So, it’s no longer news that most of our favourite celebrities have gone the way of freedom by refusing to cage themselves to the specifications of the society as regards who to love and how to best express it. Gone are the days when a lady must love a man and vice versa. LGBTQ and the rights associated with it has made the society so much more tolerable to the idea of love and sexuality being as diverse and different as human beings are, hence the idea of lesbian celebrities.
Now more than ever, people are coming out of their hiding places to express themselves and the love they have for people of the same sex.
You may not have noticed but a whole lot of female celebrities who have wowed you on screen and made you love and follow them are lesbians who are not ashamed to admit who they are and how they love. Some you know of but there are others who you will be shocked to see on this list of 20 celebrities you didn’t know were lesbians.
Lesbian Celebs Who Came Out as LBGT
1. Kristen Stewart
- Born: April 9, 1990, Los Angeles, CA
- Occupation: Actress, filmmaker
- Partner: Dylan Meyer (2019–present)
American actress and film director Kristen Stewart born on the 19th day of April 1990 shot to fame with her role as Bella Swan in the fantasy drama series Twilight (2008). Before Twilight, she began her acting career in 1999, making minor appearances until 2002 when she started gaining prominence after being cast as Jodie Foster’s daughter in the thriller Panic Room.
After the massive success of Twilight which grossed over $3.3 billion worldwide, Stewart has gone on to take on major roles in movies such as The Runaways (2010), Snow White and the Huntsman (2012), On the Road (2012), Camp X-Ray (2014), Still Alice (2014) Equals (2015) and lots more. She has also won awards to prove her worth.
Kristen Stewart began her dating life as a straight person and very much into men. First, she dated her co-star on Speak, Michael Angarano, but they soon broke up and she moved on to her Twilight love interest Robert Pattinson. This didn’t last long either as she was caught in a love triangle with her very married director Rupert Sanders. The pictures spread online and caused quite a stir which ended with an apology from the guilty lovebirds.
Finally, in 2016, Stewart came out describing herself as “So Gay”. At first, many did not understand why she did it, but she explained that she is not hiding anything, she just wanted some of the privacy she never got when she was dating Robert. The beautiful actress dated British model Stella Maxwell in 2016, the relationship hit the rocks in 2019 after which Kristen moved on with another female named Dylan Meyer, a screenwriter. Before these women, Kristen romanced other women including her PA, Alicia Cargile, French singer, Soko, St. Vincent (Annie Clark), and Sara Dinkin.
2. Cynthia Nixon
- Born: April 9, 1966, Los Angeles, CA
- Occupation: Actress, Activist
- Spouse/Partner: Christine Marinoni (m. 2012), Danny Mozes (1988–2003)
Nixon is an American actress and activist. Her activism led her to enter New York’s and gubernatorial race in 2018 under the Working Families Party. She is best known for her role as Miranda Hobbes in Sex and the City. She was born on April 9, 1966, and has achieved a good measure of success in a career that spans decades, having begun from when she made her debut in 1979.
Having tried loving a man and finding it not quite as fulfilling as she wants, Nixon abandoned her relationship with the father of her two children Danny Mozes, in 2003. By 2004 she went the other way to give love another chance with education activist Christine Marinoni and it seems like she struck gold with that decision. The two began dating in 2004, got engaged in 2009 and tied the nuptial knot officially in 2012.
3. Melissa Etheridge
- Born: May 29, 1961, Leavenworth, KS
- Occupation: Singer-songwriter, guitarist, and activist.
- Spouse/Partner: Linda Wallem (m. 2014), Tammy Lynn Michaels (m. 2003–2010)
Melissa Lou Etheridge is a singer and songwriter born on May 29, 1961. Quite seasoned in her art, Etheridge is a professional guitarist and an activist to the core. She has released chart-topping songs and albums and has won a Grammy and an Academy Award for her excellence in producing good music.
To the surprise and shock of many of her fans and lovers of good music in general, Melissa came out as a lesbian in January 1993 at the Triangle Ball, which was a celebration of President Bill Clinton’s first inauguration by Gay people. What better place to announce it right? Following her announcement, she threw herself headlong into activism in support of gay rights.
Melissa has a very colourful dating history that has marked her as one who has never been confused about her sexuality. She had a long and well-recognized relationship with Julie Cypher and they had two kids together fathered by sperm donor David Crosby. But unlike Melissa, Julie began to doubt her sexuality as a lesbian and this eventually led to their breakup.
2002 saw Melissa taking a love interest in actress Tammy Lynn Michaels with whom she had a commitment ceremony on September 20, 2003. The two also had two children; a son and a daughter through an anonymous donor, but never quite made it to the altar before they separated in 2010. By 2013 Melissa announced her upcoming marriage to her then partner Linda Wallem, even though no one knew exactly when the two began dating. They eventually made it to the altar on May 31, 2014, both at the age of 53.
4. Wanda Sykes
- Born: March 7, 1964, Portsmouth, VA
- Occupation: Actress, stand-up comedian, and writer
- Spouse/Partner: Alex Sykes (m. 2008), Dave Hall (m. 1991–1998)
Professionally, Wanda Skyes born on March 7, 1964, is known as an actress, a comedian, and a writer. She won a Primetime Emmy Award for her work on The Chris Rock Show in 1999. To further prove her worth as a comedian, she has been named one of the funniest people in America. She has movie credits for her roles in movies like Monster-in-Law (2005), My Super Ex-Girlfriend (2006), License to Wed (2007) and a host of others including ones she provided her voice for.
In 1991, Wanda got married to record producer Dave Hall but they got divorced in 1998 and that seemed to be it for her love life until 2008 when she publicly declared herself a lesbian at a same-sex marriage rally in Las Vegas. After her declaration, further digging revealed that she had been dating a French partner Alex Niedbalski who she met in 2006. She also revealed that they had tied the nuptial knot just a month earlier. The two are currently parents to a set of adorable fraternal twins Olivia Lou and Lucas Claude.
5. Meredith Baxter
- Born: June 21, 1947 (age 74 years), South Pasadena, CA
- Occupation: Actress and producer
- Spouse/Partner: Robert Lewis Bush (m. 1966; div. 1969), David Birney (m. 1974; div. 1989), Michael Blodgett (m. 1995; div. 2000), Nancy Locke (m. 2013)
Born on June 21, 1947, Meredith Baxter is a popular actress and producer. Having acted in and produced a host of movies, she has been nominated five times for an Emmy award but has not quite made it home with the award. She is best known for her role in the 70’s sitcom Family (1976–80)
Before Meredith came out as a lesbian, she had been married three times to three different men and it ended in a divorce each time. Then at an interview with Matt Lauer on Today on December 2, 2009, she finally confessed to being a Lesbian. Shedding more light on the situation, she said she began dating women back in 2002 after having come to terms with her sexual orientation.
Meredith Baxter had met and begun dating Nancy Locke, a general contractor in 2003. The fact that they were happy together explained why her former marriages could not survive. The two later got married on December 8, 2013, in Los Angeles.
6. Portia De Rossi
- Born: January 31, 1973, Horsham, Australia
- Occupation: Businesswoman, philanthropist, and former model and actress
- Spouse/Partner: Ellen DeGeneres (m. 2008), Mel Metcalfe III (m. 1996–1999)
This list of lesbian celebrities won’t be complete without Portia and her current partner making it. Born Amanda Lee Rogers on 31 January 1973, Portia who currently goes by the name Portia Lee James DeGeneres is a combination of beauty and brains all the way. The blonde bombshell is an actress, model, and philanthropist best known for her role as Nelle Porter in the drama series Ally McBeal (1998–2002). Other major film roles she has taken are as Elizabeth North on the political series Scandal (2014–2017) and as Lindsay Bluth Fünke on the sitcom Arrested Development (2003 – 2018). For her excellent portrayal of her characters, she has won a Screen Actors Guild Award, a TV Land Award and a Golden Satellite Award.
As an Australian, Portia’s first marriage to film-maker Mel Metcalfe was partly a plan to get a green card, but it did not work out. She began dating director Francesca Gregorini from 2001 until 2004 when she switched boats and started seeing Ellen DeGeneres after the two met backstage at an award ceremony. Following her newfound love, she came out in 2005 as a lesbian and was soon engaged after Ellen proposed to her. The wedding took place at their Beverly Hills home on 16 August 2008.
7. Raven Symone
- Born: December 10, 1985, Atlanta, GA
- Occupation: Actress, singer and songwriter
- Spouse/Partner: Miranda Maday (m. 2020)
Raven Symone wears many hats as an actress, singer, songwriter, model, television personality, dancer, rapper, and producer. Born December 10, 1985, she made her first television appearance as far back as 1989 at the tender age of 4 on The Cosby Show and released her debut album in 1993. Having had an early start, Raven has excelled in almost anything she had put her hands on. Some of her more recent works include a recurring role in primetime drama Empire, as Rhonda Johnson on ABC sitcom Black-ish, and currently, on Raven’s Home, a spin-off of That’s So Raven, which premiered on July 21, 2017.
Raven is not a lover of labels when it comes to love, but she did refer to herself as a lesbian and admits that she had known her sexual orientation from the age of 12. In 2013, she made a comment about how she can now get married if she wants to, this was after news spread that more states were legalizing same-sex marriage. In 2015, she introduced her partner AzMarie Livingston to the world but soon announced their break up, stating that they had been together for 3 years.
8. Jodie Foster
- Born: November 19, 1962, Los Angeles, CA
- Occupation: Actress, director, and producer
- Spouse/Partner: Alexandra Hedison (m. 2014)
Jodie Foster is one who plays her cards pretty close to the chest. Born on November 19, 1962, she is an actress, a director, and a producer. She started modelling as a child, then moved into television and finally made it to the movies. In 1991, it was speculated that Foster was among the closeted lesbian celebrities but she never addressed it until 2007 when she publicly acknowledged being a lesbian at a breakfast in her honour.
Foster met Cydney Bernard in 1993 and they were together until 2008 when they broke up after having two sons. In 2014, Foster made the bold move and married actress and photographer Alexandra Hedison.
9. Heather Matarazzo
- Born: November 10, 1982, Oyster Bay, NY
- Occupation: Actress, writer, producer, and director
- Spouse/Partner: Heather Turman (m. 2018)
Heather has always been openly gay. She did not go through all the trouble of being in the closet for fear of what people will say. Born on the 10th day of Novembre 1982, Heather Matarazzo is an actress who ventured into the field at the tender age of 6. Some of her film credits include movies such as Welcome to the Dollhouse (1995), The Princess Diaries (2001), The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004) and more.
Heather announced her engagement to her then-girlfriend Caroline Murphy, a musician, in 2008. But it seems they never got to happily ever as news of their break up filtered through in 2012. It was said to be an amicable one. Fast forward to January 11, 2018, and Matarazzo had proposed to her new love, comedian and writer Heather Turman, they married later that year on November 11.
10. Kate McKinnon
- Born: January 6, 1984, Sea Cliff, NY
- Occupation: Actress, comedian, and writer
- Spouse/Partner: Jackie Abbott
Actor and Comedian Kate McKinnon born on January 6, 1984, was lauded as the first openly lesbian member of the cast of Saturday Night Live. The show also boasts LGBT members like Terry Sweeney and Danitra Vance. Although she is open about her sexual orientation, she is not currently known to be dating anyone in particular or even if she is, she is keeping her cards pretty close to her chest.
11. Holland Taylor
- Born: January 14, 1943, Philadelphia, PA
- Occupation: Actress and playwright
- Spouse/Partner: Sarah Paulson (2015–present)
Seasoned American actress and playwright Holland Taylor born on the 14th of January 1943 was quite prominent on TV in the 70s and 80s. Among many accolades, she won a Primetime Emmy Award in 1999.
In 2015, Holland revealed she was in a relationship with a younger woman who we found out was Sarah Paulson. These lesbian celebrities look like they don’t care what people think about their relationship.
12. Sarah Paulson
- Born: December 17, 1974 (age 46 years), Tampa, FL
- Occupation: Actress
- Spouse/Partner: Holland Taylor (2015– Present)
Beautiful and talented Sarah Paulson is an actress and the partner to seasoned Hollywood actress Holland Taylor. The age difference is all anyone can think of but the lovebirds seem to be having the time of their lives.
Before she came to terms with her sexuality, Sarah was into men and dated quite a few of them too. She went as far as becoming engaged to playwright Tracy Letts even though that never really worked out. She dated fellow actress Cherry Jones from 2004 to 2009 and finally clarified her sexuality to the public in 2013.
13. Ellen Page
- Born: February 21, 1987, Halifax Regional Municipality, Canada
- Occupation: Actress, producer
- Spouse/Partner: Emma Portner (m. 2018–2021)
Canadian actress Ellen Page was born February 21, 1987, and made her movie debut at age 10 in 1997. Since then, it has been from one great movie to another. She has received numerous awards and accolades and is still making great movies. Among her many perks, Ellen is an atheist, a vegan, and a pro-choice feminist.
In 2014, Ellen declared herself as among the lesbian celebrities and in January 2018, she got married to her partner Emma Portner who is a dancer and a choreographer.
14. Jessica Clark
- Born: April 21, 1985, London, United Kingdom
- Occupation: Model and actress
- Spouse/Partner: Lacey Stone (m. 2010–2012)
Clark has never been one to hide the fact that her love runs the other way. From as way back as anyone can remember, she has openly been a lesbian. Born on 21 April 1985, the British actress is well known as one of the hosts and regular contributors of the Vlog Lesbian love.
In 2010, Clark married her then partner fitness professional Lacey Stone. But unlike some lesbian celebrities whose love stories seem to last forever, theirs was short-lived as it all came crashing down in 2012. The divorce was finalized in the same year. Clark in early 2019 began dating Ben Higgins, thus, it’s safe to say that the actress is bisexual.
15. Sara Gilbert
- Born: January 29, 1975, Santa Monica, CA
- Occupation: Actress, director, and producer
- Spouse/Partner: Linda Perry (m. 2014–2019)
American actress Sara Gilbert was born on the 29th of January 1975 and was raised in Santa Monica, California by her very Jewish parents. Being an actress kind of runs in the family as even her grandparents were in the industry. The realization of her true sexuality happened as far back as when she was a teenager. She had dated co-star Johnny Galecki but soon called it quits when it became obvious that she was more attracted to women than she was to him.
She began her first lesbian relationship in 2001 with television producer Allison Adler even though she kept it all to herself. Finally, she made the big reveal in 2010 but it seemed secrecy was better for her relationship as she soon broke it off with Adler in 2011 after two kids. After the breakup, she started seeing songwriter and music producer Linda Perry, the two got engaged in 2013 and finally tied the knot in March 2014.
16. Lily Tomlin
- Born: September 1, 1939 (age 82 years), Detroit, MI
- Occupation: Actress, comedian, writer, singer, and producer
- Spouse/Partner: Jane Wagner (m. 2013)
Lily Tomlin wears many hats as a multi-talented actress, comedian, writer, singer, and producer. Her career in Hollywood spans decades, starting from 1965 when she began doing stand up comedy. Born Mary Jean “Lily” Tomlin on September 1, 1939, the legendary actress has garnered lots of awards and accolades for her works.
As one of many lesbian celebrities, the love life of Lily Tomlin has certainly been intriguing, she met her wife as far back as 1971 and even though she never came out to admit to being a lesbian, the two stayed together until 2013 when they eventually got married after 42 years together.
17. Rachel Maddow
- Born: April 1, 1973 (age 48 years), Castro Valley, CA
- Occupation: Journalist
- Spouse/Partner: Susan Mikula (1999– Present)
Television host and Political commentator Rachel Maddow was born on April 1, 1973. Those who are big fans of MSNBC will know Maddow as she hosts The Rachel Maddow Show, a nightly television show. She also doubles as the cable network’s special event co-anchor alongside Brian Williams.
There’s no history of whether or not Maddow had a coming out to declare herself as one of the lesbian celebrities we have today but she did meet and started dating her partner Susan Mikula in 1999. Mikula is an artist and the two are certainly not in the closet.
18. Suze Orman
- Born: June 5, 1951 (age 70 years), Chicago, IL
- Occupation: Financial advisor, author, and podcast host
- Spouse/Partner: Kathy Travis (m. 2010)
Of all the supporters of the LGBT rights there were, Suze Orman will probably go down as the most vocal, especially because she had a platform with which she drove the agenda and refused to be stopped. The author, financial advisor, motivational speaker, and television host came out of the closet in 2007, declaring herself a member of the lesbian celebrities community.
All through her time on air, she was a staunch supporter of Barack Obama and the Democratic Party because of their tolerance for same-sex relationships. In 2010, she advised same-sex couples to tie the knot while they still had the chance to do it legally. She also married her partner Kathy Travis in that year.
19. Jane Lynch
- Born: July 14, 1960 (age 61 years), Evergreen Park, IL
- Occupation: Actress, comedian, and author
- Spouse/Partner: Lara Embry (m. 2010–2014)
Named one of Power Up’s 10 Amazing Gay Women in Showbiz, Lynch has always been openly a lesbian. However, her first marriage was to clinical psychologist Lara Embry. The wedding happened on May 31, 2010, in Sunderland, Massachusetts. The two had been dating since 2009 when they met at a fundraiser in San Francisco, but their love did not last as they soon got divorced in 2014. Lynch later began dating a certain Jennifer Cheyne.
Jane Lynch is best known for her role as Sue Sylvester in the musical television series Glee and Earth Live in National Geographic.
20. Amanda Bearse
- Born: August 9, 1958 (age 63 years), Winter Park, FL
- Occupation: Actress, director and comedian
- Spouse/Partner: Carrie Schenken (m. 2010)
Amanda Bearse is an actress, director, and comedian born on August 9, 1958. She enjoys a quiet life devoid of fuss. Bearse has been married to Carrie Schenken since 2010. She came out as a lesbian as far back as 1993.
