Famous gay, lesbian Famous gay, lesbian or bisexual people – or bisexual people –

past and presentpast and present

A C BensonA C BensonAuthor Author

Writer of Land of Hope and GloryWriter of Land of Hope and Gloryson of the Archbishop of Canterbury, 2 of son of the Archbishop of Canterbury, 2 of

his brothers were also gayhis brothers were also gay

Radclyffe HallRadclyffe Hall

British poet and author of eight novels, British poet and author of eight novels, including the lesbian novel including the lesbian novel The Well The Well

of Lonelinessof Loneliness

Alan TuringAlan TuringBritish mathematician, computer British mathematician, computer

scientist and theorist – WW II code scientist and theorist – WW II code breakerbreaker

Alejandro AmenabarAlejandro AmenabarOscar winnerOscar winner

Widely considered one of the most important Widely considered one of the most important Spanish directors working today even though he has Spanish directors working today even though he has

directed only four films.directed only four films.

K D LangK D LangMusicianMusician

““Something in me broods love into fearSomething in me broods love into fearIt veils my vision leaves my thoughts unclearIt veils my vision leaves my thoughts unclear

I've been outside myself for so longI've been outside myself for so longEvery feeling I had is close to gone”Every feeling I had is close to gone”

Alexander the GreatAlexander the GreatKing of Macedon (336–323 BC), was one of King of Macedon (336–323 BC), was one of

the most successful military commanders in the most successful military commanders in history.history.

SapphoSappho

Ancient Greek lyric poetAncient Greek lyric poet The word The word lesbianlesbian itself is derived from the name of itself is derived from the name of

the island of Lesbos from which she came. (Her the island of Lesbos from which she came. (Her name is also the origin of its much rarer synonym name is also the origin of its much rarer synonym

sapphicsapphic.).)

Alfred KinseyAlfred KinseyScientistScientist

During this work, he developed a scale measuring During this work, he developed a scale measuring sexual orientation now known as the Kinsey Scale sexual orientation now known as the Kinsey Scale

which ranks from 0 to 6, where 0 is exclusively which ranks from 0 to 6, where 0 is exclusively heterosexual and 6 is exclusively homosexual.heterosexual and 6 is exclusively homosexual.

Andre GideAndre GideNobel LaureateNobel Laureate

((Nobel Prize for Literature in 1947 )Nobel Prize for Literature in 1947 )

““It is better to be hated for what you are than to be It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.”loved for what you are not.”

Martina NavratilovaMartina NavratilovaProfessional Tennis PlayerProfessional Tennis Player

Andy WarholAndy WarholArtistArtist

Alex ParksAlex ParksFame Academy winner Fame Academy winner in 2003in 2003

Mark FeehilyMark Feehily Westlife Westlife

Benjamin BritainBenjamin BritainComposerComposer

OOne of Britain's greatest composers and ne of Britain's greatest composers and musiciansmusicians

Amelie MauresmoAmelie MauresmoProfessional tennis playerProfessional tennis player

Brian DowlingBrian DowlingBig Brother WinnerBig Brother Winner

Daphne du MaurierDaphne du Maurier Best known for her short story "The Birds" and her Best known for her short story "The Birds" and her

classic novel classic novel RebeccaRebecca. Both were adapted into . Both were adapted into films by Alfred Hitchcock. Passionate letters films by Alfred Hitchcock. Passionate letters written between Gertrude Lawrence and Du written between Gertrude Lawrence and Du

Maurier were published in a 1993Maurier were published in a 1993

biography of Du Maurier and she reportedly had an biography of Du Maurier and she reportedly had an infatuation for the wife of her American publisher, infatuation for the wife of her American publisher,

Ellen Doubleday Ellen Doubleday

Bayard RustinBayard Rustin Civil rights and gay activist, best known as the Civil rights and gay activist, best known as the

organiser of the 1963 March on Washington organiser of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. During the march, King for Jobs and Freedom. During the march, King

delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.

Brian PaddickBrian PaddickBritish Police Commander British Police Commander

openly gayopenly gay

Colonel Dr.Margarethe CammermyerColonel Dr.Margarethe CammermyerHighest ranking out USA Military OfficerHighest ranking out USA Military Officer

In 1994 she published her autobiography In 1994 she published her autobiography Serving in Serving in SilenceSilence, which was made into a TV movie starring , which was made into a TV movie starring Glenn Close. The movie won a Peabody and three Glenn Close. The movie won a Peabody and three

Emmy awards.Emmy awards.

Christopher MarloweChristopher MarloweWriterWriter

““Was this the face that launch’d a thousand ships,Was this the face that launch’d a thousand ships,And burnt the topless towers of Ilium?” And burnt the topless towers of Ilium?” Faustus.Faustus.

Claire BaldingClaire BaldingSports PresenterSports Presenter

E M ForsterE M ForsterWriter of Howards End, A passage to India, A Writer of Howards End, A passage to India, A

room with a viewroom with a view

“I would rather be a coward than brave “I would rather be a coward than brave because people hurt you when you are brave”because people hurt you when you are brave”

Ellen DeGeneresEllen DeGeneresComedianComedian

April 1997 Ellen DeGeneres (and her character on April 1997 Ellen DeGeneres (and her character on the show Ellen) came out of the closet on national the show Ellen) came out of the closet on national television. On September 7, 2006, DeGeneres was television. On September 7, 2006, DeGeneres was

chosen to host the 79th Academy Awards ceremony, chosen to host the 79th Academy Awards ceremony, which took place on February 25, 2007. This makes which took place on February 25, 2007. This makes her the first openly gay person to have hosted the her the first openly gay person to have hosted the

event.event.

Eoin O’ DuffyEoin O’ DuffyIrish Police Commissioner – aide to Irish Police Commissioner – aide to

Michael Collins. Michael Collins.

Ferdinand 1 of BulgariaFerdinand 1 of BulgariaTsarTsar

Ferdinand's bisexuality was both well-known and Ferdinand's bisexuality was both well-known and exploited throughout European diplomatic circles. exploited throughout European diplomatic circles. His regular holidays on Capri, then a famous haunt His regular holidays on Capri, then a famous haunt for wealthy gay men, was common knowledge in for wealthy gay men, was common knowledge in

royal courts throughout Europe.royal courts throughout Europe.

Will Young Will Young

WonWon UK Pop Idol contest 2002UK Pop Idol contest 2002

Sheryl SwoopesSheryl SwoopesProfessional Basketball PlayerProfessional Basketball Player

Nike’s Air Swoopes named after herNike’s Air Swoopes named after her

G H HardyG H Hardymathematicianmathematician

Known for his achievements in number Known for his achievements in number theory and mathematical analysis.theory and mathematical analysis.

George Michael and Elton JohnGeorge Michael and Elton JohnMusiciansMusicians

Nancy CookNancy Cookand Ethel Smythand Ethel Smyth

suffragettes suffragettes

Gianni VersaceGianni Versaceand Jean Paul Gaultierand Jean Paul Gaultier

DesignersDesigners

Graham ChapmanGraham ChapmanEnglish comedian, actor, writer and English comedian, actor, writer and

physician.physician.

He was one of the six Monty Python members and He was one of the six Monty Python members and lead actor in their two narrative films, playing King lead actor in their two narrative films, playing King Arthur in Arthur in Monty Python and the Holy GrailMonty Python and the Holy Grail and Brian and Brian

in in Life of BrianLife of Brian..

Greta GarboGreta GarboActressActress

Greta Garbo and fellow actress Greta Garbo and fellow actress Mimi Mimi Pollak became Pollak became involved in an affair at Drama school. Circumstances involved in an affair at Drama school. Circumstances

did not allow the two to continue the relationship, did not allow the two to continue the relationship, Garbo went on to become involved with several other Garbo went on to become involved with several other Hollywood actresses, though keeping her sexuality a Hollywood actresses, though keeping her sexuality a secret. As recorded in her personal writings Garbo secret. As recorded in her personal writings Garbo

remained in love with Pollak until her death in 1990.remained in love with Pollak until her death in 1990.

HadrianHadrianRoman EmperorRoman Emperor

Initiated building of Hadrian’s WallInitiated building of Hadrian’s Wall

Ivor NovelloIvor NovelloActorActor

The The Ivor Novello AwardIvor Novello Award is a prize awarded for is a prize awarded for songwriting, named for Ivor Novello, and awarded songwriting, named for Ivor Novello, and awarded each year by the record industry to song writers each year by the record industry to song writers

and arrangers rather than the performing artistes.and arrangers rather than the performing artistes.

SkinSkin

Former lead singer of rock group Former lead singer of rock group Skunk Anansie Skunk Anansie

James 1 of EnglandJames 1 of England(James VI Scotland)(James VI Scotland)

AuthorisedAuthorised an official translation of the Bible, an official translation of the Bible, which came to be known as the King James which came to be known as the King James Bible (published in 1611). Responding to Bible (published in 1611). Responding to

deflect the growing criticism over his sexuality deflect the growing criticism over his sexuality James adopted a severe stance towards James adopted a severe stance towards

sodomy using English law.sodomy using English law.

Jane AddamsJane AddamsFirst American female Nobel Peace First American female Nobel Peace

Prize WinnerPrize Winner

Jean Michael BasquaitJean Michael BasquaitArtistArtist

In 1981, he catapulted from being an unknown nineteen year-In 1981, he catapulted from being an unknown nineteen year-old graffiti writer to becoming one of the most successful, old graffiti writer to becoming one of the most successful, controversial, glamorous artists in the world. By 1988, he controversial, glamorous artists in the world. By 1988, he

was dead at the age of 27. In 1996 his story was made into a was dead at the age of 27. In 1996 his story was made into a movie under the title 'Basquiat', with Jeffrey Wright as movie under the title 'Basquiat', with Jeffrey Wright as

Basquiat and David Bowie as Andy Warhol.Basquiat and David Bowie as Andy Warhol.

John BarrowmanJohn BarrowmanActor / PerformerActor / Performer

His most prominent television role has been the con man Jack His most prominent television role has been the con man Jack Harkness in Harkness in Doctor WhoDoctor Who and its spin-off series and its spin-off series TorchwoodTorchwood..

Pat St. ClementsPat St. ClementsActorActor

Pat from EastendersPat from Eastenders

Leonard BernsteinLeonard BernsteinComposerComposer

Leisha HaileyLeisha Hailey American actress, musician, and American actress, musician, and

producer.producer.

Most famous for playing Alice Pieszecki, a bisexual journalist, Most famous for playing Alice Pieszecki, a bisexual journalist, on the on the The L WordThe L Word..

Brian Kennedy Brian Kennedy SingerSinger

Lord Alfred DouglasLord Alfred DouglasWriterWriter

"the Love that dare not speak its "the Love that dare not speak its

name”name”

Josephine BakerJosephine Baker American-born dancer, actress and singer.American-born dancer, actress and singer.

She became a citizen of France in 1937. She was so She became a citizen of France in 1937. She was so well known and popular that even the Nazis, who well known and popular that even the Nazis, who

occupied France during World War II were hesitant occupied France during World War II were hesitant to cause her harm. In turn, this allowed Baker to to cause her harm. In turn, this allowed Baker to

show her loyalty to her adopted country by show her loyalty to her adopted country by participating in the Underground. After the war, participating in the Underground. After the war, Baker was awarded the Croix de Guerre for her Baker was awarded the Croix de Guerre for her

underground activity.underground activity.

Lord ByronLord ByronPoetPoet

“ “Those who will not reason, are bigots, Those who will not reason, are bigots, those who cannot, are fools, and those who those who cannot, are fools, and those who

dare not, are slaves.”dare not, are slaves.”

Marlene DietrichMarlene DietrichActressActress

““I am at heart a gentleman.”I am at heart a gentleman.”

Noel CowardNoel CowardWriterWriter

““It is discouraging how many people are shocked by honesty It is discouraging how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceitand how few by deceit.”.”

Oscar WildeOscar WildeWriterWriter

““Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.” him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.”

“The aim of life is self-development. To realise one's nature “The aim of life is self-development. To realise one's nature perfectly - that is what each of us is here for.” perfectly - that is what each of us is here for.”

“Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking “Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live.”others to live as one wishes to live.”

Sue PerkinsSue Perkins English television presenter, actress, English television presenter, actress,

and writer.and writer.

Prince Edmond de PolignacPrince Edmond de PolignacComposerComposer

Married Married Winnaretta Eugenie Singer, Winnaretta Eugenie Singer, daughter of Isaac Singer, the sewing daughter of Isaac Singer, the sewing machine tycoon, who was a lesbian.machine tycoon, who was a lesbian.

Portia de Rossi Portia de Rossi ActressActress

Australian actress who is best known for her role as lawyer Australian actress who is best known for her role as lawyer Nelle Porter on the television series Ally McBeal, and as Lindsay Nelle Porter on the television series Ally McBeal, and as Lindsay

Bluth Fünke on the television series Arrested Development.Bluth Fünke on the television series Arrested Development.

Sir Derek JacobiSir Derek JacobiActorActor

Jake Shears Jake Shears Vocalist for the American music group Vocalist for the American music group

the Scissor Sisters.the Scissor Sisters.

Sarah WatersSarah WatersWriter – Tipping the Velvet, Writer – Tipping the Velvet,

FingersmithFingersmith

Sir Ian McKellenSir Ian McKellenActorActor

Matt LucasMatt Lucas Actor, comedian, writerActor, comedian, writer

Virginia WoolfVirginia WoolfWriterWriter

““Different though the sexes are, they inter-mix. In every Different though the sexes are, they inter-mix. In every human being a vacillation from one sex to the other takes human being a vacillation from one sex to the other takes place, and often it is only the clothes that keep the male or place, and often it is only the clothes that keep the male or

female likeness, while underneath the sex is the very female likeness, while underneath the sex is the very opposite of what it is above.”opposite of what it is above.”

“If one could be friendly with women, what a pleasure - the “If one could be friendly with women, what a pleasure - the relationship so secret and private compared with relations relationship so secret and private compared with relations

with men. Why not write about it truthfully?”with men. Why not write about it truthfully?”

Stephen FryStephen FryComedian Comedian

““If ignorance is bliss, why aren't there more happy If ignorance is bliss, why aren't there more happy people in the world?”people in the world?”

Stephen TwiggStephen TwiggMPMP

He was the first gay man to be out at the time of He was the first gay man to be out at the time of their election to the House of Commons when he their election to the House of Commons when he was elected at the 1997 General Election, in that was elected at the 1997 General Election, in that

regard it proved a close contest for just 21 minutes regard it proved a close contest for just 21 minutes later Ben Bradshaw, also openly gay, was elected in later Ben Bradshaw, also openly gay, was elected in

Exeter.Exeter.

TrajanTrajanRoman EmperorRoman Emperor

Vita (Victoria Mary) Sackville- Vita (Victoria Mary) Sackville- WestWest

English poet and novelist English poet and novelist

Her most famous affair was with Virginia WoolfHer most famous affair was with Virginia Woolf

Leonardo Da VinciLeonardo Da VinciArtistArtist

At age 24, da Vinci was formally charged with At age 24, da Vinci was formally charged with sodomy.sodomy.

MichaelangeloMichaelangeloFrom 1490 to 1492, Michelangelo attended Lorenzo's From 1490 to 1492, Michelangelo attended Lorenzo's

school and was influenced by many prominent school and was influenced by many prominent people who modified and expanded his ideas on art, people who modified and expanded his ideas on art, following the dominant Platonic view of that age, and following the dominant Platonic view of that age, and

even his feelings about sexuality. He wrote the even his feelings about sexuality. He wrote the Veracci Sonnets - love poems to a younger man.Veracci Sonnets - love poems to a younger man.