With every passing year, new celebrities come out as queer and new relationships begin, but also, some beloved stars pass away.
These actors, entertainers, activists, writers, and celebrities will be dearly missed as we move into 2026 without them. Here are the queer stars who passed away in 2025.
Related: Remembering the icons and celebs who passed in 2024
Jiggly Caliente
Bianca Castro-Arabejo, better known as the drag queen Jiggly Caliente, passed away at the age of 44 in April.
"A luminous presence in the worlds of entertainment and advocacy, Jiggly Caliente was celebrated for her infectious energy, fierce wit, and unwavering authenticity," her family stated on her Instagram page. "She touched countless lives through her artistry, activism, and the genuine connection she fostered with fans around the world."
Miss Major Griffin-Gracy
Miss Major Griffin-Gracy serving as grand marshal at the 2024 NYC Pride March
Rob Kim/Getty Images
Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, a transgender activist and speaker who had been involved in the queer rights movement since Stonewall, died at the age of 78 in October.
Griffin-Gracy participated in the 1969 Stonewall uprising and had a long life fighting for trans rights.
Giorgio Armani
Giorgio Armani walks the runway during the Giorgio Armani Prive Spring io 2019 show as part of Paris Fashion Week
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
Giorgio Armani, an iconic fashion designer, passed away this year at the age of 91. Armani is considered one of the great fashion designers of all time.
Andrea Gibson
Gisbon, a celebrated spoken word poet known for her pieces about identity, life, and love, passed away at the age of 49 on July 14 after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2021.
"Not long ago, Andrea wrote a poem titled 'Love Letter From the Afterlife.' In it, they offered this line: 'I am more here than I ever was before. I am more with you than I ever could have imagined.' Today, and all days forward, we hope you feel Andrea’s enormous spirit and immense presence beside you," a post on Gibson's Facebook page reads.
Jill Sobule
Bisexual musician Jill Sobule passed away in a house fire at the age of 66 in May. She was best known for the 1995 sapphic anthem, "I Kissed a Girl."
Anthony Geary
Actor Anthony Geary accepts an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Jesse Grant/Getty Images for NATAS
Geary, known for playing Luke Spencer on the popular soap opera General Hospital, passed away at the age of 78 in December due to complications from a scheduled operation three days earlier. He began playing Luke on General Hospital in 1978 and was nominated for 16 Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama, winning a record eight times.
William Finn
William Finn
David Buchan/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images
Tony-winning writer and composer of the musicals Falsettos and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, William Finn, passed away in April at the age of 73. He is survived by his life partner, Arthur Salvadore.
The Vivienne
The Vivienne, who won the first season of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, passed away in January in their home in Chester, U.K. They died from the effects of ketamine use, causing a cardiac arrest.
Chad Spodick
'Finding Prince Charming's Chad Spodick
YouTube / Logo TVSpodick, who starred in the gay reality series Finding Prince Charming, passed away in December at the age of 42. He was one of 13 contestants on the 2016 Logo TV reality show. Spodick was one of the final five men on the show and left of his own accord after week 6.
"Our hearts are shattered as we share the devastating news of the loss of our beautiful, kind, and generous son, brother, and friend Chad," a fundraiser organized by his friend stated.
Mr. X-Toon
Mr. X-Toon, an animator who turned Disney into gay fantasy, has died
post via instagram @magnus.l.alexander; picture via x.com @mr_xtoonInfluencer and artist Mr. X-Toon, known for his popular NSFW animations depicting male Disney characters in romantic and sexual pairings, passed away in August.
Jasmine International
Jasmine International, also known as Jasmine Jimenez, was a Puerto Rican trans icon and beloved drag entertainer. She passed away at the age of 46.
Scott Finn
Rhett Douglas Messerly, known by his fans as Scott Finn, was a popular adult film star. He died at the age of 27.
Wenne Alton Davis
Queer actor Wenne Alton Davis, known for appearances in shows like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Normal Heart, and Rescue Me, was killed in a traffic accident at the age of 60 in December.
Boss in Drama
Boss in Drama, also known as Peppa Oliveira, was a beloved and prolific Brazilian pop music producer. She was reported dead on February 1 at the age of 37.
AJ Bediako
AJ Bediako, one of the original Pit Crew members from RuPaul's Drag Race UK, passed away in May.
Colton Ford
Colton Ford, also known as Glenn Soukesian, passed away on May 19 at the age of 62. He was a legendary adult film star.
