Cinema's LGBTQ Pioneers

Special LGBTQ Culture
Cinema’s LGBTQ Pioneers
Slide Nr 1
Millions of people around the world will feel something missing from this summer, as the pandemic means LGBTQ Pride festivals have had to be cancelled for our safety. However, Pride can be celebrated all year round, anywhere in the world – including Hollywood. Here we celebrate the LGBTQ+ performers that paved the way for more acceptance in the film industry, pushing aside perceptions in the name of progress, representation and authenticity. While there may still be a ways to go, these stars have already made their mark.

By Victoria Luxford

0/12
Special LGBTQ Culture
Cinema’s LGBTQ Pioneers.
Slide Nr 2
Divine (1945-1988) – An icon of cult cinema thanks to roles in John Waters films such as Pink Flamingos and the original Hairspray, Divine was likely to be many mainstream audiences’ first introduction to drag, forging a career as both an actor and singer in his female persona, christened Divine by Waters. Once described by People magazine as “Miss Piggy for the blissfully depraved,” Divine’s reputation for shock belied a natural comic talent. In 1988, at the peak of his fame with Hairspray, and the night before he was due to tape a guest appearance on hit sitcom Married… with Children, Divine passed away aged just 42. Despite never being able to build on that mainstream success, Divine’s influence lives on, even in so-called family-friendly circles – he was, reportedly, the inspiration behind the animated villain Ursula in 1989’s The Little Mermaid.

1/12
Special LGBTQ Culture
Cinema’s LGBTQ Pioneers.
Slide Nr 3
Billy Porter (1969-present) – The category is… Brilliance! The talented singer and dancer makes headlines for his flawless, gender-skewing red carpet looks, but makes history for his acting in shows such as Pose, musicals like Kinky Boots, and soon the film world with an appearance in a forthcoming adaptation of Cinderella. The all-round entertainer, the first ever openly gay black man to win a lead actor Emmy, is also an outspoken activist for LGBTQ and racial diversity, inspiring millions to be their authentic selves and live with pride.

2/12
Special LGBTQ Culture
Cinema’s LGBTQ Pioneers.
Slide Nr 4
Rupert Everett (1959-present) – For many actors in the past, coming out was considered an occupational hazard, given the prejudice that has surrounded the LGBTQ community around the world. For British actor Rupert Everett, coming out in the late ‘80s made him somewhat unique in Hollywood circles – and in his view was a factor in why his career took a while to take off, finding hits with films like My Best Friend’s Wedding, Shrek and Stardust. Everett doesn’t regret his decision, however, remarking in a 2009 Guardian interview that “I may not be as rich or successful, but at least I’m vaguely free to be myself.”

3/12
Special LGBTQ Culture
Cinema’s LGBTQ Pioneers.
Slide Nr 5
Sir Ian McKellen (1939-present) – A celebrated theatre and film actor, McKellen is a true groundbreaker for LGBTQ activism. One of the founders of UK charity Stonewall, he came out as gay in 1988 while campaigning against the controversial Section 28 act in UK law, which prohibited teaching about homosexuality in schools. Despite the perceived risks to his career at a less enlightened time, McKellen was open about who he was and has campaigned ever since – and is still going on to even greater success with projects such as X-Men and The Lord of the Rings films. A leader when one was truly needed, McKellen’s contribution to LGBTQ representation and progress cannot be underestimated.

4/12
Special LGBTQ Culture
Cinema’s LGBTQ Pioneers.
Slide Nr 6
Asia Kate Dillon (1984-present) – Dillon may not be as well-known as the rest of the actors on this list, but they impacted the history of the small screen when they became the first non-binary actor to play a main character on a North American show, as part of drama Billions. In 2019 they made the jump to the big screen, playing The Adjudicator opposite Keanu Reeves in John Wick: Chapter 3. Acting is still seen as a binary occupation, particularly when it comes to awards season. However, Dillon’s continued success may force voters to evolve.

5/12
Special LGBTQ Culture
Cinema’s LGBTQ Pioneers.
Slide Nr 7
Daniela Vega (1989-present) – A rising star whose breakthrough moment was also significant for the LGBTQ community, Vega starred in A Fantastic Woman, the captivating 2017 drama about a transgender woman dealing with grief and prejudice following the death of her boyfriend. The role saw her nominated for many awards, and she become the first transgender person to be a presenter at the 2018 Oscars. As a cast member of the Netflix series Tales of the City, she continues to entertain and inspire.

6/12
Special LGBTQ Culture
Cinema’s LGBTQ Pioneers.
Slide Nr 8
Ellen DeGeneres (1958-present) – The actor, comedian and TV host rocked America in 1997 when, at the height of her fame with sitcom Ellen, she came out as gay. The first celebrity to do so on such an international stage, DeGeneres became a lightning rod for both celebration and prejudice. Nearly 25 years on, she is a happily married media mogul and one of the most powerful people in show business, with her own long-running talk show and film credits, such as Finding Nemo and its sequel, Finding Dory. She is also considered a pioneer, one of the first to step into the harsh public spotlight and be true to who they are.

7/12
Special LGBTQ Culture
Cinema’s LGBTQ Pioneers.
Slide Nr 9
Billy Haines (1900-1973) – The name may not be immediately familiar to modern movie fans, but Haines earns a place on this list due to his strength and defiance in the difficult time that he was living. A popular movie star, Haines was ‘outed’ as gay following an arrest in 1933. He was given an ultimatum by the powerful studio he worked for: enter a marriage of convenience with a woman, or never work again. He chose the latter, staying with his partner for 47 years until his death and launching a successful interior design career, with many movie stars as clients. Faced with an unthinkable choice, Haines chose love and happiness over fame and fortune.

8/12
Special LGBTQ Culture
Cinema’s LGBTQ Pioneers.
Slide Nr 10
Evan Rachel Wood (1987-present) – Bisexuality can often be under-represented in society, as a bisexual person’s relationship may trigger assumptions that they are either gay or straight. However, there are bi celebrities in entertainment who are flying the flag proudly, one of which is Evan Rachel Wood. The actor, who stars in Westworld and appeared in last year’s Frozen II, has been open about her sexual orientation and provided visibility in the modern entertainment landscape. “As an actor, my job is to look at a stranger and find myself in them,” she remarked in a speech. “It wasn’t until I saw the effect that it had on other people that I really started to see how powerful really allowing your most vulnerable parts to be seen was. I saw another side to what I did, and it was the power of visibility.”

9/12
Special LGBTQ Culture
Cinema’s LGBTQ Pioneers.
Slide Nr 11
Wanda Sykes (1964-present) – A beloved American comedian for several decades, Wanda Sykes became a star thanks to her stand-up and film appearances in the Ice Age and Bad Moms franchises. Focusing her satirical lens on political issues, she is also open about being gay – having come out in her 40s – and has campaigned for many LGBTQ rights issues in the US. About being out, she remarked in a 2011 CNN interview that “(there’s) absolutely nothing to hide. I mean, I am what I am and this is it.”

10/12
Special LGBTQ Culture
Cinema’s LGBTQ Pioneers.
Slide Nr 12
Elliot Page (1987-present) – For someone who becomes famous at a young age, discovering your sexuality and the road to coming out takes on an extra level of difficulty. For Elliot Page, the star of Juno and Inception, coming out wasn’t a case of having a talk with family or friends, it involved addressing a vast audience of millions watching around the world. His 2014 speech to the Human Rights Campaign’s ‘Time To Thrive’ conference was his first public disclosure that he’s gay; then, in December 2020, he came out as trans in a message to his millions of Instagram followers. Page has also taken the opportunity to create a more diverse career, producing the Vice TV show Gaycation, as well as playing LGBTQ characters in films such as Freeheld.

11/12
Special LGBTQ Culture
Cinema’s LGBTQ Pioneers.
Slide Nr 13
Rock Hudson (1925-1985) – We end with a star who sadly could not change perceptions during his lifetime, but his death would be a wake up call. The leading man made his name in the ‘50s and ‘60s starring in romantic comedies with Doris Day, and action movies such as Ice Station Zebra. In 1984 he became one of the first high-profile names to be diagnosed with AIDS, at a time when the disease was still relatively new to public consciousness and was stigmatised heavily. Hudson, a gay man who had kept his sexuality secret from the public, passed away in 1985. His death was tragic, but created an awareness of the scale of what was to become a global crisis, prompting millions in funding from the film industry, and a greater push for awareness. #PrideMonth

12/12
Editor's Choice
8 LGBTQ Films You Need To See This Pride Month
Celebrate Pride Month with these inspiring, uplifting and important LGBTQ films, recommended by key figures in the LGBTQ community

The Top Movie Trends Of The 2020s
From new technology to genre revivals, film-making has come a long way in the past decade. We gaze into our crystal ball to see what the next 10 years may have in store

No Comments

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.

Quiz: Are You Ready To Embrace Audiobooks?

To listen or to read: that is the question currently rocking the world of book lovers. Not sure if audiobooks are for you? It’s time to find out

5 Minutes With… Audiobook Narrator Edoardo Ballerini

Audiobooks scratch an itch as old as time: the desire to be told a story. Audiobook narrator Edoardo Ballerini shares his insights on a new approach to an ancient tradition

Amazing Audiobooks: 20 Books That Must Be Heard, Not Read

Ready to make the switch from the printed page to the spoken word? Check out our list of amazing audiobooks you won’t want to pause

Quiz: What Cool Arts & Crafts Are Best Suited To The Kids In Your Life?

Parenting a tiny Picasso, Marie Curie or just a little ball of endless energy? Either way, you may need some guidance in picking the next arts & crafts project – let us help

Little Books, Big Issues: 20 Books To Help Children Process Tough Topics

Books don't just help kids learn about the world, they also help them process it. From war to puberty, these titles help kids explore life's trickiest and toughest topics

10 Ways To Help Kids Connect To Nature

Big or small, everyone can benefit from immersion in nature. We look at a few fun ways kids can explore the natural world – and gain an appreciation for the environment

Creative Woodworking: The Art And Craft Of Sophie Sellu

Woodworking artist Sophie Sellu talks art vs crafts, pandemic silver linings, and discovering her inner creative

Going With The Grain: Aleksandra Zee On Making Wood Into Art

The eye of an artist and the heart of an artisan: California-based Aleksandra Zee shares her passion for working with wood as a living, organic medium

Wildness And Warmth: The Woodworks Of Benjamin Planitzer

In the studio of woodworking artist Benjamin Planitzer, the wood does the talking. Here he muses on how the medium guides him – and what it means to create art

Home Of The Rings: How New Zealand Made Movie History

Hobbiton is a place on earth: From the green hills of the Shire to the wastelands of Mordor, we examine how one country shaped a film series – and was shaped by it in turn

5 Minutes With... The Lord Of The Rings Star David Wenham

The character actor discusses Gollum, Faramir’s story arc, and what it’s like to play a part in one of the biggest and most revered film trilogies of all time

Why The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy Are The Greatest Films Of The 21st Century

From epic adventures to technological innovations: film critic James Luxford makes the case for considering 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy among cinema's greatest

Special LGBTQ Culture

Cinema’s LGBTQ Pioneers

0/12

Special LGBTQ Culture