Out and proud in 2025!While many people especially from younger generations may not see coming out as a big deal in 2025, its still a very significant moment for those who feel like they can finally embrace their truest selves.Coming out not only allows a person to live a more authentic life, but it also lets those with a spotlight show others what kinds of possibilities there are in life. It may be considered an aphorism today, but the phrase if you cant see it, you cant be it still holds a lot of truth.Celebrities who came out in 2024 included Maren Morris, Kelly Marie Tran, Tom Hollander, and Amanda Tori Meating. Meanwhile, high-profile individuals who came out in 2025 remind the world that coming out can still be a powerful tool for self-empowerment and raising awareness that LGBTQ+ people can look any way and come from anywhere.A new list of stars has embraced their most authentic selves in 2025. Read their stories ahead.Anna CampSee on InstagramKnown for starring in the Pitch Perfect movies and the Netflix show You, actor Anna Camp casually came out this year in a TikTok interview where she was asked what she expects from a guy on a date. "Well, I don't expect anything from a guy anymore because I'm dating a woman, and it's great," she answered, gesturing to her girlfriend Jade Whipkey.Paul ReubensSee on InstagramActor, comedian, and performer Paul Reubens, best known for his Pee-wee Herman character, came out in the documentary Pee-wee as Himself, which premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.Reubens, who passed away in 2023 at the age of 70, would often make veiled references to his sexuality late in his career, but didn't come out until the posthumous documentary.JoJo SiwaSee on InstagramDancer, singer, and reality star JoJo Siwa had a busy time coming out on Celebrity Big Brother UK this year. When Siwa joined the show, they updated their pronouns to "anything you feel on that day, whatever I look like, you can call me."Later on the show, they opened up about their gender. "Essentially, you have female, you have male. I've met a lot of females, love them, don't feel like I'm them. Met a lot of males, love them, definitely not them," she said. "Met a lot of people in my life that are nonbinary, and these beautiful nonbinary people are who I feel the most like."She also realized that she wanted to change her label. "I feel, like, so queer, do you know what I mean? I think that's the thing, I've always told myself I'm a lesbian, and I think here, I've realized: 'Oh, I'm not a lesbian, I'm queer.' And that's really cool," she said. "I'm switching letters! F**k the 'L,' I'm going to the 'Q'!"Airyn De NiroSee on InstagramDe Niro, the 29-year-old daughter of Academy Award-winning actor Robert De Niro, came out as a trans woman in a cover story for Them this year."I think a big part of [my transition] is also the influence Black women have had on me," De Niro explained. "I think stepping into this new identity, while also being more proud of my Blackness, makes me feel closer to them in some way."Taylor Jenkins ReidSee on InstagramTaylor Jenkins Reid is one of the most popular authors today, with hit books like 2017's The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, 2019's Daisy Jones and The Six, and her new novel, Atmosphere."My attraction to women is a room in the house that is my identity Alex [husband] understood this book was about me spending time in that room," the author told Time magazine about writing queer women characters. "He was so excited for me, like, 'What a great way for you to express this side of you.' And he helped me get the book to be as romantic and beautiful as it could be."AjaSee on InstagramRuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 10 star Aja had come out as a trans woman back in 2021, and this year, came out as bisexual. "Had the realization today that I am definitely bisexual and have been in denial about it," she wrote on X. "Welp. I guess I'm coming out. I'm bisexual."ValentinaSee on InstagramIn a post celebrating her 34th birthday, RuPaul's Drag Race superstar Valentina came out as a trans woman."Hello everyone, it's me Valentina Xunaxi. Today is my bday. I turn 34," she wrote on Instagram. "For some time now I've been in transition, I've been doing it privately but today I wanted to open and share with you all. Along the way I've felt pressure to come forward, so I've decided and wanted to take today to declare myself as a transgender woman. I welcome all the love, support and protection from my dear fans. Thank you so much."Tanner AdellSee on InstagramCountry singer Tanner Adell, who had the viral hit "Buckle Bunny" and was featured on Beyonc's Cowboy Carter album on the song "BLACKBIIRD," came out as pansexual."It's funny when people ask me my sexual orientation, but I feel like you should be able to hear that in my music," she said. "There's more of that coming."James TomSee on InstagramIn an essay for Them, comedian and writer James Tom came out with a new name and attraction to men."Testosterone allowed me to access a latent desire for men that had likely always existed, but felt impossible to realize as a 'woman.' As a boy, though, dick became ubiquitous," Tom wrote. "There are cathedrals everywhere for those with eyes to see. I took to f****try like a fish in water, and with my new gay surroundings came new ways for people to perceive me, and more importantly, new ways for me to perceive myself."Jack HavenSee on InstagramNonbinary actor Jack Haven, known for starring in films like I Saw the TV Glow and the Netflix show Atypical, announced a name change this year. "Haven is after my great great uncle, Haven Gillespie who was a songwriter known for the xmas hit 'Santa Clause is Coming to Town,' which he wrote on the subway in 15 minutes. and first name Jack has stuck," Haven wrote on Instagram. "Two years ago in a workshop led by @saman_arastoo I began using this name. I said I was using it in safe spaces. Saman said use it in dangerous spaces. So I use it in the mens bathroom."Lola YoungSee on InstagramBritish alt-pop singer Lola Young came out as bisexual in reply to a TikTok comment, saying "no man deserves this" posted on a video of her singing. "I like p***y as well u kno," Young replied.Supriya GaneshSee on InstagramActor Suprya Ganesh, who plays Dr. Samira Mohan on the hit HBO Max series The Pitt, opened up about being queer and using she/they pronouns in an interview with Variety this year."There are a couple of times where I'm existing outside of [femme-ness], and I don't always totally feel like I'm fitting into what I think is a very white-conceived perception of femininity," they said. "I also want queer brown women to look at me and know that that's someone they can turn to and relate to."Barry DillerThe billionaire media mogul and longtime husband of fashion icon Diane von Furstenberg came out as "bi with Di," saying he his gay and von Furstenberg is the only woman he's loved in his new memoir, Who Knew.BainSee on InstagramK-pop singer Bain, who is a member of the group JUST B, came out during a concert in April this year."All right, before I sing this next song, tonight I wanna share something with you guys," he said. "Im f**king proud to be part of the LGBTQ+ community." Bain then performed a cover of Lady Gaga's gay anthem "Born This Way."Teeny ChirichilloSee on InstagramChrichillo is a reality TV star who competed on Survivor and came out as trans in an essay for Cosmopolitan."I didn't come back to a spouse or a full-time career, like many of my castmates did, he said in the essay. "I didnt have a passion to replace the 15-year quest that was getting cast. When I think about my future, theres a lot of blurriness. But theres a lifelong accumulation of artifacts that has pulled my identity into focus, inside the museum of my own transness."Yared NuguseSee on InstagramThis Olympic runner, who won a bronze medal in the 1500-meter race at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, opened up about his sexuality and his current relationship this year.On an Instagram post showing pictures of him with another man, Nuguse wrote, "Introducing my boyfriend, Julian. Cant believe were already one year in my love (Dont act so surprised)."Lara RajagopalanSee on InstagramKnown professionally as Lara Raj, this singer and member of the group Katseye opened up about her sexuality on the social media platform Weverse. "I knew I was half fruitcake when i was like 8 so i really was wanting everybody," she wrote. "Honestly probably before 8. Isn't 'half fruitcake' such a good way to explain it without saying it?"Jade CareySee on InstagramGymnast Jade Carey, who has two gold medals and a bronze as a part of the 2020 and 2024 USA Gymnastics teams, came out as queer and revealed she is dating Aimee Sinacola, director of creative content for the University of Oregon Ducks.Jenny Blake Isabella (@) Isabella is a comic writer known for creating the DC character Black Lightning, as well as Marvel characters Misty Knight and Tigra. She came out as a trans woman this year at the age of 73. "Keep Calm and Yes I'm Transgender," she posted on social media.Alexis FloydSee on InstagramAlexis Floyd, known for playing Neff in the Netflix series Inventing Anna and Dr. Simone Griffith on Grey's Anatomy, opened up about her sexuality on the Made it Out podcast. After revealing that her father came out as gay in his 50s, she said, "So funnily enough, I was pretty closeted growing up. I've had relationships with people of all sorts of gender identities. So I myself, I'm still looking for a definition. I love the word queer because it sort of holds it all."Brianna ChickenfrySee on InstagramBrianna "Chickenfry" LaPaglia is a social media star and podcast host who previously dated country singer Zach Bryan. This year, she told her BFFs podcast cohost Josh Richards that she's not interested in having "a boyfriend, like, ever again," and added, "Everyone's saying I'm a lesbian, which is fine. I've dabbled for sure. Im thinking maybe girls is my play. I think that they're better, so maybe I really am fully a lesbian, so maybe thats why none of my relationships with men have worked out. But I don't know. Time will tell."Villads Raahauge JensenSee on InstagramDanish professional handballer and podcast host Villads Raahauge Jensen came out this year in a post on Instagram. "I am gay. Three words that should, in reality, be easy to say, but for many years, I've been afraid to be open about it," he said in his post.AndrzejStkaaSee on InstagramStkaa is a Polish ski jumper who took the bronze medal in the 2021 World Championships. He came out in an Instagram post honoring his late partner, who passed away in November."I wondered for a long time if I would ever find the strength to write these words. For years, I lived in the shadow of fear, in hiding, afraid that who I really am could destroy me," Stkaa wrote in a post about his partner of eight years. "Today, however, I don't want to run away anymore. I want you to really know me. I'm gay. For years, I hid it from the world from you, from the media, and sometimes even from myself."Draven BenningtonSee on InstagramBennington is the daughter of late Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington. She came out as trans in an Instagram post on Valentine's Day this year. "In August of last year, I decided to take the path of happiness and being true to myself," she wrote. "I came out as transgender and started hormone replacement therapy, and it has been the best decision I've ever made in my life," she continued.Gracie McGrawSee on InstagramMcGraw is the daughter of country stars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, and while her friends and family have known she is an "out and proud queer, bisexual woman" for a while, the public found out this year during Pride Month. McGraw posted on Instagram that tabloids were saying she "came out," but said she was already out and she has and "will always be very vocal about my support of LGBTQIA+ rights and the community."Jenni RoseSee on InstagramRose is the lead singer of the music group The Vandoliers. She came out as trans to Rolling Stone. "I've always been very arms-length with people because of this," she said. "I didn't want anybody to ever find out about it. For 26 years, Ive tried to be anything but a trans person, and it never went away."Kristen WestSee on InstagramWest is an influencer who came out as a lesbian on the last day of Pride Month this year. She was formerly a Christian influencer and got married to a man at age 23. Now, at age 28, she's come out and is starting her life all over again.Pimnara Rumruymunkong (@) Pimnara Rumruymunkong, also known as Latin, is a member of the Thai girl group CGM48. This July, she came out as a lesbian ahead of leaving the band.Aubrey Anderson-Emmons@aubreyandersonemmonshehe happy pride month and to all a good night #modernfamily #lily #pridemonth #pride #fyp #biAubrey Anderson-Emmons is an actress and singer best known for playing Lily Tucker-Pritchett on Modern Family when she was a child. This Pride Month, she came out as bisexual using a famous quote from the show.Gracie McGrawSee on InstagramGracie McGraw is the daughter of country music superstars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. She spoke about her bisexuality on Instagram, but didn't mean it as a coming out."Let me be VERY clear here," the 28-year-old artist continued in the post. "I've been an out and proud queer, bisexual woman, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I have and will always be very vocal about my support of LGBTQIA+ rights and the community, but thank you so much to these tabloids for shedding light that it's Pride Month!!!"Jinkx MonsoonSee on InstagramJinkx Monsoon is a drag, Broadway, and television superstar, and this year, came out as pan in an interview with Ziwe. In the interview, she was joking that people shout slurs at her. "I'm clearly a straight woman," Jinks said. "Well, pansexual. But I ain't no [slur]!"Cherry (@) South Korean singer Cherry used to be a member of the singing group Jwiiver. This year, she came out as a trans woman, making history as a K-pop star.Ally Bross and Mack FitzgeraldSee on InstagramWhen Ally Bross and Mack Fitzgerald signed up to be on the NBC reality competition show Destination X, neither of them thought they were attracted to women. Bross had identified as straight, and Fitzgerald identifies as asexual. Bross even had a showmance with a male contestant on the show. However, they started hanging out after the show ended, and eventually fell in love.ShygirlSee on InstagramShygirl is a DJ and rapper based in London, and this year, she opened up about her sexuality in a TikTok. In the video, she explained that she was recently tagged in a post listing "queer artists to know." "How did you guys know? Like, I never really came out," she said. "Did I do an interview? I sometimes forget what I said in interviews."Erik ShojiSee on InstagramShoji has been a star on the US men's volleyball team for the last decade. Now, the 35-year-old has come out as queer."I'm stronger, more confident, and more sure of myself than I've ever been," he said. "Given who I am and the platform that I have, this is my moment, and I'm so excited to move forward after this."Mitch BrownSee on InstagramFormer West Coast Eagles athlete Mitch Brown came out as bisexual in 2025 and made history as the first-ever male player in the Australian Football League (AFL) to identify as an out queer man.Julia FoxSee on InstagramWhen model and actor Fox came out in 2024, she was calling herself a lesbian, but this year, she's clarified that she now identifies as pansexual. However, that doesn't mean she's open to dating men. "I don't have to entertain men anymore," she said.Sawyer HemsleySee on InstagramSawyer Hemsley, the founder and Chief Branding Officer of Crumbl Cookies, came out this year after people started publicly discussing his sexuality on social media and videos."Over the past little while, there have been people online trying to define me, twist things, and share conversations in ways that feel harmful. Instead of letting others write my story, I want to share it in my own words," he wrote.The truth is, over the past few years, I've come to understand and accept that I'm gay. It's taken me a long time to really process this part of myself and even longer to feel comfortable enough to say it out loud. For most of my life, I didn't have the clarity to answer the questions or respond to the rumors. Coming to terms with it has been overwhelming and, at times, scary but it has also brought me peace, joy, and authenticity that I wouldn't trade for anything.