(This post was inspired by AfterEllen’s recent article on influential celebrity coming out stories)

Why is it so important that LGBTQ celebrities are out and proud in the public eye? In our celebrity-obbsessed culture, the actions of one individual can be hugely influential. It sends out the message that it is normal to be lesbian/bi/gay/trans or queer and that you can still be successful, popular and happy whatever your sexuality or gender status. It also challenges the standard hetronormativity of the media, particularily sterotypes about LGBTQ people. It shows that being LGBTQ is not an exclusive definition of someone’s personality and most importantly, most out LGBTQ celebrities go on to campaign for equality.

However, unfortunately, many LGBTQ stars are held to old-fashioned and rigid double standards. For example, their is the ridiculous and outdated belief that gay men can’t play straight roles, despite the number of straight actors who play gay roles. Their is also the presumption that they are living a sordid lifestyle, as epitomised by Jane Moir’s offensive column on Stephen Gately’s death.  A Bisexual identity may be denied or ignored due to a long term relationship with a person of the opposite sex. LGBTQ celebrities are often pushed into sterotypes, which impacts upon their individualism and therefore the influence of their voice. The medias predominant interest in allowing white, hetrosexual, wealthy men to speak also means that when the boundaries of hetronormativity are pushed, those who are allowed to speak the most are…white, homosexual, wealthy men. Although their visibility can help us as a whole, their is still a great deal more diversity needed in LGBTQ celebrities.

With many celebrities coming out and celebrating their queer-ness recently, The New Yorks Times claims that it’s no big deal. However, many celebrities fear it will diminsh their fanbase and hurt their career. Some are advised not to come out by their managers or are seen as hetrosexual ‘sex symbols’ and therefore fear that they can only get work when they are percieved in this way. In our tabloid-based, celebrity romance obsessed society, the impact of coming out upon past tabloid romances can harm both parties. Therefore, it is often harder for celebrities to come out than it appears and some feel that is has harmed their career (however, how this can be blamed on being open about your sexuality and not on your acting or film choices remains to be seen!).

In my view, being in a public role carries a responsibility to set an example. In the words of Harvey Milk: ‘I hope that every professional gay will say ‘enough’, come forward and tell everybody, wear a sign, let the world know.’