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!
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.”
