In alphabetical order
This category recognises LGBT+ ceebrities who have come outin the face of adversity or who support the LGBT+ community in a positive way.
ADAM LAMBERT
Singer, songwriter and actor, Adam Lambert has been in the public eye since his step into the spotlight on American Idolin 2009. Since then, he has expanded both his solo career, and his collaborative career with Queen, and became the first openly gay artist to top the US album charts. Adam has developed a huge following not only as a result of his talent, but also his openness and candor in discussing his sexuality, issues of LGBT+ representation and discrimination in the music industry. Adam is also the founder of the Feel Something Foundation, which focusing on helping LGBT+ individuals with education, arts, mental health and homelessness.
ANDREW SCOTT
Following his much-acclaimed role as the “hot priest”, Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s love interest in the second season of BBC’s hugely popular comedy Fleabag, Andrew Scott was awarded the Hugo Boss Standout Performance Award in the GQ Men of the Year Awards. Andrew, who says that he left his native Ireland due to feeling “shamed as a gay man”, previously came to fame as Moriarty in Sherlock, for which he won the BAFTA Television Award for Best Supporting Actor. Andrew has also starred in Black Mirror, in Victor Frankenstein alongside Daniel Radcliffe, as well as in the James Bond movie Spectre.
CARA DELEVINGNE
Cara’s career began through modelling, in which her unique style and personality highlighted her as standout. Her move into film and television has been accompanied by frank discussions about her sexuality and identity, which was covered widely in mainstream press. Cara announced that she felt her identity was most aligned to gender fluidity in a Voguearticle in 2018. Her ongoing message to her 44 million Instagram followers is ‘embrace your weirdness, stop labelling, start living.’ She was highlighted for her activism by the Trevor Project last year, and her support of the charity’s work in crisis intervention for young, LGBT+ people.
DEMI LOVATO
As fans of Demi will know, the singer-songwriter has long been open about their sexuality, and also utilises their music to start conversations about mental health and addiction. Demi is vocal about their pansexuality, and takes an active part in their philanthropic ventures. They have been recognised by GLAAD, receiving the 2016 Vanguard Award, performing at NYC Pride Week and LA Pride Parade, and working alongside the Human Rights Campaign in the wake of the Orland nightclub shooting. In May 2020, Demi spoke out about the death of George Flloyd, and has been an activist for Black Lives Matter. Demi has frequently donated large sums of money to LA-based charities that work with LGBT+ and adoption rights. On Wednesday 19th May, Demi opened up about their non-binary identity.
ELLIOT PAGE
The past year has been a whirlwind for nominee Elliot Page. His long-established Hollywood career has made him a household name, which has made his coming out story all the more profound. Since opening up about his identity in December last year, Elliot has solidified himself as a beacon of hope for the LGBT+ community. In March this year, Page became the first A-list celebrity and openly trans man to appear on the cover of Time magazine, in which they discussed their experience of top surgery, and of coming out in the spotlight.
GILLIAN ANDERSON
Gillian is an emblem for the LGBT+ community not only for her work in the sex positive and representative, Sex Education, but also for her support of The Trevor Project, attending multiple events on the behalf of the organisation. In her personal life, Gillian has long been open about her sexuality, and the fluidity in which she views it. Many of Gillian’s credits including The X Files, The Crown, A Street Car Named Desire, have only furthered her reputation as a LGBT+ icon.
JAMEELA JAMIL
Queer-identifying broadcaster, actor and activist Jameela Jamil is outspoken about her support of multiple causes including LGBT+ issues, anti-racism, women’s issues, body image and mental health. Jamil’s candour in confronting these issues is impressive and takes place not only via her social media platforms, but also through her work on radio and TV, including in her role in The Good Place, and her podcast I Weigh with Jameela Jamil.
RUPAUL CHARLES
RuPaul has long been in the spotlight for his work both within the LGBT+ community, and for the work he has done over his career to bring LGBT+ content to the mainstream. In the past year, the British version of his hit show, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK has exploded in popularity up and down the country, engaging mainstream viewers like never before. It is no wonder that RuPaul was recognised in 2017 as Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world. RuPaul is arguably the world’s most famous drag queen!
TAN FRANCE
Tan’s experience in the spotlight has long been associated with his sexuality. As one of the first openly gay South Asian men on mainstream television, Tan made a name for himself as an icon of fashion. Tan has been open in sharing his experience of growing up as a member of the LGBT+ South Asian community on shows such as Queer Eye and Next in Fashion. In addition, he has frequently utilised his large audience to promote and champion causes such as Trans awareness, and gender neutral fashion.
WILLOW SMITH
Willow’s career began from an early age, with her single Whip my Hair reaching the top 20 in Billboard Hot 100 when she was just 10 years old. Despite the pressure faced by young entertainers, Willow thrived as an artist and has been an advocate for openness in identity and sexuality. Willow came out as bisexual in 2019, and regularly discusses issues of mental health, wellness and sexuality on the Red Table podcast co-hosted by her mother, Jada Pinkett-Smith and her grandmother. Willow’s single ‘Wait a Minute’ created a viral trend on TikTok in 2019, and has now been used in over 1.8 million videos on the social media platform.
