17 Famous Lesbians in Hollywood
Hollywood continues to evolve, allowing talented celebrities to be open and honest about who they are. In the last few years, numerous Hollywood stars have come out as lesbians, gay, or gay women, proudly embracing their true selves. Lesbian celebrities have impacted Hollywood from the very beginning of the industry. However, they’re more comfortable now opening up about their sexuality. They’ve overcome the stigma and obstacles on their way to becoming the highest-paid actresses and musicians in the industry.
These famous lesbians are some of the most talented entertainers to walk into Hollywood. They deliver critically acclaimed performances and steal the spotlight from the top leading men. They win all the major awards, have a substantial social media following, and land significant gigs. They’re proud of who they are but don’t let the media define them by their sexuality. Instead, they rise to the top of showbiz through incredible skill, talent, and charisma. At the same time, they use their power and influence to bring awareness to several causes and are proud LGBTQ+ activists. Here’s a look at 17 famous lesbian celebrities in Hollywood.
1. Lena Waithe
In 2017, actress and writer Lena Waithe became the first black woman to win an Emmy for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series. She wrote an incredible episode of Netflix’s Master of None revolving around her character, Denise, coming out as a lesbian to her family.
Waithe’s career continues progressing as she’s the creator of The Chi and wrote the feature film Queen & Slim. She once stated during an interview, “Being born gay, black, and female is not a revolutionary act. Being proud to be a gay, black female is.”
2. Tig Notaro
Stand-up comedian Tig Notaro became a household name with her critically acclaimed comedy special Live. In the special, she opened up about having stage 2 cancer during a performance in Los Angeles. Clearly, Notaro is open and honest about her personal life.
In 2015, Notaro married Stephanie Allynee after meeting on the set of In a World…The happy couple had twin boys one year later.
3. Sarah Paulson
Despite being on this list, actress Sarah Paulson doesn’t like the term “lesbian.” The critically acclaimed actress is best known for her roles in American Horror Story, The People v. O.J. Simpson, and Ratched.
Paulson opened up about her sexuality and asked not to be labeled a lesbian. She refers to her sexuality as a “fluid situation.” She previously dated actress Cherry Jones and is currently in a relationship with Holland Taylor.
4. Ruby Rose
The former Batwoman star Ruby Rose proudly identifies as gender fluid. She’s a vocal and strong supporter of the LGBTQ+ community. Rose first made a name for herself on the popular Netflix series Orange is the New Black.
At one point in her life, she considered gender reassignment surgery but, after giving it a lot of thought, decided she was gender neutral. She once said to Entertainment Weekly, “I can be fluid in my gender, but also a lesbian, because otherwise, I’m not sure what I am.”
5. Wanda Sykes
Comedian Wanda Sykes never holds anything back in her comedy specials. She has a reputation for being open and honest. Sykes has released critically acclaimed comedy specials, appeared in classic sitcoms, and stole the spotlight in Hollywood movies.
In the 90s, she was briefly married to producer Dave Hall. However, in 2008, she came out as a lesbian during a same-sex marriage rally. She married Alex Niedbalski that same year and later welcomed twins to their family. Initially, her parents weren’t supportive of her choices, but they later accepted Sykes’s decision and wife.
6. Portia de Rossi
Australian actress Portia de Rossi is best known for her breakout roles in Ally McBeal and Arrested Development. Early in her career, de Rossi wouldn’t discuss her sexual orientation even when pictures of her with Francesca Gregorini surfaced in tabloids. She admits to not being ready at the time. She opened up about her sexuality when she began dating Ellen DeGeneres in 2004.
7. Cara Delevingne
British supermodel Cara Delvingne is one of the most successful models today. Her career took off, and she starred in numerous movies, notably DC’s Suicide Squad. Delevingne is known for her outspoken and honest personality. She has no problem opening up about her relationships and sexuality.
Delevingne idenfities as bisexual, pansexual, and gender fluid. She was in a relationship with musician St. Vincent from 2015 to 2016. Later, she dated model Ashley Benson from 2019 to 2020.
8. Tracy Chapman
Singer and activist Tracy Chapman became an international phenomenon with the hit singles “Fast Car” and “Give Me One Reason.” The Grammy award-winning musician lives a very private life. She has never discussed her sexuality or opened up about being a lesbian.
However, The Color Purple writer Alice Walker claims she was in an intimate relationship with Champion in the 90s. Regardless, Chapman keeps her personal and private life completely separate.
See more about - 27 Most Famous Non-Binary Celebrities Making A Difference
9. Holland Taylor
In 2016, 79-year-old actress Holland Taylor admitted to being in a relationship with a younger woman. In fact, most of her relationships have been with younger women.
The Emmy-award-winning actress is best known for her roles in the L Word, The Practice, and Two and a Half-Men. Taylor doesn’t hide anything but notes she keeps her private life to herself.
10. Ellen Degeneres
Ellen DeGeneres first got noticed in the 80s and starred in the popular sitcom Ellen in the mid-90s. In 1997, she made significant headlines when she came out on the cover of Time magazine with the headline “Yep, I’m Gay.”
The media coverage was intense and temporarily derailed her career. However, she made a roaring comeback and hosted the hugely popular talk show The Ellen DeGeneres Show from 2003 to 2022. In 2008, DeGeneres married long-time partner Portia de Rossi.
11. Elliot Page
Elliot Page’s career break was in the critically acclaimed classic Juno. Since then, he has worked with the best directors and stars in the industry.
In 2014, he opened up about his sexuality and announced that he was gay during a speech. Later, Page began using the pronouns “he/they” and spoke about being trans. He’s a vocal and influential LGBTQ+ activist.
12. Jodie Foster
The two-time Oscar-winning Jodie Foster is a Hollywood icon. She started her career as a child and co-starred in the critically acclaimed Taxi Driver. At the 70th Golden Globe Awards, she received the Cecil B. Demille award and took the chance to address her sexuality.
But her speech was about her not addressing her sexuality and she never used the words “lesbian” or “gay.” Foster was in a relationship with Cydney Bernard for 14 years. Later, she married photographer, Alexandra Hedison.
13. Lily Tomlin
Grace and Frankie star Lily Tomlin came out in 2001 during an interview. However, in the industry, Tomlin’s sexuality was never a secret.
Tomlin has a long and illustrious career spanning decades with appearances in Saturday Night Live, The West Wing, and Eastbound & Down. Since the 70s, Tomlin’s been in a loving relationship with comedy writer and collaborator Jane Wagner.
14. Angela Davis
Activist and author Angela Davis is a proud feminist who wrote several books on the US prison system, gender, and race. The influential philosopher came out as a lesbian in 2001 during a magazine interview. She’s currently in a relationship with Gina Dent.
15. Cherry Jones
Cherry Jones is best known for her roles in The West Wing and as President of the United States Allison Taylor in the thriller 24. Jones first came out publicly in 1995 when she thanked her then-partner Mary O’Connor during her acceptance speech at the Tony Awards.
In 2004, Jones began dating actress Sarah Paulson and they declared their love for each other publicly in 2007. However, they broke up in 2009, but remain on good terms.
16. Samira Wiley
Samira Wiley rose to fame with her breakout performance as Pousssey Washington in Netflix’s Orange is the New Black. Wiley openly admits she was devastated when a co-star publicly outed her during an interview.
At that point, Wiley wasn’t ready to open up about her sexuality. Regardless, she’s now one of the industry’s most honest and open celebs. In 2017, she married Orange is the New Black writer Lauren Morelli and they have one daughter together.
17. Cynthia Nixon
Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon considered herself bisexual before 2004. However, that all changed when she fell madly in love with Christine Marinoni. They married in 2012 and have one child together. Nixon now proudly identifies as queer and is an LGBTQ+ activist.
See more about - 26 Bisexual Celebrities You Didn’t Know Swing Both Ways