Gay, bisexual, lesbian, and transexual individuals started to gain more support in the 2000s. Gay actors, writers, and musicians have all publicly came out as gay since 2000. Many famous gay people came out in the media, while others used tools like Facebook and Twitter to make their announcements. This list of gay celebrities who came out in the 2000s has been loosely ranked by fame and popularity.
Who is the most famous gay celebrity who came out in the 2000s? Rosie O'Donnell tops our list. O'Donnell publicly came out in 2002 at an Ovarian Cancer Research benefit at Caroline's Comedy Club. She has since been a fierce advocate for gay rights, same-sex marriage, and gay adoption rights.
Jodie Foster publicly came out in 2013 during her Golden Globes acceptance speech saying, "I already did my coming out about 1,000 years ago back in the stone age, those very quaint days when a fragile young girl would open up to trusted friends and family and co-workers, and then gradually and proudly to everyone who knew her, to everyone she actually met."
Do you think that the 2000s have been the easiest time to come out as gay? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
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Anderson Cooper
In 2012, Anderson Cooper publicly came out in a statement that said, "I’ve begun to consider whether the unintended outcomes of maintaining my privacy outweigh personal and professional principle. It's become clear to me that by remaining silent on certain aspects of my personal life for so long, I have given some the mistaken impression that I am trying to hide something—something that makes me uncomfortable, ashamed, or even afraid. This is distressing because it is simply not true... The fact is, I'm gay, always have been, always will be, and I couldn’t be any more happy, comfortable with myself, and proud." He has been dating Benjamin Maisani since 2009.
Cynthia Nixon
Cynthia Nixon released a statement through her publicist in 2007 confirming that she was dating a woman. Nixon married Christine Marinoni in 2012.
George Takei
George Takei officially announced that he was gay in Frontiers magazine in 2002. He has since become a popular champion for gay rights. He married his longtime partner Brad Altman in 2008.
Jodie Foster
Jodie Foster publicly came out in 2013 during her Golden Globes acceptance speech, saying, "I already did my coming out about a thousand years ago back in the Stone Age, those very quaint days when a fragile young girl would open up to trusted friends and family and co-workers, and then gradually and proudly to everyone who knew her, to everyone she actually met."
Maria Bello
In 2013, A History of Violence actress Maria Bello revealed that she was gay in an essay in the New York Times. She is in a relationship with Clare Munn.
Neil Patrick Harris
Neil Patrick Harris is openly gay. He came out to People magazine in 2006, saying, "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."
Portia de Rossi
Actress Portia de Rossi is a supporter of gay rights and same-sex marriage. She married talk show host Ellen Degeneres in 2008. She first came out when tabloid photos of her with then-girlfriend Francesca Gregorini were published in the tabloids in 2004.
Raven-Symoné
In 2013, Raven-Symone released a statement saying, "I was excited to hear today that more states legalized gay marriage. I, however am not currently getting married, but it is great to know I can now, should I wish to."
Rosie O'Donnell
Rosie O'Donnell publicly came out in 2002 at an Ovarian Cancer Research benefit at Caroline's Comedy Club. She has since been a fierce advocate for gay rights, same-sex marriage, and gay adoption rights.
Wanda Sykes
Wanda Sykes publicly came out at a same-sex marriage rally in 2008. She married her wife Alex earlier that year and the couple have two children together.