days left to the 2024 election! Your ballot is your power, and when we show up, equality wins. Click here to visit our 2024 Voting Center!
by Jesse St. Andre •
In honor of National Coming Out Day, here are a few of the standout coming out moments in pop culture from the last year.
Actor and activist Elliot Page came out as trans and non-binary on December 1, 2020 in a Twitter post. They wrote: "I feel lucky to be writing this. To be here. To have arrived at this place in my life."
— Elliot Page (@TheElliotPage) December 1, 2020
Bollywood fashion designer Saisha Shinde came out as a transwoman on January 1. Her name means “a meaningful life.”
Professional wrestler Mr. Grim - also kown as “Hitman for Hire” - came out as pansexual on January 1st.
For years, I've struggled with my identity. Too worried about how others would feel or think about me. I've finally gained the courage to openly express that im Pansexual. Thank you @NylaRoseBeast for being my inspiration, supportive and holding my hand throughout this process.
— Mr. (PWI 457) GRIM (@MRGRIM_IS4_HIRE) January 1, 2021
Jojo Siwa came out on January 22nd while showing off a shirt that was a gift from her cousin. She’s since gone on to compete on Dancing with the Stars as half of the show’s first same-sex competing pair.
My cousin got me a new shirt pic.twitter.com/DuHhgRto7b
— JoJo Siwa!🌈❤️🎀 (@itsjojosiwa) January 22, 2021
Country singer T.J. Osborne came out as gay on February 3rd, saying that he wants “to get to the height of my career being completely who I am.”
“I want to get to the height of my career being completely who I am.”
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) February 6, 2021
Thank you for sharing your story with so many, TJ! 🌈 https://t.co/BNVHfgrDEW
Former WWE Wrestler Gabbi Tuft came out as trans on February 5. She wrote: “I am no longer afraid and I am no longer fearful. I can now say with confidence, that I love myself for WHO I am.”
Model and actress Lux Pascal came out as trans in an interview with Ya magazine.
Singer Demi Lovato came out as pansexual on March 30. They then came out as non-binary on May 19, just over a month and a half later.
She's pansexual and proud, and we couldn't be happier for her! 💖💛💙 Sending you all the love, @ddlovato! https://t.co/8HnxmdXTsG
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) April 1, 2021
Every day we wake up, we are given another opportunity & chance to be who we want & wish to be. I’ve spent the majority of my life growing in front of all of you… you’ve seen the good, the bad, & everything in between. pic.twitter.com/HSBcfmNruo
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) May 19, 2021
Nikki Hiltz, an elite runner from the United States, came out as non-binary April 2 in an Instagram post.
Singer-songwriter Kehlani came out as lesbian in a TikTok video on April 22.
.@Kehlani is blazing trails — as an artist, a mother, an advocate — and in the process showing queer people that representation takes many forms. https://t.co/H6GTkSDwCe
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) April 8, 2021
Reality TV star and dancer Zackery Torres came out as transgender on June 1 in a TikTok video.
Jason Brown, champion figure skater, came out as gay on June 11 - also via an Instagram post.
On June 21, Carl Nassib became the first NFL player to come out as gay. He came out in an Instagram video.
Japanese singer Hikaru Utada came out as non-binary on June 26 in a Twitter video.
Kuma-chan is Gay
— poupée (@poupee19) June 26, 2021
Utada Hikaru is Non-Binary
Happy Pride Month 👏🏻 #PRIDE #HikaruUtada #宇多田ヒカル pic.twitter.com/mVBWGT8T7B
Stevie, an online celebrity and Eminem’s child, came out as gender fluid on June 17 in an Instagram post.
NHL player Luke Prokop came out as gay on July 19 via an Instagram post.
Lucilla Boari of Italy’s Olympic team came out on live TV when she got a video call from her girlfriend during a post-victory interview.
Image: