Ricky Martin
The Latino pop star dodged questions about his sexuality for years. But in 2010, the "Livin' La Vida Loca" singer decided to publicly speak out. "I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man," Martin wrote in a post featured on his official website. "I am very blessed to be who I am."
Ellen DeGeneres
Despite coming out to her mother when she was 20 years old, the Emmy-winning host wasn't always as open about her sexuality as she is now. In 1997, the comedian confronted rumors head on when she appeared on the cover of Time magazine with the ground-breaking cover line that read, "Yep, I'm Gay." She went on to make television history when her character on the popular sitcom, Ellen, revealed that she was a lesbian.
The funny lady recently opened up to Time Firsts about her big an difficult decision to go public with her sexuality. She said, "I was warned by my publicist at the time—everybody said, 'We could destroy this whole show.' But, you know, it’s my life."
Jesse Tyler Ferguson
The actor's coming-out story is about as comical as you would expect from the Modern Family funnyman. In an interview with the podcast, Girl on Guy, the actor reveals that he considers his coming-out to be when his dad discovered his stolen stash of gay porn when he was just 14 years old.
Colton Haynes
In 2016, the former Teen Wolf star publicly came out in an interview with Entertainment Weekly following lots of Internet chatter. "I'm happier than I've ever been, and healthier than I've ever been," said the actor. "And that's what I care about."
Portia de Rossi
The actress, who is married to Ellen DeGeneres, has said that coming out was a struggle for her. In a 2013 interview on Inside the Actor's Studio, de Rossi revealed that the first time she publicly identified as a lesbian was when she stepped out with Ellen at the Golden Globes in 2005. "That was the first time that we actually stepped out together as a couple," she said. "But for me, it was the first time that I'd stepped out as a gay woman, really."
Rosie O'Donnell
The former talk-show host confirmed longtime speculation about her sexuality during her comedy set at Caroline's Comedy Club in New York City on March 2, 2002. It was the first time she'd matter-of-factly stated her sexual orientation, which had been previously acknowledged on The View.
With her approval, Barbara Walters was allowed to reveal O'Donnell's sexual orientation by saying, ''She's gay," on the Feb. 14, 2002 episode of The View.
O'Donnell has said her main reason for coming out was to bring awareness to Florida's ban on gay adoption.
Wanda Sykes
During a 2008 Las Vegas rally for gay marriage, the comedian publicly came out as a lesbian when she revealed she had married her longtime girlfriend.
At the rally she said, "You know, I don't really talk about my sexual orientation. I didn't feel like I had to. I was just living my life, not necessarily in the closet, but I was living my life."
Jane Lynch
The former Glee star has said that she never really had a big "coming-out moment." In an interview with SiriusXM Progress, Lynch credits the famous lesbian women before her who decided to come out publicly—such as Ellen DeGeneres and Rosie O'Donnell— for her ease into publicly owning her sexuality. "That was really great," she said. "And they kind of cleared a path for me to just stroll down."
Neil Patrick Harris
The former How I Met Your Mother star came out in People magazine in 2006. "I am happy to dispel any rumors or misconceptions and am quite proud to say that I am a very content gay man living my life to the fullest and feel most fortunate to be working with wonderful people in the business I love."
Matt Bomer
Previously declining to talk about his personal life, the White Collar actor officially acknowledged that he is gay when he publicly thanked his partner, Simon Halls, and their three children while accepting an award at the Desert AIDS Project in March 2012.
During the speech, he said, "I'd really especially like to thank my beautiful family: Simon, Kit, Walker, Henry...Thank you for teaching me what unconditional love is. You will always be my proudest accomplishment. God bless you."
Jim Parsons
In a 2012 New York Times article, the Big Bang Theory actor was nonchalantly described as "gay and in a 10-year relationship." Parsons was never quoted on the matter, but many took it as his "coming out."
Elton John
The legendary singer came out to the world during a sit-down interview with Rolling Stone in 1976. "I've never talked about this before," he said. "I'm bisexual. There's nothing wrong with going to bed with somebody of your own sex.
The singer has lived a loud-and-proud life since then.
In 2012, the rocket man talked to Today's Matt Lauer about that momentous interview and his decision to be honest then but not before. He explained, "Nobody asked me...When Cliff Jahr asked me in Rolling Stone, 'I'm gonna ask you a question, but if you don't want to answer it, I'm gonna turn the tape recorder off.' And I said, 'You're gonna ask me if I'm gay or not.' And he said, 'How did you know that?' I said, 'I've been waitin' for people to ask me this. It's not exactly a secret. I live with my manager. I'm openly gay outside. I don't have a girlfriend. And nobody's ever actually out—I just thought it was common knowledge.'"
Cynthia Nixon
The former Sex and the City star—who now identifies as bisexual—made headlines when she began dating a woman after she and her longtime boyfriend split in 2004. In an interview with The Advocate, Nixon decided to address the matter after speaking with her publicist. "I was like, ‘Really, we can just confirm?'" said the actress, recalling the conversation. "So that's just what we did. It was so fantastic."
Ellen Page
In February 2014, the Oscar-nominated actress revealed that she was "tired of lying by omission" about her sexuality in her speech at the Human Rights Campaign's Time to Thrive conference in Las Vegas. "I'm here today because I am gay," she said. "And because maybe I can make a difference, to help others have an easier and more hopeful time."
Ruby Rose
The Australian star—who identifies as gender fluid—came out at the young age of 12. In a 2017 interview on NBC's Sunday TODAY with Willie Geist, Rose revealed that she was nervous to tell her mom that she was a lesbian. "I didn't really know how to word it. So I was just like, 'I think I should let you know that when I eventually get a boyfriend, there'll be a girl,'" she said. "And she was just like, 'I know.' "