Even in 2026, the coming out process can be fraught. From fans trying to shove stars out of the closet (we’re looking at you, Heated Rivalry fans) to the current political climate where conservatives are trying to strip LGBTQ+ people of their rights, there are valid reasons to worry about coming out.
However, that’s even more reason to celebrate when someone acts courageously and decides to live out loud and proud in the public eye. Coming out publicly not only allows celebs to live a more authentic life, but they also become a beacon of hope for young queer people struggling with their identity.
Last year, 39 celebrities came out of the closet and announced to the world that they are proudly queer. This included Airyn De Niro, Drag Race star Valentina, Jack Haven, Supriya Ganesh, Barry Diller, Lara Rajagopalan, and even Paul Reubens, who came out posthumously in a documentary about his life and career as Pee-wee Herman.
So meet all of the celebs who have bravely come out as LGBTQ+ in 2026 — so far!
Dayna Kathan
Reality TV-enjoying sapphics, rejoice! Vanderpump Rules star Dayna Kathan came out as a lesbian in honor of Pride.
“Shout out to my fellow late in life lesbians!! HAPPY PRIDE!!!” Kathan wrote in a June 7 Instagram post, showing her sitting on a porch with her friends wearing a camisole top that says “GAY.”
Kathan initially came out as bisexual in 2019 during her tenure on Vanderpump Rules, and had conversations on screen with Ariana Madix about the two of them being “bi sisters” during an episode focusing on L.A. Pride.
Caleb Shomo
Caleb Shomo, the lead singer of the American metalcore/hard rock band Beartooth, came out as gay on May 23, 2026, after splitting with his wife of more than 13 years, Fleur Shomo.
"There's been a lot of speculation surrounding my personal life as of late and I feel compelled to set the record straight before it affects those I love any further," Shomo wrote via Instagram. "I am a proudly gay man."
Hayden Panettiere
Actress Hayden Panettiere came out as bisexual in an exclusive preview in Us Weekly for her memoir This Is Me: A Reckoning, which will be released on May 19.
“That’s something about me I was never able to share with the world, because it was just never the right time," she said of her sexuality. “It was either I was too young, and I was being forced to be perfect at all times. I was not encouraged to just be myself. Then came the period where it felt like people coming out, especially women, saying that they were bisexual or liked girls, was a fad.”
She continued: “I wanted to make sure that I really sat down and chose my words carefully and was able to tell my story in an honest way, that people understood. On one hand, it’s sad that I had to wait till I was 36 years old to share that part of me, but better late than never, right?”
Maraumi Yamazaki
Retired Japanese professional soccer player Maraumi Yamazaki rang in the new year by coming out as a trans man. In a January 1 Instagram post, Yamazaki said he “changed my gender on my legal documents, became a man, and married an incredibly wonderful woman,” according to a translation of the caption, although he actually transitioned “a while ago.”
Anna Camp
Pitch Perfect star Anna Camp came out casually last year in a TikTok video where she said, "Well, I don't expect anything from a guy anymore because I'm dating a woman, and it's great,” before gesturing to her girlfriend Jade Whipkey.
She came out officially as bisexual in an episode of the I've Never Said This Before with Tommy DiDario podcast on March 10. "As a 43-year-old woman, I am very proud of myself for owning my sexuality at this age,” she said. “I am a very strong person for doing it in somewhat of a spotlight with people criticizing and judging and making assumptions. I'm really proud to be bisexual."
AJ Oglivy
Former Australian pro basketball star AJ Oglivy came out in January during a frank conversation with Isaac Humphries, the National Basketball League's only active, openly gay player. Oglivy, who retired in 2022, revealed that he married his longtime partner 18 months ago after dating for more than a decade.
“There’s now a place for us to have this conversation, to be able to talk as openly as this,” Oglivy said about why he decided to finally open up about his sexuality.
Marina Summers
Marina Summers, who was runner-up on the first season of Drag Race Philippines before becoming a finalist on Drag Race: UK vs. the World season two, came out in a moving Instagram post on February 7.
“From hereon, I'd love for you all to get to know me more as the woman I'm becoming,” she wrote. “Hello again my friends, it's me, Marina. There's still so much to learn. I don't have everything figured out. But I do know I want to be more honest with you and myself.”
Fontana
Brazilian-Swedish drag queen Gabriel Fontana Teixeira (better known as Fontana) starred on Drag Race Sverige season one and Drag Race: UK vs. the World season one before coming out as trans on January 23 in an interview on a Swedish talk show.
“I’m a trans woman, in case you didn’t know,” Fontana told the host. “I have been on a long journey to find myself. I pushed away all my feelings for so many, many years. So being a transgender child in Brazil was really, really tough because I was a little girl in a boy’s body.”
Tara Nova
Canada’s Drag Race star Tara Nova came out as a transgender woman in January in an Instagram post celebrating her 25th birthday.
“Today I turn 25. Today is also the day that I’ve decided I’m finally ready to open up about my own personal journey,” she in the caption. “This past year I’ve been medically transitioning, meaning I’ve been undergoing HRT, and doing it mostly under wraps until I worked up enough courage to let my family know. Now I’m ready for everyone to be on the same page.”
