12 members of iconic boy and girl groups who have come out as LGBTQ+

As the world generally gets more accepting of LGBTQ+ folks, coming out is getting easier. Just take a look at KATSEYE, the global girl-group sensation that has had two members come out ahead of the band's debut album.

But while that level of visibility is easier to navigate today, it was much more rare to see even just 30 years ago. Those who came out early in their lives and careers were considered to be quite brave, while others were outed and forced to be courageous. For those who got to choose, some simply delayed coming out until much later in their lives.

Here's a quick list of pop group legends who have come out as LGBTQ+.

Lance Bass (*NSYNC)

Lance Bass debuted in *NSYNC in 1995, and publicly came out as gay in 2006 in a People magazine cover story. Though he said he felt liberated and happy, he later shared that his coming out had a significant impact on his career and public image.

Raven-Symoné (Cheetah Girls)

Raven-Symoné might be known for a few iconic sitcoms, but she also had several hit movies and albums with the group Cheetah Girls. She publicly came out as gay in August 2013 with a tweet celebrating the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on same-sex marriage.

Jonathan Knight (New Kids on The Block)

Jonathan Knight, a member of the 1990s boy band New Kids on The Block, was outed in 2009 after an ex sold photos of the couple together to the National Enquirer. Knight later made a public statement about his sexuality.

Lauren Jauregui (Fifth Harmony)

Lauren Jauregui, a member of the 2010s girl group Fifth Harmony, publicly came out as bisexual in 2016 in a heartfelt letter in Billboard magazine.

Tevin Campbell (Black Men United)

Tevin Campbell, a member of the 1994 R&B group Black Men United and the voice of Powerline in The Goofy Movie, publicly came out as gay in August 2022.

Mel B (Spice Girls)

Mel B, one of the members of arguably the biggest girl group in the world, Spice Girls, opened up about her five-year relationship with a woman in 2024.

Stephen Gately (Boyzone)

Irish boy band Boyzone first debuted in 1993, and a few years later, in 1999, member Stephen Gately made the remarkably brave decision to come out. Gately died of natural causes in 2009.

Lara Raj (KATSEYE)

Lara Raj opened up about her identity on Weverse, a Korean social media app. "I knew i was half fruitcake when i was like 8 so i really was wanting everybody," she shared in March 2025. "Honestly probably before 8. Isn’t 'half fruitcake' such a good way to explain it without saying it?"

Megan Skiendiel (KATSEYE)

KATSEYE's star Megan also shared her bisexual identity on a Weverse livestream, with the support of Raj. "Guys, I’m coming out. I’m bisexual," she said as the two bicons quite literally jumped for joy.

Duncan James (Blue)

English singer Duncan James starred in the boy group Blue, which produced three albums from 2000 to 2004. James came out as bisexual in 2009, then later identified as gay in a 2014 interview.

Tinashe (The Stunners)

Pop and R&B star Tinashe got her start in the 2007 girl group The Stunners, which disbanded in 2011 after she launched her solo career. Though she hinted about her queer identity early on, Tinashe opened up publicly in a 2020 cover story for Gay Times magazine.

Hayley Kiyoko (The Stunners)

Lesbian Jesus (a.k.a. Hayley Kiyoko) opened up about her sexuality in her 2015 viral hit single, "Girls Like Girls." She was one of the founding members of the short-lived girl group The Stunners.