Image Source: Billboard, Observer

11th October 2021 is celebrated as National Coming Out Day to support LGBTQ people in ‘coming out of the closet’. It was first celebrated in the United States in 1988. The initial idea was grounded in the feminist and gay liberation spirit of the personal being political, and the emphasis was on the most basic form of activism being coming out to family, friends, and colleagues, and living life as an openly lesbian or gay person.

When celebrities come out and embrace their sexuality, the people who are going through the same situation feel empowered and encouraged to own up to their truth. Some celebrities’ coming-out story experiences are overwhelming.

Let’s take a look at some experiences of celebrities who came out to the world with their sexuality, like bosses.

Demi Lovato (They/Them)

Demi Lovato has been very vocal about her personal life, which includes her sexuality as well. In March, Demi revealed that they are pansexual and in May, they came out as non-binary and stated that they use They/Them pronouns. During an interview with The Joe Rogan Experience, Demi shared her experience.

They said, "I also don't know if I'm going to end up with a guy, so I can't really see myself maybe getting pregnant. I'm so fluid now, and a part of the reason why I am so fluid is that I was super closed off. "

Source: NewsAbe 

Kehlani 

Singer-songwriter Kehlani has been a queer icon for a while and has revealed that she is pansexual and her pronouns are she/they. But this year, the singer revealed during an Instagram Live that she identifies as a lesbian.

She said, "You want to know what's new about me? I finally know I'm a lesbian! " Later, during an interview with Advocate, Khelani said that coming out for artists is not easy. She further mentioned that she had a lot of privileges, but she thought about the ones who could not come out. It’s tough for trans artists, black gay men, and black masculine gay women.

Source: Complex

Colton Underwood 

During his interview with Robin Roberts on ‘Good Morning America’, Colton Underwood revealed (came out) that he identifies as a gay man. He said, "I've run from myself for a long time. I've hated myself for a long time. And I'm gay. And I came to terms with that earlier this year and have been processing it. And the next step in all of this was sort of letting people know."

Colton also stated that he has known that he is gay since he was a teenager, but he prayed that he would be straight and, because of the pressure, there were moments he had suicidal thoughts before coming out. "I'm still the same Colton everybody met on TV. I'm still the same Colton to my friends and my family, I just happen to be able to share with people now all of me. And I am proud of that, you know? I am proud to be gay", he concluded.

Source: Showbiz Cheat Sheet 

David Archuleta

David Archuleta, who was the runner-up on American Idol season 7, took to social media to share being a part of the queer and religious community for the first time in public.

David said, "I came out in 2014 as gay to my family. But then I had similar feelings for both genders, so maybe a spectrum of bisexuality. Then I also learned I don't have too many sexual desires and urges as most people do."

David Archuleta is a part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and also explained that his sexual identity should not be a problem for religious communities as he believes that we can do better as people of faith and Christians. "There are more than you may realize going through that wrestle after all the misunderstandings that come with it. I don't think it should come down to feeling like you have to accept one or the other", he added.

Source: Billboard 

Tommy Dorfman (she/her)

Thirteen Reasons Why star Tommy Dorfman instantly became a social media icon as soon as the show was released, and in July, she came out as trans on her social media and in Time Magazine.

Tommy wrote, "Thrilled to reintroduce myself as the woman I am today. My pronouns are she/her. I'm especially grateful to every single trans person who walked this path, broke down barriers, and risked their lives to live authentically and radically as themselves before me. Thank you to all the trans women who showed me who I am, how to live, celebrate myself, and take up space in this world."

Source: DNA India 

Zackery Torres

Zackery Torres, a "Dance Moms" alumna, took to TikTok in May 2021, sharing that she prefers the pronouns she or they. She explained in the post, "I'm transitioning. If you didn't know, that means I'm transgender. I don't really have a tonne of words to express how I am feeling right now, other than grateful. I am grateful to everyone who has supported me and continues to help me be my full self. I am grateful for the outpouring of love and support to all the advocates who made this possible. As I sit here with my mouth still open, it is important to recognize the number of LGBTQIA+ individuals who do not receive this loving response. There is still work to be done, and I cannot wait to be a part of it. Much love and HAPPY EARLY PRIDE MONTH!"

Source: Page Six 

Jojo Siwa 

Nickelodeon star JoJo Siwa took to her Twitter to confirm that she is queer. She posted a picture of her wearing a t-shirt that said ‘Best Gay Cousin Ever’ and JoJo’s caption was "My cousin got me a new shirt".

Then, in an April cover story interview for People Magazine, Siwa said that although she's still figuring things out when it comes to what specific LGBTQ+ label to use and identify with, she does use and is comfortable with the pansexual label.

"I don't know, bisexual, pansexual, queer, lesbian, gay, straight. I always just say gay because it just kind of covers it, or queer because I think the keyword is cool. I like queer. Technically, I would say that I am pansexual because that’s how I have always been my whole life. It's just like, "My human is my human," she said.

Source: Vanity Fair 

T.J. Osborne

During an interview with TIME Magazine in February, country music star and the lead vocalist of ‘Brothers Osborne’, T.J. Osborne, identified himself as gay. He said, "I’m very comfortable being gay. I find myself being guarded for not wanting to talk about something that I personally don’t have a problem with. That feels so strange."

Source: Billboard 

Adelaide Kane 

Reign actress Adelaide Kane came out as bisexual in February through a TikTok video post. The actress wrote, "I am super nervous about coming out publicly as bisexual to the people in my life and on social media." Her fans have applauded their Queen Mary for taking a step towards her happiness, and she has received an immense amount of love and support from other celebrities too.

Source: Just Jared 

Elliot Page

Elliot Page (previously known as Ellen Page) came out as transgender on social media in December 2020, using the pronouns he/they. He wrote in a lengthy post, "I feel lucky to be writing this. To be here. To have arrived at this place in my life. 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 a queer. I feel a personal obligation and a social responsibility. I am tired of hiding, and I am tired of lying by omission... I suffered for years because I was scared to go out. My spirit suffered, my mental health suffered, and my relationships suffered. And I'm standing here today, with all of you, on the other side of all that pain".

Elliot Page announced his marriage to dancer-choreographer Emma Portner in 2018, but in January 2021 they announced their divorce. In 2021, Elliot became the first transgender man to appear on the cover of TIME Magazine. He revealed that they underwent top surgery to remove breast tissue, and it has completely transformed his life.

Source: Insider 

Billy Porter

The Broadway legend, Emmy winner, and recently seen in ‘Cinderella’, Billy Porter, came out as HIV positive in public in May during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. He revealed that he got his positive diagnosis in 2007 and that the shame and stigma surrounding the condition held him back from sharing it. "This is what HIV-positive looks like now. I’m going to die from something else before I die from that. My T-cell levels are twice yours because of this medication. I go to the doctor now — as a black, 51-year-old man, I go to the doctor every three months. That doesn’t happen in my community. We don’t trust doctors. But I go to the doctor, and I know what’s going on in my body. I’m the healthiest I’ve been in my entire life. So it’s time to let all that go and tell a different story."

Source: The Independent

Billy added, "There’s no more stigma — let’s be done with that. It’s time. I’ve been living it and being in the shame of it for long enough. And I’m sure this will follow me. I’m sure this is going to be the first thing everybody says, 'HIV-positive blah, blah, blah.' OK. Whatever. It’s not the only thing I am. I’m so much more than that diagnosis. And if you don’t want to work with me because of my status, you’re not worthy of me".

Although a person's sexual preference or gender identity should no longer be front-page news, the impact of these celebrities revealing their experiences on such a large scale for people who are fighting to embrace their true selves cannot be underestimated.