LG
03-31-2013, 04:31 AM
Stars Coming Out
After years of keeping his private life private, Zachary Quinto found the courage and inspiration to share his true self with the world. Fortunately for him, he is not alone. Find out how these celebs chose to reveal their sexuality to the public.
http://thumbnails104.imagebam.com/24636/353176246351694.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/353176246351694)
1. Jodie Foster
Jodie Foster's sexual orientation was long considered an open secret in Hollywood, especially after she thanked her "beautiful Cydney" while accepting an award in 2007. But at the 2013 Golden Globes, she surprised everyone by using the occasion to explain she'd been "out" for years to the people close to her. She just didn't think she needed to hold a press conference to talk about it.
http://thumbnails103.imagebam.com/24636/d6ac56246351701.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/d6ac56246351701)
2. Anderson Cooper
After years of avoiding questions about his sexuality and personal life, Anderson Cooper came out in a letter to the Daily Beast. "The fact is, I'm gay, always have been, always will be, and I couldn't be more happy, comfortable with myself, and proud," Cooper, 45, wrote. The CNN anchor expressed his desire for privacy but noted, "It's become clear to me that by remaining silent on certain aspects of my personal life for so long, I have given some the mistaken impression that I am trying to hide something – something that makes me uncomfortable, ashamed or even afraid. This is distressing because it is simply not true."
http://thumbnails105.imagebam.com/24636/2bc724246351641.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/2bc724246351641)
3. Jim Parsons
Big Bang Theory star Jim Parsons never made an effort to hide his sexual orientation. He thanked long-time partner Todd Spiewak while accepting awards on more than one occasion, and the two were often photographed together. The New York Times' May 2012 profile officially outed the actor with the simple sentence, "Mr. Parsons is gay and in a 10-year relationship.”
http://thumbnails108.imagebam.com/24636/876133246351777.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/876133246351777)
4. Jillian Michaels
Fitness guru and former Biggest Loser trainer Jillian Michaels' official coming out came when she announced some big baby news in May 2012. Michaels announced her partner, Heidi Rhoades, had given birth at the same time she broke news that the couple had adopted a 2-year-old girl from Haiti.
http://thumbnails105.imagebam.com/24636/fed1a7246351806.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/fed1a7246351806)
5. Zachary Quinto
Zachary Quinto, star of Heroes and Star Trek, found the courage to come out as a gay man after the tragic suicide of gay teen Jamey Rodemeyer. Quinto said of Rodemeyer, "I am eternally grateful to him for being the catalyst for change within me. Now I can only hope to serve as the same catalyst for even one other person in this world."
http://thumbnails102.imagebam.com/24636/af4449246351767.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/af4449246351767)
6. Amber Heard
While she's rumored to be dating Johnny Depp, up-and-coming actress Amber Heard carried on a high-profile relationship with photographer Tasya van Ree from 2008 to 2012. She's described her coming out as a moment of personal and moral triumph.
http://thumbnails106.imagebam.com/24636/5f4b51246351670.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/5f4b51246351670)
7. Ricky Martin
This "Livin' La Vida Loca" singer was the subject of some mean-spirited gay rumors early in his career. It wasn't until after he and his partner welcomed twin sons, born via surrogate, that he came out in a blog post in March 2010: "I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man."
http://thumbnails104.imagebam.com/24636/349e81246351795.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/349e81246351795)
8. Ellen DeGeneres
It seems like ages ago that comedian Ellen DeGeneres announced she was gay on the cover of Time magazine. DeGeneres' now-iconic "Yep, I'm Gay," magazine cover was published in 1997 in the middle of the fourth season of her eponymously-titled sitcom. Her onscreen counterpart came out shortly after.
http://thumbnails108.imagebam.com/24636/67024c246351720.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/67024c246351720)
9. Adam Lambert
After months of American Idol fans wondering "is he or isn't he?" Adam Lambert silenced everyone in his June 2009 Rolling Stone cover story: "I don’t think it should be a surprise for anyone to hear that I’m gay."
http://thumbnails106.imagebam.com/24636/a3c735246351663.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/a3c735246351663)
10. Lady Gaga
After she hit it big with The Fame, Lady Gaga revealed that her single "Poker Face" is all about her bisexuality. She told Rolling Stone magazine her past boyfriends had all been intimidated by her love of the ladies. She's also made a habit of standing up for equal rights both in her music, and in her extensive anti-bullying campaign.
http://thumbnails105.imagebam.com/24636/c305be246351753.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/c305be246351753)
11. Lance Bass
After a successful career with N*SYNC, Lance Bass came out in a 2006 interview with People. "The thing is, I’m not ashamed — that’s the one thing I want to say," he said. "I don't think it's wrong, I'm not devastated going through this. I'm more liberated and happy than I’ve been my whole life."
http://thumbnails106.imagebam.com/24636/e4f143246351638.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/e4f143246351638)
12. Anna Paquin
Anna Paquin is married to her True Blood co-star Stephen Moyer, but in April 2010 she revealed her bisexuality in an online PSA for the True Colors Fund, which promotes gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual equality.
http://thumbnails105.imagebam.com/24636/2acc26246351685.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/2acc26246351685)
13. Sean Hayes
Sean Hayes declined to comment on his sexual orientation while playing flamboyant Jack McFarland on Will & Grace. In March 2010 he came out during an interview with The Advocate, saying, "I feel like I’ve contributed monumentally to the success of the gay movement in America, and if anyone wants to argue that, I’m open to it."
http://thumbnails103.imagebam.com/24636/9baab6246351788.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/9baab6246351788)
14. Fergie
This Black Eyed Peas starlet is married to Transformers star Josh Duhamel, but identifies as bisexual. In May 2009 she said, "I think women are beautiful, I've had a lot of fun with women, and I'm not ashamed of it."
http://thumbnails106.imagebam.com/24636/06a67a246351741.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/06a67a246351741)
15. Neil Patrick Harris
How I Met Your Mother star Neil Patrick Harris came out after a 2006 report about his relationship with boyfriend David Burtka was published. He said, "I am happy to dispel any rumors or misconceptions and am quite proud to say that I am a very content gay man living my life to the fullest and feel most fortunate to be working with wonderful people in the business I love a lot."
http://thumbnails107.imagebam.com/24636/9e2551246351645.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/9e2551246351645)
16. Cynthia Nixon
When Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon started dating Christine Marinoni in 2004, the media quickly picked up the story. She came out officially in an interview with New York Magazine two years later: "I never felt like there was an unconscious part of me around that woke up or that came out of the closet; there wasn't a struggle, there wasn't an attempt to suppress. I met this woman, I fell in love with her, and I'm a public figure." The couple is now married.
http://thumbnails104.imagebam.com/24636/62d5d8246353647.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/62d5d8246353647)
17. Clay Aiken
American Idol singer Clay Aiken denied being gay in some of his early interviews, but he came out to People magazine in September 2008, just a month after his son Parker Foster Aiken was born.
http://thumbnails105.imagebam.com/24636/0f597c246353649.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/0f597c246353649)
18. Jane Lynch
Glee star Jane Lynch, who's been married to partner Dr. Lara Embry since 2011, never had a definitive "coming out" moment. She told About.com, "I didn’t stop going to gay events because my visibility was a little greater, I just continued to live my life. I benefited from the work of the brave people like Ellen and Melissa and Rosie. They did the grunt work and I happily walked that trail, whistling a tune."
http://thumbnails104.imagebam.com/24636/0709b3246353675.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/0709b3246353675)
19. Rupert Everett
Rupert Everett is a rare public figure who's encouraged gay celebs to stay in the closet forever. The actor came out two decades ago, but he claims he's been passed over for lead roles because of his sexuality, saying, "It doesn't work if you're gay." We can think of a few stars who'd probably beg to differ.
http://thumbnails104.imagebam.com/24636/a0d88e246353658.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/a0d88e246353658)
20. Sara Gilbert
Roseanne star Sara Gilbert kept mum about her relationships and private life until 2004, when she announced publicly that she'd been in a committed relationship with TV writer and producer Allison Adler for two years.
http://thumbnails106.imagebam.com/24636/8f0fb3246353660.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/8f0fb3246353660)
21. David Hyde Pierce
Tabloids had long speculated about David Hyde Pierce's sexuality before his publicist confirmed that he and producer Brian Hargrove were indeed a couple. The duo tied the knot in 2008, just before Proposition 8 was passed in California. Pierce later spoke out against the legislation.
http://thumbnails108.imagebam.com/24636/ac183a246353651.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/ac183a246353651)
22. Portia de Rossi
Arrested Development stunner Portia de Rossi was married to a man in the '90s, before she started dating a female singer. Most of her family and co-workers didn't know she was gay until a tabloid published paparazzi photos of the pair, but it still wasn't until she started a relationship with Ellen DeGeneres in 2004 that she came out in interviews with Details and The Advocate.
http://thumbnails106.imagebam.com/24636/f87175246353668.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/f87175246353668)
23. T.R. Knight
Scandal rocked the Grey's Anatomy cast when Isaiah Washington reportedly called an anonymous co-star a "faggot," leading the public to wonder if he was talking about T.R. Knight. Knight later cleared things up in an interview with People: "While I prefer to keep my personal life private, I hope the fact that I'm gay isn't the most interesting part of me."
http://thumbnails108.imagebam.com/24636/f90bf3246353666.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/f90bf3246353666)
24. Rosie O'Donnell
Comedian Rosie O'Donnell announced she was gay in 2002 during an act at the Ovarian Cancer Research benefit, just a month after she'd played a lesbian on Will & Grace. She exclaimed, "I'm a dyke!" and later added, "I don't know why people make such a big deal about the gay thing
ZM
After years of keeping his private life private, Zachary Quinto found the courage and inspiration to share his true self with the world. Fortunately for him, he is not alone. Find out how these celebs chose to reveal their sexuality to the public.
http://thumbnails104.imagebam.com/24636/353176246351694.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/353176246351694)
1. Jodie Foster
Jodie Foster's sexual orientation was long considered an open secret in Hollywood, especially after she thanked her "beautiful Cydney" while accepting an award in 2007. But at the 2013 Golden Globes, she surprised everyone by using the occasion to explain she'd been "out" for years to the people close to her. She just didn't think she needed to hold a press conference to talk about it.
http://thumbnails103.imagebam.com/24636/d6ac56246351701.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/d6ac56246351701)
2. Anderson Cooper
After years of avoiding questions about his sexuality and personal life, Anderson Cooper came out in a letter to the Daily Beast. "The fact is, I'm gay, always have been, always will be, and I couldn't be more happy, comfortable with myself, and proud," Cooper, 45, wrote. The CNN anchor expressed his desire for privacy but noted, "It's become clear to me that by remaining silent on certain aspects of my personal life for so long, I have given some the mistaken impression that I am trying to hide something – something that makes me uncomfortable, ashamed or even afraid. This is distressing because it is simply not true."
http://thumbnails105.imagebam.com/24636/2bc724246351641.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/2bc724246351641)
3. Jim Parsons
Big Bang Theory star Jim Parsons never made an effort to hide his sexual orientation. He thanked long-time partner Todd Spiewak while accepting awards on more than one occasion, and the two were often photographed together. The New York Times' May 2012 profile officially outed the actor with the simple sentence, "Mr. Parsons is gay and in a 10-year relationship.”
http://thumbnails108.imagebam.com/24636/876133246351777.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/876133246351777)
4. Jillian Michaels
Fitness guru and former Biggest Loser trainer Jillian Michaels' official coming out came when she announced some big baby news in May 2012. Michaels announced her partner, Heidi Rhoades, had given birth at the same time she broke news that the couple had adopted a 2-year-old girl from Haiti.
http://thumbnails105.imagebam.com/24636/fed1a7246351806.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/fed1a7246351806)
5. Zachary Quinto
Zachary Quinto, star of Heroes and Star Trek, found the courage to come out as a gay man after the tragic suicide of gay teen Jamey Rodemeyer. Quinto said of Rodemeyer, "I am eternally grateful to him for being the catalyst for change within me. Now I can only hope to serve as the same catalyst for even one other person in this world."
http://thumbnails102.imagebam.com/24636/af4449246351767.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/af4449246351767)
6. Amber Heard
While she's rumored to be dating Johnny Depp, up-and-coming actress Amber Heard carried on a high-profile relationship with photographer Tasya van Ree from 2008 to 2012. She's described her coming out as a moment of personal and moral triumph.
http://thumbnails106.imagebam.com/24636/5f4b51246351670.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/5f4b51246351670)
7. Ricky Martin
This "Livin' La Vida Loca" singer was the subject of some mean-spirited gay rumors early in his career. It wasn't until after he and his partner welcomed twin sons, born via surrogate, that he came out in a blog post in March 2010: "I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man."
http://thumbnails104.imagebam.com/24636/349e81246351795.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/349e81246351795)
8. Ellen DeGeneres
It seems like ages ago that comedian Ellen DeGeneres announced she was gay on the cover of Time magazine. DeGeneres' now-iconic "Yep, I'm Gay," magazine cover was published in 1997 in the middle of the fourth season of her eponymously-titled sitcom. Her onscreen counterpart came out shortly after.
http://thumbnails108.imagebam.com/24636/67024c246351720.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/67024c246351720)
9. Adam Lambert
After months of American Idol fans wondering "is he or isn't he?" Adam Lambert silenced everyone in his June 2009 Rolling Stone cover story: "I don’t think it should be a surprise for anyone to hear that I’m gay."
http://thumbnails106.imagebam.com/24636/a3c735246351663.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/a3c735246351663)
10. Lady Gaga
After she hit it big with The Fame, Lady Gaga revealed that her single "Poker Face" is all about her bisexuality. She told Rolling Stone magazine her past boyfriends had all been intimidated by her love of the ladies. She's also made a habit of standing up for equal rights both in her music, and in her extensive anti-bullying campaign.
http://thumbnails105.imagebam.com/24636/c305be246351753.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/c305be246351753)
11. Lance Bass
After a successful career with N*SYNC, Lance Bass came out in a 2006 interview with People. "The thing is, I’m not ashamed — that’s the one thing I want to say," he said. "I don't think it's wrong, I'm not devastated going through this. I'm more liberated and happy than I’ve been my whole life."
http://thumbnails106.imagebam.com/24636/e4f143246351638.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/e4f143246351638)
12. Anna Paquin
Anna Paquin is married to her True Blood co-star Stephen Moyer, but in April 2010 she revealed her bisexuality in an online PSA for the True Colors Fund, which promotes gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual equality.
http://thumbnails105.imagebam.com/24636/2acc26246351685.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/2acc26246351685)
13. Sean Hayes
Sean Hayes declined to comment on his sexual orientation while playing flamboyant Jack McFarland on Will & Grace. In March 2010 he came out during an interview with The Advocate, saying, "I feel like I’ve contributed monumentally to the success of the gay movement in America, and if anyone wants to argue that, I’m open to it."
http://thumbnails103.imagebam.com/24636/9baab6246351788.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/9baab6246351788)
14. Fergie
This Black Eyed Peas starlet is married to Transformers star Josh Duhamel, but identifies as bisexual. In May 2009 she said, "I think women are beautiful, I've had a lot of fun with women, and I'm not ashamed of it."
http://thumbnails106.imagebam.com/24636/06a67a246351741.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/06a67a246351741)
15. Neil Patrick Harris
How I Met Your Mother star Neil Patrick Harris came out after a 2006 report about his relationship with boyfriend David Burtka was published. He said, "I am happy to dispel any rumors or misconceptions and am quite proud to say that I am a very content gay man living my life to the fullest and feel most fortunate to be working with wonderful people in the business I love a lot."
http://thumbnails107.imagebam.com/24636/9e2551246351645.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/9e2551246351645)
16. Cynthia Nixon
When Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon started dating Christine Marinoni in 2004, the media quickly picked up the story. She came out officially in an interview with New York Magazine two years later: "I never felt like there was an unconscious part of me around that woke up or that came out of the closet; there wasn't a struggle, there wasn't an attempt to suppress. I met this woman, I fell in love with her, and I'm a public figure." The couple is now married.
http://thumbnails104.imagebam.com/24636/62d5d8246353647.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/62d5d8246353647)
17. Clay Aiken
American Idol singer Clay Aiken denied being gay in some of his early interviews, but he came out to People magazine in September 2008, just a month after his son Parker Foster Aiken was born.
http://thumbnails105.imagebam.com/24636/0f597c246353649.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/0f597c246353649)
18. Jane Lynch
Glee star Jane Lynch, who's been married to partner Dr. Lara Embry since 2011, never had a definitive "coming out" moment. She told About.com, "I didn’t stop going to gay events because my visibility was a little greater, I just continued to live my life. I benefited from the work of the brave people like Ellen and Melissa and Rosie. They did the grunt work and I happily walked that trail, whistling a tune."
http://thumbnails104.imagebam.com/24636/0709b3246353675.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/0709b3246353675)
19. Rupert Everett
Rupert Everett is a rare public figure who's encouraged gay celebs to stay in the closet forever. The actor came out two decades ago, but he claims he's been passed over for lead roles because of his sexuality, saying, "It doesn't work if you're gay." We can think of a few stars who'd probably beg to differ.
http://thumbnails104.imagebam.com/24636/a0d88e246353658.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/a0d88e246353658)
20. Sara Gilbert
Roseanne star Sara Gilbert kept mum about her relationships and private life until 2004, when she announced publicly that she'd been in a committed relationship with TV writer and producer Allison Adler for two years.
http://thumbnails106.imagebam.com/24636/8f0fb3246353660.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/8f0fb3246353660)
21. David Hyde Pierce
Tabloids had long speculated about David Hyde Pierce's sexuality before his publicist confirmed that he and producer Brian Hargrove were indeed a couple. The duo tied the knot in 2008, just before Proposition 8 was passed in California. Pierce later spoke out against the legislation.
http://thumbnails108.imagebam.com/24636/ac183a246353651.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/ac183a246353651)
22. Portia de Rossi
Arrested Development stunner Portia de Rossi was married to a man in the '90s, before she started dating a female singer. Most of her family and co-workers didn't know she was gay until a tabloid published paparazzi photos of the pair, but it still wasn't until she started a relationship with Ellen DeGeneres in 2004 that she came out in interviews with Details and The Advocate.
http://thumbnails106.imagebam.com/24636/f87175246353668.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/f87175246353668)
23. T.R. Knight
Scandal rocked the Grey's Anatomy cast when Isaiah Washington reportedly called an anonymous co-star a "faggot," leading the public to wonder if he was talking about T.R. Knight. Knight later cleared things up in an interview with People: "While I prefer to keep my personal life private, I hope the fact that I'm gay isn't the most interesting part of me."
http://thumbnails108.imagebam.com/24636/f90bf3246353666.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/f90bf3246353666)
24. Rosie O'Donnell
Comedian Rosie O'Donnell announced she was gay in 2002 during an act at the Ovarian Cancer Research benefit, just a month after she'd played a lesbian on Will & Grace. She exclaimed, "I'm a dyke!" and later added, "I don't know why people make such a big deal about the gay thing
ZM