Pop Culture
TV & MoviesCelebrityBest of the InternetAnimalsMusicRewindBooksLGBTQQuizzes
LatestTrendingFoodLoveTriviaQuiz PartyShopping
LatestHomeFashionTechBeauty & Personal CareKidsPetsSex ToysSports & FitnessStoresSubscriptionsBuzzFeed MerchVideo
LatestCocoa ButterNEW!Mom In ProgressWorth ItUnsolved True CrimeUnsolved SupernaturalMultiplayerPero LikeCocoa ButterLifestyle
As/Is: StyleBringMe: TravelGoodful: WellnessNifty: DIYParentsFoodWeddingsSex And LoveNEW!Community
What is Community?Join Community!Featured PostsLeaderboardFrom Our Partners
Pride TimeYour Summer ObsessionsLove, PrideLaughing Out LoudCelebrate Black MusicHydrow The CurrentSan Diego, Happiness is CallingScience Will WinHoliday Cookie ShowdownIt's Your JourneyLive The LegendAbout
About UsAdvertiseInvestor RelationsJobsNewslettersEditionUSUKAustraliaBrasilCanadaDeutschlandIndiaJapanLatamCalifornia residents can opt out of "sales" of personal data.Do Not Sell My Personal Information © 2022 BuzzFeed, Inc PressRSSPrivacyConsent PreferencesUser TermsAccessibility StatementAd ChoicesHelpContactSitemapBuzzFeed NewsReporting on what you care about. We hold major institutions accountable and expose wrongdoing.BuzzFeed TastySearch, watch, and cook every single Tasty recipe and video ever - all in one place!BuzzFeed GoodfulSelf care and ideas to help you live a healthier, happier life.BuzzFeed Bring MeObsessed with travel? Discover unique things to do, places to eat, and sights to see in the best destinations around the world with Bring Me!BuzzFeed As IsSomething for everyone interested in hair, makeup, style, and body positivity.
LGBTQ·Posted 4 minutes ago28 Celebrities And Characters Who've Helped People Come Out To Their Friends And Family
"At every show, it’s like a little part of my soul gets stitched back together again. I am so thankful for her."
by Hannah DobrogoszBuzzFeed Staff
FacebookPinterestTwitterMailLink
We asked members of the BuzzFeed Community to tell us about the celebrities or characters who helped them understand their sexuality or gain some strength in coming out. Here are their touching stories:
1. "Stephanie Beatriz as Rosa Diaz in Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Her bisexuality became a major storyline in the last couple of seasons. There was an episode that focused on her coming out to her parents and their reactions, and it was SO similar to what I went through in high school. The episode brought me to tears and helped me talk more about my struggle with acceptance.
"I’ve been more open and honest about who I am because of Stephanie’s portrayal of that character and as she shares her own similar story with the world."
—Anonymous
Araya Doheny via Getty Images / NBC
2. "Tyler Oakley provided so many closeted LGBTQ+ youth (including myself) with a safe space to willingly tap into a community. Tyler not only showcased that it's okay to be out and proud, but also that it can be tied to uplifting success. Every birthday, he raised money for The Trevor Project, and it flashed the harsh reality facing so many LGBTQ+ youth. He gave me the courage to use the platform and relationships I had to uplift the LGBTQ+ community, especially our youth."
—Anonymous
Jamie Mccarthy / Getty Images
3. "I still haven’t come out to my mom for lots of reasons, but it was Lady Gaga who helped me come to terms with being bisexual. It was something I had struggled with since I was in middle school but always repressed out of fear. A few years ago, I started listening more to Lady Gaga’s music and the song 'Born This Way' made me feel so comfortable with myself and my sexuality, which was something I had never felt.
"And, just her as a person in general made me feel more confident in myself. I was able to come out online and talk about being bi for the first time. I love her so much and will always be grateful for her."
—kielilougheedj
Rich Fury / Getty Images for The Recording Academy
4. "Maya Hawke's portrayal of Robin Buckley from Stranger Things. Her coming out scene really helped me accept who I am and helped me feel comfortable coming out to others. If I could say one thing to her, it would be thank you."
—Anonymous
Steve Granitz / FilmMagic via Getty Images / Netflix
5. "I realized I liked both boys and girls around middle school. My parents are very religious, and I kept this to myself for a very long time. While going to church, I heard about how awful being LGBTQ+ was from the people around me. Then, fast forward to when Schitt’s Creek became my safe space. Seeing the world Dan Levy created where being queer was normal was just so comforting. Specifically, the episode where Patrick comes out to his parents is my favorite thing ever. I cried, and I never really cry at TV shows or movies. This show helped me learn that not everyone feels the way a lot of Christians do. I’ve been out for almost a year now, and it feels amazing to be able to be myself finally. Thanks, Dan Levy!!"
—hopesnider
"My mother was confused about how anyone could be just queer. Not straight, not gay, not lesbian, but queer — somewhere in between like bi/pan. She said I needed a label, when, to this day, I still don’t feel like one fits me besides queer. Sexuality is fluid after all. She started watching Schitt’s Creek while I was away at university. She called me and said, 'Honey, there’s a character (David Rose) who is just like you. He has this fantastic analogy about wine and how he likes red, white, and rosé! I get it now, and I want you to know that I’m sorry. I just didn’t understand it before. I love you.' She bought me a shirt with his line, 'I’m into the wine, not the label,' and now calls me to ask me which items I want from various Pride collections. Thank you, David (Dan Levy), for giving me my momma back."
—nikkil4a43f5148
"Dan Levy. I am not pan, but the character of David Rose helped me realIze that there were many different sexualities beyond heterosexual, homosexual, and bisexual. I had always felt different in terms of my sexuality, and David inspired me to start researching other sexualities to see if I identified with any of them. I came across asexuality and finally realized who I was. I immediately came out to my family because I was so happy about it. It wouldn’t have happened without David Rose and Dan Levy."
—coolshades51
Jemal Countess via Getty Images / Pop TV
6. "Natasha Lyonne in But I’m a Cheerleader. I was super into her voice, and of course, she’s gorgeous, but I think seeing someone go through their coming out experience as a high femme person with another girl was something I could really relate to."
—Anonymous
Emma McIntyre via Getty Images / Lionsgate Films
7. "Troye Sivan really helped me come out as bisexual. I knew that I was bi for a long time before I came out, and even had a girlfriend for a couple years, but that was hidden. During lockdown in 2020, I was thinking about coming out to my family (who are very religious) and eventually coming out publicly. I watched the movie Boy Erased and found myself listening to more and more Troye (I was already a huge fan), but kept listening to 'HEAVEN' over and over again.
"One afternoon, after having it on repeat, I asked to talk to my mum and came out to her. Without that song and Troye inspiring me to live my truth, I don't think I would have been able to come out to her. So, with all of my heart, I thank you, Troye Sivan."
—Anonymous
Michael Kovac / Getty Images for Elton John AIDS Foundation
