smith: Will Smith gets support from daughter over Oscars slapping incident

In recent years, Hollywood has done some phenomenal work to explore the sensitive topic of homosexuality. From shows like ‘Sex Education, ‘Tales Of Cities’ to movies like ‘Call Me By Your Name’, ‘The Half Of It’ to songs like ‘I Will Survive’, ‘I’m Coming Out all bring forth the queer narrative that until very recently wasn’t depicted in popular culture.

In the past years, many celebrities have struggled with considerable homophobia when they first came out publicly. Actor Michael Kearns and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres faced huge backlash and hatred when they announced that they were gay. However, they dared to be who they are publicly, and many followed suit. From Billy porter to Elton John, Several Hollywood celebrities not only paved the way for the current crop of celebs to live more free lives but also showed the general public that they too can come out without apprehension or fear.

The fight against gender and orientation stereotypes is far from over, even in a progressive space like Hollywood. But, there is now a newer generation of celebrities who are out and proud and giving a voice to queer issues and speaking up against discrimination. Here's a look at them.

Ellen DeGeneres, the host of 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' has been entertaining daytime TV audiences with a heartwarming blend of eccentric comedy and celebrity cameos for more than 19 years, shattering stereotypes and beaming into homes across the world.

However, on April 30th 1997, her image of being a warm and funny TV persona took a considerable hit when she announced for the first time openly that she is a lesbian. While she faced a lot of discrimination she also became the first woman to come out on a US network television show and simultaneously on the cover of Time Magazine.

Initially, the comedian faced huge criticism and her show was cancelled. People announced that her career was over. However, in 2001 she made an equally big statement by becoming a host of a major talk show and reclaiming her space in American television.

In her interview with People DeGeneres said, "So, it's been 25 years since my coming-out episode, and the only time I'm in the closet now is when Portia and I play hide and seek ... I think about what the next 25 years will bring, and I hope that we keep evolving. I hope, like a little tiny egg that turns into a caterpillar that then turns into a cocoon that eventually, emerges and spreads its big gay butterfly wings".

‘The Big Bang Theory’ actor came out as gay in the year 2012. On various occasions, he has opened up about how being gay has impacted his professional as well as personal life. Parsons in an interview with Attitude a UK-based lifestyle magazine expressed that he didn't anticipate the courage and happiness he acquired after coming out in 2012.

He stated that many people still disparage the LGBTQ population, and other public personalities also make offensive remarks about them. But after coming out, he felt a sense of strength and satisfaction that he had never anticipated. Despite the fact that primetime Emmy Award-winning actor's orientation has impacted him professionally, Parsons believes that it has also enlightened his work about the "layers" he must communicate as an artist.

Band member of The Rolling Stones Elton John revealed his bisexuality to a magazine in 1976, he was 29 years old and already a global phenomenon at the time. However, later the singer confessed that he was gay and very content being so.

In an interview with Variety, he said, “It’s wonderful to be gay. I love being gay. I do.” His first and only authorized memoir, 'Me' was published by Macmillan in which he said, “I think I wouldn’t have had the life I’ve had if I hadn’t been gay. And I’m very proud of that. I’m very proud that I can appreciate that ... Don’t let anybody torture you for being gay or for your sexuality.” ( Image courtesy: Instagram)

Kristen Stewart’s much-talked-about relationship with Robert Pattinson, and the subsequent public shaming that she faced when she cheated on her Twilight co-star with a then-married film-maker, Rupert Sanders had a significant impact on her public persona.

However, she did focus on her work and has over the years solidified her position in Hollywood as one of the best young actresses. Apart from Stewart’s love life, her orientation has also been fodder for tabloids with many people speculating that she is bisexual. On various occasions, the actress dodged the question of being a lesbian and when she replied she stated that it wouldn’t be true to herself to announce that she is coming out. However, in 2019, Kristen and her girlfriend Dylan made it Instagram official.

The ‘Westworld’ actor Tessa Thompson commented that she was attracted to both genders in an interview with Net-A-Porter in 2018. She also revealed that she has a close relationship with Janelle Monáe after her participation in Monae's last album, ‘ Dirty Computer ’, which was released in April 2018.

In an interview with Porter magazine, Thompson revealed that she identified herself as pansexual. She said, “ After reading a lot about pansexuality I was like, ‘Oh, these are things that I identify with too ... I'm open to learning more about who I am." (Image courtesy: Instagram)

Miley Cyrus, the 29-year-old singer, is not one to hold back when discussing her sexuality. The singer has always been a voice for the LGBTQ community and frequently spoken openly about her relationships and sex life.

However, in the initial years, although the fans thought that she was straight and rooted for her on-and-off tumultuous relationship with Liam Harmsworth after the couple split, the singer was spotted dating a woman. The singer, later, has been clear on several occasions that she identifies as queer.

"Like if I'm going to be with a girl, I'm down to be with a boss bitch who's as successful, or more successful than me; that's cool, too," she revealed while discussing her preference for same-sex relationships with the People. (Image courtesy: Instagram )

‘Cheap Thrills’ singer came out as part of the LGBTQ community in 2013 via a tweet saying “I’m queer. I don’t identify as a lesbian because I’ve dated men predominantly. But I’ve certainly dated women.”

She also wrote an open letter supporting the queer community for Billboard’s ‘Love Letter to the LBTQ community’ series, in which she wrote about the struggles she faced and the community in general. "I am so very grateful for my queer community and would have withered away long ago without them, the 46-year-old singer added "Specifically my manager David, who has held my hand for 12 years, through light and dark. He recently came out publicly as HIV positive, and the transformation of his shame into self-acceptance has been magic to watch. I am so happy and proud of him."

‘How I Met Your Mother actor Neil Patrick Harris has come out as gay in 2006 November during a People’s magazine interview. In the interview, he said, " I am happy to dispel any rumours or misconceptions and am quite proud to say that I am a very content gay man living my life to the fullest and feel most fortunate to be working with wonderful people in the business I love," the actor said.

The actor started dating his husband in 2004 and welcomed two children through surrogacy in 2010. The duo got married on September 6, 2014, in Italy. (Image courtesy: Instagram)

‘Too good at goodbyes’ singer Sam Smith didn’t waste any time announcing that he was out and proud after his debut album 'In the Lonely hour’ was released. The singer came out as gay and has in many instances said that he wishes to advocate for homosexual children.

In an interview with Sunday Times in 2017, he revealed that he feels as much like a woman as he does like a man. On occasions, the singer has also talked about the ‘barrier’ that many LGBTQ+ community members feel, however, despite that he felt secure enough to explain what genderqueer identification meant to him. Smith has dated actor Brandon Flynn, best known for his work on the television series ‘13 Reasons Why’ in the past. (Image courtesy: Instagram)