Six celebrities destroying LGBT taboos by discussing their sexuality
It's been an important year for tackling gay and lesbian discrimination
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Your support makes all the difference.Having to discuss a relationship should never be a prerequisite of interviews, but most famous figures still endure probing questions about their love lives regardless - especially if they are rumoured to be in a same-sex partnership.
But some male and female stars have openly addressed their sexuality and their same-sex partnerships, and in doing so given lesbian and gay visibility and acceptance a massive boost.
The actress Ellen Page, who came out in 2014, described her reasons for coming out in an interview this week as a moral responsibility to speak up from such a prominent platform.
These people have also used their fame to discuss sexuality and promote the fight against discrimination:
The "Wrecking Ball" singer was reportedly dating the Victoria’s Secret model Stella Maxwell over summer, a union that has sent tabloids into a frenzy. Cyrus has yet to openly confirm whether she is dating Maxwell, but was forthright about her fluid sexuality.
"I am literally open to every single thing that is consenting and doesn't involve an animal and everyone is of age” she told Paper Magazine in June.
"Everything that's legal, I'm down with. Yo, I'm down with any adult - anyone over the age of 18 who is down to love me."
Stewart was apparently outed by her mother, who told The Mirror she was in a relationship with a woman. Her response to questions about her sexuality from Nylon after this report surfaced was simple: “Google me, I’m not hiding.”
The Twilight actress added her own voice to the growing number of people defining their sexuality as fluid, by refusing to expressly identify as gay, straight or bisexual.
Page very publicly came out to an LGBT audience in Las Vegas in 2014 and has been a vocal proponent of gay and lesbian rights ever since.
The actress told Time magazine she felt obliged to use her position and platform to further gay rights by coming out.
“I remember watching the Pussy Riot documentary and thinking, ‘Oh my God. The courage of these people’, she said. “It’s just like, “Dude, come out - just say you’re gay. You’re privileged, you have a family. You have no excuse.” It kind of got to the point of - I felt guilty, to be honest with you, and I believe I absolutely should have. It’s become kind of a moral imperative to speak up."
The British supermodel spoke openly about her relationship with her girlfriend, the singer St Vincent, when she appeared on the cover of US Vogue. And when her bisexuality was questioned by the author of her profile, she roundly shut down speculation by telling The New York Times: “My sexuality is not a phase. I am who I am.”
Rose burst onto screens in Orange is the New Black, and hasn't really left the minds of viewers since. The 28-year-old came out when she was 12 and discussed her own battles with self-acceptance and acceptance from those around her in interviews after the third season premiered.
Rose is now engaged to Phoebe Dahl, the granddaughter of author Roald Dahl and the cousin of model Sophie Dahl.
He became the first rugby league player to come out as gay earlier this month, in an announcement welcomed by his fans and fellow sportsmen.
He gave a poignant description of how significant coming out as gay was for him after discussing his sexuality, telling The Mirror: “I had a wife and kids. I’ve been a builder, doorman, worked in factories – I play rugby. I tick every macho box. How could I be gay? I’m from Batley for goodness sake. No one is gay in Batley.
"The only time I felt free of the torment was when I stepped on the rugby pitch. Now I feel free.”
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