While Hollywood has long hidden or obscured the personal lives of its stars, many of today’s LGBTQ+ performers choose to live openly, shaping not just the entertainment world but society at large. Queer actors, directors, writers, and artists have become transformative forces, leveraging their visibility to challenge norms, tell authentic stories, and drive change. Meshing talent with activism, these pioneers have etched indelible marks into an industry that often wasn’t too welcoming. Here’s a look at 12 LGBTQ+ figures whose courage, creativity, and leadership have transformed Hollywood.
12. Jesse Tyler Ferguson
As Mitchell Pritchett on Modern Family, Jesse Tyler Ferguson helped people all over the world understand the lives of gay families. Behind the cameras, he is an avid and proud LGBTQ+ rights activist and co-founder of the nonprofit organization Tie The Knot in support of marriage equality. Ferguson shares personal stories that have continuously resonated with the millions of fans, such as his coming-out story to his father. He shows that queerness can make a social change.
11. BD Wong
BD Wong is a Tony Award-winning actor who has appeared on Broadway, on television, and in film, including in such titles as Jurassic Park, Law & Order: SVU, and M. Butterfly. A notable out gay Asian-American actor, Wong has discussed the dearth of Hollywood representation and the need for greater diversity and inclusion. Such a career underlines the importance of intersectional visibility and how multiple voices can be empowered to speak within the industry.
10. Billy Porter
Billy Porter is a larger-than-life figure both on the stage and on the screen, including iconic roles in Kinky Boots and Pose. Parlaying his fame into a platform for activism, Porter supports causes both for the LGBTQ+ and HIV+ communities. The bold fashion statements he makes and his unapologetic authenticity make sure others can be themselves and prove that self-expression and advocacy go together in dazzling ways.
9. Zachary Quinto
Zachary Quinto, also known for Star Trek and Heroes, came out as gay in 2011. The alarming rates of suicides among LGBTQ+ youth compelled him to actively campaign for queer rights and more nuanced LGBTQ+ representation in media. By sharing his own coming-out experience, Quinto has cleared a path for other actors to come out while continuing to foster honest, multi-dimensional queer storytelling.
8. Laverne Cox
Laverne Cox redefined what transgender representation means in Hollywood. Her groundbreaking, Emmy-nominated performance as Sophia Burset on Orange Is the New Black was breathtaking. But way beyond the acting, Cox enlightens, dismantles prejudice, and inspires literally thousands to live their most authentic lives. And it proves visibility really can change the world.
7. Neil Patrick Harris
Neil Patrick Harris became a household name with Doogie Howser, M.D., and How I Met Your Mother. Since coming out publicly in 2006, he has dispelled notions that gay actors could not helm mainstream projects or host major events. With his husband David and their children, Harris embodies the modern, happy LGBTQ+ family-an example that personal authenticity and professional success are not mutually exclusive.
6. Jamie Clayton
Jamie Clayton rose to fame with her role on Netflix’s Sense8 and is now one of the most recognizable transgender actors in Hollywood. With subtle, honest performances, Clayton strives to break down gender stereotypes and offer opportunities for other trans actors. Her career makes a statement that talent and identity can be intertwined in an empowering yet highly visible manner.
5. Lena Waithe
Emmy-winning writer and producer Lena Waithe has reshaped Hollywood with her commitment to truthful storytelling. The first Black woman to win an Emmy for comedy writing (Master of None), she has also created The Chi and Twenties, championing both Black and queer voices. Through Waithe, art rooted in lived experiences can challenge norms, drive social change, and make truly lasting impressions on culture.
4. Jodie Foster
For many years, Jodie Foster kept her private life and gave performances that would be remembered forever in films like Taxi Driver and The Silence of the Lambs. Her relationship with Alexandra Hedison reflects a certain degree of living authentically while maintaining personal boundaries, inspiring others to find their own balance between public and private life.
3. Matt Bomer
Matt Bomer has consistently used his roles-from White Collar to The Normal Heart-to normalize LGBTQ+ experiences. Open about his marriage to Simon Halls, Bomer has challenged Hollywood’s “closet” culture, showing that being a role model and achieving mainstream success are not mutually exclusive.
2. Ellen DeGeneres
When Ellen DeGeneres introduced a gay character on her sitcom in 1997, it was a landmark moment for LGBTQ+ representation. Hounded by critics at the time, she went on to become one of the most influential figures in entertainment. With her talk show, marriage to Portia de Rossi, and continued efforts, Ellen has helped pave the way for many others to live openly and authentically.
1. Elliot Page
Elliot Page has been a driver of change regarding Hollywood’s approach to LGBTQ+ artists. From Juno to The Umbrella Academy, the announcements Page has made about being gay, then transgender and non-binary, have galvanized countless individuals. Their activism offers queer and trans voices a megaphone, creating cultural and industry-wide change through bravery and candor.
More than entertaining, these 12 icons have challenged norms, amplified the voices of the marginalized, and shown the whole world what difference authenticity can make. They prove that representation, visibility, and advocacy are not just important issues but are also essential in concept.