~ Jet's List – The Gay Honor Roll
In this list are Gay butchers, gay bakers, gay candlestick makers, Lebanese lesbians all in a row, big hunky footballers begging to throw. Queer actors, gay sailors, queer generals! gay tailors, gay bankers all pleading for a deposit, G-O-P Senators still in the closet, the headlines all read of a closeted thespian, and Iceland's Prime Minister's an out-and-proud lesbian!!!
Listed alphabetically in each category below are Gay/Lesbian/Bi-sexual/Transgender: Heroes, Entertainer/Celebrities, Business & Political leaders, Journalists, Authors & Composers, Famous Gay Athletes, Leaders in the Fashion Industry and Artists
~~~> HEROES...
~ Sgt. Eric Alva gay SOLDIER – was the first U.S. military service member injured in the Iraq war. He was in charge of 11 Marines in a supply unit on March 21, 2003, when he stepped on a land mine, losing his right leg
~ Mark Binghamgay9/11 HERO-ATHLETE – who helped storm the cockpit of Flight 93 before it reached Washington D.C. Read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol I,” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar. I’ve also written a more complete article about him on my Jet’s Gay Pride Page.
~ David Charlebois gay 9/11 HERO – was the first officer on American Airlines Flight 77 which was hijacked and flown into the Pentagon on September 11, 2001
~ Chaplain Mychal Judge gay 911 Hero. – Chaplain Judge was the first one killed in the World Trade Center plaza, and became the occupant of body bag number #0001. Mychal was one of mayor Guiliani's best friends and chaplain for the New York Fire Department. He was also privately gay. He lost his life when the South Tower collapsed on him as he tried to aid and comfort an injured firefighter. Judge’s helmet was presented to the Pope, and although the Church has not responded to it, there is a movement of Catholics working to have him canonized and made a saint.
Read my detailed article on him by clicking here
~ Brigadier General Virgil A. Richard gay MILITARY HERO – is a retired Army officer who served 32 years of active military service of which 30 were devoted to Financial Management. Richard has become an outspoken critic of the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy of the U.S. Armed Forces and has gained national media attention as a part of a small group of high-ranking military officers who have come out as gay after retirement
~ Matthew Shepard gay HATE CRIME ICON – was a college student who was kidnapped and beaten to death for being gay – See my article on him at my Jet’s Gay Pride site by clicking the link to my Jet’s Gay Pride Page in this sidebar.
~ Oliver Sipple gay HERO – a decorated US Marine and Vietnam War veteran widely known for saving the life of Pres. Gerald Ford during an assassination attempt in San Francisco. The subsequent public revelation that Sipple was gay turned the news story into a cause célèbre for gay activists.
~ 1st Lt. Joshua David Seefried-"J.D. Smith" gay MILITARY LEADER – is now able to proudly display a photo of his Air Force boyfriend on his office desk. The 25-year-old Air Force officer serves his country at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey attached to the 87th Air Base Wing. Since 2010 he cofounded and runs OutServe, an underground network for gay military personnel that boasts more than 65,000 member in 40 chapters world wide. On September 20, 2011 his organization's magazine published an issue featuring photographs and biographies of him and 100 other gay service members. It will be available online and at Army and Air Force commissaries... with the Pentagon's blessing
~~~> ENTERTAINERS
~ Clay Aiken gay SINGER – pop music, “American Idol” winner
~ Chad Allen gay ACTOR best known for appearing on the TV series “Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman”
~ Mitchell Anderson gay ACTOR – is best known as Ross, the bespectacled, gay violin teacher on "Party of Five" and as a doctor with his fellow gay actor Neil Patrick Harris on "Doogie Howser, M.D."
~ Alan Ball gay ENTERTAINMENT – is noted for writing the films “American Beauty” and “Towelhead”, and creating and producing the HBO drama series “Six Feet Under” and the current popular vampire series “True Blood.”
~ John Barrowman gay ACTOR – is a Scottish singer, actor, dancer, musical performer and media personality, best known on British television for his roles in "Torchwood" and as Captain Jack Harkness in the science fiction series "Doctor Who"
~ Lance Bass gay SINGER – rose to fame as the bass singer for the pop boy-band 'N Sync.
~ Meredith Baxter gay ACTRESS – also known as Meredith Baxter-Birney, is an actress and producer. Famed for her two TV roles on "Family" and "Family Ties"
~ Andy Bell gay SINGER – is the lead singer of the English synthpop duo, Erasure
~ Paul Benedict gay ACTOR – was best known for his role as Harry Bentley on the TV show “The Jeffersons” and the recurring character The Number Painter on "Sesame Street" His film roles include "The Goodbye Girl" in which he played Richard Dreyfuss' stage director in a production of Richard III.
~ Sandra Bernhard gay ACTRESS/COMEDIAN – is a stand-up comedian, singer, actress and author best known for playing Nancy Bartlett on the hit sitcom "Roseanne" and appearances on "Will & Grace" as herself.
~ Dirk Bogarde gay /ACTOR – was a British novelist and matinee star in such films as “Doctor in the House” and “Death in Venice”
~ Bill Brochtrup gay ACTOR – is a frequent guest host of the PBS newsmagazine In “The Life,” and has been a series regular on three shows, CBS sitcom “Public Morals,” ABC drama “Total Security,” and seven seasons on “NYPD Blue.”
~ Jim J. Bullock gay ACTOR/COMEDIAN – co-starred on "Too Close for Comfort" and was a regular "square" on "Hollywood Squares"
~ Raymond Burr gay ACTOR – is the only and ultimate quintessential actor who could properly embody Earl Stanley Gardner’s infamous lawyer “Perry Mason,” and later played the lead as Chief Detective “Ironside”.
~ David Burtka gay ACTOR/CHEF – long-term lover/husband of actor Neil Patrick Harris (see below).
~ Dan Butler gay ACTOR – Television and Broadway actor known for his role as Bob "Bulldog" Briscoe on the TV series “Frasier.”
~ Anthony Callea gay MUSICIAN/COMPOSER – is an Australian singer songwriter whose debut single "The Prayer" holds the record as the fastest selling single of all time in Australia. Callea has accumulated a string of awards including an Aria Award, Channel V Artist of the Year, Pop Republic Artist of the Year, MTV Viewers' Choice Award, Variety's Young Entertainer of the Year, MO Award and a Gospel Music Award and his albums, singles and DVD have all achieved Top 20 status.
~ Graham Chapman gay COMIC ACTOR – was an English comedian, actor, writer, physician and a member of the Monty Python comedy troupe. He was King Arthur in “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” and Brian in “Monty Python's Life of Brian.”
~ Tracy Chapman gay MUSICIAN – is a singer-songwriter, best known for her single "Fast Car" and is a multi-platinum and four-time Grammy Award-winning artist
~ Margaret Cho gay ENTERTAINER – a comedian, fashion designer, actress, author, gay icon, and recording artist and is best known for her stand-up routines, through which she critiques social and political problems concerning race, sexuality, and sex. She has also directed and appeared in music videos and has her own clothing line.
~ Montgomery Clift gay ACTOR – film and stage actor/sex symbol who received four Academy Award nominations during his career, three for Best Actor and one for Best Supporting Actor.
~ Wilson Cruz gay ACTOR – is a universally liked actor and has served as a model and mentor to gay youth of color.
~ Alan Cumming gay ACTOR – Scottish stage, television and film actor, writer, director, producer and author. He played the Emcee in “Cabaret,” Boris Grishenko in “GoldenEye,” Kurt Wagner/Nightcrawler in “X2: X-Men United,” and Fegan Floop in the “Spy Kids” trilogy.
~ Joe Dallesandro gay ACTOR – American actor, and Andy Warhol superstar. He is generally considered to be the most famous male sex symbol of American underground films of the 20th century, as well as a sex symbol of the gay subculture.
~ Jay Davidson gay ACTOR – was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as the transsexual Dil in "The Crying Game" and also appeared as Ra in "Stargate"
~ Richard Deacon gay ACTOR – was best known as Mel Cooley on “The Dick Van Dyke Show” (1961-1966) and Fred Rutherford on “Leave It to Beaver” (1957-1963) and he played the founder's aide in Judy Holiday's classic "The Solid Gold Cadillac." In real life, he was a gourmet chef. Though co-stars such as Dick van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore were well aware that he was gay, his homosexuality was not revealed until after his death.
~ Ellen DeGeneres gay TALK SHOW ICON/ACTRESS
~ Andy Dick gay ACTOR – comedian, actor, musician and television/film producer.
~ Casey Donovan gay ACTOR/GAY PORN ICON – The sexy star of iconic gay film “Boys in the Sand”
~ Kyan Douglas gay ENTERTAINER – was the grooming expert on “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”
~ Dumbledore gay LITERARY CHARACTOR – Headmaster/Wizard - The famous character from the Harry Potter series. I’ve written an article about the controversy and praise on my Jet’s Gay Pride Page (see link in sidebar)
~ Melissa Etheridge gay MUSICIAN – rock singer-songwriter and musician. She has received fifteen Grammy Award nominations winning two, one Academy Award and has sold twenty-seven million albums worldwide. Etheridge is an iconic gay and lesbian activist since her public coming out in January 1993.
~ Rupert Everett gay ACTOR – is an English actor, who originally became famous for his role in the film "Another Country" He went on to star in "My Best Friend's Wedding", "An Ideal Husband", "The Next Best Thing" and the "Shrek" sequels.
~ Mark Feehily gay SINGER – was a member of the popular Irish vocal pop group, Westlife.
~ Harvey Fierstein gay ACTOR/COMEDIAN/ – noted for the distinction of winning Tony Awards for both writing and playing the lead role in "Torch Song Trilogy,” and for his gravel-voiced film role in the blockbuster “Independence Day”
~ Colton Ford gay PORN STAR/MUSICIAN – is a gay adult films star turned professional musician specializing in dance/club music
~ Jodie Foster gay ACTING ICON/DIRECTOR/PRODUCER – is a world-famous actress, film director and producer. She started out as a child "Coppertone" ad girl, graduated to TV most notably as tomboy Joey in "The Courtship of Eddie's Father", then starred in such films as "Taxi Driver" "The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane" then hit fame with "The Silence of the Lambs" "Nell" "Maverick" "Contact" and "The Panic Room"
~ Stephen Fry gay ACTOR – is an English actor, writer, journalist, comedian, TV host and film director. American audiences came to know and laugh at him as Melchett in the “Blackadder” series and more recently as Dr. Gordon Wyatt on the crime series “Bones”.
~ Robert Gant gay ACTOR – appeared in Showtime's “Queer as Folk” as Ben Bruckner.
~ Stephen Gately gay ENTERTAINER – was an Irish pop singer-songwriter, actor, dancer, musician and author, who was one of two lead singers of the pop group Boyzone that scored a record-breaking sixteen consecutive singles in the top five of the UK Singles Chart
~ Will Geer gay ACTOR – is remembered for his portrayal of Grandpa Zebulon Tyler Walton in the 1970s TV series, “The Waltons.” He was romantically linked in his youth to Harry Hay-founder of the gay rights movement in the early twentieth century.
~ Boy George gay SINGER COMPOSER – British singer-songwriter and leader of the pop group Culture Club
~ Sir John Gielgud gay ACTING LEGEND – is a giant and an icon in the acting profession as well as being a director, and producer. Gielgud is one of the few entertainers who have won an Academy, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award. He won an Academy Award for his supporting role as a sardonic butler in the 1981 comedy “Arthur,” starring Dudley Moore and Liza Minnelli, and a BAFTA Award for “Murder on the Orient Express.”
~ Sara Gilbert gay ACTRESS – is best known as Darlene Conner, the sarcastic middle child, in the hit TV series "Roseanne," medical student Jane Figler on the hospital drama "E.R." and Leslie Winkle on "The Big Bang Theory." She also starred in the films "Poison Ivy" and "Riding In Cars With Boys." She is currently an afternoon panelist on “The Talk”
~ John Glover gay ACTOR – best known for a range of villainous roles in films and television, including Lionel Luthor on the Superman-inspired TV series “Smallville.”
~ Leslie Gore gay SINGER/COMPOSER – is best known for her 1963 pop hit "It's My Party", which she recorded at the age of 16. Following the hit, she became one of the most recognized teen pop singers of the 1960s. She also wrote songs for the original version of "Fame."
~ Gordon Grant gay PORN ICON – Gay porn icon of the 70s known for his fantasy-inducing “Arnold Schwarzenegger”-sized muscular build and sexy engaging smile
~ Jonathan Groff gay ACTOR – is best known for his role on TV series "Glee" as Jesse St. James, the male lead of rival glee club, Vocal Adrenaline
~ Rob Halford gay SINGER – is the lead singer for heavy metal band Judas Priest, He has been nicknamed "Metal God" and he is considered to be one of the most consistently powerful vocalists in rock. In 1998, Halford came out as gay publicly on an interview with MTV News.
~ Tony Hamilton gay ACTOR/MODEL – began his career as a professional dancer with The Australian Ballet Company. It was inevitable with his square jaw, muscular good looks, and lithe physique that he later became a fashion model working in Europe, America, Asia and Africa, working with famous fashion designers such as Gianni Versace, frequently appearing in magazines such as Vogue and GQ.
His desirable good looks landed him acting jobs as well and he is probably best remembered for the dashing role of IMF-agent Max Harte in the 1988 revival of the TV series "Mission: Impossible,"
~ Neil Patrick Harris gay OUT & PROUD ACTOR/awards host – See my sidebar article on him at my Jet’s Gay Pride site.
~ Randy Harrison gay ACTOR – is famous for playing irresistible blond “twink” Justin Taylor, a gay teen, in 2000's American version of Showtime’s hit series "Queer as Folk"
~ Nigel Hawthorne gay ACTOR – A famous British actor, he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1987, and was knighted in 1999. His most famous roles were as Sir Humphrey Appleby, the Permanent Secretary of the fictional Department of Administrative Affairs in the British series "Yes Minister" (and Cabinet Secretary in its sequel, "Yes, Prime Minister"), for which he won four BAFTA awards, and as King George III in "The Madness of George III" (Olivier Award) and the film adaptation, for which he received an Oscar nomination.
~ Sean Hayes gay ACTOR – is famous for his role as Jack McFarland in the sitcom “Will & Grace,” for which he won an Emmy Award, four SAG Awards, one American Comedy Award and six Golden Globes nominations.
~ Rock Hudson gay FAMOUS ACTOR/AIDS ICON – was known as a Hollywood Hunk and a romantic leading man during the 1950s and 1960s. Women (and gay men) flocked to every movie he starred in. He was regularly featured in romantic comedies with Doris Day. Hudson was repeatedly voted "Star of the Year", "Favorite Leading Man", and similar titles by numerous movie magazines. The 6 ft 5 inch tall actor was unquestionably one of the most popular and well-known movie stars of the time and was known to boil the hormones of women (and men) worldwide with his chiseled good looks.
According to a book about the University of Kentucky football team "The Thin Thirty," Rock Hudson would pay individual team members $200 or more to allow him to have oral sex with them.
He completed nearly 70 motion pictures and starred in several television productions during a career that spanned over four decades. His death from AIDS was a factor in finally getting Pres. Ronald Reagan to acknowledge the disease. He was most famously featured in: “Giant, Pillow Talk, Send Me No Flowers, Ice Station Zebra,” and in TV roles in “McMillan & Wife” and “Dynasty.”
~ Tom Hulce gay ACTOR – and theater producer. He is best known for playing Mozart in the movie "Amadeus" and as Pinto Kroger in "Animal House"
~ Tab Hunter gay SINGER/ACTOR – is the very definition of the phrase "sex sells." His blond boy-next-door good looks made him an instant teen idol and got people to notice that he was as talented as an actor/singer as he was handsome. He starred in over 40 major motion pictures and had a hit record with "Young Love", which stayed at #1 on the charts for six weeks. He also had the hit "Ninety-Nine Ways", which peaked at #11 in the charts. His success prompted Jack Warner to enforce Hunter's contract with the studio by banning Dot Records from releasing a follow-up album he had recorded for them. Warner Bros. Records was founded specifically for Hunter. One of Tab's most famous lovers was Anthony Perkins of "Psycho" fame.
~ John Inman gay ACTOR – is best known for his role as Mr. Humphries in the British TV series "Are You Being Served?"
~ Elton John gay MUSIC ICON – the ultimate pop/dance music icon. If ever there was a gay celebrity to be proud of, this popular multiple Grammy winner is it. Often referred to as the Godfather of the fictitious “Gay Mafia”
~ Leslie Jordan gay ACTOR/PLAYWRIGHT – is an accomplished stage actor and playwright and is best known for his deliciously played role of Karen Walker's hilariously pretentious (and short) arch-nemesis Beverley Leslie on the hit series “Will & Grace.” For that role he received an Emmy Award in 2006.
~ Tommy Kirk gay ACTOR – was a popular child actor who starred with Tim Considine, Kevin Corcoran, Annette Funicello and Fred MacMurray in such Disney classics as “Old Yeller, The Shaggy Dog, Swiss Family Robinson, The Misadventures of Merlin Jones and its sequel The Monkey's Uncle,” the original “Absent-Minded Professor” and its sequel, “Son of Flubber.”
As he grew into his teens, he realized he was gay and told several of the wrong people. As a consequence Disney fired him. As Kirk tells the story, "Even more than MGM, Disney was the most conservative studio in town. The studio executives were beginning to suspect my homosexuality. Certain people were growing less and less friendly. In 1963, Disney let me go. But Walt asked me to return for the final Merlin Jones movie, 'The Monkey's Uncle,' because the Jones films had been moneymakers for the studio."
After all, the self-righteous will sell their morals for the almighty dollar. After leaving Disney he became a popular "teen-idol" and starred or appeared in many successful "beach" movies.
In a bit of irony, Tommy Kirk was later inducted as a Disney Legend on October 9, 2006
~ T. R. Knight gay ACTOR – Is best known as Dr. George O'Malley on “Grey's Anatomy.”
~ Nancy Kulp gay ACTRESS – An icon for lesbians in the 60s, she is best known as Miss Jane Hathaway on the popular television series “The Beverly Hillbillies.” – Clarification-though I’ve found mention on many websites that Miss Kulp was living as an openly gay woman, I can find not definitive proof.
~ Adam Lambert gay ENTERTAINER – Singer, songwriter, and actor from San Diego, California. In May 2009, he finished as the runner-up on the eighth season of “American Idol.” He is the first openly gay mainstream pop artist to launch a career on a major label in America.
~ Nathan Lane gay ACTOR – a two-time Tony and Emmy award-winning actor of stage and screen famous for his roles as Albert in “The Birdcage,” Max Bialystock in “The Producers,” Ernie Smuntz in “Mouse Hunt,” Nathan Detroit in “Guys and Dolls,” Pseudolus in “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” and his voice work in “The Lion King and Stuart Little.” In 2008, he was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame.
~ k.d. Lang gay SINGER/COMPOSER – Canadian pop and country singer-songwriter and occasional actress. Lang has won both Juno Awards and Grammy Awards for her musical performances; hits include "Constant Craving" and "Miss Chatelaine". She has contributed songs to movie soundtracks and has teamed with musicians such as Roy Orbison, Tony Bennett, and Anne Murray. The chorus of her hit "Constant Craving" was unintentionally "borrowed" by the Rolling Stones for their hit single "Anybody Seen My Baby" for which she was given co-writing credit.
~ Bernard Lee gay ACTOR – an English actor, best known for his role as “M”in the first eleven “James Bond” films.
~ Liberace gay PIANO ICON – was a famous American icon entertainer and virtuoso pianist. During the 1950s–1970s he was the highest paid entertainer in the world
~ Little Richard gay SINGER/COMPOSER – a music icon, singer, songwriter, pianist and recording artist, considered key in the transition from rhythm and blues to rock and roll in the 1950s. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame mentions him as “the architect of rock and roll”
~ Lindsay Lohan gay ACTRESS/SINGER – a child fashion model, a movie actress in “The Parent Trap, Freaky Friday, Mean Girls and Herbie: Fully Loaded” and as a singer with such hits as the album Speak and followed up with A Little More Personal (Raw) in 2005
~ Chris Lowe gay MUSICIAN/ARRANGER/COMPOSER – One half of the magnificent duo THE PET SHOP BOYS
~ Jane Lynch gay ACTRESS – is best known as cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester in the TV series “Glee”
~ Paul Lynde gay ACTOR – A well-liked gay icon, comedian and actor who was well known for his roles as Uncle Arthur on “Bewitched” and Harry McAfee, the befuddled father in “Bye Bye Birdie.” He was also the regular "center square" on the game show “Hollywood Squares.”
~ George Maharis gay ACTOR/SINGER – best known for his role as Buzz Murdock in first three seasons of the TV series “Route 66.” Maharis also recorded numerous pop music albums
~ Sean Maher gay ACTOR – and his lover/partner Paul have two adopted children Sophia Rose and Liam. Sean stopped acting for two years to be a "stay-at-home" dad. Sean played a closeted gay man in short-lived "The Playboy Club." He has also appeared in "Firefly" "Serenity" "Halleys Comet"
~ Barry Manilow gay SINGER/COMPOSER – is an American singer-songwriter, musician, arranger, producer, conductor, entertainer, and performer, best known for such recordings as "Mandy", "I Write the Songs", "Weekend in New England", "Can't Smile Without You", and "Copa Cabana."
~ Ricky Martin gay SINGER – is a Puerto Rican pop singer, humanitarian and actor who achieved prominence, first as a member of the Latin boy band Menudo, then as a solo artist/sex symbol with such hits as “Livin' la Vida Loca.”
~ Johnny Mathis gay MUSIC ICON – Pop music icon, known for his hit singles “Chances Are” and “To Much, To Little, To Late”
~ Roddy McDowall gay ACTOR – began his career as a child actor in such films as "How Green Was My Valley" "Lassie Come Home" "My Friend Flicka" and "The Keys of the Kingdom." As he grew into his twenties he became popular with an in-crowd of more famous male sex symbols and is rumored to have been lovers with both Marlon Brando and Montgomery Clift.
He became famous for his roles in four of the original “Planet of the Apes” movies and the TV series that followed. Other film appearances included roles in “Cleopatra”, a pivotal role in the original "The Poseidon Adventure" and "Overboard" in which he played a kind-hearted butler opposite Goldie Hawn. He also appeared on stage and TV. One notable role was in the pilot for "Night Gallery" in which he played a scheming nephew out to kill his uncle. He appeared frequently on “Hollywood Squares”
~ Kelly McGillis gay ACTRESS – actress whose movies include Witness, for which she received a Golden Globe nomination, “Top Gun,” and “The Accused.”
~ Ian McKellen gay ACTING ICON – known to many for roles such as Gandalf in the "Lord of the Rings" film trilogy and as Magneto in the "X-Men" films.
~ Freddie Mercury gay MUSIC ICON – the lead vocalist of the rock band Queen and as a songwriter, Mercury composed many hits, including "Bohemian Rhapsody", "Killer Queen", "Somebody to Love", "Don't Stop Me Now", "Crazy Little Thing Called Love", "We Are the Champions", and "Barcelona"
~ George Michael gay SINGER – a two-time Grammy Award winning English singer-songwriter who rose to fame in the 1980s when he formed the pop duo Wham!. His first solo single, "Careless Whisper" sold about six million copies worldwide.
~ Michelangelo gay FAMOUS ARTIST – an Italian Renaissance painter, sculptor, architect, poet, and engineer. Two of his best known sculptures, the Pietà and world renown David, were sculpted before he turned thirty. Despite his low opinion of painting, Michelangelo also created two of the most influential works in fresco in the history of Western art: the scenes from Genesis on the ceiling and The Last Judgment on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel in Rome.
~ Eric Millegan gay ACTOR – an actor primarily known for his work on the TV series “Bones” in which he played Dr. Zack Addy.
~ Sal Mineo gay ACTOR – became famous for his role in “Rebel Without A Cause”, in which he played John "Plato" Crawford, a teenager hopelessly in love with Jim Stark (played by James Dean). His performance resulted in an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actor,
~ Dave Moffatt gay MUSICIAN – a member of the Canadian Pop/Rock band The Moffatts. He played keyboard and sang lead and background vocals. At a very young age, the Moffatt boys became international stars, with great numbers of pre-teen, teen and adult fans.
~ Cynthia Nixon gay ACTOR – The former "Sex and the City" star is holding firm to her statement that she has chosen to be a lesbian, sparking controversy. "For me, it is a choice, I understand that for many people it’s not, but for me it’s a choice, and you don’t get to define my gayness for me."
~ Rudolf Nureyev gay BALLET ICON – was one of the world's most famous male ballet dancers
~ Rosie O’Donnell gay TALK SHOW HOST/ACTRESS – a famous stand-up comedian, talk show host, actress, singer, author, media personality and magazine editor.
~ Peter Paige gay ACTOR – is an American actor, director, screenwriter, best known for his role as Emmett Honeycutt on Showtime's hit series "Queer as Folk"
~ Anthony Perkins gay ACTOR – best known for his role as Norman Bates in Alfred Hitchcock's “Psycho”
~ David Hyde Pierce gay ACTOR – and comedian best known for playing psychiatrist Dr. Niles Crane on the sitcom “Frasier.”
~ Paula Poundstone gay COMEDIAN – is known for her sardonic style of stand-up comedy and masculine fashion sense.
~ Dack Rambo gay ACTOR – most notable for appearing as Walter Brennan's grandson Jeff in the “The Guns of Will Sonnett,” as Steve Jacobi in “All My Children,” as cousin Jack Ewing on “Dallas,” and as Grant Harrison on “Another World.”
~ Robert Reed gay ACTOR/MR. BRADY – is best known for playing two completely different roles on TV, both at the same time - Mike Brady; beloved father of "The Brady Bunch," and Lieutenant Adam Tobias on the detective series "Mannix"
~ Charles Nelson Riley gay ENTERTAINER – an actor, comedian, director and drama teacher known for his comedic roles in movies, children's television, animated cartoons, and as a panelist on the game show “Match Game.”
~ Cesar Romero gay ACTOR – played The Joker in the 1960s television series “Batman.” In 1966, the show was transferred to movie theaters, and Romero became the first actor to portray the Joker in a motion picture.
~ Gabriel Romero gay ACTOR – is best known for his ground-breaking role as Fernandito, the first openly gay character on Spanish-language television sitcom Los Beltrán and for his role as Marco on “Dante's Cove.”
~ Dick Sargent gay ACTOR – best known as the second actor to portray Darrin Stephens on the original hit television series “Bewitched.” In actuality, Sargent was originally cast as Darren but shortly after had to turn it down due to a contractual obligation, then was offered it when Dick York left the role, technically making him the first and third Darren… sort of.
~ Fred Schneider gay SINGER/MUSICIAN – the front man of the rock band The B-52's, of which he is a founding member
~ Richard Simmons gay CELEBRITY – is a fitness guru, most famously through his “Sweatin' to the Oldies” line of aerobics videos and DVDs known for his eccentric, outgoing personality.
~ Jaason Simmons gay ACTOR – an Australian actor best known for the role of Logan Fowler on the TV series “Baywatch”
~ Dusty Springfield gay POP MUSIC ICON – was an English early pop music icon because of her distinctive sensual sound. She was one of the most notable white soul artists. Known for such hits as "I Only Want To Be With You", "I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself", "Wishin' and Hopin'" and "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" and her later standout recordings with The Pet Shop Boys’ “What have I done to deserve this?”
~ David Ogden Stiers gay ACTOR/CONDUCTOR – on “M*A*S*H” who played “Charles Winchester III”
~ Michael Stipe gay SINGER/COMPOSER – the lead vocalist for the alternative rock band R.E.M. When asked if he ever declares himself as gay, Stipe stated, "I don’t. 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."
~ Jason Stuart gay ACTOR/COMEDIAN
~ Wanda Sykes gay ACTRESS/COMEDIAN – talk show host, comedian and actress. She earned the 1999 Emmy Award for her writing on “The Chris Rock Show.” In 2004 Entertainment Weekly named her as one of the 25 funniest people in America.
~ George Takei gay ACTOR/ACTIVIST – best known for his role in the TV and then movie series “Star Trek,” in which he played Hikaru Sulu, helmsman of the USS Enterprise.
~ John Tartaglia gay EDUCATIONAL TV – joined “Sesame Street”'s puppetry team at 16 performing as a right hand, Phoebe, Elmo, Ernie and Oscar the Grouch He also created and puppeteered the roles of Princeton (the recent college grad) and Rod (the closeted Republican-investment banker) in the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical “Avenue Q,” for which he was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical
~ Rip Taylor gay COMEDIAN/ACTOR – a well known American television game show comedian and actor.
~ Neil Tennant gay SINGER/COMPOSER – front man for the incredible techno pop duo “The Pet Shop Boys”
~ Scott Thompson gay ACTOR – is best known as a member of the comedy troupe “Kids in the Hall”
~ Lily Tomlin gay ENTERTAINER/COMEDIAN ICON – actress, comedian, writer and producer. She has been honored at the Kennedy Center, won Tony Awards, Emmy Awards, and a Grammy Award and has also been nominated for an Academy Award. She is known as the wisecracking and snorting telephone operator Ernestine who loves to proclaim to her customers, "We don't care, we don't have to...we're the phone company," and asking “Is this the party to whom I am speaking?” She has also starred in such movies as "Nashville" "Nine-to-Five" and "All of Me"
~ Tommy Tune gay ENTERTAINER – an actor, dancer, singer, theatre director, producer, and choreographer. Over the course of his career, he has won nine Tony Awards.
~ Gus Van Sant gay DIRECTOR – American film director, screenwriter, photographer, musician, and author, nominated for an Academy Award for "Good Will Hunting" and "Milk"
~ Clifton Webb gay ACTOR – Broadway and Hollywood acting legend best known for his “Mr. Belvedere” series of movies
~ Will Wikle gay REALITY SHOW CONTESTANT – a registered nurse and is best known for his appearance in the fifth American season of “Big Brother.”
~ Paul Winfield gay ACTOR – was known for his portrayal of a Louisiana sharecropper the landmark film "Sounder" which earned him an Academy Award nomination, and as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the television miniseries "King", for which he was nominated for an Emmy Award. Star Trek fans know him as Captain Clark Terrell of the U.S.S. Reliant in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. He also played Lt. Traxler, a friendly but crusty cop partnered with Lance Henriksen in “The Terminator” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
~ B.D. Wong gay ACTOR – best-known for his roles as Dr. George Huang on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” as Father Ray Mukada on HBO's “Oz,” and for his starring role as Song Liling in the Broadway production of “M. Butterfly.”
~ Chely Wright gay SINGER – an American country music artist, famous for her #1 single "Single White Female" and has charted more than fifteen singles on the country charts. She has also written songs for Brad Paisley, Richard Marx, Mindy Smith and a top 10 hit for Clay Walker, "I Can't Sleep"
~~~> BUSINESS & POLITICS...
~ Alexander the Great was a Greek king of Macedon. He is the most celebrated member of the Argead Dynasty and created one of the largest empires in ancient history. The famed philosopher Aristotle tutored Alexander, who was known to be undefeated in battle and is considered one of the most successful commanders of all time. He is one of the most famous figures of antiquity, and is remembered for his tactical ability, his conquests, and for spreading Greek culture into the East.
~ Ian Campbell at 23 is not only Britain’s youngest mayor, but he’s an out-and-proud gay man. He leads mostly conservative Retford, England and is a shining example of overcoming adversity to become a success.
~ Chaz/Chastity Bono was born Chastity Sun Bono; March 4, 1969) and became Chaz after a sex-change. He is an American LGBT rights advocate, writer, actor, and musician. Bono is the only child of entertainers Sonny and Cher.
~ Mary Cheney gay POLITICAL HYPOCRITE – Lesbian daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney; Mary Cheney's sexual orientation is a source of public attention because of her father's political station as a staunch conservative, her political involvement with the Republican Party, and the 2004 Republican platforms in opposition to same-sex marriage.
~ Tim Cook was named the chief executive officer of Apple Inc. after Steve Jobs announced his resignation on August 24, 2011. Cook is credited with pulling Apple back from the brink by getting them out of manufacturing. This helped the company reduce inventory levels and streamlined its supply chain, dramatically increasing margins. In January 2007, Cook was promoted to COO.
Cook served as Apple CEO for two months in 2004, when Jobs was recovering from pancreatic cancer surgery. In 2009, Cook again served as Apple CEO for several months while Jobs took a leave of absence for a liver transplant.
In January 2011, Apple's Board of Directors approved a third medical leave of absence requested by Jobs. During that time, Cook was responsible for most of Apple’s day-to-day operations while Jobs made most major decisions. Following the resignation of Jobs, Cook was made CEO of Apple Inc. on August 24, 2011.
Tim is widely known to have a "man crush" on Lance Armstrong, who he frequently quotes. He is a workaholic putting in 12-14 hour days and is usually the first one to arrive at Apple and the last to leave.
~ Brian Epstein The Beatles' early success has been attributed to Epstein's management and sense of style. Paul McCartney said of Epstein: "If anyone was the Fifth Beatle, it was Brian."
~ Rep. Barney Frank is the U.S. House Representative for Massachusetts's 4th district since 1981. In 1982, he won his first full term, and he has been re-elected ever since by wide margins. He is a gay politician that we can be very proud of. Frank became the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee in 2007. The committee oversees the entire financial services industry, which includes the securities, insurance, banking, and housing industries.
~ David Geffen is an American record executive, film producer, theatrical producer and philanthropist. He created Asylum/Electra Records in 1970 and Geffen Records in 1980, and is one of the three founders of DreamWorks SKG
~ Merv Griffin rose to fame with his afternoon talk show "The Merv Griffin Show", and later created the game shows “Jeopardy!, Wheel of Fortune, Click, and Merv Griffin's Crosswords” and was one of the most successful men in the entertainment industry. He remained friends with his ex-wife, whom he acknowledged created the premise for Jeopardy! Questions that he was either bisexual or gay persist. He is quoted as saying, "I tell everybody that I’m a quatre-sexual. I will do anything with anybody for a quarter,” to The New York Times, May 26, 2005
~ Harvey Milk was the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California, when he won a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Both movies about his life have won Academy Awards
~ Annise Parker is Houston's second female mayor, and the first openly gay mayor of a U.S. city with over a million residents
~ Rep. Jared Polis is the first openly gay man elected to the U.S. House as a freshman
~ Christine Quinn, a Speaker of the New York City Council, which is among the most powerful positions in city government after the Mayor.
~ Johanna Sigurdardottir gay PRIME MINISTER – The current Prime Minister of Iceland. The only out-and-proud openly gay politician to be elected head of state regardless of her sexual-orientation... so far
In June of 2010 under her leadership Iceland legalized Gay Marriage.
~ Vaughn Walker Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. Walker is one of only two known gay federal judges
~ Klaus Wowereit elected the Mayor of Berlin, he is one of the most famous gay German politicians. In coming out, prior to the 2001 mayoral elections, he coined the now famous German phrase "Ich bin schwul, und das ist auch gut so." ("I am gay, and that's all right, too.").
~~~> ATHLETICS...
~ Graham Ackerman gay GYMNASTICS – won the national championship in the floor exercise event at the 2005 NCAA Men’s Gymnastics Championship at the United States Military Academy at West Point, making him a three-time national champ. In 2004 he won the national titles in two events—floor and vault.
~ John Amaechi gay BASKETBALL – a famous and popular professional basketball player – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol II” by clicking the link button at the top of this sidebar.
~ Sen. Ray Ashburn gay POLITICAL HYPOCRITE – an staunch anti-gay Republican California State representative who was “outed” while leaving a gay bar. As for his legislative gay-bashing, even after admitting he was gay, he used the excuse that he was only representing his district.
~ Billy Bean gay BASEBALL – Professional baseball – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol II” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Brendan Burke gay HOCKEY
~ Glenn Burke gay BASEBALL – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol I” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ J.P. Calderon gay ATHLETE/MODEL – professional volleyball player, model and a contestant on "Survivor," in several seasons of "The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency" and appeared on the February 2007 cover of Instinct magazine.
~ Richard Chamberlain gay ACTOR – gained widespread fame as young girls (and boys) swooned over him as the title young intern in “Dr. Kildare,” and later in "The Towering Inferno." Soon after he became known as "the king of the miniseries" by appearing in, “Centennial, The Man in the Iron Mask, Shogun, and The Thorn Birds” and also was the first to play Jason Bourne in the 1988 version of “The Bourne Identity.”
~ Mark Chatfield gay OLYMPIC SWIMMER – "For the record, I'm not just gay-I'm a screaming queen!" An Olympic Swimmer; the 1973 U.S. National champion in the 100 yard breaststroke and an All American at USC in 1972 (100 Breast, 200 Breast), 1973 (100 Breast, 200 Breast, 400 Medley Relay), 1974 (100 Breast, 200 Breast, 400 Medley Relay) and 1975 (100 Breast, 200 Breast, 200 IM, 400 Medley Relay). An accomplished Baroque and period musician, vocalist and composer, he played principal cello and was a countertenor.
~ Scott Cranham gay OLYMPIC DIVER – who competed in the 1976 Summer Olympics
~ Steven Davies gay CRICKET – See the sidebar link above to my article “How Many Professional Athletes Are Gay?” Part III
~ Chris Dickerson gay ATHLETE – Mr. Olympia – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol II” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Donal Og Cusack gay ATHLETE – a well-known Irish hurler and Ireland's first openly gay elite sportsman. He plays hurling at club level with Cloyne and has been a member of the Cork senior inter-county team
~ Justin Fashanu gay ATHLETE – English football – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol I” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Joey Fisher gay HOCKEY – University of Georgia
~ Rudy Galindo gay SKATER – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol II” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Ed Gallagher gay ATHLETE– college football – read about ordeal and accomplishments in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol I” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Andrew Goldstein gay LACROSSE – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol III” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Bruce Hayes gay OLYMPIC SWIMMER – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol I” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Austin Hendrix gay TRACK ATHLETE – Eastern Michigan track star. Read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol III” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Anton Hysen gay SOCCER – Swedish soccer/footballer sensation. See the sidebar link to my article “How Many Professional Athletes Are Gay?” Part III
~ Patrick Jeffrey gay SWIMMING/DIVING – a college athlete on the Ohio State University swimming & diving team. He swept the one-meter, three-meter and platform at the Big Ten championship his senior year and was named conference Diver of the Year. He twice competed for the U.S. at the Summer Olympics, in 1988 and 1996. During the 1996, he was already out and performed as an openly gay athlete. Since 1999 he has been the diving coach at Florida State University
~ Corey Johnson gay FOOTBALL – a defensive back in the Arena Football League. He played college football at Georgia and also for the Nashville Kats, Los Angeles Avengers, Buffalo Destroyers, Carolina Cobras, New York Dragons, and Arizona Rattlers.
~ Orlando Jordan gay WRESTLER – is best known for his tenure in World Wrestling Entertainment, where he was a one-time United States Champion.
~ Chris Kanyon/Klucsaritis gay WRESTLER – a professional wrestler, best known for his work in World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation, under the ring names Chris Kanyon (or simply Kanyon) and Mortis. After his first attempt at coming out of the closet, he was so badly treated that he recanted. After later confirming he was gay again, he died of an apparent suicide.
~ Peter Karlsson gay HOCKEY/HATE CRIME ICON – was a popular Swedish ice hockey player and was murdered by a 19-year-old who used a knife to stab him. The murder is believed to have happened because Karlsson was gay. After the murder, Karlsson's team played a protest match in support of him. The killer's sentence, which was only eight years, which outraged the Swedish gay community.
~ Johan Kenkhuis gay OLYMPIC SWIMMER – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol I” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Billy Jean King gay TENNIS ICON – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol I” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ David Kopay gay AMERICAN FOOTBALL – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol I” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Daniel Kowalski gay OLYMPIC SWIMMER – is an Australian middle and long distance swimmer specialising in freestyle events. At the 1996 Summer Olympics, he was the first man in 92 years to earn medals in all of the 200 m, 400 m and 1500 m freestyle events.
2000 Summer Olympics: gold medal in the 4x200 m freestyle relay
1996 Summer Olympics: silver medal in the 1500 m freestyle, bronze medal in the 400 m freestyle, and bronze medal in the 200 m freestyle.
Kowalski was part of the world record setting Australian gold medal 4x200 m relay team at the 1998 Commonwealth Games.
Kowalski was inspired to come out by Welsh rugby player Gareth Thomas
~ Mark Leduc gay OLYMPIC BOXER – a boxer from Canada, who won a silver medal at the 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympics
~ Greg Louganis gay OLYMPIC DIVING ICON – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol I” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Matthew Mitcham gay OLYMPIC DIVER – an honored Australian Olympic Diver – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol II” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Chris Morgan gay ATHLETE – is a famous British power-lifter and gay athletic ambassador
~ Martina Navratilova gay TENNIS ICON – read about her in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol II” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Diana Nyad gay SWIMMER – a world record-holding American swimmer and public radio contributor. She recently attempted to swim from Cuba to Florida
~ Brian Orser gay OLYMPIC SKATER – is a 1984 and 1988 Olympic silver medalist, 1987 World champion and the 1981-1988 Canadian national champion. He is one of the most accomplished skaters in Canada's history, with eight national titles, two Olympic medals, and a world title to his credit. He is the skating director at the Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club.
~ Bob Paris gay MR. UNIVERSE – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol I” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ David Pichler gay OLYMPIC SWIMMER – U.S. Olympic diver in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, where he was elected team captain. Pichler and Mark Ruiz won the synchronized platform final at the FINA-USA Diving Grand Prix in May 2000
~ Ian Roberts gay AUSTRALIAN RUGBY ICON – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol I” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Craig Rogerson gay OLYMPIC DIVER
~ Roy Simmons gay NFL FOOTBALL – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol I” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Jerry Smith gay AMERICAN FOOTBALL – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol I” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Mark Tewksbury gay OLYMPIC SWIMMER – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol I” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Gareth Thomas gay RUGBY ICON – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol III” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ “Big” Bill Tilden gay TENNIS ICON – considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol I” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Esera Tuaolo gay AMERICAN FOOTBALL – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol I” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Dan Veatch gay OLYMPIC SWIMMER – swam for the United States team at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, finishing seventh in the 200-meter backstroke, his specialist event. He won the 200 m backstroke at the Pan Pacific Games in Brisbane in 1987 and again in Tokyo in 1989
~ Dr. Tom Waddell gay OLYMPIC ATHLETE/FOUNDER – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol I” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Rick Welts gay SPORTS – CEO and President of the Phoenix Suns-See the sidebar link above to read about him in “How Many Professional Athletes are gay Part III.”
~~~> JOURNALISTS, AUTHORS & COMPOSERS...
~ Leonard Bernstein gay COMPOSER/CONDUCTOR – was best known to the public as the music director of the New York Philharmonic, and for writing the music for “West Side Story, Candide, Wonderful Town, and On the Town.” According to The New York Times, he was "one of the most prodigally talented and successful musicians in American history
~ Dirk Bogarde gay AUTHOR/ – was a British novelist and matinee star in such films as “Doctor in the House” and “Death in Venice”
~ Truman Capote gay FAMOUS AUTHOR – many short stories, novels, plays and nonfiction works are literary classics, including the novella “Breakfast at Tiffany's” (1958) and “In Cold Blood” (1965), which he labeled a "nonfiction novel." At least 20 films and television dramas have been produced from his novels, stories and screenplays.
~ Anderson Cooper gay NEWS ANCHOR/JOURNALIST – journalist, author, and television personality. He currently works as the primary anchor of the CNN news show “Anderson Cooper 360°.” Cooper often broadcasts live on location for breaking news stories. He also frequently guest hosts on “Live with Regis and Kelly.”
~ Harvey Fierstein gay PLAYWRIGHT – noted for the distinction of winning Tony Awards for both writing and playing the lead role in "Torch Song Trilogy,” and for his gravel-voiced film role in the blockbuster “Independence Day”
~ Jet Gardner (me) gay Writer, artist and creator of general web interest sites (see sidebar links)
~ Don Lemon gay CNN REPORTER
~ Chris Lowe gay MUSICIAN/ARRANGER/COMPOSER – One half of the magnificent duo THE PET SHOP BOYS
~ Michelangelo gay POET – His greatest written expressions of love were given to Tommaso dei Cavalieri who was 23 years old when Michelangelo met him. Cavalieri was open to the older man's affection: I swear to return your love. Never have I loved a man more than I love you, never have I wished for a friendship more than I wish for yours. Cavalieri remained devoted to Michelangelo until his death.
Michelangelo dedicated to him over three hundred sonnets and madrigals, constituting the largest sequence of poems that he composed.
~ Stephen Sondheim gay BROADWAY ICON – may not have been the founder of Broadway, but the street should've been renamed after him. He is the winner of an Academy Award, multiple Tony Awards including the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, multiple Grammy Awards, and a Pulitzer Prize. He has been described as "the greatest and perhaps best-known artist in the American musical theatre." His most works include “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods, Assassins,” and lyrics for “West Side Story and Gypsy.”
~ Gertrude Stein gay FAMOUS AUTHOR – published her memoirs in 1933 under the teasing title The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas (her lover). It became Stein's bestselling book. The two were a couple until Stein's death in 1946. Together they hosted a salon in France that attracted expatriate American writers, such as Ernest Hemingway, Paul Bowles, Thornton Wilder and Sherwood Anderson, and avant-garde painters, including Picasso, Matisse and Braque.
~ Alice B Toklas gay CELEBRITY – Gertrude Stein's confidante, lover, cook, secretary, muse, editor, critic, and general organizer, Toklas remained a background figure, chiefly living in the shadow of Stein, until she published her memoirs in 1933 under the teasing title The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas. It became Stein's bestselling book. The two were a couple until Gertrude Stein's death in 1946. Together they hosted a salon in France that attracted expatriate American writers, such as Ernest Hemingway, Paul Bowles, Thornton Wilder and Sherwood Anderson, and avant-garde painters, including Picasso, Matisse and Braque.
~ Gore Vidal gay WRITER/ICON – A famous and infamous American author, playwright, essayist, screenwriter and political activist. Early in his career he wrote The City and the Pillar (1948), which outraged mainstream critics as one of the first major American novels to feature unambiguous homosexuality. He subsequently emerged as one of America's more important literary figures due to the enormous quantity of work produced over the course of his career, including novels, essays, plays, and short stories covering a wide variety of topics
~ Bruce Vilanch gay COMEDY WRITER – an American comedy writer to whom many owe their careers. He caught the public eye when he became a wisecracking regular on seasons 1-4 of the revamped “Hollywood Squares,” alongside Whoopi Goldberg where he provided not only his own hilarious comebacks, but also to Goldberg and many others on the show. He has wrote topical joke material for a number of awards show hosts, notably for Billy Crystal at the Academy Awards.
~ Rufus Wainwright gay SINGER/COMPOSER – Canadian-American singer and songwriter/composer for film soundtracks such as “Brokeback Mountain, I am Sam, Moulin Rouge!, Shrek, Meet the Robinsons, Big Daddy, Zoolander, and Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man”
~ Walt Whitman gay POETRY ICON – was among the most influential poets in the American canon, often called the father of free verse. His work was very controversial in its time, particularly his poetry collection “Leaves of Grass,” which was described as obscene for its overt sexuality.
~ Oscar Wilde gay AUTHOR/ICON – was an iconic Irish writer, poet, and prominent aesthete, famous for his world renown "Picture of Dorian Gray"
~ Tennessee Williams gay BROADWAY ICON – won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for “A Streetcar Named Desire” and for “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.” In addition, “The Glass Menagerie and The Night of the Iguana” received New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards. His play “The Rose Tattoo” received the Tony Award for best play. In 1980 President Jimmy Carter presented him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
~~~> FASHION...
~ Tom Ford gay FASHION – is a fashion designer and entrepreneur
~ Carson Kressley gay FASHION – the fashion expert on “Queer Eye For The Straight Guy”
~ Gianni Versace gay FASHION ICON – a famous Italian fashion designer of much sought-after accessories, fragrances, makeup and home furnishings as well as clothes. He also designed costumes for friends Elton John, Sting, and Princess Diana among many others. Openly gay, Versace and his partner Antonio D'Amico were regulars on the international party scene.
~~~> ARTISTS...
~ Leonardo da Vinci gay FAMOUS ARTIST/SCIENTIST – Known worldwide for his "Mona Lisa" and "The Last Supper" he was an Italian polymath: painter, sculptor, architect, musician, scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, geologist, cartographer, botanist and writer. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest painters of all time and perhaps the most diversely talented person ever to have lived.
Court records of 1476, when he was aged twenty-four, show that Leonardo and three other young men were charged with sodomy, and acquitted. In 1506, Leonardo took on pupil-lover, Count Francesco Melzi, who remained with him until Leonardo's death. Melzi inherited his artistic and scientific works, manuscripts, and collections.
~ Salvador Dali gay FAMOUS ARTIST – a world famous Spanish master artist and a skilled draftsman, best known for the striking and bizarre images in his surrealist work. Some of his more popular works are sculptures and he is also noted for his contributions to theatre, fashion, and photography. Between 1941 and 1970, Dalí created an ensemble of 39 jewels. The jewels are intricate, and some contain moving parts. The most famous jewel, "The Royal Heart," is made of gold and is encrusted with 46 rubies, 42 diamonds, and four emeralds and is created in such a way that the center "beats" much like a real heart.
~ Andy Warhol gay ICON/ARTIST/FILMMAKER – became famous worldwide for his work as a painter, avant-garde filmmaker, record producer, author, and public figure that surrounded himself with bohemian street people, distinguished intellectuals, Hollywood celebrities and wealthy patrons. In his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, The Andy Warhol Museum exists in memory of his life and artwork. The highest price ever paid for a Warhol painting is $100 million for a 1963 canvas titled Eight Elvises.
If you liked this article please click this icon > In this list are Gay butchers, gay bakers, gay candlestick makers, Lebanese lesbians all in a row, big hunky footballers begging to throw. Queer actors, gay sailors, queer generals! gay tailors, gay bankers all pleading for a deposit, G-O-P Senators still in the closet, the headlines all read of a closeted thespian, and Iceland's Prime Minister's an out-and-proud lesbian!!!
Listed alphabetically in each category below are Gay/Lesbian/Bi-sexual/Transgender: Heroes, Entertainer/Celebrities, Business & Political leaders, Journalists, Authors & Composers, Famous Gay Athletes, Leaders in the Fashion Industry and Artists
~~~> HEROES...
~ Sgt. Eric Alva gay SOLDIER – was the first U.S. military service member injured in the Iraq war. He was in charge of 11 Marines in a supply unit on March 21, 2003, when he stepped on a land mine, losing his right leg
~ Mark Binghamgay9/11 HERO-ATHLETE – who helped storm the cockpit of Flight 93 before it reached Washington D.C. Read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol I,” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar. I’ve also written a more complete article about him on my Jet’s Gay Pride Page.
~ David Charlebois gay 9/11 HERO – was the first officer on American Airlines Flight 77 which was hijacked and flown into the Pentagon on September 11, 2001
~ Chaplain Mychal Judge gay 911 Hero. – Chaplain Judge was the first one killed in the World Trade Center plaza, and became the occupant of body bag number #0001. Mychal was one of mayor Guiliani's best friends and chaplain for the New York Fire Department. He was also privately gay. He lost his life when the South Tower collapsed on him as he tried to aid and comfort an injured firefighter. Judge’s helmet was presented to the Pope, and although the Church has not responded to it, there is a movement of Catholics working to have him canonized and made a saint.
Read my detailed article on him by clicking here
~ Brigadier General Virgil A. Richard gay MILITARY HERO – is a retired Army officer who served 32 years of active military service of which 30 were devoted to Financial Management. Richard has become an outspoken critic of the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy of the U.S. Armed Forces and has gained national media attention as a part of a small group of high-ranking military officers who have come out as gay after retirement
~ Matthew Shepard gay HATE CRIME ICON – was a college student who was kidnapped and beaten to death for being gay – See my article on him at my Jet’s Gay Pride site by clicking the link to my Jet’s Gay Pride Page in this sidebar.
~ Oliver Sipple gay HERO – a decorated US Marine and Vietnam War veteran widely known for saving the life of Pres. Gerald Ford during an assassination attempt in San Francisco. The subsequent public revelation that Sipple was gay turned the news story into a cause célèbre for gay activists.
~ 1st Lt. Joshua David Seefried-"J.D. Smith" gay MILITARY LEADER – is now able to proudly display a photo of his Air Force boyfriend on his office desk. The 25-year-old Air Force officer serves his country at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey attached to the 87th Air Base Wing. Since 2010 he cofounded and runs OutServe, an underground network for gay military personnel that boasts more than 65,000 member in 40 chapters world wide. On September 20, 2011 his organization's magazine published an issue featuring photographs and biographies of him and 100 other gay service members. It will be available online and at Army and Air Force commissaries... with the Pentagon's blessing
~~~> ENTERTAINERS
~ Clay Aiken gay SINGER – pop music, “American Idol” winner
~ Chad Allen gay ACTOR best known for appearing on the TV series “Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman”
~ Mitchell Anderson gay ACTOR – is best known as Ross, the bespectacled, gay violin teacher on "Party of Five" and as a doctor with his fellow gay actor Neil Patrick Harris on "Doogie Howser, M.D."
~ Alan Ball gay ENTERTAINMENT – is noted for writing the films “American Beauty” and “Towelhead”, and creating and producing the HBO drama series “Six Feet Under” and the current popular vampire series “True Blood.”
~ John Barrowman gay ACTOR – is a Scottish singer, actor, dancer, musical performer and media personality, best known on British television for his roles in "Torchwood" and as Captain Jack Harkness in the science fiction series "Doctor Who"
~ Lance Bass gay SINGER – rose to fame as the bass singer for the pop boy-band 'N Sync.
~ Meredith Baxter gay ACTRESS – also known as Meredith Baxter-Birney, is an actress and producer. Famed for her two TV roles on "Family" and "Family Ties"
~ Andy Bell gay SINGER – is the lead singer of the English synthpop duo, Erasure
~ Paul Benedict gay ACTOR – was best known for his role as Harry Bentley on the TV show “The Jeffersons” and the recurring character The Number Painter on "Sesame Street" His film roles include "The Goodbye Girl" in which he played Richard Dreyfuss' stage director in a production of Richard III.
~ Sandra Bernhard gay ACTRESS/COMEDIAN – is a stand-up comedian, singer, actress and author best known for playing Nancy Bartlett on the hit sitcom "Roseanne" and appearances on "Will & Grace" as herself.
~ Dirk Bogarde gay /ACTOR – was a British novelist and matinee star in such films as “Doctor in the House” and “Death in Venice”
~ Bill Brochtrup gay ACTOR – is a frequent guest host of the PBS newsmagazine In “The Life,” and has been a series regular on three shows, CBS sitcom “Public Morals,” ABC drama “Total Security,” and seven seasons on “NYPD Blue.”
~ Jim J. Bullock gay ACTOR/COMEDIAN – co-starred on "Too Close for Comfort" and was a regular "square" on "Hollywood Squares"
~ Raymond Burr gay ACTOR – is the only and ultimate quintessential actor who could properly embody Earl Stanley Gardner’s infamous lawyer “Perry Mason,” and later played the lead as Chief Detective “Ironside”.
~ David Burtka gay ACTOR/CHEF – long-term lover/husband of actor Neil Patrick Harris (see below).
~ Dan Butler gay ACTOR – Television and Broadway actor known for his role as Bob "Bulldog" Briscoe on the TV series “Frasier.”
~ Anthony Callea gay MUSICIAN/COMPOSER – is an Australian singer songwriter whose debut single "The Prayer" holds the record as the fastest selling single of all time in Australia. Callea has accumulated a string of awards including an Aria Award, Channel V Artist of the Year, Pop Republic Artist of the Year, MTV Viewers' Choice Award, Variety's Young Entertainer of the Year, MO Award and a Gospel Music Award and his albums, singles and DVD have all achieved Top 20 status.
~ Graham Chapman gay COMIC ACTOR – was an English comedian, actor, writer, physician and a member of the Monty Python comedy troupe. He was King Arthur in “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” and Brian in “Monty Python's Life of Brian.”
~ Tracy Chapman gay MUSICIAN – is a singer-songwriter, best known for her single "Fast Car" and is a multi-platinum and four-time Grammy Award-winning artist
~ Margaret Cho gay ENTERTAINER – a comedian, fashion designer, actress, author, gay icon, and recording artist and is best known for her stand-up routines, through which she critiques social and political problems concerning race, sexuality, and sex. She has also directed and appeared in music videos and has her own clothing line.
~ Montgomery Clift gay ACTOR – film and stage actor/sex symbol who received four Academy Award nominations during his career, three for Best Actor and one for Best Supporting Actor.
~ Wilson Cruz gay ACTOR – is a universally liked actor and has served as a model and mentor to gay youth of color.
~ Alan Cumming gay ACTOR – Scottish stage, television and film actor, writer, director, producer and author. He played the Emcee in “Cabaret,” Boris Grishenko in “GoldenEye,” Kurt Wagner/Nightcrawler in “X2: X-Men United,” and Fegan Floop in the “Spy Kids” trilogy.
~ Joe Dallesandro gay ACTOR – American actor, and Andy Warhol superstar. He is generally considered to be the most famous male sex symbol of American underground films of the 20th century, as well as a sex symbol of the gay subculture.
~ Jay Davidson gay ACTOR – was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as the transsexual Dil in "The Crying Game" and also appeared as Ra in "Stargate"
~ Richard Deacon gay ACTOR – was best known as Mel Cooley on “The Dick Van Dyke Show” (1961-1966) and Fred Rutherford on “Leave It to Beaver” (1957-1963) and he played the founder's aide in Judy Holiday's classic "The Solid Gold Cadillac." In real life, he was a gourmet chef. Though co-stars such as Dick van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore were well aware that he was gay, his homosexuality was not revealed until after his death.
~ Ellen DeGeneres gay TALK SHOW ICON/ACTRESS
~ Andy Dick gay ACTOR – comedian, actor, musician and television/film producer.
~ Casey Donovan gay ACTOR/GAY PORN ICON – The sexy star of iconic gay film “Boys in the Sand”
~ Kyan Douglas gay ENTERTAINER – was the grooming expert on “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”
~ Dumbledore gay LITERARY CHARACTOR – Headmaster/Wizard - The famous character from the Harry Potter series. I’ve written an article about the controversy and praise on my Jet’s Gay Pride Page (see link in sidebar)
~ Melissa Etheridge gay MUSICIAN – rock singer-songwriter and musician. She has received fifteen Grammy Award nominations winning two, one Academy Award and has sold twenty-seven million albums worldwide. Etheridge is an iconic gay and lesbian activist since her public coming out in January 1993.
~ Rupert Everett gay ACTOR – is an English actor, who originally became famous for his role in the film "Another Country" He went on to star in "My Best Friend's Wedding", "An Ideal Husband", "The Next Best Thing" and the "Shrek" sequels.
~ Mark Feehily gay SINGER – was a member of the popular Irish vocal pop group, Westlife.
~ Harvey Fierstein gay ACTOR/COMEDIAN/ – noted for the distinction of winning Tony Awards for both writing and playing the lead role in "Torch Song Trilogy,” and for his gravel-voiced film role in the blockbuster “Independence Day”
~ Colton Ford gay PORN STAR/MUSICIAN – is a gay adult films star turned professional musician specializing in dance/club music
~ Jodie Foster gay ACTING ICON/DIRECTOR/PRODUCER – is a world-famous actress, film director and producer. She started out as a child "Coppertone" ad girl, graduated to TV most notably as tomboy Joey in "The Courtship of Eddie's Father", then starred in such films as "Taxi Driver" "The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane" then hit fame with "The Silence of the Lambs" "Nell" "Maverick" "Contact" and "The Panic Room"
~ Stephen Fry gay ACTOR – is an English actor, writer, journalist, comedian, TV host and film director. American audiences came to know and laugh at him as Melchett in the “Blackadder” series and more recently as Dr. Gordon Wyatt on the crime series “Bones”.
~ Robert Gant gay ACTOR – appeared in Showtime's “Queer as Folk” as Ben Bruckner.
~ Stephen Gately gay ENTERTAINER – was an Irish pop singer-songwriter, actor, dancer, musician and author, who was one of two lead singers of the pop group Boyzone that scored a record-breaking sixteen consecutive singles in the top five of the UK Singles Chart
~ Will Geer gay ACTOR – is remembered for his portrayal of Grandpa Zebulon Tyler Walton in the 1970s TV series, “The Waltons.” He was romantically linked in his youth to Harry Hay-founder of the gay rights movement in the early twentieth century.
~ Boy George gay SINGER COMPOSER – British singer-songwriter and leader of the pop group Culture Club
~ Sir John Gielgud gay ACTING LEGEND – is a giant and an icon in the acting profession as well as being a director, and producer. Gielgud is one of the few entertainers who have won an Academy, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award. He won an Academy Award for his supporting role as a sardonic butler in the 1981 comedy “Arthur,” starring Dudley Moore and Liza Minnelli, and a BAFTA Award for “Murder on the Orient Express.”
~ Sara Gilbert gay ACTRESS – is best known as Darlene Conner, the sarcastic middle child, in the hit TV series "Roseanne," medical student Jane Figler on the hospital drama "E.R." and Leslie Winkle on "The Big Bang Theory." She also starred in the films "Poison Ivy" and "Riding In Cars With Boys." She is currently an afternoon panelist on “The Talk”
~ John Glover gay ACTOR – best known for a range of villainous roles in films and television, including Lionel Luthor on the Superman-inspired TV series “Smallville.”
~ Leslie Gore gay SINGER/COMPOSER – is best known for her 1963 pop hit "It's My Party", which she recorded at the age of 16. Following the hit, she became one of the most recognized teen pop singers of the 1960s. She also wrote songs for the original version of "Fame."
~ Gordon Grant gay PORN ICON – Gay porn icon of the 70s known for his fantasy-inducing “Arnold Schwarzenegger”-sized muscular build and sexy engaging smile
~ Jonathan Groff gay ACTOR – is best known for his role on TV series "Glee" as Jesse St. James, the male lead of rival glee club, Vocal Adrenaline
~ Rob Halford gay SINGER – is the lead singer for heavy metal band Judas Priest, He has been nicknamed "Metal God" and he is considered to be one of the most consistently powerful vocalists in rock. In 1998, Halford came out as gay publicly on an interview with MTV News.
~ Tony Hamilton gay ACTOR/MODEL – began his career as a professional dancer with The Australian Ballet Company. It was inevitable with his square jaw, muscular good looks, and lithe physique that he later became a fashion model working in Europe, America, Asia and Africa, working with famous fashion designers such as Gianni Versace, frequently appearing in magazines such as Vogue and GQ.
His desirable good looks landed him acting jobs as well and he is probably best remembered for the dashing role of IMF-agent Max Harte in the 1988 revival of the TV series "Mission: Impossible,"
~ Neil Patrick Harris gay OUT & PROUD ACTOR/awards host – See my sidebar article on him at my Jet’s Gay Pride site.
~ Randy Harrison gay ACTOR – is famous for playing irresistible blond “twink” Justin Taylor, a gay teen, in 2000's American version of Showtime’s hit series "Queer as Folk"
~ Nigel Hawthorne gay ACTOR – A famous British actor, he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1987, and was knighted in 1999. His most famous roles were as Sir Humphrey Appleby, the Permanent Secretary of the fictional Department of Administrative Affairs in the British series "Yes Minister" (and Cabinet Secretary in its sequel, "Yes, Prime Minister"), for which he won four BAFTA awards, and as King George III in "The Madness of George III" (Olivier Award) and the film adaptation, for which he received an Oscar nomination.
~ Sean Hayes gay ACTOR – is famous for his role as Jack McFarland in the sitcom “Will & Grace,” for which he won an Emmy Award, four SAG Awards, one American Comedy Award and six Golden Globes nominations.
~ Rock Hudson gay FAMOUS ACTOR/AIDS ICON – was known as a Hollywood Hunk and a romantic leading man during the 1950s and 1960s. Women (and gay men) flocked to every movie he starred in. He was regularly featured in romantic comedies with Doris Day. Hudson was repeatedly voted "Star of the Year", "Favorite Leading Man", and similar titles by numerous movie magazines. The 6 ft 5 inch tall actor was unquestionably one of the most popular and well-known movie stars of the time and was known to boil the hormones of women (and men) worldwide with his chiseled good looks.
According to a book about the University of Kentucky football team "The Thin Thirty," Rock Hudson would pay individual team members $200 or more to allow him to have oral sex with them.
He completed nearly 70 motion pictures and starred in several television productions during a career that spanned over four decades. His death from AIDS was a factor in finally getting Pres. Ronald Reagan to acknowledge the disease. He was most famously featured in: “Giant, Pillow Talk, Send Me No Flowers, Ice Station Zebra,” and in TV roles in “McMillan & Wife” and “Dynasty.”
~ Tom Hulce gay ACTOR – and theater producer. He is best known for playing Mozart in the movie "Amadeus" and as Pinto Kroger in "Animal House"
~ Tab Hunter gay SINGER/ACTOR – is the very definition of the phrase "sex sells." His blond boy-next-door good looks made him an instant teen idol and got people to notice that he was as talented as an actor/singer as he was handsome. He starred in over 40 major motion pictures and had a hit record with "Young Love", which stayed at #1 on the charts for six weeks. He also had the hit "Ninety-Nine Ways", which peaked at #11 in the charts. His success prompted Jack Warner to enforce Hunter's contract with the studio by banning Dot Records from releasing a follow-up album he had recorded for them. Warner Bros. Records was founded specifically for Hunter. One of Tab's most famous lovers was Anthony Perkins of "Psycho" fame.
~ John Inman gay ACTOR – is best known for his role as Mr. Humphries in the British TV series "Are You Being Served?"
~ Elton John gay MUSIC ICON – the ultimate pop/dance music icon. If ever there was a gay celebrity to be proud of, this popular multiple Grammy winner is it. Often referred to as the Godfather of the fictitious “Gay Mafia”
~ Leslie Jordan gay ACTOR/PLAYWRIGHT – is an accomplished stage actor and playwright and is best known for his deliciously played role of Karen Walker's hilariously pretentious (and short) arch-nemesis Beverley Leslie on the hit series “Will & Grace.” For that role he received an Emmy Award in 2006.
~ Tommy Kirk gay ACTOR – was a popular child actor who starred with Tim Considine, Kevin Corcoran, Annette Funicello and Fred MacMurray in such Disney classics as “Old Yeller, The Shaggy Dog, Swiss Family Robinson, The Misadventures of Merlin Jones and its sequel The Monkey's Uncle,” the original “Absent-Minded Professor” and its sequel, “Son of Flubber.”
As he grew into his teens, he realized he was gay and told several of the wrong people. As a consequence Disney fired him. As Kirk tells the story, "Even more than MGM, Disney was the most conservative studio in town. The studio executives were beginning to suspect my homosexuality. Certain people were growing less and less friendly. In 1963, Disney let me go. But Walt asked me to return for the final Merlin Jones movie, 'The Monkey's Uncle,' because the Jones films had been moneymakers for the studio."
After all, the self-righteous will sell their morals for the almighty dollar. After leaving Disney he became a popular "teen-idol" and starred or appeared in many successful "beach" movies.
In a bit of irony, Tommy Kirk was later inducted as a Disney Legend on October 9, 2006
~ T. R. Knight gay ACTOR – Is best known as Dr. George O'Malley on “Grey's Anatomy.”
~ Nancy Kulp gay ACTRESS – An icon for lesbians in the 60s, she is best known as Miss Jane Hathaway on the popular television series “The Beverly Hillbillies.” – Clarification-though I’ve found mention on many websites that Miss Kulp was living as an openly gay woman, I can find not definitive proof.
~ Adam Lambert gay ENTERTAINER – Singer, songwriter, and actor from San Diego, California. In May 2009, he finished as the runner-up on the eighth season of “American Idol.” He is the first openly gay mainstream pop artist to launch a career on a major label in America.
~ Nathan Lane gay ACTOR – a two-time Tony and Emmy award-winning actor of stage and screen famous for his roles as Albert in “The Birdcage,” Max Bialystock in “The Producers,” Ernie Smuntz in “Mouse Hunt,” Nathan Detroit in “Guys and Dolls,” Pseudolus in “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” and his voice work in “The Lion King and Stuart Little.” In 2008, he was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame.
~ k.d. Lang gay SINGER/COMPOSER – Canadian pop and country singer-songwriter and occasional actress. Lang has won both Juno Awards and Grammy Awards for her musical performances; hits include "Constant Craving" and "Miss Chatelaine". She has contributed songs to movie soundtracks and has teamed with musicians such as Roy Orbison, Tony Bennett, and Anne Murray. The chorus of her hit "Constant Craving" was unintentionally "borrowed" by the Rolling Stones for their hit single "Anybody Seen My Baby" for which she was given co-writing credit.
~ Bernard Lee gay ACTOR – an English actor, best known for his role as “M”in the first eleven “James Bond” films.
~ Liberace gay PIANO ICON – was a famous American icon entertainer and virtuoso pianist. During the 1950s–1970s he was the highest paid entertainer in the world
~ Little Richard gay SINGER/COMPOSER – a music icon, singer, songwriter, pianist and recording artist, considered key in the transition from rhythm and blues to rock and roll in the 1950s. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame mentions him as “the architect of rock and roll”
~ Lindsay Lohan gay ACTRESS/SINGER – a child fashion model, a movie actress in “The Parent Trap, Freaky Friday, Mean Girls and Herbie: Fully Loaded” and as a singer with such hits as the album Speak and followed up with A Little More Personal (Raw) in 2005
~ Chris Lowe gay MUSICIAN/ARRANGER/COMPOSER – One half of the magnificent duo THE PET SHOP BOYS
~ Jane Lynch gay ACTRESS – is best known as cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester in the TV series “Glee”
~ Paul Lynde gay ACTOR – A well-liked gay icon, comedian and actor who was well known for his roles as Uncle Arthur on “Bewitched” and Harry McAfee, the befuddled father in “Bye Bye Birdie.” He was also the regular "center square" on the game show “Hollywood Squares.”
~ George Maharis gay ACTOR/SINGER – best known for his role as Buzz Murdock in first three seasons of the TV series “Route 66.” Maharis also recorded numerous pop music albums
~ Sean Maher gay ACTOR – and his lover/partner Paul have two adopted children Sophia Rose and Liam. Sean stopped acting for two years to be a "stay-at-home" dad. Sean played a closeted gay man in short-lived "The Playboy Club." He has also appeared in "Firefly" "Serenity" "Halleys Comet"
~ Barry Manilow gay SINGER/COMPOSER – is an American singer-songwriter, musician, arranger, producer, conductor, entertainer, and performer, best known for such recordings as "Mandy", "I Write the Songs", "Weekend in New England", "Can't Smile Without You", and "Copa Cabana."
~ Ricky Martin gay SINGER – is a Puerto Rican pop singer, humanitarian and actor who achieved prominence, first as a member of the Latin boy band Menudo, then as a solo artist/sex symbol with such hits as “Livin' la Vida Loca.”
~ Johnny Mathis gay MUSIC ICON – Pop music icon, known for his hit singles “Chances Are” and “To Much, To Little, To Late”
~ Roddy McDowall gay ACTOR – began his career as a child actor in such films as "How Green Was My Valley" "Lassie Come Home" "My Friend Flicka" and "The Keys of the Kingdom." As he grew into his twenties he became popular with an in-crowd of more famous male sex symbols and is rumored to have been lovers with both Marlon Brando and Montgomery Clift.
He became famous for his roles in four of the original “Planet of the Apes” movies and the TV series that followed. Other film appearances included roles in “Cleopatra”, a pivotal role in the original "The Poseidon Adventure" and "Overboard" in which he played a kind-hearted butler opposite Goldie Hawn. He also appeared on stage and TV. One notable role was in the pilot for "Night Gallery" in which he played a scheming nephew out to kill his uncle. He appeared frequently on “Hollywood Squares”
~ Kelly McGillis gay ACTRESS – actress whose movies include Witness, for which she received a Golden Globe nomination, “Top Gun,” and “The Accused.”
~ Ian McKellen gay ACTING ICON – known to many for roles such as Gandalf in the "Lord of the Rings" film trilogy and as Magneto in the "X-Men" films.
~ Freddie Mercury gay MUSIC ICON – the lead vocalist of the rock band Queen and as a songwriter, Mercury composed many hits, including "Bohemian Rhapsody", "Killer Queen", "Somebody to Love", "Don't Stop Me Now", "Crazy Little Thing Called Love", "We Are the Champions", and "Barcelona"
~ George Michael gay SINGER – a two-time Grammy Award winning English singer-songwriter who rose to fame in the 1980s when he formed the pop duo Wham!. His first solo single, "Careless Whisper" sold about six million copies worldwide.
~ Michelangelo gay FAMOUS ARTIST – an Italian Renaissance painter, sculptor, architect, poet, and engineer. Two of his best known sculptures, the Pietà and world renown David, were sculpted before he turned thirty. Despite his low opinion of painting, Michelangelo also created two of the most influential works in fresco in the history of Western art: the scenes from Genesis on the ceiling and The Last Judgment on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel in Rome.
~ Eric Millegan gay ACTOR – an actor primarily known for his work on the TV series “Bones” in which he played Dr. Zack Addy.
~ Sal Mineo gay ACTOR – became famous for his role in “Rebel Without A Cause”, in which he played John "Plato" Crawford, a teenager hopelessly in love with Jim Stark (played by James Dean). His performance resulted in an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actor,
~ Dave Moffatt gay MUSICIAN – a member of the Canadian Pop/Rock band The Moffatts. He played keyboard and sang lead and background vocals. At a very young age, the Moffatt boys became international stars, with great numbers of pre-teen, teen and adult fans.
~ Cynthia Nixon gay ACTOR – The former "Sex and the City" star is holding firm to her statement that she has chosen to be a lesbian, sparking controversy. "For me, it is a choice, I understand that for many people it’s not, but for me it’s a choice, and you don’t get to define my gayness for me."
~ Rudolf Nureyev gay BALLET ICON – was one of the world's most famous male ballet dancers
~ Rosie O’Donnell gay TALK SHOW HOST/ACTRESS – a famous stand-up comedian, talk show host, actress, singer, author, media personality and magazine editor.
~ Peter Paige gay ACTOR – is an American actor, director, screenwriter, best known for his role as Emmett Honeycutt on Showtime's hit series "Queer as Folk"
~ Anthony Perkins gay ACTOR – best known for his role as Norman Bates in Alfred Hitchcock's “Psycho”
~ David Hyde Pierce gay ACTOR – and comedian best known for playing psychiatrist Dr. Niles Crane on the sitcom “Frasier.”
~ Paula Poundstone gay COMEDIAN – is known for her sardonic style of stand-up comedy and masculine fashion sense.
~ Dack Rambo gay ACTOR – most notable for appearing as Walter Brennan's grandson Jeff in the “The Guns of Will Sonnett,” as Steve Jacobi in “All My Children,” as cousin Jack Ewing on “Dallas,” and as Grant Harrison on “Another World.”
~ Robert Reed gay ACTOR/MR. BRADY – is best known for playing two completely different roles on TV, both at the same time - Mike Brady; beloved father of "The Brady Bunch," and Lieutenant Adam Tobias on the detective series "Mannix"
~ Charles Nelson Riley gay ENTERTAINER – an actor, comedian, director and drama teacher known for his comedic roles in movies, children's television, animated cartoons, and as a panelist on the game show “Match Game.”
~ Cesar Romero gay ACTOR – played The Joker in the 1960s television series “Batman.” In 1966, the show was transferred to movie theaters, and Romero became the first actor to portray the Joker in a motion picture.
~ Gabriel Romero gay ACTOR – is best known for his ground-breaking role as Fernandito, the first openly gay character on Spanish-language television sitcom Los Beltrán and for his role as Marco on “Dante's Cove.”
~ Dick Sargent gay ACTOR – best known as the second actor to portray Darrin Stephens on the original hit television series “Bewitched.” In actuality, Sargent was originally cast as Darren but shortly after had to turn it down due to a contractual obligation, then was offered it when Dick York left the role, technically making him the first and third Darren… sort of.
~ Fred Schneider gay SINGER/MUSICIAN – the front man of the rock band The B-52's, of which he is a founding member
~ Richard Simmons gay CELEBRITY – is a fitness guru, most famously through his “Sweatin' to the Oldies” line of aerobics videos and DVDs known for his eccentric, outgoing personality.
~ Jaason Simmons gay ACTOR – an Australian actor best known for the role of Logan Fowler on the TV series “Baywatch”
~ Dusty Springfield gay POP MUSIC ICON – was an English early pop music icon because of her distinctive sensual sound. She was one of the most notable white soul artists. Known for such hits as "I Only Want To Be With You", "I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself", "Wishin' and Hopin'" and "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" and her later standout recordings with The Pet Shop Boys’ “What have I done to deserve this?”
~ David Ogden Stiers gay ACTOR/CONDUCTOR – on “M*A*S*H” who played “Charles Winchester III”
~ Michael Stipe gay SINGER/COMPOSER – the lead vocalist for the alternative rock band R.E.M. When asked if he ever declares himself as gay, Stipe stated, "I don’t. 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."
~ Jason Stuart gay ACTOR/COMEDIAN
~ Wanda Sykes gay ACTRESS/COMEDIAN – talk show host, comedian and actress. She earned the 1999 Emmy Award for her writing on “The Chris Rock Show.” In 2004 Entertainment Weekly named her as one of the 25 funniest people in America.
~ George Takei gay ACTOR/ACTIVIST – best known for his role in the TV and then movie series “Star Trek,” in which he played Hikaru Sulu, helmsman of the USS Enterprise.
~ John Tartaglia gay EDUCATIONAL TV – joined “Sesame Street”'s puppetry team at 16 performing as a right hand, Phoebe, Elmo, Ernie and Oscar the Grouch He also created and puppeteered the roles of Princeton (the recent college grad) and Rod (the closeted Republican-investment banker) in the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical “Avenue Q,” for which he was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical
~ Rip Taylor gay COMEDIAN/ACTOR – a well known American television game show comedian and actor.
~ Neil Tennant gay SINGER/COMPOSER – front man for the incredible techno pop duo “The Pet Shop Boys”
~ Scott Thompson gay ACTOR – is best known as a member of the comedy troupe “Kids in the Hall”
~ Lily Tomlin gay ENTERTAINER/COMEDIAN ICON – actress, comedian, writer and producer. She has been honored at the Kennedy Center, won Tony Awards, Emmy Awards, and a Grammy Award and has also been nominated for an Academy Award. She is known as the wisecracking and snorting telephone operator Ernestine who loves to proclaim to her customers, "We don't care, we don't have to...we're the phone company," and asking “Is this the party to whom I am speaking?” She has also starred in such movies as "Nashville" "Nine-to-Five" and "All of Me"
~ Tommy Tune gay ENTERTAINER – an actor, dancer, singer, theatre director, producer, and choreographer. Over the course of his career, he has won nine Tony Awards.
~ Gus Van Sant gay DIRECTOR – American film director, screenwriter, photographer, musician, and author, nominated for an Academy Award for "Good Will Hunting" and "Milk"
~ Clifton Webb gay ACTOR – Broadway and Hollywood acting legend best known for his “Mr. Belvedere” series of movies
~ Will Wikle gay REALITY SHOW CONTESTANT – a registered nurse and is best known for his appearance in the fifth American season of “Big Brother.”
~ Paul Winfield gay ACTOR – was known for his portrayal of a Louisiana sharecropper the landmark film "Sounder" which earned him an Academy Award nomination, and as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the television miniseries "King", for which he was nominated for an Emmy Award. Star Trek fans know him as Captain Clark Terrell of the U.S.S. Reliant in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. He also played Lt. Traxler, a friendly but crusty cop partnered with Lance Henriksen in “The Terminator” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
~ B.D. Wong gay ACTOR – best-known for his roles as Dr. George Huang on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” as Father Ray Mukada on HBO's “Oz,” and for his starring role as Song Liling in the Broadway production of “M. Butterfly.”
~ Chely Wright gay SINGER – an American country music artist, famous for her #1 single "Single White Female" and has charted more than fifteen singles on the country charts. She has also written songs for Brad Paisley, Richard Marx, Mindy Smith and a top 10 hit for Clay Walker, "I Can't Sleep"
~~~> BUSINESS & POLITICS...
~ Alexander the Great was a Greek king of Macedon. He is the most celebrated member of the Argead Dynasty and created one of the largest empires in ancient history. The famed philosopher Aristotle tutored Alexander, who was known to be undefeated in battle and is considered one of the most successful commanders of all time. He is one of the most famous figures of antiquity, and is remembered for his tactical ability, his conquests, and for spreading Greek culture into the East.
~ Ian Campbell at 23 is not only Britain’s youngest mayor, but he’s an out-and-proud gay man. He leads mostly conservative Retford, England and is a shining example of overcoming adversity to become a success.
~ Chaz/Chastity Bono was born Chastity Sun Bono; March 4, 1969) and became Chaz after a sex-change. He is an American LGBT rights advocate, writer, actor, and musician. Bono is the only child of entertainers Sonny and Cher.
~ Mary Cheney gay POLITICAL HYPOCRITE – Lesbian daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney; Mary Cheney's sexual orientation is a source of public attention because of her father's political station as a staunch conservative, her political involvement with the Republican Party, and the 2004 Republican platforms in opposition to same-sex marriage.
~ Tim Cook was named the chief executive officer of Apple Inc. after Steve Jobs announced his resignation on August 24, 2011. Cook is credited with pulling Apple back from the brink by getting them out of manufacturing. This helped the company reduce inventory levels and streamlined its supply chain, dramatically increasing margins. In January 2007, Cook was promoted to COO.
Cook served as Apple CEO for two months in 2004, when Jobs was recovering from pancreatic cancer surgery. In 2009, Cook again served as Apple CEO for several months while Jobs took a leave of absence for a liver transplant.
In January 2011, Apple's Board of Directors approved a third medical leave of absence requested by Jobs. During that time, Cook was responsible for most of Apple’s day-to-day operations while Jobs made most major decisions. Following the resignation of Jobs, Cook was made CEO of Apple Inc. on August 24, 2011.
Tim is widely known to have a "man crush" on Lance Armstrong, who he frequently quotes. He is a workaholic putting in 12-14 hour days and is usually the first one to arrive at Apple and the last to leave.
~ Brian Epstein The Beatles' early success has been attributed to Epstein's management and sense of style. Paul McCartney said of Epstein: "If anyone was the Fifth Beatle, it was Brian."
~ Rep. Barney Frank is the U.S. House Representative for Massachusetts's 4th district since 1981. In 1982, he won his first full term, and he has been re-elected ever since by wide margins. He is a gay politician that we can be very proud of. Frank became the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee in 2007. The committee oversees the entire financial services industry, which includes the securities, insurance, banking, and housing industries.
~ David Geffen is an American record executive, film producer, theatrical producer and philanthropist. He created Asylum/Electra Records in 1970 and Geffen Records in 1980, and is one of the three founders of DreamWorks SKG
~ Merv Griffin rose to fame with his afternoon talk show "The Merv Griffin Show", and later created the game shows “Jeopardy!, Wheel of Fortune, Click, and Merv Griffin's Crosswords” and was one of the most successful men in the entertainment industry. He remained friends with his ex-wife, whom he acknowledged created the premise for Jeopardy! Questions that he was either bisexual or gay persist. He is quoted as saying, "I tell everybody that I’m a quatre-sexual. I will do anything with anybody for a quarter,” to The New York Times, May 26, 2005
~ Harvey Milk was the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California, when he won a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Both movies about his life have won Academy Awards
~ Annise Parker is Houston's second female mayor, and the first openly gay mayor of a U.S. city with over a million residents
~ Rep. Jared Polis is the first openly gay man elected to the U.S. House as a freshman
~ Christine Quinn, a Speaker of the New York City Council, which is among the most powerful positions in city government after the Mayor.
~ Johanna Sigurdardottir gay PRIME MINISTER – The current Prime Minister of Iceland. The only out-and-proud openly gay politician to be elected head of state regardless of her sexual-orientation... so far
In June of 2010 under her leadership Iceland legalized Gay Marriage.
~ Vaughn Walker Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. Walker is one of only two known gay federal judges
~ Klaus Wowereit elected the Mayor of Berlin, he is one of the most famous gay German politicians. In coming out, prior to the 2001 mayoral elections, he coined the now famous German phrase "Ich bin schwul, und das ist auch gut so." ("I am gay, and that's all right, too.").
~~~> ATHLETICS...
~ Graham Ackerman gay GYMNASTICS – won the national championship in the floor exercise event at the 2005 NCAA Men’s Gymnastics Championship at the United States Military Academy at West Point, making him a three-time national champ. In 2004 he won the national titles in two events—floor and vault.
~ John Amaechi gay BASKETBALL – a famous and popular professional basketball player – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol II” by clicking the link button at the top of this sidebar.
~ Sen. Ray Ashburn gay POLITICAL HYPOCRITE – an staunch anti-gay Republican California State representative who was “outed” while leaving a gay bar. As for his legislative gay-bashing, even after admitting he was gay, he used the excuse that he was only representing his district.
~ Billy Bean gay BASEBALL – Professional baseball – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol II” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Brendan Burke gay HOCKEY
~ Glenn Burke gay BASEBALL – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol I” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ J.P. Calderon gay ATHLETE/MODEL – professional volleyball player, model and a contestant on "Survivor," in several seasons of "The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency" and appeared on the February 2007 cover of Instinct magazine.
~ Richard Chamberlain gay ACTOR – gained widespread fame as young girls (and boys) swooned over him as the title young intern in “Dr. Kildare,” and later in "The Towering Inferno." Soon after he became known as "the king of the miniseries" by appearing in, “Centennial, The Man in the Iron Mask, Shogun, and The Thorn Birds” and also was the first to play Jason Bourne in the 1988 version of “The Bourne Identity.”
~ Mark Chatfield gay OLYMPIC SWIMMER – "For the record, I'm not just gay-I'm a screaming queen!" An Olympic Swimmer; the 1973 U.S. National champion in the 100 yard breaststroke and an All American at USC in 1972 (100 Breast, 200 Breast), 1973 (100 Breast, 200 Breast, 400 Medley Relay), 1974 (100 Breast, 200 Breast, 400 Medley Relay) and 1975 (100 Breast, 200 Breast, 200 IM, 400 Medley Relay). An accomplished Baroque and period musician, vocalist and composer, he played principal cello and was a countertenor.
~ Scott Cranham gay OLYMPIC DIVER – who competed in the 1976 Summer Olympics
~ Steven Davies gay CRICKET – See the sidebar link above to my article “How Many Professional Athletes Are Gay?” Part III
~ Chris Dickerson gay ATHLETE – Mr. Olympia – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol II” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Donal Og Cusack gay ATHLETE – a well-known Irish hurler and Ireland's first openly gay elite sportsman. He plays hurling at club level with Cloyne and has been a member of the Cork senior inter-county team
~ Justin Fashanu gay ATHLETE – English football – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol I” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Joey Fisher gay HOCKEY – University of Georgia
~ Rudy Galindo gay SKATER – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol II” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Ed Gallagher gay ATHLETE– college football – read about ordeal and accomplishments in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol I” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Andrew Goldstein gay LACROSSE – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol III” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Bruce Hayes gay OLYMPIC SWIMMER – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol I” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Austin Hendrix gay TRACK ATHLETE – Eastern Michigan track star. Read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol III” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Anton Hysen gay SOCCER – Swedish soccer/footballer sensation. See the sidebar link to my article “How Many Professional Athletes Are Gay?” Part III
~ Patrick Jeffrey gay SWIMMING/DIVING – a college athlete on the Ohio State University swimming & diving team. He swept the one-meter, three-meter and platform at the Big Ten championship his senior year and was named conference Diver of the Year. He twice competed for the U.S. at the Summer Olympics, in 1988 and 1996. During the 1996, he was already out and performed as an openly gay athlete. Since 1999 he has been the diving coach at Florida State University
~ Corey Johnson gay FOOTBALL – a defensive back in the Arena Football League. He played college football at Georgia and also for the Nashville Kats, Los Angeles Avengers, Buffalo Destroyers, Carolina Cobras, New York Dragons, and Arizona Rattlers.
~ Orlando Jordan gay WRESTLER – is best known for his tenure in World Wrestling Entertainment, where he was a one-time United States Champion.
~ Chris Kanyon/Klucsaritis gay WRESTLER – a professional wrestler, best known for his work in World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation, under the ring names Chris Kanyon (or simply Kanyon) and Mortis. After his first attempt at coming out of the closet, he was so badly treated that he recanted. After later confirming he was gay again, he died of an apparent suicide.
~ Peter Karlsson gay HOCKEY/HATE CRIME ICON – was a popular Swedish ice hockey player and was murdered by a 19-year-old who used a knife to stab him. The murder is believed to have happened because Karlsson was gay. After the murder, Karlsson's team played a protest match in support of him. The killer's sentence, which was only eight years, which outraged the Swedish gay community.
~ Johan Kenkhuis gay OLYMPIC SWIMMER – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol I” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Billy Jean King gay TENNIS ICON – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol I” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ David Kopay gay AMERICAN FOOTBALL – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol I” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Daniel Kowalski gay OLYMPIC SWIMMER – is an Australian middle and long distance swimmer specialising in freestyle events. At the 1996 Summer Olympics, he was the first man in 92 years to earn medals in all of the 200 m, 400 m and 1500 m freestyle events.
2000 Summer Olympics: gold medal in the 4x200 m freestyle relay
1996 Summer Olympics: silver medal in the 1500 m freestyle, bronze medal in the 400 m freestyle, and bronze medal in the 200 m freestyle.
Kowalski was part of the world record setting Australian gold medal 4x200 m relay team at the 1998 Commonwealth Games.
Kowalski was inspired to come out by Welsh rugby player Gareth Thomas
~ Mark Leduc gay OLYMPIC BOXER – a boxer from Canada, who won a silver medal at the 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympics
~ Greg Louganis gay OLYMPIC DIVING ICON – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol I” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Matthew Mitcham gay OLYMPIC DIVER – an honored Australian Olympic Diver – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol II” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Chris Morgan gay ATHLETE – is a famous British power-lifter and gay athletic ambassador
~ Martina Navratilova gay TENNIS ICON – read about her in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol II” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Diana Nyad gay SWIMMER – a world record-holding American swimmer and public radio contributor. She recently attempted to swim from Cuba to Florida
~ Brian Orser gay OLYMPIC SKATER – is a 1984 and 1988 Olympic silver medalist, 1987 World champion and the 1981-1988 Canadian national champion. He is one of the most accomplished skaters in Canada's history, with eight national titles, two Olympic medals, and a world title to his credit. He is the skating director at the Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club.
~ Bob Paris gay MR. UNIVERSE – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol I” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ David Pichler gay OLYMPIC SWIMMER – U.S. Olympic diver in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, where he was elected team captain. Pichler and Mark Ruiz won the synchronized platform final at the FINA-USA Diving Grand Prix in May 2000
~ Ian Roberts gay AUSTRALIAN RUGBY ICON – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol I” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Craig Rogerson gay OLYMPIC DIVER
~ Roy Simmons gay NFL FOOTBALL – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol I” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Jerry Smith gay AMERICAN FOOTBALL – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol I” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Mark Tewksbury gay OLYMPIC SWIMMER – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol I” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Gareth Thomas gay RUGBY ICON – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol III” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ “Big” Bill Tilden gay TENNIS ICON – considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol I” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Esera Tuaolo gay AMERICAN FOOTBALL – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol I” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Dan Veatch gay OLYMPIC SWIMMER – swam for the United States team at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, finishing seventh in the 200-meter backstroke, his specialist event. He won the 200 m backstroke at the Pan Pacific Games in Brisbane in 1987 and again in Tokyo in 1989
~ Dr. Tom Waddell gay OLYMPIC ATHLETE/FOUNDER – read about him in “Famous Gay Athletes Vol I” by clicking the link to it at the top of this sidebar.
~ Rick Welts gay SPORTS – CEO and President of the Phoenix Suns-See the sidebar link above to read about him in “How Many Professional Athletes are gay Part III.”
~~~> JOURNALISTS, AUTHORS & COMPOSERS...
~ Leonard Bernstein gay COMPOSER/CONDUCTOR – was best known to the public as the music director of the New York Philharmonic, and for writing the music for “West Side Story, Candide, Wonderful Town, and On the Town.” According to The New York Times, he was "one of the most prodigally talented and successful musicians in American history
~ Dirk Bogarde gay AUTHOR/ – was a British novelist and matinee star in such films as “Doctor in the House” and “Death in Venice”
~ Truman Capote gay FAMOUS AUTHOR – many short stories, novels, plays and nonfiction works are literary classics, including the novella “Breakfast at Tiffany's” (1958) and “In Cold Blood” (1965), which he labeled a "nonfiction novel." At least 20 films and television dramas have been produced from his novels, stories and screenplays.
~ Anderson Cooper gay NEWS ANCHOR/JOURNALIST – journalist, author, and television personality. He currently works as the primary anchor of the CNN news show “Anderson Cooper 360°.” Cooper often broadcasts live on location for breaking news stories. He also frequently guest hosts on “Live with Regis and Kelly.”
~ Harvey Fierstein gay PLAYWRIGHT – noted for the distinction of winning Tony Awards for both writing and playing the lead role in "Torch Song Trilogy,” and for his gravel-voiced film role in the blockbuster “Independence Day”
~ Jet Gardner (me) gay Writer, artist and creator of general web interest sites (see sidebar links)
~ Don Lemon gay CNN REPORTER
~ Chris Lowe gay MUSICIAN/ARRANGER/COMPOSER – One half of the magnificent duo THE PET SHOP BOYS
~ Michelangelo gay POET – His greatest written expressions of love were given to Tommaso dei Cavalieri who was 23 years old when Michelangelo met him. Cavalieri was open to the older man's affection: I swear to return your love. Never have I loved a man more than I love you, never have I wished for a friendship more than I wish for yours. Cavalieri remained devoted to Michelangelo until his death.
Michelangelo dedicated to him over three hundred sonnets and madrigals, constituting the largest sequence of poems that he composed.
~ Stephen Sondheim gay BROADWAY ICON – may not have been the founder of Broadway, but the street should've been renamed after him. He is the winner of an Academy Award, multiple Tony Awards including the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, multiple Grammy Awards, and a Pulitzer Prize. He has been described as "the greatest and perhaps best-known artist in the American musical theatre." His most works include “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods, Assassins,” and lyrics for “West Side Story and Gypsy.”
~ Gertrude Stein gay FAMOUS AUTHOR – published her memoirs in 1933 under the teasing title The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas (her lover). It became Stein's bestselling book. The two were a couple until Stein's death in 1946. Together they hosted a salon in France that attracted expatriate American writers, such as Ernest Hemingway, Paul Bowles, Thornton Wilder and Sherwood Anderson, and avant-garde painters, including Picasso, Matisse and Braque.
~ Alice B Toklas gay CELEBRITY – Gertrude Stein's confidante, lover, cook, secretary, muse, editor, critic, and general organizer, Toklas remained a background figure, chiefly living in the shadow of Stein, until she published her memoirs in 1933 under the teasing title The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas. It became Stein's bestselling book. The two were a couple until Gertrude Stein's death in 1946. Together they hosted a salon in France that attracted expatriate American writers, such as Ernest Hemingway, Paul Bowles, Thornton Wilder and Sherwood Anderson, and avant-garde painters, including Picasso, Matisse and Braque.
~ Gore Vidal gay WRITER/ICON – A famous and infamous American author, playwright, essayist, screenwriter and political activist. Early in his career he wrote The City and the Pillar (1948), which outraged mainstream critics as one of the first major American novels to feature unambiguous homosexuality. He subsequently emerged as one of America's more important literary figures due to the enormous quantity of work produced over the course of his career, including novels, essays, plays, and short stories covering a wide variety of topics
~ Bruce Vilanch gay COMEDY WRITER – an American comedy writer to whom many owe their careers. He caught the public eye when he became a wisecracking regular on seasons 1-4 of the revamped “Hollywood Squares,” alongside Whoopi Goldberg where he provided not only his own hilarious comebacks, but also to Goldberg and many others on the show. He has wrote topical joke material for a number of awards show hosts, notably for Billy Crystal at the Academy Awards.
~ Rufus Wainwright gay SINGER/COMPOSER – Canadian-American singer and songwriter/composer for film soundtracks such as “Brokeback Mountain, I am Sam, Moulin Rouge!, Shrek, Meet the Robinsons, Big Daddy, Zoolander, and Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man”
~ Walt Whitman gay POETRY ICON – was among the most influential poets in the American canon, often called the father of free verse. His work was very controversial in its time, particularly his poetry collection “Leaves of Grass,” which was described as obscene for its overt sexuality.
~ Oscar Wilde gay AUTHOR/ICON – was an iconic Irish writer, poet, and prominent aesthete, famous for his world renown "Picture of Dorian Gray"
~ Tennessee Williams gay BROADWAY ICON – won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for “A Streetcar Named Desire” and for “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.” In addition, “The Glass Menagerie and The Night of the Iguana” received New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards. His play “The Rose Tattoo” received the Tony Award for best play. In 1980 President Jimmy Carter presented him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
~~~> FASHION...
~ Tom Ford gay FASHION – is a fashion designer and entrepreneur
~ Carson Kressley gay FASHION – the fashion expert on “Queer Eye For The Straight Guy”
~ Gianni Versace gay FASHION ICON – a famous Italian fashion designer of much sought-after accessories, fragrances, makeup and home furnishings as well as clothes. He also designed costumes for friends Elton John, Sting, and Princess Diana among many others. Openly gay, Versace and his partner Antonio D'Amico were regulars on the international party scene.
~~~> ARTISTS...
~ Leonardo da Vinci gay FAMOUS ARTIST/SCIENTIST – Known worldwide for his "Mona Lisa" and "The Last Supper" he was an Italian polymath: painter, sculptor, architect, musician, scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, geologist, cartographer, botanist and writer. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest painters of all time and perhaps the most diversely talented person ever to have lived.
Court records of 1476, when he was aged twenty-four, show that Leonardo and three other young men were charged with sodomy, and acquitted. In 1506, Leonardo took on pupil-lover, Count Francesco Melzi, who remained with him until Leonardo's death. Melzi inherited his artistic and scientific works, manuscripts, and collections.
~ Salvador Dali gay FAMOUS ARTIST – a world famous Spanish master artist and a skilled draftsman, best known for the striking and bizarre images in his surrealist work. Some of his more popular works are sculptures and he is also noted for his contributions to theatre, fashion, and photography. Between 1941 and 1970, Dalí created an ensemble of 39 jewels. The jewels are intricate, and some contain moving parts. The most famous jewel, "The Royal Heart," is made of gold and is encrusted with 46 rubies, 42 diamonds, and four emeralds and is created in such a way that the center "beats" much like a real heart.
~ Andy Warhol gay ICON/ARTIST/FILMMAKER – became famous worldwide for his work as a painter, avant-garde filmmaker, record producer, author, and public figure that surrounded himself with bohemian street people, distinguished intellectuals, Hollywood celebrities and wealthy patrons. In his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, The Andy Warhol Museum exists in memory of his life and artwork. The highest price ever paid for a Warhol painting is $100 million for a 1963 canvas titled Eight Elvises.
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