Those who identify with the LGBTQ+ community often find themselves isolated with the lack of good representation in the media, so when celebrities under the spotlight come out and discuss their sexuality, it can go a long way in helping out the younger LGBTQ+ community.
2016 has had some major downfalls, but with 2017 around the corner, we can reflect on one of the many positive aspects, which is that multiple influential people have come out this year. With that said, I have conducted a list of 10 celebrities who came out in 2016.
1. Aubrey Plaza
Actress Aubrey Plaza, most known as April on Parks and Recreation, told The Advocate that she was bisexual in an interview earlier this year after stating, “I know I have an androgynous thing going on, and there’s something masculine about my energy. Girls are into me — that’s no secret. Hey, I’m into them too,” Plaza continued and stated, “I fall in love with girls and guys.”
2. Colton Haynes
Actor Colton Haynes who has appeared on Teen Wolf and Arrow, opened up about his personal life earlier this year, telling Entertainment Weekly that he is gay. In the same interview Haynes addresses his problem dealing with anxiety but has since stated, “I’m happier than I’ve ever been, and healthier than I’ve ever been and that’s what I care about.”
3. Nur Warsame
Nur Warsame is Australia’s first openly gay Imam, an Islamic leader who runs a mosque. Warsame discussed the difficulties of being gay in the Muslim community. “There’s the name of the family you have to protect, the name of the community you come from. The reason it’s difficult for people to come out in the Muslim world or Islamic communities is because the losses are too high, the risks are too great, I mean there is even a risk to your life because the conservative school of thought in Islam to counter homosexuality is to be killed.” He then added, “Reconciling spirituality with sexuality is a very difficult journey.”
4. Amandla Stenberg
Hunger Games star, Amandla Stenberg, 18, came out as bisexual in a series of snapchat videos at the beginning of the year, stating, “As someone who identifies as a black bisexual woman, I’ve been through it and it hurts and it’s awkward and it’s uncomfortable.”
5. Rowan Blanchard
Rowan Blanchard is a 15-year-old actress best known for her role on Girl Meets World on Disney Channel, who came out as queer over Twitter this year.
6. Charlie Carver
American actor, Charlie Carver, came out as gay in a series of Instagram posts, stating, “So now, let the record show this — I self-identify as gay. And does that really matter anymore? As a young man, I needed a young man in Hollywood to say that — and without being a dick about it, I owe it to myself, more than anything, to be who I needed when I was younger.”
7. Lauren Jauregui
Fifth Harmony’s 20-year-old, Lauren Jauregui came out in an open letter to Donald Trump supporters in November, writing, “I am a bisexual Cuban-American woman and I am so proud of it,”
8. Sara Ramirez
Grey’s Anatomy star, Sara Ramirez, came out as bisexual in October during a speech at the True Colors Fund’s “40 to None” summit in Los Angeles, which is an event that addresses issues such as LGBT+ youth homelessness.
9. Bex Taylor-Klaus
The 22-year-old Scream actress came out as gay in November over Twitter, writing, “hello my name is Bex and yes the rumours are true I am v gay.” Shortly after her tweet, Bex began livestreaming a Q&A on YouNow to confirm it again, stating, “Part of why I’m coming out is because there’s so much hate and fear in and around the LGBT community right now and it’s important for us not to halt progress out of fear.”
10. Bella Thorne
Actress Bella Thorne, aged 19, came out as bisexual this year, after responding to a tweet that asked “Are you bisexual?” to which Bella simply responded, “Yes.”
