Queer Actors who are killing it on the Big Screen 

Beyoncé had once said: ‘If you’re part of a group that’s called “other” — a group that does not get the chance to be centre stage — build your own stage, and make them see you.’ 

In Hollywood, multiple celebrities who have chosen to come out shout their identities out to the world, giving courage and boost the morale of the queer community across the world. These celebrities have not only chosen to live their most authentic lives but have also overcome the many biases and prejudice that society has against the “other” and in doing so, have created countless opportunities and possibly a better world.  

These celebrities have given us much to admire, for sure. Hare a few celebrities and public figures who have risen through the hate and prejudice and are killing it on the big screen.  

Kristen Stewart-  

We have all grown to love and recognise Kristen Stewart from her days of acting in famous movie series “Twilight”.  Kristen came out as a bi-sexual in 2017 and stated “”You’re not confused if you’re bisexual. It’s not confusing at all.” 

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Lil Nas X 

Lil Nas is one of the most famous LGBTQIA+ actors of recent times.  

He rode through the “old town road” and came out shining with fame and colours. Lil Nas holds the record for having the most consecutive weeks at #1 on the Billboard top 100.  The rapper and superstar was scared of coming out thinking that he would lose his fan base but the complete opposite has happened. His followers grew exponentially.  

Ellen DeGeneres 

The comedian and talk show host has worked endlessly to advance gay rights since the 1990s and came out on national television in 1997. 

In 2016, DeGeneres was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honour given by the president to a US civilian, for her work to advance LGBTQ+ rights. 

Jim Parson 

He is famous for his role of Sheldon Cooper from hit TV sitcom “The Big Bang Theory”.  

Unlike his character, Jim was not scared to explore his options and dive in to the “primal instincts of man or explore the chemical imbalance in our brain” which normal people call love.  Jim publicly came out as gay in a 2012 New York Times feature. When he came out, he took a stand and said “Once it was out in the public, I was like, ‘Well, f— you! If you still have a problem with gay people, you directly have a problem with me,”. 

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Elliot Page 

 In December 2020, Page came out as transgender on his Instagram account, introducing himself and sharing that he goes by he/they pronouns. 

‘I will offer whatever support I can and continue to strive for a more loving and equal society,’ he wrote in his statement.  Page married his wife Emma Portner in 2018. 

In 2014, the Juno star came out as gay at the Human Rights Campaign’s Time to Thrive conference which promotes LGBT welfare. 

He said: ‘I am tired of hiding and I am tired of lying by omission. I suffered for years because I was scared to be out. My spirit suffered, my mental health suffered and my relationships suffered. And I’m standing here today, with all of you, on the other side of all that pain.’ 

Jonathan Bailey 

Bridgerton actor Bailey has long been a proponent for LGBTQ+ rights, and recently opened up about his dream of seeing gay men play their own experience. 

‘I think it shouldn’t matter at all what character people play, but of course there is a narrative that’s very clear, that openly gay men aren’t playing straight in leading roles,’ the actor – who is gay and plays a straight character in the 2020 Netflix series – he said. 

Billy Porter 

He stars in iconic movies, gives us major glamour on the red carpet and narrates docuseries on the LGBTQIA+ movement…well, what isn’t Porter doing? 

In a video shared on his social media accounts in June 2020, the gay actor spoke out in support of black gay and trans people joining the global Black Lives Matter protests. 

‘LGBTQ+ Black folks are Black people, too!’ he said. ‘Our lives matter, too! So this is my response to those of y’all who don’t understand that: F*ck you! And, yes, I am cussing. It’s time for cussing.’