy%20band%20member%20Jonathan%20Knight%20was%20said%20to%20be%20dating%20fellow%20pop%20star%20Tiffany.%20But%20in%20January%202011%2C%20Tiffany%20said%20that%20Knight%20is%20gay%2C%20a%20claim%20which%20he%20confirmed.%20%E2%80%9CI%20have%20lived%20my%20life%20very%20openly%20and%20have%20never%20hidden%20the%20fact%20that%20I%20am%20gay%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.%20Knight%20still%20records%20and%20tours%20with%20the%20since-renamed%20NKOTB.%20%28credit%3A%20Jemal%20Countess%2FGetty%20Images%29

The%20only%20child%20born%20to%20Cher%20and%20Sonny%20Bono%20together%2C%20Chaz%20Bono%20%28born%20Chastity%29%20told%20the%20world%20that%20she%20was%20a%20lesbian%20in%20April%201995.%20In%202008%2C%20Bono%20began%20the%20process%20of%20receiving%20a%20sex%20change%20both%20physically%20and%20legally.%20The%20process%20was%20completed%20in%20May%202010.%20%28credit%3A%20Michael%20Buckner%2FGetty%20Images%29

As%20a%20member%20of%20the%20band%20Culture%20Club%2C%20Boy%20George%20kept%20an%20androgynous%20appearance%2C%20to%20the%20point%20of%20saying%20that%20he%20preferred%20%E2%80%9Ca%20nice%20cup%20of%20tea%E2%80%9D%20over%20sex.%20But%20he%20officially%20declared%20himself%20as%20%E2%80%9Cmilitantly%20gay%E2%80%9D%20in%20a%202006%20documentary.%20%28credit%3A%20Dave%20J%20Hogan%2FGetty%20Images%29

CNN%20news%20anchor%20Don%20Lemon%20revealed%20that%20he%20is%20gay%20in%20his%20May%202011%20memoir%2C%20which%20also%20discussed%20the%20abuse%20that%20Lemon%20faced%20as%20a%20gay%20man%20growing%20up%20in%20a%20black%20community%20in%20Lousisiana.%20%28credit%3A%20Stephen%20Lovekin%2FGetty%20Images%29

Celebrity%20gossip%20blogger%20Perez%20Hilton%20is%20not%20only%20an%20openly%20gay%20man%20himself%2C%20but%20has%20often%20come%20under%20fire%20for%20outing%20stars%20who%20are%20allegedly%20in%20the%20closet.%20When%20not%20rubbing%20elbows%20with%20Hollywood%E2%80%99s%20finest%2C%20Hilton%20uses%20his%20unlikely%20stardom%20to%20support%20gay%20rights%20issues.%20%28credit%3A%20Perezhilton.com%20via%20Getty%20Images%29

Oscar%20winning%20actress%20Anna%20Paquin%20came%20out%20as%20bisexual%20in%20April%202010%2C%20while%20she%20was%20still%20dating%20her%20male%20%E2%80%9CTrue%20Blood%E2%80%9D%20co-star%20Stephen%20Moyer.%20She%20made%20the%20announcement%20while%20filming%20an%20ad%20supporting%20gay%20rights.%20Paquin%20and%20Moyer%20have%20since%20been%20married.%20%28credit%3A%20Frederick%20M.%20Brown%2FGetty%20Images%29

Standup%20comedian%20and%20actress%20Rosie%20O%E2%80%99Donnell%20actually%20came%20out%20as%20a%20lesbian%20in%202002%2C%20in%20front%20of%20people%20while%20on-stage%20during%20her%20comedy%20routine.%20%E2%80%9CI%20don%E2%80%99t%20know%20why%20people%20make%20such%20a%20big%20deal%20out%20of%20the%20gay%20thing%2C%E2%80%9D%20O%E2%80%99Donnell%20said%20during%20the%20performance.%20%E2%80%9CPeople%20are%20confused.%20They%E2%80%99re%20shocked%2C%20like%20this%20is%20a%20big%20revelation%20to%20somebody.%E2%80%9D%20%28credit%3A%20Frederick%20M.%20Brown%2FGetty%20Images%29

Most%20viewers%20will%20recognize%20choreographer%20Bruno%20Tonioli%20as%20a%20judge%20on%20%E2%80%9CDancing%20with%20the%20Stars%E2%80%9D%20%28He%E2%80%99s%20the%20lively%20one%20on%20the%20right.%29%2C%20but%20his%20dance%20work%20has%20been%20seen%20many%20popular%20music%20videos%2C%20movies%20and%20stage%20plays.%20%28credit%3A%20Chris%20Jackson%2FGetty%20Images%29

A%20generation%20of%20kids%20%28now%20adults%29%20will%20instantly%20recognize%20David%20Yost%20as%20the%20Blue%20Ranger%20of%20the%20wildly%20popular%20%E2%80%9CMighty%20Morphin%20Power%20Rangers.%E2%80%9D%20Yost%20admitted%20that%20he%20is%20gay%20during%20a%20magazine%20interview%20in%20August%202006%2C%20saying%20that%20he%20was%20taunted%20for%20years%20on%20the%20set%20of%20the%20kids%20program.%20Former%20%E2%80%9CPower%20Rangers%E2%80%9D%20cast%20and%20crew%20members%20deny%20these%20allegations.%20%28credit%3A%2020th%20Century%20Fox%29

British%20actor%20Rupert%20Everett%20came%20out%20of%20the%20closet%20in%201989%2C%20a%20move%20that%20he%20felt%20might%20ruin%20his%20career.%20Since%20then%2C%20he%E2%80%99s%20starred%20in%20several%20films%20including%20%E2%80%9CMy%20Best%20Friend%E2%80%99s%20Wedding%E2%80%9D%20in%201997%2C%20%E2%80%9CInspector%20Gadget%E2%80%9D%20in%201999%20and%20%E2%80%9CShrek%202%E2%80%9D%20in%202004.%20His%20admission%20does%20not%20seem%20to%20have%20ruined%20anything.%20%28credit%3A%20Andreas%20Rentz%2FGetty%20Images%29

Zachary%20Quinto%20has%20earned%20a%20following%20of%20sci-fi%20fans%20after%20playing%20lead%20villain%20Sylar%20in%20television%26%238217%3Bs%20%26%238220%3BHeroes%26%238221%3B%20and%20the%20iconic%20Spock%20in%202009%26%238242%3Bs%20%26%238220%3BStar%20Trek%26%238221%3B%20movie.%20He%20boldly%20stepped%20out%20of%20the%20closet%20during%20an%20October%202011%20interview%2C%20and%20later%20in%20a%20blog%20post%20on%20his%20own%20website.%20%28credit%3A%20Frazer%20Harrison%2FGetty%20Images%29

Jim%20Parsons%2C%20also%20known%20as%20Sheldon%20Cooper%20from%20the%20CBS%20sitcom%20%26%238220%3BThe%20Big%20Bang%20Theory%2C%26%238221%3B%20is%20often%20seen%20at%20industry%20events%20with%20his%20longtime%20boyfriend.%20He%20confirmed%20his%20sexuality%20to%20The%20New%20York%20Times%20in%20May%202012.%20%28credit%3A%20Frazer%20Harrison%2FGetty%20Images%29

Television%20news%20reporter%20Anderson%20Cooper%20revealed%20himself%20to%20be%20gay%20in%20July%202012%2C%20saying%20that%20he%20came%20out%20of%20the%20closet%20to%20help%20prevent%20bullying%20and%20inch%20closer%20toward%20equality.%20%28credit%3A%20Frederick%20M.%20Brown%2FGetty%20Images%29