Get Used To It

Portia DeRossi was on The Ellen Degeneres Show the other today and she mentioned that she didn't have any gay role models growing up. I was laying on my bed listening to Grizzly Bear and I realised how lucky I am to have so many famous out queer role models and inspirations that span across a range of generations.

In no particular order...
Ed Droste, Beth Ditto, Alan Cumming, Patrick Wolf, Seth Bogart, Andy Butler, Antony Hegarty, Kele, Owen Pallett, Rufus Wainwright, Leigh Bowery, Boy George, Freddie Mercury, Jake Shears, Sia Furler, Tegan and Sara Quinn, Rostam Batmanglij, Gregg Araki, John Waters, Alexander McQueen, Jobriath, Divine, Klaus Nomi, Gus Van Sant, Bruce LaBruce, Keith Haring, Amanda Lepore, John Cameron Mitchell, David Sedaris... (and no doubt many more that I've unintentionally left out).

Some more obscure than others, but all very important to me. Not only are these people queer or LGBT, they are all fantastic artists, which makes them even more inspiring. They also break free from the gay stereotype and help to show how much diversity there is in the LGBT community.

 

It's such a shame that many famous people feel that coming out or not hiding their sexuality will ruin their careers. No one should have to live in fear of anything like that. It's just not fair.