Gay women in hollywood
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‘In love with a woman, loud about it, and proud about it!’ she wrote.
Abbi Jacobson
In the words of the Passover ritual, if she had only given us “Broad City,” it would have been enough. Rock Hudson, one of Hollywood’s most beloved heartthrobs, lived a double life for decades, terrified that being outed would destroy his career.
But nor is it a virtue, like kindness. Some queer performers have been around for decades, fighting the good fight before it was cool or hip to do so. There were more than 500 anti-LGBTQIA+ bills proposed in state legislatures in 2023, so for that reason I want to give the act of coming out the respect and honor it deserves,’ Bush wrote. For decades, queer actors, directors, and creatives were forced to live in secrecy, their personal lives hidden behind fabricated studio narratives.
Meanwhile, projects like Baby Reindeer written by bisexual Scottish actor, comedian, and writer, Richard Gadd and featuring Nava Mau, a transgender actress and filmmaker, have helped bring trans relationships into mainstream narratives, further normalizing trans representation.
The film Emilia Perez, featuring Karla Sofía Gascón, a trans lead, has also gained critical acclaim and secured nominations at the Oscars, marking a significant step toward full inclusion.
And while Hollywood still has a long way to go, the progress made is undeniable.
“I am a person of color, working-class, born to a single mother, but I stand before you tonight an artist, an actress and a sister and a daughter, and I believe that it is important to name the multiple parts of my identity because I am not just one thing, and neither are you” – Laverne Cox
What Still Needs to Change in
Hollywood for LGBTQIA+ Equality
For all the progress made, challenges remain.
Until Hollywood genuinely commits to this change, progress will remain a surface-level victory rather than a systemic transformation.
The fight is far from over, but with continued advocacy, pressure, and community support, Hollywood can become a space where all identities are seen, celebrated, and given the platform they deserve.
“Being a queer black woman in America, someone who has been in relationships with both men and women – I consider myself to be a free-ass motherfucker.” – Janelle Monáe, April 2018
Conclusion:
The Story Continues
Hollywood’s relationship with queerness has always been complicated—a tug-of-war between repression and rebellion, silence and visibility.
Meanwhile, actors like Tab Hunter and Van Johnson were subjected to relentless rumors and blackmail attempts, forced to maintain the illusion that they were available, heterosexual leading men.
The 1950s also saw the rise of McCarthy-era paranoia, which extended into Hollywood through the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC).
I can’t help it.” In 2021, she starred in her husband Jeff Baena’s “Spin Me Round,” which sees her co-starring alongside Alison Brie. It’s not just about seeing queer characters—it’s about ensuring those characters are crafted with authenticity and depth by people who truly understand the experiences they are portraying.
Representation should be more than a buzzword.
She has been out as bisexual since 2010, and is a vocal advocate for bisexual visibility.
While he successfully navigated the industry for decades, he faced blatant homophobia from actors like Clark Gable, who reportedly despised him for his sexuality. —JD
Alan Cumming
Scottish Emmy winner, Tony winner, and “The Traitors” reality show host Alan Cumming has been openly bisexual his entire career, and married his husband in 2012.
‘It’s just a fact. Queer actors—especially trans and non-binary performers—still struggle to find leading roles, and when they do, they are often cast in stereotypical or tokenized narratives. Like all my friends are gay. But I’m deeply aware that we are having this conversation in a year when we’re seeing the most aggressive attacks on the LGBTQIA+ community in modern history.
And that feels pretty great.’
Taylor Tomlinson
Comedian and ‘After Midnight’ host Taylor Tomlinson came out as bisexual in her February 2024 Netflix stand-up special ‘Have It All,’ joking that ‘I’ve been trying to figure out if I’m bisexual, or if I just binged ‘Euphoria’ too fast.
“One of the reasons people weren’t afraid of that movie is that I was playing a gay man.