Just around 15 years ago, the LGBTQ+ community was hardly represented in Hollywood on TV, and also in real-life. Celebrities had to hide their partners and true sexual orientation. However, you can't hide the love. The bravery of those who wanted to be heard and seen is changing today's narrative about how queer people are seen in the film industry. By boldly embracing their true selves and advocating for change, these young stars are reshaping how we think about sexuality and gender in entertainment. Here are some of the most prominent LGBTQ+ artists who are breaking barriers and changing the face of the entertainment industry!
1. Hunter Schafer
Hunter Schafer is known for her role as Jules in the HBO TV show "Euphoria". As a transgender actress and model, Schafer's authenticity in portraying a trans character on television has been hailed as groundbreaking. Her presence in mainstream media has been instrumental in normalizing transgender stories, offering young viewers, especially transgender youth, someone they can relate to.
Right now, Hunter' is looking to go past playing just transgender characters. In an interview with GQ Magazine, Schafer expressed that being labeled solely as a "trans actress" felt "ultimately demeaning to me and what I want to achieve." She added, "I've been offered numerous trans roles, but I don't want to take them." We think it is the next step in transgender awareness to stop seeing transgender people just as transgender people and start seeing them the way they want to be perceived, and Hunter Schafer is taking the first steps in this direction, with roles in acclaimed films such as The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes and Cuckoo.
2. Lil Nas X
One of Hollywood's most bright and extravagant singers, Lil Nas X has never hidden his orientation and is not afraid to embrace it. Lil Nas X burst onto the scene with his viral hit "Old Town Road" but his impact goes far beyond music. As a Black, openly gay artist in the traditionally conservative genre of Country music, Lil Nas X has shattered expectations and paved the way for other queer artists of color. His music videos, particularly the visually provocative "Montero (Call Me By Your Name)", boldly celebrate LGBTQ+ themes, pushing boundaries in both the music industry and mainstream pop culture. His unapologetic approach to his sexuality has made him a beacon of representation for LGBTQ+ youth, proving that queerness can be celebrated in all creative forms.
3. Ncuti Gatwa
Known for his lovable and openly gay character Eric Effiong in Netflix's "Sex Education", Ncuti Gatwa has also become a beacon of representation for LGBTQ+ people of color in mainstream media. Gatwa's performance of a confident, well-liked, and openly gay character was a refreshing take on LGBTQ+ portrayal in modern TV and cinema. Gatwa only just recently openly described himself as queer, however mentioning that he was not closeted. This action is breaking barriers, establishing that gay people do not owe us any explanation and statements on their sexuality to be perceived with respect and honor, and Ncuti Gatwa is a fantastic example of this. Recently, Gatwa became the first queer PoC to be cast as The Doctor in "Doctor Who"!
4. Kristen Stewart
A star of one of the most well-known vampire sagas, Twilight, Kristen Stewart has since become a leading figure in LGBTQ+ visibility in Hollywood. Famously coming out in the middle of her "Saturday Night Live" hosting debut, Stewart has made a statement about not being scared to be whoever you want to be, even if the President himself doesn't like you. "The president is not a huge fan of me, which is so okay because, Donald, if you didn't like me then, you're really probably not going to like me now. I'm, like, so gay, dude." Stewart continues to champion queer representation in her roles and personal life, using her platform to break down stereotypes about bisexuality and promote greater inclusivity in the entertainment industry.
5. Nicole Maines
Even before she made history on TV as the first trans superhero in The CW's "Supergirl", actress Nicole Maines was already paving the way for young trans artists hoping to find a place in the mainstream. Prior to her acting career, she made headlines (albeit anonymously) when she and her family filed a lawsuit against her district in Maine to be allowed to use the girls restroom at her school. She was also the subject of Amy Ellis Nutt's book Becoming Nicole: The Transformation of an American Family. She would later go on to play the role of Nia Nal, AKA Dream Girl, in "Supergirl", a role she would reprise on "The Flash". She also had a memorable role in the second season of Showtime's "Yellowjackets".
Hollywood's slow but steady move toward inclusivity is in large part due to the voices of young stars like Schafer, Stewart, and Gatwa, who demand representation and challenge the industry's outdated norms. As a new generation of audiences grows up with more diverse stories on-screen, the next generation of LGBTQ+ talent will undoubtedly continue to push the envelope, creating a Hollywood where all identities are celebrated.