There is real power when a celebrity is honest about their sexuality or gender identity, as it lets thousands of young gay people know they are not alone.
So to celebrate Coming Out Day (11 October), GSN has gathered together the stories of 14 celebrities who shocked the world when they were revealed who they really are.
Ellen DeGeneres
When Ellen DeGeneres came out as a lesbian in 1997 on an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show, and later on her sitcom, she didn’t work for three whole years.