Gay & Proud
We celebrate Gay Pride Month with the Stars that have stepped out of the closet
here are the list:
1. ADAM LAMBERT
Popular season 8 finalist of American Idol (FOX) came out publicly about his sexual orientation in the June issue of Rolling Stone. "I don’t think it’s a surprise that I am gay, I am proud of my sexuality and that is just another part of who I am."
2.CHRISTIAN CHÁVEZ
Ex-band member of Mexican pop group RBD, announced he was gay after a magazine threatened to publish photos of his wedding in Canada with now ex, B.J. Murphy. Through a letter aimed at his fans, he declared his sexuality and asked not to be judged.
3.LANCE BASS
The former N’Sync member confessed being gay in an exclusive interview with People magazine in June 2006. "I feel free and happier than ever," said Bass after accepting his homosexuality.
4.ALEJANDRO AMENÁBAR
Years ago, the Spanish director known for such films as The Others and Tesis, opened up about his sexuality. "It scares me a little to know how curious people are about my private life, but on the other hand, it doesn’t bother me identifying myself as a gay man."
5. JODIE FOSTER
For more than 15 years, the Hollywood star and mother of two, kept her silence about her intimate life and although most speculated on her sexual orientation, the truth didn’t go public until December of 2007 when she dedicated an award to her partner, Cydney Bernard.
6. GEORGE TAKEI
In 2005, Captain Sulu of Star Trek opened up about his partner of 18 years and now husband since 2008. At 72 years old, Takei is known as an activist for gay rights.
7. ELLEN DEGENERES
More than 10 years ago, in an interview with TIME magazine she claimed she could keep her personal and professional life at a distance, avoiding the question if she was gay or not. "Now I feel more comfortable, without worries that it may destroy my career," said Degeneres who is now married to actress, Portia De Rossi.
8. LINDSAY LOHAN
The controversial actress had many boyfriends before her first female partner. On a Los Angeles radio show, Lohan let the public in on her romantic relationship with DJ Samantha Ronson, one that has been in the public eye for their squabbles. Now, rumors are circulating about the possible rekindling of their relationship.
9. GUILLERMO DÍAZ
Since the Cuban actor –who plays Guillermo on Weeds (Showtime) — started his career he has always let known his sexual orientation. His MySpace page declares him as openly gay.
10. BRYAN SINGER
Another person who has never covered up their sexuality is the famed director of the X-Men trilogy. In 2006 with the release of Superman Returns which he directed, Singer confronted the media after being criticized for making the character too effeminate. Something he refuted by saying that Superman is one of the most heterosexual characters he has ever made in a film.
11. CYNTHIA NIXON
As opposed to others, the Sex and the City actress found it more difficult for her children, Samantha and Charles, to understand she was in love with another woman. Today they are a happy family and her relationship with Christine Marinoni runs six years long. "I’ve been with men my whole life but when I fell in love with a woman I didn’t feel weird, just a woman in love with another," said Nixon after going public.
12. KELLY McGILLIS
Just recently, well-known actress from the classic film Top Gun admitted to being single on the radio show Girl Rock. When asked if she was looking for a new man or woman in her life she took the chance to put the rumors to rest on her sexuality: "Definitely a woman. I am done with the man thing. In life, you have to keep moving forward," said McGillis, mother of two, twice married and divorced.
13. DUSTIN LANCE BLACK
Recently, winner of the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for Milk, opened up in his acceptance speech about growing up in a Mormon family and admitted to once considering suicide. This month, blogger Perez Hilton published photos of Black engaging in homosexual acts without a condom, burning him as he is a spokesman for safe sex
14. NEIL PATRICK HARRIS
How I Met Your Mother (CBS) star came out of the closet in an interview with People in 2006. "The public eye has been very good to me but since there is certain curiosity over my private and intimate life, I’m prepared to air out the rumors before people start making their own opinions of me: I am proud to say that I am a happy, gay man."
15. T.R. KNIGHTS
As did Harris, actor of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy spoke with People to declare once and for all his sexuality as implicated by his fellow men. "I hope that me being gay isn’t the most interesting quality I possess."
16. IAN McKELLEN
In 1988, the British actor was one of the first actors to openly admit his sexual preference. Since then, he has dedicated himself to fighting against the discrimination of the gay community as well as founding the Stonewall Community Foundation, which is rooted to combating a law that prohibits talk of the lesbian gay bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in Great Britain’s schools.
17. DAVID HYDE PIERCE
After years of speculation, the actor decided to break the silence in 2007 about his partnership. Last year, Pierce married his partner, director and producer, Brian Hargrove.
18. WILSON CRUZ
When the young Puerto Rican actor joined the Hollywood crowd he let know publicly his sexuality. According to him, he set out to see how long he could go without hiding who he is. At 19, he admitted to his parents, who didn’t take the news too lightly in the beginning. When Cruz is not busy acting he spends his time motivating young gays, bisexuals, lesbians and transgendered.
19. GEORGE MICHAEL
In 1998, after two decades of music, the British singer candidly spoke on CNN. "I have no problem with people who know I hold a relationship with a man. I haven’t been with a woman in almost 10 years," said Michael who not too long before that was arrested for engaging in lewd acts with an undercover policeman in a Beverly Hills park bathroom.
20. CHAVELA VARGAS
Although the Mexican singer kept a seal on her intimate life, it was in 2000 at the age of 81 that she went public in an interview with a Madrid newspaper, EL Pais. "I was born this way since the very first moment I opened my eyes to this world. I have never been in bed with a man, that’s how pure I am. I have nothing to be ashamed about. My gods made me this way."
21. ELTON JOHN
In the seventies, the British singer told Rolling Stone magazine that he was bisexual but that with time, he had come to prefer men only. John is now married to Canadian producer, David Furnish.