Famous gay black actors

Five Black LGBTQ Actors on Representation In Hollywood

Representation for LGBTQ actors of tint has been given a bigger platform in recent years, thanks to the success of shows favor “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and “Pose,” and films enjoy the Oscar-winning “Moonlight.” But as the nuances surrounding diversity continue to enlarge and evolve, these “double minority” actors still often find themselves as spectators, in an industry where the desire to be seen can often outweigh the images being presented.

As we approach Black History Month in February, Variety spoke to five inky LGBTQ actors about their struggles for visibility in the industry, the shows, books and films that paved the way for them, and what needs to be done for more queer black voices to enter the arena.

What are some challenges you have had to deal with as a member of the LGBTQ community and a black actor in Hollywood?

Clark Moore, “Love Simon”
In the past, I definitely felt a severe lack of opportunity. I call to mind feeling like I was going on a fraction of the number of auditions as my colorless peers. In recent years, though, I’ve not

LGBTQ+ Black celebrities occupy every career in entertainment, redefining representation and breaking barriers while navigating the singular challenges of intersectional identities. Several actors, musicians, comedians, journalists, and athletes are both Black and gay— or lesbian, bisexual, lgbtq+, questioning, pansexual, non-binary, or transgender. This list of gay Black celebrities is loosely ranked by fame and popularity, highlighting individuals who not only stand out in their fields but also contribute to a broader cultural impact. Many renowned African Americans, such as Lena Waithe and Frank Ocean, have shared their experiences about the difficulties of coming out as gay within their collective, turning their personal journeys into watershed moments for societal acceptance. Their stories highlight both personal triumphs and the ongoing battle for equality at the intersection of race and sexuality, creating a vacuum for authentic expression in industries that have historically marginalized both Black and LGBTQ+ voices.

Who is the most famous person who is a gay Inky celebrity? Wanda Sykes tops our list. The Curb Your Enthusiasm actress and comedian publicly came out at a same-sex

The 50 Most Powerful LGBTQ Players in Hollywood

After 45 seasons, it's hard to believe there are any firsts left for Saturday Nighttime Live — but Yang arrived at 30 Rock in 2019 as the cast's first Chinese American castmember and only its third openly gay male. He's already made his identify on the show playing Kim Jong Un, Andrew Yang and Chinese economic official Chen "Trade Daddy" Biao. But it was a risque scene featuring Harry Styles as a horny Sara Lee social media manager — co-written by SNL alum Julio Torres — that made the biggest splash.

MY MENTOR IS "James Anderson, who held down the fort at SNL by writing so many queer sketches over the years that shaped my sensibility. He’s gone out of his way to be a good partner, and the same goes for B.D. Wong after I worked with him. It’s all crazy hope fulfillment."

I'LL FEEL GOOD ABOUT HOLLYWOOD'S LGBTQ REPRESENTATION WHEN "Cherry Jones hosts a prank show."

In creating the 2020 list of entertainment's most powerful LGBTQ players, THR focused on the talent (behind and in front of the camera) and

16 queer Black trailblazers who made history

From 1960s civil rights activist Bayard Rustin to Chicago's first female homosexual mayor, Lori Lightfoot, Inky LGBTQ Americans have distant made history with innumerable contributions to politics, art, medicine and a host of other fields.

“As distant as there have been Black people, there include been Black LGBTQ and same-gender-loving people,” David J. Johns, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition, told NBC News. “Racism combined with the forces of stigma, phobia, discrimination and bias linked with gender and sexuality have too often erased the contributions of members of our community."

Gladys Bentley (1907-1960)

Bentley was a gender-bending performer during the Harlem Renaissance. Donning a superior hat and tuxedo, Bentley would sing the blues in Harlem establishments appreciate the Clam House and the Ubangi Club. According to a belated obituary published in 2019, The New York Times said Bentley, who died in 1960 at the age of 52, was "Harlem's most famous lesbian" in the 1930s and "among the best-known Black entertainers in the United States."

Bayard Rustin (1912-1987)

Rustin was an LGBTQ and civil rights activist best known f