Hollywood is a pretty fickle place and, if celebrities come out of the closet, there’s an unfortunate possibility that their careers can be negatively affected.
Consequently, many stars seem to take the subtle route instead of shouting from the rooftops that they are in fact gay! We have compiled a list of 16 celebrities you probably didn’t know were gay!
1. Sarah Paulson
Sarah Paulson, from “American Horror Story,” came out when she and her girlfriend at the time Cherry Jones declared their love for each other in an interview with Velvetpark at Women’s Event 10 for the LGBT Centre of NYC back in 2007.
After her break up with Jones, Paulson has said that she is open to relationships with women and men.
2. Sean Hayes
Sean Hayes, best known for his role as Jack on “Will and Grace,” came out in 2010.
The actor has said that he avoided coming out for many years because he didn’t want to jeopardize his chance of landing straight roles and he recently said that the controversy over his “Will and Grace” character being too gay made him retreat back into the closet!
The actor now feels as though he owes the gay community an apology for coming out too late.
3. Chely Wright
In 2010, Chely Wright became the first country music star to publically come out as a lesbian.
Wright married Lauren Blitzer in 2011 and, in 2013, the couple announced that they are expecting twins!
The country singer is quite happy to be out.
“I don’t have the words to describe the freedom and the lightness and the reckless abandon with which I want to live my life,” Wright said in an interview with CBC’s Q cultural affairs show.
4. Michael Stipe
Questions about Michael Stipe’s sexuality have been swirling since the ’90s when he admitted to having relationships with both men and women.
Stipe also revealed that he was in a committed relationship with a man.
The former lead singer of R.E.M. prefers to describe himself as “queer” as opposed to “gay.”
“I think there’s a line drawn between gay and queer, and for me, queer describes something that’s more inclusive of the grey areas.”
5. Ian McKellan
Ian McKellan – best known as Gandalf from “Lord of The Rings” – came out in 1988.
Although he has been living openly and proudly as a gay man, he does regret not coming out sooner.
6. David Hyde Pierce
After years of refusing to talk about his personal life, David Hyde Pierce finally came out in 2007.
The actor, who is best know for his role as Niles in “Frasier,” confirmed that he is gay and in a relationship with a writer/producer/director in Hollywood.
7. Matt Dallas
Matt Dallas, from “Kyle XY,” came out in 2013 when he announced via twitter that he is engaged to his boyfriend, Blue Hamilton.
8. Matt Bomer
Matt Bomer – best known for his roles in “White Collar” and “Chuck” – was not so open about his sexuality for many years.
In 2012, he subtly acknowledged his homosexuality when he thanked his partner and their three children as he received an award from the Desert AIDS Fund.
9. Jonathan Bennett
Jonathan Bennett, who played Lindsay Lohan’s love interest in “Mean Girls, ” is reported to be gay.
Although the actor hasn’t officially admitted that he prefers men to women, he has been linked to another actor who is openly gay, Matt Dallas.
10. Robin Roberts
“Good Morning America” anchor Robin Roberts came out through a Facebook post this past year.
In the post – which is about her battle with cancer – Roberts addresses her long term girlfriend Amber: “I am grateful for my entire family, my long time girlfriend, Amber, and friends as we prepare to celebrate a glorious new year together.”
11. Jim Parsons
In an interview with The New York Times, “The Big Bang Theory” star Jim Parsons revealed that he is gay and in a long-term committed relationship.
Although the actor has not identified who his partner is, there is speculation that it is art director Todd Spiewak who Parsons thanked during his 2010 Emmy Award Acceptance speech.
12. Victor Garber
In 2013, Victor Garber quietly confirmed that he is gay in an interview with “Greg in Hollywood” blogger Greg Hernandez.
When asked about his relationship with Rainer Andreeson, the actor said, “I don’t really talk about it but everybody knows.” Apparently the couple has been together for over 13 years!
13. Zachary Quinto
Zachary Quinto – of “American Horror Story” and “Heroes” – came out as gay in 2011 and he did so to help make others feel safe coming out.
“It wasn’t about formality or stopping rumors because I don’t really pay attention to rumors in the first place.
It was a very specific move that I made because there was a rash of teen suicides at the time [the victims were gay],” Quinto said.
14. Sean Maher
Sean Maher who played a closeted gay man on “The Playboy Club” admitted that he is gay in real life in 2011. The actor has been living with his partner for over a decade and they have adopted two children together.
15. Sara Gilbert
Sara Gilbert realized that she was gay back in the ’90s when she was filming “Roseanne” and dating Johnny Galecki.
Even though the actress began dating “Glee” writer-producer Alison Adler back in 2001, she didn’t publicly come out as a lesbian until 2010.
16. Chris Colfer
Chris Colfer came out when he was cast as Kurt Hummel, a delightfully flamboyant gay teen on “Glee.”
According to Colfer, the show has helped parents accept their LGBT kids!
“I’ve gotten letters from parents saying, ‘I wasn’t sure if I was going to be okay with my child being gay, then I watched the episode with Burt and Kurt and it really changed my whole point of view on it.’”
