2017 is still far from being done, but so far, there have been plenty of celebrities and public figures who have used their platforms to live their truths and add some much-needed visibility to the LGBT community!
Here are 15 notable people who have made 2017 the year they came out!
ILoveMakonnen
The 28-year-old Atlanta rapper (known mostly for his hit song “Tuesday”) came out as gay back in January during a heartfelt string of tweets. His coming out added much needed queer visibility to the genre of hip-hop, but it wasn’t without some backlash, the most notable being homophobic criticism from rap group Migos.
Gia Gunn
Season 6 RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Gia Gunn came out as trans in an April Instagram post. The emotional video coincided with International Transgender Day of Visibility.
"I can only hope the best for each and every single one of my trans brothers and sisters," Gia said. "Let's be visible."
Cody Alan
The beloved Country Music Television personality came out as gay in a January interview with People magazine.
"Country music is so diverse and perhaps the most supportive music industry that exists," Alan told People. "My story’s very real, and that’s what country music is: I live a real life that’s had twists and turns, ups and downs, and it’s kind of a country song in and of itself!"
Anthony Bowens
With the help of his YouTuber boyfriend Michael Pavano (right), professional WWE wrestler Anthony Bowens (left) was able to confront the oppressive hypermasculinity and heteronormativity of the athletic world and come out as bisexual in March.
Alia Shawkat
In a May interview with Out Magazine, Arrested Development actress Alia Shawkat came out as bi.
"How do you identify with these [queer] characters [you've played]?" Out asked her in the interview.
"I was a tomboy growing up, and I remember my mom asking me when I was 10, 'Are you attracted to boys or girls?' I said I don’t know. Now I consider myself bisexual, and I think balancing my male and female energies has been a big part of me growing as an actor,” Alia answered.
Zeke Smith
Although Survivor: Game Changers contestant Zeke Smith’s public coming out wasn’t on his own terms (he was outed on national TV back in April by a petty cast member who was trying to save himself from elimination), he has found some good in the experience, teaching people in an op-ed for The Hollywood Reporter that gender identity is very personal, and that people should be allowed to live as privately as they want to be.
Shawn Barber
Shawn Barber, Olympian and Canadian pole vaulting champion, came out as gay in a Facebook post back in April.
"Gay and proud!” Shawn said in the post. “Thank you to my parents for being such a great support. I continue to grow as a person and have a great support group. My parents are my greatest support and have helped me through a lot recently. To my friends, you are always my friends and I love you too!"
Keiynan Lonsdale
Actor Keiynan Lonsdale (known for playing Wally West on The CW’s hit superhero show The Flash) came out as bisexual on Instagram in May.
"I like to change my hair, I like to take risks with how I dress, I like girls, & I like guys" the Australian actor said. "I gotta take the next step & actually embrace who I am, which is pretty exciting. Not faking shit anymore, not apologising for falling in love with people no matter their gender."
Barry Manilow
The very private singing legend finally opened up about his sexuality and revealed that he is gay in an April interview with People magazine.
Kristen Stewart
Although Kristen Stewart talked about her relationship with Alicia Cargile in an interview in 2016, it wasn’t until her Saturday Night Live appearance back in February of this year that the Personal Shopper and Café Society actress actually called herself “so gay.” Then, in a March interview with The Guardian, she talked more about sexuality fluidity, and how being bisexual isn't confusing for her.
"People still have some horrendous fucking experiences. But it’s cool that you don’t have to nail everything down anymore. That whole certainty about whether you’re straight or gay or whatever," she said. "You’re not confused if you’re bisexual. It’s not confusing at all. For me, it’s quite the opposite."
Daniel Newman
Daniel Newman, one of the stars on the smash AMC show The Walking Dead, came out as bisexual in March after posting a YouTube video talking about his sexuality.
Shannon Purser
Shannon Purser, Stranger Things and Riverdale actress, came out as bisexual on Twitter back in April.
Taylor Bennett
Taylor Bennett, Chance the Rapper’s brother who also happens to be a fellow MC, took to Twitter in January to come out as bisexual.
"Growing up I've always felt indifferent about my sexuality & being attracted 2 one sex & today I would like to openly come out to my fans,” he said. “I do recognize myself as a bisexual male & do & have always openly supported the gay community & will keep doing so in 2017. #ThankYou."
Diora Baird
The Shameless actress came out as lesbian to The Advocate in May, and opened up about her relationship with comedian Mav Viola.
Jill Soloway
The creator of the critically-acclaimed Amazon series Transparent and the new show I Love Dickcame out as trans in a May interview with The Guardian.
“I identify as trans, which means that I am not seeking to synthesize my appearance with the label assigned to me at birth and instead am opting to live in a space where a label other than male or female is used to define me,” Soloway, who prefers gender-neutral pronouns, said.
