By Neia Balao
7:32pm PST, Dec 21, 2020
From stars coming out to high-profile parents supporting their trans child to significant couplings and splits — and even a Pixar and a papal first — the celebrity LGBTQ community had a significant year. Join Wonderwall.com as we take a look back at some of 2020's biggest LGBTQ stories… Oscar nominee Elliot Page — who was previously known as Ellen Page — took to social media on Dec. 1 to publicly come out as transgender. The "Juno" and "Umbrella Academy" star shared his new name and that he'll use the pronouns he/they. "I feel lucky to be writing this. To be here. To have arrived at this place in my life," he wrote in a lengthy post. "I can't begin to express how remarkable it feels to finally love who I am enough to pursue my authentic self. … I love that I am trans. And I love that I am queer." Elliot shared this first selfie post-announcement on Instagram on Dec. 20. Six years earlier, Elliot — who in January 2018 announced his marriage to dancer-choreographer Emma Portner — publicly came out as gay during the 2014 Human Rights Campaign's Time to Thrive conference benefiting LGBT youth in Las Vegas. Keep reading for more…
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In December, British comedian Eddie Izzard revealed some new pronouns: she/her. While appearing as a portrait subject on an episode of the U.K. TV show "Portrait Artist of the Year," Eddie shared the news with one of the competitors. "This is the first program I've asked if I can be 'she' and 'her.' A little transition period," Eddie said, as reported by Variety, adding that "it feels great, because people just assume that … Well, they just know me from before. I'm gender fluid. I just want to be based in girl mode from now on."
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After revealing in 2019 that his youngest child from his first marriage was a member of the LGBTQ community, in February, retired NBA star Dwyane Wade publicly confirmed that then-12-year-old Zion had come out as a transgender girl who's now known as Zaya. "I've been a person in a locker room that has been a part of the conversation that has said the wrong phrases and the wrong words myself," Dwayne said on "Good Morning America." "And as I got older and as I watched my daughter grow, I had to go and look at myself in the mirror and say, 'Who are you? What are you going to do if your child comes home and says, 'Dad, I'm not a boy… I'm a trans girl.' What are you going to do?' And for me, that was my moment of real." The same month, Zaya's stepmom, actress Gabrielle Union, took to Instagram to share a video of Zaya talking to her father about being trans: "Just be true to yourself because what's the point of being on this earth if you're gonna try to be someone you're not? It's like you're not even living as yourself," Zaya said. Dwayne, Gabrielle and Zaya then made headlines again when they stepped out in coordinated looks at the Truth Awards in March 2020 (pictured here), an annual event that shines light on the black LGBTQ community's accomplishments.
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In February, former South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg became the first openly LGBTQ presidential candidate to earn delegates toward a major political party's presidential nomination when he won the Iowa caucuses. In December, he made history again, becoming the first openly gay man to be nominated to a cabinet role when President-elect Joe Biden chose him as his pick for U.S. transportation secretary. "This will be a historic milestone for LGBTQ visibility," GLAAD President/CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement, pointing out that if confirmed by the Senate, Pete would become the first openly gay cabinet secretary in U.S. history. Another fun fact: If confirmed, at 38, the former U.S. Navy officer would also be the first cabinet member who's a millennial.
On Dec. 2, "The Real Housewives of Orange County" star Braunwyn Windham-Burke publicly came out in a video interview with GLAAD. "I'm finally comfortable enough to say I like women. I'm gay. I'm a member of the LGBTQ+ community. I'm a lesbian," she said. "It has taken me 42 years to say that but I am so proud of where I am right now. I'm so happy where I am. To be able to be comfortable in my own skin after so long is just so nice." The Bravo star further shared that she has a girlfriend but plans to remain married to Sean Burke, her husband of more than 20 years with whom she has seven children. "I love Sean. I love him dearly, he is my person, he is my family," Braunwyn said. "But I'm not attracted to men and I never have been." Sean supports his wife. "I love you. I'm proud of you. And I support you. Always," he wrote on his Instagram Story after Braunwyn's big reveal.
On Nov. 8, "Prison Break" star and "Stoker" screenwriter Wentworth Miller announced that he's no longer interested in playing straight characters. The actor shared the news on Instagram, making it clear he wouldn't be returning to play popular character Michael Scofield on any potential reboots. "I'm out. Of PB. Officially. Not bec of static on social media (although that has centered the issue). I just don't want to play straight characters. Their stories have been told (and told). So. No more Michael. If you were a fan of the show, hoping for additional seasons… I understand this is disappointing. I'm sorry," he wrote in part. "If you're hot and bothered bec you fell in love with a fictional straight man played by a real gay one… That's your work. – W.M. 🏳️🌈."
In October, Dan Levy took to Twitter to criticize Comedy Central India for omitting footage of him kissing another man in a scene from "Schitt's Creek." In the clip seen on Comedy Central India's Twitter account, the kiss between Ted (Dustin Milligan) and David (Dan) was cut while a kiss between two women was kept. "You showed the kiss between two women, you showed the kiss between a woman and a man, then removed the kiss between two men?" Dan tweeted. "This is a show about the power of inclusivity. The censorship of gay intimacy is making a harmful statement against that message. #loveislove." A spokesperson from Comedy Central India responded, stating that the scene in question was aired without any modifications. After explaining that the kiss between Dustin and Dan's characters was "lingering, close-up and passionate" while the other kisses were "fleeting," they added, "Comedy Central India supports and celebrates inclusivity and the LGBTQ+ community."
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On May 22, Disney+ debuted the new Pixar animated SparkShorts film "Out." The mini-movie — which features a young man who's reluctant to tell his parents, who've come to help him move, that he's gay — made headlines as it's the first project from Pixar, which is owned by Disney, to feature a gay lead character.
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Surprise! On Aug. 29, "Claws" actress Niecy Nash married musician Jessica Betts. In publicly sharing her happy news, she came out as a member of the LGBTQ ommunity. "[My marriage] has absolutely nothing to do with gender and it has everything to do with her soul," Niecy — whose divorce from second husband Jay Tucker was finalized in June — told People. "She is the most beautiful soul I have ever met in my life." Niecy added, "I love who I love. At one point in my life, I married twice and I love those people. And today I love this person. I've done everything I wanted to do on my own terms and my own way. So my choice now in a partner has nothing to do with who I've always been. It's a matter of who I am in this moment." She went on, "I don't feel like my marriage is my coming out of anywhere, but rather a going into myself and being honest about who I love." She added, "And I'm not limiting myself on what that love is supposed to look like."
After nearly two years of dating, model Cara Delevingne and actress Ashley Benson broke up in early April, a source told People magazine in May. E! News also confirmed the split. "Cara and Ashley always had their ups and down before but it's over now," the source told People. "Their relationship just ran its course."
In October, director Evgeny Afineevsky's documentary "Francesco" debuted at the Rome Film Festival, sparking global headlines in reaction to comments made by Pope Francis — the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church — in support of LGBTQ civil unions. As noted by USA Today, the doc discusses issues close to the pontiff — climate change, refugees and social inequality — and about an hour in, he said in Spanish that he supported "ley de convivencia civil," or same-sex civil unions. "What we have to create is a civil union law," Francis said. "That way they are legally covered. I stood up for that." While some criticized the pope's stance — he also reiterated his view that gay people are "children of God" — many also praised the religious leader, with music star Elton John writing on Instagram, "Thank-you @franciscus for your endorsement of same sex civil unions. My civil union and subsequent marriage to @davidfurnish has brought us immeasurable happiness and security. Giving your blessing to same sex civil unions is a major step towards equality, and a foundation for which countless others can enjoy the same protections and happiness. God bless you 🙏🏻. #LoveIsTheCure." The Vatican later confirmed the pope believes gay couples deserve civil protections but it also sent a note to bishops clarifying that the pontiff's comments did not mark a change in church doctrine.
British actress Jameela Jamil found herself at the center of controversy in February after HBO announced that she would be a judge on the ballroom voguing competition show "Legendary." Some fans were quick to question her place in the series, sparking headlines. Amidst the backlash surrounding her involvement, Jameela tweeted a statement in which she came out as queer. "It's also scary as an actor to openly admit your sexuality, especially when you're already a brown female in your thirties. This is absolutely not how I wanted it to come out," she wrote. The "Good Place" actress also acknowledged how coming out didn't necessarily entitle her to having a place on the reality show: "I know that my being queer doesn't qualify me as ballroom. But I have privilege and power and a large following to bring to this show … sometimes it takes those with more power to help a show get off the ground so we can elevate marginalised stars that deserve the limelight and give them a chance."
In early 2020, the world was rocked by the the coronavirus pandemic. It soon emerged that one of the few treatments that helped those battling COVID-19 is convalescent plasma, the antibody-rich blood product that comes from people who've recovered from the virus. "Watch What Happens Live" host Andy Cohen was one of the first celebrities to reveal he'd had the illness after contracting it in March 2020, but despite his eagerness to donate plasma, he found out he was unable to do so because he's gay. "I've got a bit of a rant so please indulge me," the Bravo exec said on his show. "After recovering from the coronavirus, I wanted to see if there was something that I could do to help people who were infected. I signed up for a program for COVID-19 survivors where you could donate plasma, which is rich in antibodies, to those still battling the virus. I was told that due to antiquated and discriminatory guidelines by the FDA to prevent HIV, that I am ineligible to donate blood because I'm a gay man." While the FDA has since revised rules regarding the wait time for gay and bisexual men who want to donate blood, Andy believes they are still too repressive. "My blood could save a life but instead it's over here boiling. This pandemic has forced us to adapt in many ways. We're quarantining, we're social distancing, we're wearing masks. Why can't we adapt when it comes to this rule? … It's crazy they said, 'no, you can't.' Insane."
In May, "Harry Potter" and "Fantastic Beasts" creator J.K. Rowling sparked controversy after she criticized an online op-ed article titled "Creating a More Equal Post-Covid-19 World for People Who Menstruate" and was accused of being transphobic. She further explained her comments in a lengthy post on her website titled "J.K. Rowling Writes about Her Reasons for Speaking out on Sex and Gender Issues" on June 10. Celebrities reacted to her words the same month, including some of the stars from the hit movie franchises she inspired. "Transgender women are women," Daniel Radcliffe wrote in a blog post for The Trevor Project. "It's clear that we need to do more to support transgender and nonbinary people, not invalidate their identities, and not cause further harm." Eddie Redmayne told Variety in a statement, "As someone who has worked with both J.K. Rowling and members of the trans community, I wanted to make it absolutely clear where I stand. I disagree with Jo's comments. Trans women are women, trans men are men and non-binary identities are valid. I would never want to speak on behalf of the community but I do know that my dear transgender friends and colleagues are tired of this constant questioning of their identities, which all too often results in violence and abuse. They simply want to live their lives peacefully, and it's time to let them do so."
In 2020, Rain Valdez made history as both the second transgender and first ever Filipinx American actress to earn a nomination in an acting category at the Primetime Emmy Awards. Rain received her nomination for outstanding actress in a short form comedy or drama series for her work on the web series "Razor Tongue," which she created herself. "I ain't mad about any of it and I'm celebrating all of my identities with this nomination. My transgender identity and being AAPI," she wrote on Instagram, referring to being a member of the Asian American and Pacific Islanders community. "And to my rockstar team @noweverartists that helped me make 'Razor Tongue,' this is also a celebration of what we created, a recognition of our communities capabilities and competency, and I can't wait to create more with all of you."
In March, rapper Da Brat came out as a gay woman and introduced fans to her girlfriend, Kaleidoscope Hair Products CEO Jesseca "BB Judy" Dupart, in a heartfelt birthday post on Instagram. "Needless to say… I've always been a kind of private person until I met my heart's match who handles some things differently than I do. Thank you baby @darealbbjudy for far more than this incredible birthday gift," Da Brat (real name: Shawntae Harris) wrote alongside a video showcasing a brand new Bentley. "I have never experienced this feeling. It's so overwhelming that often I find myself in a daze hoping to never get pinched to see if it's real so I can live in this dream forever." Jesseca also took to Instagram to unveil the luxurious birthday gift she gave her love: "I've never been SOOOO happy and honestly think that it's not only because of our connection but also because we really been to ourselves," she wrote. "But then all these videos keep popping up like we hiding 🙄🙄 But WE BE IN PUBLIC 🤣🤣 why is y'all hiding to get footage. My better half, my forever, my twin flame 💖💖💖."
"Riverdale" and "Hustlers" star Lili Reinhart publicly came out as bisexual in June a few months after splitting from co-star Cole Sprouse. She made the revelation on her Instagram Story while encouraging her followers to attend an LGBTQ+ for Black Lives Matter protest in the Los Angeles area. "Although I've never announced it publicly before, I am a proud bisexual woman," she wrote. "I will be joining this protest today. Come join."
In April, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper publicly announced some very happy personal news at the end of one of his network's coronavirus town halls: He's a father! The high-profile newsman welcomed son Wyatt via surrogate days earlier and later revealed that ex-boyfriend Benjamin Maisani would be co-parenting with him. "As a gay kid, I never thought it would be possible to have a child and I'm so grateful for those who paved the way," Anderson said.
In April, "Moana" star Auli'i Cravalho used the popular social media app TikTok to come out as bisexual after a fan tweeted her asking if she liked girls. Auli'i responded simply, with: "If I may escort you to my TikTok…" and included her username. The 19-year-old singer-actress posted a video of herself lip-syncing to a verse of Eminem's "Those Kinda Nights" with the caption "5:53a thirst trap." "'Seriously though, jokes aside, how you doin'? You straight?'/ She said, 'No, I'm bi,'" she mouthed. "She said, 'Are you drunk?,' I said, 'No, I'm high'/ 'I'm checkin' out the chick,' she said, 'So am I.'"
Over Pride weekend in June, "Orange Is the New Black" star Taylor Schilling revealed on Instagram that she was romantically involved with musical and visual artist Emily Ritz. The move was regarded as a public coming out for Taylor, who played a bisexual character, Piper Chapman, on the hit Netflix series and had long been loathe to discuss her dating life in interviews. "I've had very serious relationships with lots of people, and I'm a very expansive human. There's no part of me that can be put under a label. I really don't fit into a box — that's too reductive," she told ES Magazine in 2017.
During a Colorado town hall meeting in February, former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg — the first openly gay presidential candidate — provided words of wisdom to a young boy who asked for advice on coming out. Nine-year-old Zachary Ro submitted a question that was drawn and given to Pete to read aloud. "Thank you for being so brave. Would you help me tell the world I'm gay too? I want to be brave like you," it read. The Democratic politician responded: "I don't think you need a lot of advice for me on bravery. You seem pretty strong to me." Pete went on to share his own experience with deciding to share his sexual identity. "'When I was trying to figure out who I was, I was afraid that who I was might mean that I could never make a difference. And what wound up happening instead is that it's a huge part of the difference I get to make," he said. "I never could have seen that coming, and you'll never know whose life you might be affecting right now, just by standing here. There's a lot of power in that."
On the last day of Pride Month in June, one of former "The Real Housewives of Orange County" star Heather Dubrow's four kids, 16-year-old daughter Max (with blue hair), publicly came out via Instagram. "i always knew i was bi, i just thought it was bipolar," she captioned two Instagram photos of herself wrapped in a rainbow flag. Heather, who's married to "Botched" star Dr. Terry Dubrow, reposted Max's declaration with a message of support: "I love you my beautiful, hilarious, amazing child! I am SO proud to be your Mother ! 🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈."
In January, Emmy- and Tony Award-winning actor Billy Porter received backlash after "Sesame Street" released behind-the-scenes photos of him on the set of the children's program, where he was filming an episode for the show's 51st season, wearing the stunning Christian Siriano tuxedo gown that he first donned at the 2019 Academy Awards. Drama ensued when some viewers accused PBS of promoting "the radical LGBTQ agenda" — some also signed a petition accusing the show of trying to "sexualize children using drag queens." In response to the negative comments, the "Pose" star told Page Six that he struggled to understand the criticism. "If you don't like it, don't watch it," he said, adding that he didn't see a connection between the gown and "perverted demon sex … Like, what about me singing with a penguin [on 'Sesame Street'] has anything to do with what I'm doing in my bedroom? The really interesting thing for me is that that's what it's all about when it comes to LGBTQ people — the first thing everyone wants to talk about is how we are having sex." He continued: "Stay out of my bedroom and you will be fine — that is none of your business."
In August — four years after publicly coming out as bisexual — "Grey's Anatomy" alum Sara Ramirez also came out as nonbinary. In an Instagram post in which they used the hashtag #nonbinary, Sara wrote that they have the capacity to be a "Girlish boy," "Boyish girl," "Boyish boy," "Girlish girl," "All" and "Neither." Sara also indicated in their Instagram bio that they will use both she/her and they/them pronouns moving forward.
Another "Gray's Anatomy" alum, Chyler Leigh, also came out as a member of the LGBTQ community in 2020. The "Supergirl" actress wrote an essay titled "Wear Your Pride" that she published on Creating Change, a site she co-founded, in May. In the piece, she explained how much the scene where her "Supergirl" character, Alex Danvers, comes out as a lesbian resonated with her. "When I was told that my character was to come out in season 2, a flurry of thoughts and emotions flew through and around me because of the responsibility I felt to authentically represent Alex's journey. What I didn't realize was how the scene where she finally confessed her truth would leap off the pages of the script and genuinely become a variation of my own. IRL." Chyler — who's been married to actor-musician Nathan West, the father of her three kids, since 2002 — didn't specify in her post how she self-identifies but did go on to explain that though her character's words didn't "exactly match my personal dialogue, the heart behind it surely did." Chyler further explained, "It's been a long and lonely road for both my husband and myself but I can wholeheartedly say that after all these years, he and I are still discovering the depths of ourselves and each other, but throughout our journey, we've learned to be proud of who we are, no matter the cost."
In an interview with Gay Times, singer Tinashe spoke about being bisexual and how she'd rather not put a label on her sexuality. "And I tend to shy away from terms — I guess this is the theme of my life! — that make people want to categorize me or put me in a box," the "You" singer said. "…but I can still give you a general sense of yeah, I'm bisexual. I'm somewhere on the spectrum. You know?" She went on, "Human beings are so versatile. I don't understand why we're so obsessed with categorizing each other," adding, "I never wanted people to think that I used it for attention. There are so many f****** stereotypes about being bisexual that made me want to shy away from talking about it. I'm much more open to having those discussions now."
In January, Nikkie de Jager — who's best known by her YouTube handle, NikkieTutorials — came out as transgender in an emotional video. However, it was not on her own terms — the Dutch makeup artist and beauty vlogger revealed she was blackmailed by someone who threatened to take her story to the press. "I am here to share with you something that I always wanted to share with you one day, but under my own circumstances," she began. "It looks like that chance has been taken away from me, so today I am taking back my own power." She continued: "I wanna start the year off with the truth — by finally revealing a part of my life that has made me who I am," she shared. "When I was younger, I was born in the wrong body. Which means that I am transgender." After posting the video, Nikkie received an outpouring of love and support from stars like Ariana Grande, Gigi Hadid, James Charles and Jeffree Star.
On an episode of the "Dating Straight" podcast in April, YouTuber Rebecca Black publicly came out as queer. While speaking to co-hosts Amy Ordman and Jack Dodge, the singer — who found fame in 2011 when the music video for her song "Friday" went viral — revealed that she'd recently gone through a breakup with a woman. "Every day is different, it's something that over the past few years I've obviously been having a lot of conversations with myself about," she shared. "To me, the word 'queer' feels really nice. I have dated a lot of different types of people, and I just don't really know what the future holds. Some days, I feel a little more on the 'gay' side than others."
Prior to Valentine's Day, opinionated talk show host Wendy Williams asked her audience members who would be celebrating Galentine's Day on Feb. 13 — on unofficial holiday day that originated on the sitcom "Parks and Recreation" on which ladies honor the women in their lives. After seeing some men in the audience applaud, Wendy went on a transphobic and homophobic rant. "If you're a man and you're clapping, you're not even a part of this," she said. "You don't understand the rules of the day. It's women going out and getting saucy and then going back home. You're not a part." She also told the LGBTQ community to "stop wearing our skirts and heels" while also referencing stars like Billy Porter who favor more androgynous styles. "Looky here now, gay men, you'll never be the woman that we are. No matter how gay," she added. In a video posted on Feb. 14, Wendy issued a public apology for her comments. "I did not mean to offend my LGBTQ+ community," she said. "I didn't mean to hurt anybody's feelings. I'm just having a conversation. If you know me long enough, then you know… I'm not out of touch, except for perhaps yesterday for saying what I said. So I deeply apologize… I will do better."
In October, Big Cat Rescue founder Carole Baskin — who shot to fame in the spring thanks to the Netflix documentary series "Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness" then competed on "Dancing With the Stars" in the fall — came out as bisexual. "I have always considered myself to be bisexual. Even though I've never had a wife, I could just as easily have a wife as a husband," she told Pink News. Carole, who's married men, explained that she began exploring her sexuality decades ago when she was engaged to a psychologist who worked with the LGBTQ community. "I was always very male-oriented in the things I did … I never had any mothering instincts or anything, you know, I never played with dolls. And so I always thought that there was something off there, that I couldn't quite put my finger on," she said of her childhood. "But it was during the '80s that I discovered that through dealing with the LGBT+ community that I [realized] I had just as equal feelings for women as I did for men." According to Carole, "I think we are all one and I just don't see us as being different genders or different colors or anything."
In February, President Donald Trump named U.S. Ambassador to Germany Rick Grenell the acting director of national intelligence. The appointment was historic as the diplomat became the first openly gay person to ever serve in a U.S. cabinet-level position. He stepped down in May when a permanent replacement for the position was confirmed by the Senate.
Actor DJ Qualls came out as a gay man during friend Jim Jeffries' stand-up comedy show in January 2020. "It is 11:20pm. I just came out on stage at a @jimjeffries show in San Diego," the actor — who's best known for his work in "Road Trip," "The Core," and "New Girl" — tweeted afterward. "Yep, I'm gay. Been gay this whole time. Tired of worrying about what people would think of me. Tired of worrying about what it would do to my career." He was praised on social media for speaking his truth. "Well done my friend, very proud of you," wrote "The Man in the High Castle" actor Sebastian Roché. Shared "Memphis Beat" co-star Melanie Lynskey, "I adore your and I'm so happy for you. What a big moment! I hope I get to hug you in person soon but for now here's a hug through this tweet."
Australian actor Rick Cosnett — who's best known for his work on "The Flash," "The Vampire Diaries" and "Quantico" — took to Instagram in February 2020 to publicly come out. "Hi everyone," he began. "Dramatic pause… I'm gay." He continued, "I just wanted everyone to know because I've made a promise to myself to live my truth everyday, and sometimes that is a really hard thing to do when you have all these subconscious things you don't even know about from childhood and from society and from being, you know, just life."
While chatting with "Queer Eye" star Tan France for Facebook Watch's "Coming Out 2020" livestream on Oct. 9 in celebration of National Coming Out Day, Demi Lovato spoke candidly about her sexuality. During the conversation, she cited how the '90s teen drama "Cruel Intentions" helped her realize she's queer. "It was definitely when I was young and should not have been watching 'Cruel Intentions,' but I did," she said. "It was that scene where [Sarah Michelle Gellar and Selma Blair] made out on the park lawn, and I was like, 'Oh, wait a minute, I really like that!'" Before she was ready to come out, Demi said that she'd use music as a way to authentically express herself. "There were times where I wrote songs about girls that my fans thought I wrote about a guy," Demi said. "I'm surprised that some of them didn't figure out that some of the songs were for certain people. I was sharing it with the world, yet I wasn't being completely obvious with what I was talking about. Music was my safe space."
In an April Instagram Live, "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." star J. August Richards publicly came out as a gay man. While speaking about his new role on "Council of Dads," he said, "I knew that I could not portray this gay man honestly without letting you all know that I am a gay man myself." A day later, the "Angel" alum said he experienced a "crushing avalanche of LOVE" after publicly coming out. "Who knew that something I once thought of as terrifying had within it something so beautiful," he said. "For every comment, like, emoji, repost, phone call, text message, everything. I felt it ALL… Thank you!!!"
In October 2020, music star Gloria Estefan and daughter Emily Estefan, who's also a musician, made headlines when they publicly discussed, in detail for the first time, Emily's sexual identity and coming out story — she publicly came out in 2017 — during an episode of their FaceBook Watch series "Red Table Talk: The Estefans." The emotional conversation touched on everything from how and when Emily told Gloria and dad Emilio Estefan her truth to the hurt and pain she experienced despite ultimately having her family's support.
In April, pioneering gay rights activist Phyllis Lyon passed away at 95. Phyllis and longtime love Dorothy "Del" Martin were the first same-sex couple to be married in San Francisco after same-sex marriage was legalized in California in 2008. Phyllis and Del left a lasting impact on the LGBTQ community — in 1955, they cofounded Daughters of Bilitis, the first lesbian civil rights organization in the United States, and in 1964, they co-founded the Council on Religion and the Homosexual, an organization that aimed to educate religious communities about gay and lesbian issues and connect religious leaders with homosexual activists.
In June, Golden Globe-nominated "Hairspray" star Nikki Blonsky — who played Tracy Turnblad in the 2007 film — came out as a gay woman. She posted a TikTok video in which she sang along and danced to Diana's Ross's hit "I'm Coming Out," captioning it, "Hi, it's Nikki Blonsky from the movie I'm Gay! #pride #imcomingout #hairspray." She shared the news on Instagram the same day, captioning a rainbow-filled image that read "I'M GAY!" with a similar sentiment: "I'm coming out! 🌈🌈🌈 #pride."
Playwright and author Larry Kramer — the LGBT rights activist and public health advocate whose works include the famed autobiographical 1985 play "The Normal Heart" — died from pneumonia in New York City in May at 84. The New York Times credited his "raucous, antagonistic campaign for an all-out response to the AIDS crisis" with helping to shift national health policy in the 1980s and 1990s.
Back in 2016, "Teen Wolf" star Tyler Posey clarified comments he'd made implying he was gay, explaining on Twitter, "I'm not gay [but] I fully support the LGBTQ community." But this year in August, he shared on his OnlyFans account, "yes, I have been with men before." The same month, he said on an Instagram Story that he'd also been intimate with trans women. Then in October, the actor addressed those comments, telling SiriusXM's "The Jason Ellis Show" that he was so upset after reading about trans women who were being beaten and harassed, he felt he had to speak out. "I was hit with wanting just to come out myself with that whole thing and be honest about it," he said. "I know there's a lot of kids that look up to me and I just want to f****** get rid of that stigma [and show] you can be whoever you want to be, get with whoever you want to get with, and it doesn't affect you and it doesn't affect them. The world's f****** weird and it should be. And there's too much stigma on everything and sexuality, especially."
"What Not To Wear" star Stacy London rang in 2020 by publicly coming out: She revealed she had a girlfriend. Stacy shared on Instagram that she'd been seeing Cat Yezbak for a year.
Rapper YG started off 2020 with an apology to the LGBTQ+ community. In the spirit of New Year's resolutions, the "Stop Snitchin" rapper took to Twitter to reflect on his behavior. "It's been brought to my attention that my old views on life was ignorant," he tweeted. "I apologize to the LGBTQ kommunity for ever komin across like i was anything but respective and accepting. Live. Love. Ya Life. Gang!"
