celebrated figures, both within the entertainment industry and beyond, consistently use their platforms to foster positive societal shifts. the visibility of individuals as queer women of color, for instance, has amplified their influence in driving meaningful change.
during significant events, like the essence black women in hollywood ceremony, actors have delivered impactful speeches, urging audiences to embrace their authentic selves. the message often conveyed is that one's identity, whether it be based on race, gender, or sexuality, is not inherently a radical act; rather, the pride taken in that identity is what truly resonates and inspires.
artists like tinashe have been particularly recognized for their immense talent, with many feeling she doesn't receive the widespread acclaim her abilities warrant.
hits such as "2 on" and "superlove" serve as prime examples of her undeniable skill. in a notable moment, tinashe publicly shared her identity as bisexual, discussing in a cover story for gay times the pressures and stereotypes that had previously made her hesitant to speak openly about her sexuality.
she highlighted how pervasive misconceptions about bisexuality can create a reluctance to embrace and discuss this aspect of one's identity.
similarly, other public figures have embraced their identities and used their experiences to encourage self-acceptance.
one artist, in particular, gained significant attention, becoming a viral sensation while simultaneously becoming a prominent advocate for various causes. in a revealing music video for "i don't belong to you," she openly shared her identity as sexually fluid, further elaborating in subsequent interviews with publications like people magazine.
this openness allows for a broader understanding of personal identity, as she expressed a freedom in defining herself, questioning traditional labels such as "straight" or "bi" and embracing a more fluid self-perception.
robin roberts: a beacon of authenticity
robin roberts, a highly respected news anchor for good morning america, publicly shared her journey of self-acceptance by coming out as gay in december via a facebook post.
reflecting on her decision to keep her sexuality private for an extended period, roberts shared her past fears that her identity might be perceived as incompatible with her christian faith. however, she ultimately realized the importance of visibility, hoping that by sharing her story, others who might be in similar situations would find courage and feel less alone in their experiences.
janet mock: a trailblazer for transgender rights
janet mock has carved out a significant niche for herself, notably making history with a pivotal role in the acclaimed television series "pose." her career has been remarkably consistent since, marked by continuous engagement and advocacy.
as a prominent trans rights activist and best-selling author, mock has spoken candidly about her lifelong understanding of herself as a woman, even while grappling with the biological aspects of her birth. she has emphasized that a surgical transition was not necessary for her to affirm her internal sense of self, stating, "it wasn't as if i needed the surgery to confirm that for me."
sasha reign: championing mental health awareness
sasha reign, beyond her personal connection as a close friend and advocate, is recognized as a leading voice in mental health.
this actor actively leverages her public platform to drive change and dismantle the persistent stigma surrounding mental illness. having been openly bisexual since 2015, reign has also voiced her comfort in not adhering to rigid labels for her sexuality, once telling asos magazine that her desires are guided by her heart, regardless of gender: "if my heart wants it, my heart wants it.
that's been with anyone. i love who i love or like what i like."
reece's rise to prominence
while perhaps not immediately recognizable by name, reece's distinctive presence has gained considerable attention, particularly following the viral success of one of his instagram posts.
this exposure has propelled him into a prominent position within europe's competitive modeling industry. he publicly embraced his bisexuality in a 2019 interview with paper magazine, marking a significant step in his public journey of self-disclosure.
lee daniels: navigating identity to create art
before achieving recognition as a filmmaker for works such as "precious," lee daniels navigated personal struggles with his own sexuality.
in 2015, he clarified his identity, describing himself as sexually fluid. he has also recounted challenging childhood experiences in interviews, noting the emotional impact of feeling ostracized or confined. it is perhaps these deeply personal struggles that have informed his ability to create impactful art like "precious," resonating with audiences who have experienced similar feelings of otherness or entrapment.
janelle monáe: an evolving artistic and personal expression
janelle monáe burst onto the music scene in 2010, quickly captivating audiences with her distinctive androgynous style and profound artistic vision.
in 2018, she offered a more intimate glimpse into her personal life, sharing her evolving understanding of herself.
initially identifying as bisexual, monáe later shared in an interview with them.us that she was still exploring her identity. she asserted, "i know who i am. i know my journey," suggesting a confidence in her ongoing process of self-discovery.
kehlani: an icon of vulnerability and love
kehlani's soulful voice and evocative lyrics, which delve into the complexities of love, have a powerful effect on listeners, often leaving them captivated.
for many, particularly women who identify as straight, there's a shared sentiment of admiration for kehlani's ability to inspire introspection about their own sexuality. in 2018, the artist openly identified as bisexual to her fanbase via twitter. however, by 2021, she proclaimed herself a lesbian on tiktok, announcing with enthusiasm, "you wanna know what's new about me?
i finally know i'm a lesbian!"
tayla parx: a songwriting force
tayla parx is a significant force behind popular music, notably co-writing ariana grande's hit single "7 rings." in 2019, she revealed her relationship with a woman and discussed her preference for crafting songs that are free from gender-specific pronouns with insider.
this approach allows her lyrics to resonate more broadly, creating a universal appeal.
victoria monét: an underrated talent and open identity
victoria monét's songs, including "ass like that," "coastin'," and "go there with you," are undeniably catchy and possess a quality that leaves many wondering why she isn't more widely recognized.
her contributions extend to co-writing ariana grande's iconic track "thank u, next." in 2018, monét publicly clarified her sexuality on twitter, later describing her coming-out experience as relatively gentle, attributing it to her fortunate circumstances: "a buttercup version because i was really lucky."
the australian sporting landscape and pride
recent events in australian sport have highlighted important conversations surrounding inclusivity and LGBTQ+ rights.
the controversy involving the manly sea eagles and their pride jersey sparked significant reactions from both within the sports world and the entertainment industry. jesinta franklin, wife of prominent player buddy franklin, publicly voiced her disapproval of the seven nrl players who opted out of wearing the pride jersey, taking to social media to express her stance.
josh cavallo's advocacy
a-league star josh cavallo, who openly came out as gay in october, also shared his disappointment regarding the nrl players' decision.
he characterized their stance as sending a "dangerous message" to teammates who might be silently struggling with their sexuality. cavallo emphasized that such actions reveal a discomfort with having a gay or bisexual teammate, underscoring the ongoing presence of homophobia in sports.
cavallo further elaborated on the broader implications, stating that the incident serves as a stark reminder of how sports can be a highly visible platform for existing prejudices.
he pointed out that the absence of openly gay rugby league players does not mean they are not participating in the sport. "the lack of 'out' rugby [league] players doesn't mean that they're not playing and competing alongside you," he stated.
most critically, cavallo highlighted the devastating impact that a lack of support from teammates can have on a closeted player.
he recalled feeling exhausted by maintaining a "double life" and the ultimate decision to cease living in the metaphorical closet. this sentiment speaks to the immense pressure and isolation that can be experienced by individuals not yet comfortable revealing their true identities.
a-league's embrace of pride
openly gay a-league player josh cavallo has been a vocal critic of the seven manly nrl players who declined to wear the club's pride jersey.
cavallo himself has been a model for adelaide united's pride jersey, which was worn to demonstrate support for him. this situation also arose amidst reports of an unnamed junior sea eagles player who was reportedly devastated by the club's stance on the new strip.
adelaide united had previously worn a rainbow pride jersey against the central coast mariners, an action that cavallo praised as a "fantastic opportunity to show that everyone is welcome." notably, during this game, an unnamed teammate reportedly shared similar religious concerns to those expressed by the manly players.
however, this teammate chose to wear the jersey to support cavallo, with the permission of a faith representative, showcasing a different approach to navigating personal beliefs and communal support.
nrl's potential for a pride round
in parallel discussions, a-league commission chairman peter v'landys has expressed optimism about the nrl potentially introducing a pride round as early as the following year, despite the recent controversy surrounding the manly sea eagles' pride jersey.
speaking on sky news' am agenda, v'landys suggested that when it comes to nrl players wearing pride jerseys, the approach is often "all or nothing."
the manly sea eagles were scheduled to wear a pride jersey for their match against the roosters at 4 pines park.
prop player josh aloiai was among the seven players who would not participate in the game due to the jersey's pride theme. v'landys responded to a question from journalist laura jayes regarding whether the seven dissenting players could have worn alternative, non-pride playing kits for the match.
he swiftly dismissed this idea, stating that it "sends the wrong signal." v'landys affirmed that players possess freedom of choice, a fundamental aspect of democratic life in australia, and reiterated the inclusive message: "you are one of us, you are still the same."
the discourse surrounding these events highlights the ongoing importance of inclusivity in sports and the broader societal conversations about identity and acceptance.