15 major LGBTQIA+ moments in pop culture in 2018

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – SEPTEMBER 26: Alyson Stoner speaks onstage during the 2017 Streamy Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on September 26, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for dick clark productions)

Celebs that came out as queer

It seems like 2018 really was 20GayTeen, because a lot of stars took a leap and came out of the closet this year. As we progress as a society, one day it won’t be a big deal when celebs come out of the closet, but until then, we will still praise anyone who’s brave enough to live as their true self, especially in the spotlight.

Former Disney actress Alyson Stoner, also known as the “Missy Elliott girl” and one of the young stars of Cheaper By the Dozen, came out as bisexual in a moving essay for Teen Vogue. She said, “I, Alyson, am attracted to men, women, and people who identify in other ways. I can love people of every gender identity and expression. It is the soul that captivates me.” Another former Disney star who came out of the closet was Garrett Clayton, who chose to come out now because of his role in the film Reach, in which he played a suicidal high school student.

Glee star Kevin McHale opened up about being queer back in May, as did actor Lee Pace, Broad City’s Abbi Jacobson, Janelle Monae (more on her later), Amandla Stenberg, Panic! At the Disco’s Brendon Urie, singer Betty Who, Rita Ora (who released a song about her bisexuality, “Girls”), and another former Disney star, Josie Totah, who came out as a trans woman. There are plenty of other stars who came out too, singers, models, actors and more who all range from gay to pansexual.