National Coming Out Day: 37 celebrities who’ve come out this year

Since the last National Coming Out Day, dozens of celebrities have stopped, taken a deep breath and revealed to the world that they’re gay, bisexual, lesbian, transgender, queer, non-binary, pansexual — and even in one controversial case, two spirit.

From singers and political figures to sports stars and Hollywood’s brightest, the past 12 months have shown, in case anyone needed reminding, that anyone can be LGBT+.

As we look ahead to National Coming Out Day on Thursday (October 11), let’s celebrate the icons who put their heads above the parapet to be representative of the community — starting with some amazing musicians.

Janelle Monáe

Monáe came out in April (Tommaso Boddi/Getty)

The Dirty Computer singer came out as “a queer black woman” in April after years of speculation, revealing that she had “been in relationships with both men and women.”

Monáe explained that she had identified as bisexual at first, “but then later I read about pansexuality and was like: ‘Oh, these are things that I identify with too.’

“I’m open to learning more about who I am.”

Demi Lovato

The “Sorry Not Sorry” singer, a longtime LGBT+ advocate, revealed last year that she was open to dating women, saying: “That’s how I’ve always felt.”

Lovato then explained more about how she sees her sexuality in March, saying: “I’m very fluid, and I think love is love.

“You can find it in any gender. I like the freedom of being able to flirt with whoever I want.”

Brendon Urie

The Panic! at the Disco frontman revealed he was pansexual in July, joining Monáe in coming out publicly in his early 30s.