
27 celebrities who proudly identify as lesbians
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Stacy London Embraces Her Lesbian Identity
Fashion TV host Stacy London has come out as a lesbian. She introduced her partner, actress Cat Yezbak, in a cheeky Instagram post. “I feel like I want to say lesbian because there aren’t enough of us,” she said. London’s journey is reminiscent of how actor/singer Reneé Rapp navigated her own sexuality. By embracing this label, London is helping dismantle old stereotypes and illuminate the vibrant diversity within the lesbian community. It is a powerful reminder that embracing your true self is never too late. The pair met at a fundraiser for Cynthia Nixon”s gubernatorial campaign. Their connection was like something out of a rom-com.“Oh my God, you’re so beautiful.” London recalled, “The electrical current that just went through my body is very interesting”
The Instagram Bombshell
London dropped the news of her relationship on New Year’s Eve 2019. Responding to whispers about her “hot butch girlfriend,” Yezbak, she wrote, “So, I used to date men. Now I date her. That’s it. That’s all I have to say.” Boom. Mic drop.
Recently, in an exclusive chat with US Weekly, London, now 55, opened up further about her journey. “I came out at 48,” she revealed. “I love the fact that people can say the words pansexual, bisexual, and have it be a spectrum. In the 50s and 60s, there was none of that. When I was growing up, there were none of those words that made people feel seen.”
Owning the Label ‘Lesbian’
But what does London call herself now? She didn’t hold back. “I feel like I want to say lesbian because there aren’t enough of us,” she stated. “It’s not just about one type of lesbian culture. I want people to see the spectrum, and so I identify as such.”
There’s a particular sting that comes with the word “lesbian.” For many, it carries decades of stigma and misunderstanding. By embracing this label, London is helping dismantle old stereotypes and illuminate the vibrant diversity within the lesbian community.
Others Speak Out
London’s journey is reminiscent of how actor/singer Reneé Rapp navigated her own sexuality.
“When you’re bisexual, you almost want to prove yourself, so I thought it was kind of that. But it came to be that, no, I’m actually just gay like that,” she told Them.
“‘Lesbian’ was not a good word for me to hear as a kid,” she says, “and now it’s something that I have such a close emotional connection to.”
Related | Reneé Rapp Calls Out Haters: “If I Say I’m a Lesbian I Am a Lesbian”
A Love Story for the Ages
Instagram/@stacylondonreal
London and Yezbak’s love story began like something out of a rom-com. They met at a fundraiser for Cynthia Nixon’s gubernatorial campaign. The moment was electric. Yezbak’s first words to London were, “Oh my God, you’re so beautiful.” London recalled, “I was like, OK, I don’t know what just happened here, but the electrical current that just went through my body is very interesting to me.” Their connection was instantaneous.
Meet Cat Yezbak
Cat Yezbak isn’t just the love of London’s life; she’s a talented stand-up comedian and actress known for How I Got Lost (2009), Parker & Maggie (2011), and The Impossibilities (2015). Together, they make a powerhouse couple, inspiring others with love and authenticity.
Stacy London’s journey is a powerful reminder that embracing your true self is never too late. By proudly identifying as a lesbian, she’s breaking down barriers and showing the world that love is love, no matter what.
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27 professional athletes who identify as LGBTQ
NFL defensive end Carl Nassib came out as gay in a video posted to his Instagram. Nassib added he donated $100,000 to The Trevor Project, an organization that focuses on suicide prevention in LGBTQ youth.
“I just want to take a quick moment to say that I’m gay,” Nassib said in the video. “I just think that representation and visibility are so important. I actually hope that like one day videos like this and the whole coming-out process are just not necessary, but until then I’m going to do my best and my part to cultivate a culture that’s accepting, that’s compassionate.”
Nassib signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this summer after spending the previous two seasons with the Raiders.
19 celebrities who came out as LGBTQ in 2023
National Coming Out Day is celebrated annually on Oct. 11. The date was chosen to mark the anniversary of the 1987 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. Here are just a few of the countless queer people who came out in 2023.. “The Last of Us’ star Bella Ramsey came out as gender-fluid in an interview published in January. The actor, who first rose to fame in HBO’s hit series “Game of Thrones,” told the paper that her “gender has always been very fluid” and said if she sees “nonbinary” as an option on a form, she will tick it.“My Name Is Mo’Nique’” star Alison Brie said she is bisexual for a reason, and that reason is strictly to be used in a threesome by Dave Franco and Brie. ‘I am homosexual, and I no longer want to hide myself,’ Czech Republic soccer player Jakub Jankto said.
Psychologist Robert Eichberg, who co-founded National Coming Out Day with activist Jean O’Leary in 1988, spoke about the broader impact of a person coming out of the proverbial closet three decades ago: “Most people think they don’t know anyone gay or lesbian, and in fact everybody does. It is imperative that we come out and let people know who we are and disabuse them of their fears and stereotypes,” Eichberg said in a 1993 interview, according to his New York Times obituary.
National Coming Out Day is celebrated annually on Oct. 11, a date that was chosen to mark the anniversary of the 1987 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, which drew hundreds of thousands of people to the nation’s capital. But lucky for us, LGBTQ people — celebrities or not — come out 365 days a year.
While it would be impossible to honor them all, here are just a few of the countless queer people who came out in 2023.
Noah Schnapp
Noah Schnapp in Paris, on Jan. 19. JM Haedrich / SIPA via AP file
“Stranger Things” star Noah Schnapp came out as gay in a TikTok video posted in January. In a written message that appeared on the video, the 19-year-old actor revealed that when he “finally told my friends and family I was gay after being scared in the closet for 18 years,” their response was simply: “We know.”
Bella Ramsey
Bella Ramsey in New York City, on May 1. Evan Agostini / Invision/AP file
“The Last of Us” star Bella Ramsey came out as gender-fluid in an interview published in The New York Times in January. The actor, who first rose to fame in HBO’s hit series “Game of Thrones,” told the paper that her “gender has always been very fluid” and said if she sees “nonbinary” as an option on a form, she will tick it. However, she added, “Being gendered isn’t something that I particularly like, but in terms of pronouns, I really couldn’t care less.”
Jakub Jankto
Jakub Jankto of Cagliari during a match in Turin, Italy, on Aug. 21. Jonathan Moscrop / Sportimage/Cal Sport Media via AP file
Czech Republic soccer player Jakub Jankto came out as gay in a video shared on social media in February. “I am homosexual, and I no longer want to hide myself,” he said in the video, which has nearly 18 million views on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Sparta Prague, the professional club Jankto was playing for at the time, retweeted the video, saying, “You have our support. Live your life, Jakube. Nothing else matters.”
Alison Brie
Alison Brie attends the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Mar. 12. Leon Bennett / FilmMagic via Getty Images file
“Freelance” and “GLOW” star Alison Brie came out as bisexual in a video for BuzzFeed News in February, where she and her husband, Dave Franco, were reading thirsty social media posts from fans about each other. At one point, Brie reads a tweet to her husband: “Listen, I am bisexual for a reason, and that reason is strictly to be used in a threesome by Dave Franco and Alison Brie.” Brie and Franco high-five, and then Brie says, “That’s also why I’m bisexual.” Franco responds, “You’ve been waiting for this tweet from someone you don’t know who they are or what they look like?” Brie shrugs and says, “Yeah.”
Mo’Nique
Mo’Nique appears in “My Name is Mo’Nique” in 2022. John Washington Jr.
Comedian and actor Mo’Nique came out as queer in her Netflix comedy special, “My Name Is Mo’Nique,” which debuted in April. She told a tearful story about how she never came out to her grandmother due to her grandmother’s tense relationship with Mo’Nique’s Uncle Tina, who was assigned female at birth but presented masculine, according to the Gay Times. Later in the special, Mo’Nique revealed that she came out to her husband, Sidney Hicks: “I said, ‘Daddy, I want to be with another woman sexually.’ And he look at me, so beautifully and so patient and so loving, and said, ‘B—-, me too.’”
Chloe Veitch
Chloe Veitch at the VIP Watch Party and Celebration for “Love Is Blind: The Live Reunion” in Los Angeles on April 16. John Salangsang / Variety via Getty Images
Chloe Veitch, the star of Netflix’s reality series “Too Hot To Handle,” came out in April in an interview with The Sun. She said “doing breath work forced me to dig deeper.” She added, “I realized, ‘This is what’s bothering you — you’re bisexual and you haven’t told anyone.’ I’ve definitely been battling it, to be honest. I mean, being in and out of little flings with girls. I felt like it was my dirty little secret so it has taken the weight off my shoulders.”
Lauv
Lauv performs during the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball in Washington, D.C., in 2022. Tasos Katopodis / Getty Images for iHeartRadio file
Lauv, the singer-songwriter known for his song “I Like Me Better,” came out in a TikTok in June. The video shows Lauv in what appears to be the back of a car under the text, “When ur dating a girl but ur also a little bit into men.” He added in the caption, “Does it have to be that big of a deal? i havent done much aside from kiss so tbh don’t wannna jump the gun but tbh i feel things and i dont wanna pretend i dont.” Many of his fans were supportive in comments, with one writing, “Lauv is lauv is lauv.”
Miss Benny
Miss Benny attends The Out100 Party in Hollywood, Calif. on Nov. 9. Presley Ann / Getty Images for Out.com file
The lead of Netflix’s show “Glamorous,” which also stars Kim Cattrall, came out as a transgender woman in a June essay for Time magazine. Miss Benny revealed that her character, Marco, would also transition in the show. She said she was afraid to come out as herself on a show featuring a trans character at a time when dozens of states have considered bills to restrict trans rights. “But then I am reminded that this fear is exactly why I wanted to include my transition in the show: Because I know that when I was a terrified queer kid in Texas, it was the queer joy I found in droplets online that guided me to my happiness,” she said.
Adore Delano
Adore Delano performs in San Francisco, on Aug. 12. Annie Lesser/imageSPACE / imageSPACE/Sipa USA via AP file
Former “RuPaul’s Drag Race”contestant Adore Delano came out as transgender in July. In a video shared with her millions of Instagram followers, Delano said she initially came out as trans when she was a teenager but went back in the closet when she competed on “American Idol” in 2008.
Shinjiro Atae
Shinjiro Atae in Hollywood, Calif., on March 27. Frazer Harrison / Getty Images file
Japanese pop star Shinjiro Atae came out as gay at a fan event in Tokyo in July. “For years, I struggled to accept a part of myself … But now after all I have been through, I finally have the courage to open up to you about something,” he told his fans, according to the AP. “I am a gay man.” Atae, who is now based in Los Angeles, performed for 15 years in the popular group AAA before taking a break in 2020.
Gabby Windey
Gabby Windey on “The Bachelor.” Craig Sjodin / ABC via Getty Images file
Former “Bachelorette” star and Denver Broncos cheerleader Gabby Windey revealed that she’s in a relationship with writer and comedian Robby Hoffman. In an Instagram post shared in August, Windey included several photos of herself and Hoffman and cheekily wrote, “Told you I’m a girls girl!!”
Wayne Brady
Wayne Brady at the American Music Awards, in Los Angeles, in 2022. Chris Pizzello / Invision/AP file
“Let’s Make a Deal” host Wayne Brady came out as pansexual in an interview with People magazine that was published in August. LGBTQ media advocacy group GLAAD defines pansexual as a descriptor for someone “who has the capacity to form enduring physical, romantic, and/ or emotional attractions to any person, regardless of gender identity.”
Ncuti Gatwa
Ncuti Gatwa in London in 2022. Samir Hussein / WireImage
“Sex Education” star Ncuti Gatwa came out publicly as queer in an interview with Elle UK published in August. Gatwa, who played one of the Kens in this summer’s wildly popular “Barbie” blockbuster, shared a touching story about meeting “another queer Rwandan person” at Manchester Pride several years ago. At the time, he told the magazine, “I thought I was the only one in the world.”
Joe Locke
Joe Locke in London on July 13, 2023. Fred Duval / SOPA Images/Sipa USA via AP file
“Heartstopper” star Joe Locke plays an openly gay teenager who faces bullying for who he is in the popular coming-of-age series based on Alice Oseman’s graphic novels, but Locke didn’t publicly discuss his sexuality until August.
“People have assumed and written it,” he told Teen Vogue of his sexuality, “and I haven’t ever corrected anyone because I haven’t felt the need to. But I’ve never specifically stated my sexuality.”
He told the magazine that he can’t recall when he first knew he was gay, but that he’s been openly gay since he was about 12.
Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens. Colin Young-Wolff / Invision / AP file
Singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens seemingly came out in an Instagram post in October about his late partner, Evans Richardson, to whom he dedicated his latest album, “Javelin.” Stevens wrote that Richardson, who died in April, “was one of those rare and beautiful ones you find only once in a lifetime — precious, impeccable, and absolutely exceptional in every way.”
Jade Jolie
Jade Jolie at the Los Angeles premiere of “The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula: Titans” in Hollywood, Calif. in 2022. Araya Doheny / Getty Images file
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 5 contestant Jade Jolie came out as transgender in a short post on X in October, writing, “Deciding to choose myself and move forward with my transition.”
Che Flores
Che Flores referees a basketball game in Phoenix on Nov. 21. Chris Coduto / Getty Images file
Che Flores became the NBA’s first out nonbinary and transgender referee after coming out in October. Flores, who uses they/them pronouns, told GQ being misgendered as she/her “felt like a little jab in the gut,” and that after coming out they could be more comfortable in the world and at work. “I just think of having younger queer kids look at somebody who’s on a high-profile stage and not using it,” Flores told GQ. “And I’m not using the league to an advantage in any way. This is just to let young kids know that we can exist, we can be successful in all different ways.”
Karan Brar
Karan Brar at the premiere of “Murder Mystery 2” in Los Angeles on March 28. Charley Gallay / Getty Images for Netflix file
Karan Brar, who starred in the comedy “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” and the Disney Channel’s “Jessie,” penned an emotional essay for Teen Vogue in November in which he came out as bisexual. He wrote that his yearslong struggle with his sexuality and grief over the loss of his friend and fellow Disney star Cameron Boyce led him to develop a “deeply unhealthy relationship with alcohol” until he checked himself in to an inpatient treatment center in 2020. “I still keep things close to the vest online, but the gap between who I am and who I appear to be is shrinking,” Brar wrote. “It’s not closed yet, and it may never be.”
Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish performs in Leeds, England on Aug. 25. Matthew Baker / Getty Images for ABA file
Singer-songwriter Billie Eilish said she was surprised when she found out people didn’t know she isn’t straight. The 22-year-old described being attracted to women in a November interview with Variety, saying of women, “I’m attracted to them as people. I’m attracted to them for real.” Earlier this month, she told Variety at an event that she didn’t intend for her comment to be major news. “But I kind of thought, ‘Wasn’t it obvious?’ I didn’t realize people didn’t know,” she said. “I just don’t really believe in it. I’m just like, ‘Why can’t we just exist?’ I’ve been doing this for a long time, and I just didn’t talk about it. Whoops.”
17 Famous Lesbians in Hollywood
Hollywood continues to evolve, allowing talented celebrities to be open and honest about who they are. In the last few years, numerous Hollywood stars have come out as lesbians, gay, or gay women. Lena Waithe became the first black woman to win an Emmy for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series. Cara Delevingne is one of the most successful models in the world. Wanda Sykes has released critically acclaimed comedy specials, appeared in classic sitcoms, and stole the spotlight in Hollywood movies. Sarah Paulson doesn’t like the term “lesbian” and refers to her sexuality as a “fluid situation.” Ruby Rose proudly identifies as gender fluid and is a strong supporter of the LGBTQ+ community. The former Batwoman star is a vocal and strong supporters of the community and has spoken out about her sexuality in the past, including during a same-sex marriage rally in 2008. She is married to actor Alex Niedbalski and has twins.
These famous lesbians are some of the most talented entertainers to walk into Hollywood. They deliver critically acclaimed performances and steal the spotlight from the top leading men. They win all the major awards, have a substantial social media following, and land significant gigs. They’re proud of who they are but don’t let the media define them by their sexuality. Instead, they rise to the top of showbiz through incredible skill, talent, and charisma. At the same time, they use their power and influence to bring awareness to several causes and are proud LGBTQ+ activists. Here’s a look at 17 famous lesbian celebrities in Hollywood.
1. Lena Waithe
DFree/Shutterstock
In 2017, actress and writer Lena Waithe became the first black woman to win an Emmy for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series. She wrote an incredible episode of Netflix’s Master of None revolving around her character, Denise, coming out as a lesbian to her family.
Waithe’s career continues progressing as she’s the creator of The Chi and wrote the feature film Queen & Slim. She once stated during an interview, “Being born gay, black, and female is not a revolutionary act. Being proud to be a gay, black female is.”
2. Tig Notaro
Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock
Stand-up comedian Tig Notaro became a household name with her critically acclaimed comedy special Live. In the special, she opened up about having stage 2 cancer during a performance in Los Angeles. Clearly, Notaro is open and honest about her personal life.
In 2015, Notaro married Stephanie Allynee after meeting on the set of In a World…The happy couple had twin boys one year later.
3. Sarah Paulson
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Despite being on this list, actress Sarah Paulson doesn’t like the term “lesbian.” The critically acclaimed actress is best known for her roles in American Horror Story, The People v. O.J. Simpson, and Ratched.
Paulson opened up about her sexuality and asked not to be labeled a lesbian. She refers to her sexuality as a “fluid situation.” She previously dated actress Cherry Jones and is currently in a relationship with Holland Taylor.
4. Ruby Rose
Andrea Raffin/Shutterstock
The former Batwoman star Ruby Rose proudly identifies as gender fluid. She’s a vocal and strong supporter of the LGBTQ+ community. Rose first made a name for herself on the popular Netflix series Orange is the New Black.
At one point in her life, she considered gender reassignment surgery but, after giving it a lot of thought, decided she was gender neutral. She once said to Entertainment Weekly, “I can be fluid in my gender, but also a lesbian, because otherwise, I’m not sure what I am.”
5. Wanda Sykes
Silvia Elizabeth Pangaro/Shutterstock
Comedian Wanda Sykes never holds anything back in her comedy specials. She has a reputation for being open and honest. Sykes has released critically acclaimed comedy specials, appeared in classic sitcoms, and stole the spotlight in Hollywood movies.
In the 90s, she was briefly married to producer Dave Hall. However, in 2008, she came out as a lesbian during a same-sex marriage rally. She married Alex Niedbalski that same year and later welcomed twins to their family. Initially, her parents weren’t supportive of her choices, but they later accepted Sykes’s decision and wife.
6. Portia de Rossi
s_bukley/Shutterstock
Australian actress Portia de Rossi is best known for her breakout roles in Ally McBeal and Arrested Development. Early in her career, de Rossi wouldn’t discuss her sexual orientation even when pictures of her with Francesca Gregorini surfaced in tabloids. She admits to not being ready at the time. She opened up about her sexuality when she began dating Ellen DeGeneres in 2004.
7. Cara Delevingne
Tinseltown/Shutterstock
British supermodel Cara Delvingne is one of the most successful models today. Her career took off, and she starred in numerous movies, notably DC’s Suicide Squad. Delevingne is known for her outspoken and honest personality. She has no problem opening up about her relationships and sexuality.
Delevingne idenfities as bisexual, pansexual, and gender fluid. She was in a relationship with musician St. Vincent from 2015 to 2016. Later, she dated model Ashley Benson from 2019 to 2020.
8. Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman/YouTube
Singer and activist Tracy Chapman became an international phenomenon with the hit singles “Fast Car” and “Give Me One Reason.” The Grammy award-winning musician lives a very private life. She has never discussed her sexuality or opened up about being a lesbian.
However, The Color Purple writer Alice Walker claims she was in an intimate relationship with Champion in the 90s. Regardless, Chapman keeps her personal and private life completely separate.
See more about – 27 Most Famous Non-Binary Celebrities Making A Difference
9. Holland Taylor
Featureflash Photo Agency/Shutterstock
In 2016, 79-year-old actress Holland Taylor admitted to being in a relationship with a younger woman. In fact, most of her relationships have been with younger women.
The Emmy-award-winning actress is best known for her roles in the L Word, The Practice, and Two and a Half-Men. Taylor doesn’t hide anything but notes she keeps her private life to herself.
10. Ellen Degeneres
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Ellen DeGeneres first got noticed in the 80s and starred in the popular sitcom Ellen in the mid-90s. In 1997, she made significant headlines when she came out on the cover of Time magazine with the headline “Yep, I’m Gay.”
The media coverage was intense and temporarily derailed her career. However, she made a roaring comeback and hosted the hugely popular talk show The Ellen DeGeneres Show from 2003 to 2022. In 2008, DeGeneres married long-time partner Portia de Rossi.
11. Elliot Page
lev radin/Shutterstock
Elliot Page’s career break was in the critically acclaimed classic Juno. Since then, he has worked with the best directors and stars in the industry.
In 2014, he opened up about his sexuality and announced that he was gay during a speech. Later, Page began using the pronouns “he/they” and spoke about being trans. He’s a vocal and influential LGBTQ+ activist.
12. Jodie Foster
Frederic Legrand – COMEO/Shutterstock
The two-time Oscar-winning Jodie Foster is a Hollywood icon. She started her career as a child and co-starred in the critically acclaimed Taxi Driver. At the 70th Golden Globe Awards, she received the Cecil B. Demille award and took the chance to address her sexuality.
But her speech was about her not addressing her sexuality and she never used the words “lesbian” or “gay.” Foster was in a relationship with Cydney Bernard for 14 years. Later, she married photographer, Alexandra Hedison.
13. Lily Tomlin
Joe Seer/Shutterstock
Grace and Frankie star Lily Tomlin came out in 2001 during an interview. However, in the industry, Tomlin’s sexuality was never a secret.
Tomlin has a long and illustrious career spanning decades with appearances in Saturday Night Live, The West Wing, and Eastbound & Down. Since the 70s, Tomlin’s been in a loving relationship with comedy writer and collaborator Jane Wagner.
14. Angela Davis
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Activist and author Angela Davis is a proud feminist who wrote several books on the US prison system, gender, and race. The influential philosopher came out as a lesbian in 2001 during a magazine interview. She’s currently in a relationship with Gina Dent.
15. Cherry Jones
DFree/Shutterstock
Cherry Jones is best known for her roles in The West Wing and as President of the United States Allison Taylor in the thriller 24. Jones first came out publicly in 1995 when she thanked her then-partner Mary O’Connor during her acceptance speech at the Tony Awards.
In 2004, Jones began dating actress Sarah Paulson and they declared their love for each other publicly in 2007. However, they broke up in 2009, but remain on good terms.
16. Samira Wiley
Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock
Samira Wiley rose to fame with her breakout performance as Pousssey Washington in Netflix’s Orange is the New Black. Wiley openly admits she was devastated when a co-star publicly outed her during an interview.
At that point, Wiley wasn’t ready to open up about her sexuality. Regardless, she’s now one of the industry’s most honest and open celebs. In 2017, she married Orange is the New Black writer Lauren Morelli and they have one daughter together.
17. Cynthia Nixon
Rena Schild/Shutterstock
Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon considered herself bisexual before 2004. However, that all changed when she fell madly in love with Christine Marinoni. They married in 2012 and have one child together. Nixon now proudly identifies as queer and is an LGBTQ+ activist.
16 asexual or aromantic celebs and characters you need to know about
Asexual, or ace, is a label given to those who experience little or no sexual attraction to other people. Asexuality exists on a spectrum, meaning that no two people experience it the same way. According to the 2021 UK census, 28,000 people (0.06 per cent of the population) in England and Wales identify as asexual. In the US, it is thought that around one per cent. of all residents are a sexual. PinkNews has collated a list of 16 asexual people and characters for International A Sexuality Day on Sunday (6 April) Asexual activist David Jay is the founder of the Asexual Visibility and Education Network (AVEN), one of the most widely visited and well-known online asexual communities. Heartstopper author Alice Oseman has previously spoken about discovering their asexuality and aromanticism while at university. British actor Michaela Coel has previously said that she identifies with the label aromantic. Stephen Hillenburg’s character SpongeBob SquarePants is asexual in the cartoon.
According to the 2021 UK census, 28,000 people (0.06 per cent of the population) in England and Wales identify as asexual. In the US, it is thought that around one per cent of all residents are asexual.
Asexual, or ace, is a label given to those who experience little or no sexual attraction to other people. Asexuality exists on a spectrum, meaning that no two people experience it the same way. While some may choose to engage in relationships, others may reject the notion entirely.
In celebration of International Asexuality Day on Sunday (6 April, PinkNews has collated a list of 16 asexual people and characters.
David Jay
David Jay is an asexual activist. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty)
David Jay is perhaps one of the most prolific members of the asexual community. The activist is the founder of the Asexual Visibility and Education Network (AVEN), one of the most widely visited and well-known online asexual communities.
Jay, who uses he/him pronouns, is part of a three-parent family: he lives with a married couple, Avary Kent and Zeke Hausfather, in California, and is a father to their biological daughter, Octavia, or Tavi.
Alice Oseman
Alice Oseman has admitted that life can be difficult. (Getty)
Author of the best-selling Heartstopper graphic novels, Alice Oseman is open about their life as an asexual and aromantic individual. They have previously spoken about discovering their asexuality and aromanticism while at university.
In an interview with Hello magazine, Oseman admitted that being asexual and “aro” isn’t always easy.
“It’s a really difficult thing to deal with, and to overcome mentally, to accept that your path in life is going to be different and the way you experience life will be too,” they said. “And there’s not a lot of guidance due to the lack of representation in the media… there [are] no very famous people who are openly ace and aro. There’s no education about it in schools. You’re lucky to even learn what these terms are.”
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe felt as “un-sensual as a fossil”. (Baron/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Various reports, supported by her autobiography, suggest that Marilyn Monroe might have been asexual. Excerpts from her unfinished autobiography, My Life, compiled by Ben Hecht, imply that the actress exhibited signs of asexuality.
In one passage, she says: “I was completely faithful to my overseas husband but that wasn’t because I loved him or even because I had moral ideas. My fidelity was due to my lack of interest in sex.”
Another section adds: “Why I was a siren, I hadn’t the faintest idea. There were no thoughts of sex in my head. I didn’t want to be kissed and I didn’t dream of being seduced by a duke or a movie star. The truth was that with all my lipstick and mascara and curves, I was as un-sensual as a fossil. But I seemed to affect people quite otherwise.”
Michaela Coel
Michaela Coel felt the label aromantic suited her. (BBC/Val Productions/Natalie Seery/IMDb)
Known for creating Chewing Gum and I May Destroy You, writer, director and actor Michaela Coel has previously said that she identifies with the label aromantic.
While she is quiet when it comes to details about her private life, she spoke about identifying as aromantic in a 2018 interview with The Culture Trip.
The Wakanda Forever star said: “I Googled aromanticism and I very much felt like, ‘Oh, that’s me’. I am OK being by myself. I like having intimate relationships but I don’t want to change people or want to be changed by anyone.”
SpongeBob SquarePants
SpongeBob SquarePants is “somewhat asexual”. (Keith Tsuji/Getty Images)
Nickelodeon’s cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants is, in fact, asexual.
The show’s creator, Stephen Hillenburg, has told The Wall Street Journal: “I always think of [the characters] as being somewhat asexual. The attitude of the show is about tolerance. Everybody is different, and the show embraces that. No one is shut out.”
Yelena Belova, Black Widow
Marvel’s first asexual character Yelena Belova was played by Florence Pugh in Black Widow. (YouTube/ geek Marcus)
Yelena Belova made her debut in 2021’s Black Widow. In an interview on the Marvel comic website in 2020, writer Devin K Grayson discussed the differences between the film’s characters Natasha Romanoff and Yelena, noting that the latter was “more likely to identify as asexual.”
In 2021, Grayson confirmed that the character was asexual, making Yelena the first officially ace character in the Marvel Universe.
Nikola Tesla
Nikola Tesla only found stimulation in work. (Kean Collection/Getty Images)
The engineer and inventor Nikola Tesla, best-known for his work on electricity, was openly celibate and never married.
Throughout his life, 1856-1943, Tesla was quoted as saying he found stimulation only in his work. In 1927, he told a reporter that he had “never touched a woman.” Some believe that if he had had the vocabulary at the time, he might have identified as asexual.
Maya – Borderlands 2
Maya is a playable character in Borderlands 2 and 3. (YouTube/ Official Xbox Magazine)
Maya is a character that is playable in Borderlands 2 and 3. Following speculation, the writer of the game series, Anthony Burch, confirmed she was asexual, GCN reported.
Yasmin Benoit
Yasmin Benoit has pointed out that being asexual has nothing to do with how you look. (Getty)
Model and activist Yasmin Benoit is an aromantic asexual and has been open about the whitewashing of asexuality.
She previously told PinkNews: “It has nothing to do with how you look, that’s something I get a lot, people are like: ‘Oh but you’re good-looking, you don’t need to be asexual’, which tells me that people think that there is an asexual look and that it isn’t a good one, and that asexuality is a choice that people take when they can’t get dates or can’t get laid.”
In 2022, Benoit launched a research project to improve the lives of the ace community.
Janeane Garofalo
Janeane Garofalo (middle), with Lisa Kudrow (L) and Mira Sorvino, has said she can take or leave sex. (Getty)
Comedian Janeane Garofalo has previously described herself as a member of the asexual celebs pantheon, and said she had “a genuine lack of interest [in]”, rather than a fear of, intimacy.
In an interview with Philadelphia Magaziney, she revealed that people often think she’s gay. “It makes me far more interesting than an asexual atheist,” she joked.
In 2019, she told Carolyn Bergier and Melody Kamali on their podcast Dyking Out: “The reason I say I’m asexual is my libido has always been incredibly low. I never have been particularly driven by sex… I could take it or leave it.””
Lord Varys
Lord Varys wanted no part in desire. (YouTube/ Asexual Media Archives)
Game Of Thrones character Lord Varys, played by Conleth Hill, is asexual.
“When I see what desire does to people, what it’s done to this country, I am very glad to have no part in it,” Varys has said.
Liv Flaherty
Liv Flaherty told her brother Aaron about her asexuality in Emmerdale. (YouTube/Emmerdale/ITV)
Emmerdale’s Liv Flaherty, played by Isobel Steele, was revealed to be asexual in 2019.
After struggling with her sexuality, Liv eventually opened up to her brother Aaron, revealing there was nothing sexual between her and Jacob, who she was dating.
“I don’t have sexual feelings for people, and that’s alright,” she said. “You can still have romantic feelings and be attracted to people, just not physically.”
Parvati Holcomb
Parvati Holcomb revealed she was asexual despite feelings for another character. (YouTube/VG247.com)
In the video game The Outer Worlds, mechanic Parvati Holcomb has a personal quest during which she develops feelings for a woman called Julie. When the pair speak over drinks, she talks about how she has been treated as “cold” person in the past.
It is then revealed that she is asexual, according to Game Rant.
Todd Chavez
Todd Chavez learned more about being asexual as BoJack Horseman progressed. (Netflix)
BoJack Horseman has arguably one of TV’s most high-profile representations of asexuality with the wacky and loveable Todd, voiced by Aaron Paul. His sexuality developed organically alongside the show’s storyline.
Isaac Newton
Isaac Newton showed no interest in romance. (Getty Images/ilbusca)
English physicist and mathematician Isaac Newton, who formulated the laws of gravity and motion, is thought to have been asexual, though there is also speculation that he may have been gay.
Newton never married and showed no interest in romantic relationships, devoting his life almost entirely to his scientific pursuits. His few known personal relationships were said to be purely platonic.
Tim Gunn
Tim Gunn, with Heidi Klum, has said he has no interest in men or women. (YouTube)
TV personality and author Tim Gunn wrote about identifying as asexual in his 2011 book, Gunn’s Golden Rules: Life’s Little Lessons for Making It Work.
Project Runway’s Gunn said: “I knew what I wasn’t: I wasn’t interested in boys, and I really wasn’t interested in girls. For many years, I described myself as asexual, and I still think that’s closest to the truth.”
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Source: https://www.out.com/celebs/famous-lesbians-celebrities