Famous Gay People

It is not easy being a gay man in the contemporary world! With the members of the LGBT community being subjected to rampant discrimination and social ridicule, life is sure very challenging for gay men. But with growing awareness about the LGBT community, it is becoming increasingly possible for gay people to come out of the closet and build a meaningful life for themselves. The 19th century German writer Karl Heinrich Ulrichs is seen today as the pioneer of the modern gay rights movement. George Cecil Ives was another gay man who was an early homosexual law reform campaigner. Despite the pioneering works of the early gay rights activists, men like Oscar Wilde, A. E. Housman, and Ralph Waldo Emerson had to face the society’s wrath for their private homosexual activities. Alan Mathison Turing was the father of theoretical computer science and artificial intelligence, yet he was prosecuted for homosexual acts performed in private. Achieving success in the conservative society as a gay man is a tremendous challenge and that’s why these guys are extra-special. Check out this section to know more about famous gay men.
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 1 
Tom Ford
(Fashion Designer & Founder of His Eponymous Luxury Brand 'Tom Ford')
Tom Ford
75
Listed In: Fashion
Birthdate: August 27, 1961
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Austin, Texas, United States

Tom Ford is an American fashion designer. During his time as the creative director at Gucci, Ford saved the fashion house from near bankruptcy and turned it into a powerhouse. In 2006, he established his eponymous luxury brand and has since been referred to as a style icon and fashion icon; he was named in All-TIME 100 Fashion Icons list.

 2 
Lil Nas X
(First Gay Artist To Have #1 Record on Billboard Hot 100)
Lil Nas X
343
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: April 9, 1999
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Lithia Springs, Georgia, United States

Montero Lamar Hill, better known as Lil Nas X, soared to fame with his US Billboard Hot 100 charter country rap track Old Town Road. The gay singer initially became viral for his comedy videos on Facebook and Vine and then soared to fame on Spotify.

 3 
Jim Parsons
130
Birthdate: March 24, 1973
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Houston, Texas, United States

In 2018, Jim Parsons was named by Forbes as the world's highest-paid TV actor. His role as Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory has played a major role in determining his success as a TV actor. Apart from making him rich, the series was also responsible for earning him a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

 4 
David Hockney
(Painter)
David Hockney
53
Birthdate: July 9, 1937
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Bradford

Painter, photographer, printmaker, and stage designer David Hockney is best known for his works such as Portrait of an Artist, which became the most expensive piece of art by a living artist ever auctioned, at $90 million. His works have explored themes such as homosexuality. He has synesthesia, too.

 5 
Lee Pace
(Actor Known for His TV Series ‘Pushing Daisies’ and Films: ‘Soldier's Girl’ and ‘The Good Shepherd’)
Lee Pace
69
Birthdate: March 25, 1979
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Chickasha, Oklahoma, United States
Lee Pace is best known for his Emmy-nominated role in Pushing Daisies and his Golden Globe-nominated performance in Soldier's Girl. Fans also loved him as Garrett in the Twilight franchise and as Thranduil in The Hobbit trilogy. The queer actor has won the Berlinale Silver Bear for The Good Shepherd
 6 
Wilfred Owen
49
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: March 18, 1893
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Oswestry
Died: November 4, 1918

Wilfred Owen was an English soldier and poet. One of the most important poets during World War I, Owen wrote about the horrors of gas warfare. His life and career inspired a docudrama titled Wilfred Owen: A Remembrance Tale where he was portrayed by Samuel Barnett. In 1989, the Wilfred Owen Association was established to commemorate his life and poetry.

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 7 
Jim Nabors
(Actor)
Jim Nabors
56
Birthdate: June 12, 1930
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Sylacauga, Alabama, United States
Died: November 30, 2017
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
 8 
Cole Porter
(Composer, Songwriter)
Cole Porter
41
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: June 9, 1891
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Peru, Indiana, United States
Died: October 15, 1964
Singer-songwriter Cole Porter is best known for his work in the Tony-winning musical, Kiss Me, Kate and for his hit tracks Night and Day, Got You Under My Skin, and You're the Top. He also composed for movies. His marriage to Linda Lee Thomas was a cover for his homosexuality.
 9 
Zachary Quinto
(Actor)
Zachary Quinto
57
Birthdate: June 2, 1977
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
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 10 
Stephen Sondheim
(American composer)
Stephen Sondheim
60
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: March 22, 1930
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: New York City
Died: November 26, 2021

Stephen Sondheim is an American lyricist and composer. Widely regarded as one of the 20th century's most prominent figures in musical theatre, Sondheim is credited with reinventing the American musical. In 1981, he founded Young Playwrights Inc. to encourage young people to write for the theatre. An openly gay composer, Sondheim also serves as an inspiration to the LGBT community.

 11 
John Barrowman
(Known for His Role as 'Captain Jack Harkness' in 'Doctor Who')
John Barrowman
51
Birthdate: March 11, 1967
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Mount Vernon, Glasgow, Scotland

John Barrowman is a Scottish-born author, comic book writer, presenter, singer, and actor. Barrowman is also known for his charity work and activism. Over the years, he has been a strong supporter of the LGBT community and has worked with organizations like Stonewall. He also has his own skincare line named HIM.

 12 
Jonathan Van Ness
(American Hairstylist, Podcast Host and Television Personality)
Jonathan Van Ness
48
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: March 28, 1987
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Quincy, Illinois, United States
Jonathan Van Ness, better known as JVN, is a hairdresser, podcast host, and reality star. He gained fame as a grooming expert in the series Queer Eye. He also created the Funny or Die series Gay of Thrones, a parody of Game of Thrones. He is non-binary and HIV-positive.
 13 
Sir Noël Peirce Coward
(English Playwright, Composer and Actor Best Known for His Wit and Flamboyance)
Sir Noël Peirce Coward
25
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: December 16, 1899
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Teddington, England
Died: March 26, 1973

Sir Noël Peirce Coward was an English composer, playwright, singer, director, and actor. Renowned for his flamboyance and wit, Coward's style and work continue to influence popular culture. A recipient of several prestigious awards, including an Academy Honorary Award, Coward did not acknowledge his homosexuality publicly, although it was later discussed by biographers like Graham Payn.

 14 
Andrew Rannells
(Actor)
Andrew Rannells
36
Birthdate: August 23, 1978
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Omaha, Nebraska, USA
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 15 
Michel Foucault
(Philosopher & Historian)
Michel Foucault
49
Birthdate: October 15, 1926
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Poitiers, France
Died: June 25, 1984

If others thought the body was the prison of the soul, Paul-Michel Foucault felt the other way round. The French philosopher, literary critic and Leftist who interpreted the link between power and knowledge, was a post-structuralist whose theories have left a mark on anthropology, psychology and criminology. The feminist was one of the noted personalities to have died of HIV/AIDS.

 16 
Chris Hughes
(Co-Founder of Facebook)
Chris Hughes
41
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: November 26, 1983
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Hickory, North Carolina
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
 17 
David Sedaris
(Humorist)
David Sedaris
19
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: December 26, 1956
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Johnson City, New York, United States
Height: 5'5" (165 cm)
 18 
Nate Berkus
(Interior Designer, Television Personality, Author)
Nate Berkus
24
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: September 17, 1971
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Orange County
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
 19 
Tan France
(British-American Fashion Designer and Host of the Web Series ‘Dressing Funny’ and ‘Next In Fashion’)
Tan France
43
Listed In: Fashion
Birthdate: April 20, 1983
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Doncaster, England, United Kingdom
British-Pakistani-American fashion designer Tanveer Wasim France, or Tan France, broke barriers by becoming one of the first openly gay South Asian and Muslim men on American TV. He soared to fame with shows such as Queer Eye, Dressing Funny, and Next In Fashion. He has also released a memoir.
 20 
Saki
(Writer)
Saki
52
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: December 18, 1870
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Sittwe, Myanmar (Burma)
Died: November 14, 1916
 21 
Jussie Smollett
79
Birthdate: June 21, 1982
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Santa Rosa, California, United States

American actor, Jussie Smollett is known for his work in television series, Empire, and science fiction film Alien: Covenant. He debuted as a child artist and worked in commercials, television shows like On Our Own and films like The Mighty Ducks before taking a break. He returned after years and proved his talent as an actor and also a singer.

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 22 
Lance Bass
(American Singer Who Became Famous As the Bass Singer for the Pop Boy Band ‘NSYNC’)
Lance Bass
35
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: May 4, 1979
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Laurel, Mississippi, United States
Lance Bass is best known as a member of the 1990s’ boy band NSYNC. He owns a production company and had once formed a music management firm. He came out as gay on People magazine, was awarded the Human Rights Campaign Visibility Award, and has authored a bestselling memoir.  
 23 
Rob Halford
(Singer)
Rob Halford
14
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: August 25, 1951
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield, England
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
 24 
Jeffree Star
(YouTuber, Makeup Artist, Singer)
Jeffree Star
140
Listed In: YouTubers
Birthdate: November 15, 1985
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: California

Makeup artist and beauty entrepreneur, Jeffree Star was passionate about makeup since very early. The owner of Jeffree Star Cosmetics initially gained fame on Myspace and today his You Tube channel, where he showcases his skills, boasts of millions of followers. As a singer, he has released one studio album Beauty Killer. He has also been embroiled in numerous controversies.

 25 
Lee Daniels
(Screenwriter)
Lee Daniels
17
Birthdate: December 24, 1959
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 26 
Rip Taylor
(Actor)
Rip Taylor
10
Birthdate: January 13, 1931
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 27 
Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben
(German Military Officer Who Served as a Major General of the Continental Army During the American Revolutionary War)
Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben
12
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: September 17, 1730
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Magdeburg, Germany
Died: November 28, 1794
At a time when homosexuality was illegal, Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben was openly gay. The Prussian military officer and hero of the American Revolutionary War, reportedly had a romantic relationship with his fellow military man Benjamin Walker. He is also known as someone who singlehandedly trained the Continental Army.
 28 
Alan Bates
(British Actor Best Known for His Films: 'The Fixer', 'Whistle Down the Wind' and 'A Kind of Loving')
Alan Bates
10
Birthdate: February 17, 1934
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Allestree, Derby, England
Died: December 27, 2003

Alan Bates was an English actor who achieved popularity during the 1960s by playing important roles in films like Whistle Down the Wind and A Kind of Loving. The same decade, he also received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of Yakov Shepsovitch Bok in the 1968 British drama film The Fixer.   

 29 
Franco Zeffirelli
(Film Director, Producer)
Franco Zeffirelli
7
Birthdate: February 12, 1923
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Florence, Italy
Died: June 15, 2019

Franco Zeffirelli went from being a budding architect to a director after watching Laurence Olivier’s Henry V. Starting as a costume/set designer, he gradually deviated to making Shakespearean adaptations, earning an Academy Award nomination with Romeo and Juliet. The openly gay filmmaker was later accused of sexual assaulting two actors.

 30 
Hugh Skinner
(Actor)
Hugh Skinner
6
Birthdate: January 6, 1985
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: London, England
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
 31 
Vice Ganda
(Stand-up Comedian, Actor)
Vice Ganda
91
Birthdate: March 31, 1976
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Tondo, Philippines

Filipino comedian, talk show host, actor, and TV presenter Vice Ganda has appeared in some of the highest-grossing movies in Philippine cinema. As a comedian, he uses observational comedy, situational irony, and sarcasm in his routines. Also active on TV, he regularly hosts the noontime variety show It's Showtime. He is openly gay and is considered an LGBTQAI+ icon.

 32 
Mitch Grassi
(Singer-songwriter)
Mitch Grassi
10
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: July 24, 1992
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Arlington, Texas, United States

Mitch Grassi soared to fame as the lead vocalist of the Grammy-winning a cappella group Pentatonix, which has delivered several Billboard Hot 100-charting tracks. He also manages the popular YouTube channel sup3rfruit with Pentatonix member Scott Hoying. Grassi appeared solo, as “Messer,” at a Zoom event during the Covid-19 pandemic.

 33 
Jason Collins
(Basketball player)
Jason Collins
18
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: December 2, 1978
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Northridge, Los Angeles, California, United States
Height: 7'0" (213 cm)
 34 
David Furnish
(Canadian Filmmaker, Producer and Director)
David Furnish
11
Birthdate: October 25, 1962
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Canadian filmmaker and former advertising executive David Furnish is an alumnus of the University of Western Ontario in London. He is openly gay and is married to English musician Sir Elton John. Along with his husband, he is co-chief of Rocket Pictures, a film production company. He also serves on the board of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

 35 
Bob Harper
(Reality Television Star)
Bob Harper
12
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: August 18, 1965
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Nashville, Tennessee, United States
 36 
Vikram Seth
(Writer)
Vikram Seth
53
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: June 20, 1952
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Kolkata

Vikram Seth is an Indian poet and novelist. He is credited with increasing the readership of the English language in India. A revered and celebrated writer, Vikram Seth has been honored with several prestigious awards, such as the Sahitya Academy Award, WH Smith Literary Award, Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, Crossword Book Award, Padma Shri, Commonwealth Poetry Prize, and Commonwealth Writers Prize.

 37 
Sam Altman
(Entrepreneur)
Sam Altman
7
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: April 22, 1985
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, US
 38 
Marc Almond
(Singer-Songwriter)
Marc Almond
8
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: July 9, 1957
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Southport, England
Height: 5'5" (165 cm)
 39 
Nick Grimshaw
(Best Known as the Host of a Variety of Shows on BBC Radio 1)
Nick Grimshaw
17
Birthdate: August 14, 1984
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Oldham, Greater Manchester, England

Nick Grimshaw is an English TV and radio presenter who has hosted a variety of shows on BBC Radio 1. After attending the University of Liverpool, he began his career hosting shows for teenagers. He proved to be popular and went on to host The Radio 1 Breakfast Show. He is also an ambassador for The Albert Kennedy Trust.  

 40 
Denis O'Hare
(Actor)
Denis O'Hare
13
Birthdate: January 17, 1962
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
 41 
Holly Johnson
(Pop Singer and Lead Vocalist of the British New Wave Band 'Frankie Goes to Hollywood')
Holly Johnson
12
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: February 9, 1960
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Liverpool, England

Apart from being a successful new wave musician, as part of Big in Japan and Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Holly Johnson is also a talented painter, who has held exhibitions at venues such as Tate Liverpool. He also penned a memoir, after being diagnosed with HIV in the early 1990s.

 42 
Marsha P. Johnson
(Civil Rights Activist)
Marsha P. Johnson
124
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: August 24, 1945
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Elizabeth, New Jersey, USA
Died: July 6, 1992
 43 
Duncan James
(Singer)
Duncan James
8
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: April 7, 1978
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Salisbury, England
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
 44 
Michael Carbonaro
(American Actor, Magician and Improv Artist)
Michael Carbonaro
6
Birthdate: April 28, 1976
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Oakdale, New York, United States

Best known as the star of the hidden-camera reality series The Carbonaro Effect, Michael Carbonaro is a magician who has also delivered an award-winning performance in Another Gay Movie. Openly gay, he is married to American actor Peter Stickles. He has also appeared on shows such as Grey’s Anatomy and CSI Miami.

 45 
Chad Allen
(Actor)
Chad Allen
7
Birthdate: June 5, 1974
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Cerritos, California, United States
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
 46 
Jaye Davidson
(Model)
Jaye Davidson
7
Listed In: Fashion
Birthdate: March 21, 1968
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Riverside, California, USA
Height: 5'3" (160 cm)
 47 
Thomas Sanders
(American Actor, Scriptwriter, Singer, and Internet Personality)
Thomas Sanders
22
Birthdate: April 24, 1989
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Gainesville, Florida

Thomas Sanders is an American actor, scriptwriter, singer, and internet personality. He came into prominence after posting videos on social media platforms like YouTube and Vine. He is best known for creating comedy sketches, prank videos, and videos on civil rights activism. Thomas Sanders has won a couple of Shorty Awards and a Streamy Award so far in his career.

 48 
Wilson Cruz
(Actor)
Wilson Cruz
12
Birthdate: December 27, 1973
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
 49 
Matt Dallas
(Actor)
Matt Dallas
10
Birthdate: October 21, 1982
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
 50 
Gavin Creel
(Actor)
Gavin Creel
6
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: April 18, 1976
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Findlay, Ohio, USA