Famous gay british men

Famous British gay people include author and comedian Stephen Fry and lesbian actress Saffron Burrows. You can sort this list by column, including name, birth year, and birthplace. We've come a long way since a time when the only gay people on TV were either closeted or unable to openly express their sexuality. Previously, stars such as Frankie Howerd, Larry Grayson and John Inman often appeared sexless and neutered in a bid not to alienate s family-friendly audiences. Now, their contemporaries are welcomed and admired in the mainstream, and the small screen is filled with LGBT stars from all genders, ethnicities and walks of life.

So here is a list of the most well-known and influential gay and queer British talents of today. An icon of British acting and LGBTQ+ activism, Ian McKellen is best known for his roles in the Lord of the Rings and X-Men films, as well as for his expansive theater career going back to the s. We hope you have as much fun discovering and reading about these inspiring gay British icons as we did writing about them! Although we come from different countries, London is the city that brought us together. It is always going to have a special place in our hearts for that reason.

He received recognition in the UK with his first leading role as John Thornton in the British television programme North & South (). His role as dwarf prince and leader Thorin Oakenshield in Peter Jackson's film trilogy adaptation of The Hobbit brought him international recognition. From the long-rumoured romance of King Edward II and Piers Gaveston to the affair between Oscar Wilde and Lord Alfred Douglas, Britain has a rich and rocky history of famous queer couples. Edward II had a tumultuous reign marked by bloody battles, bitter revolts and his own murder in His fixation with Gaveston rubbed many other nobles the wrong way.

To mark the occasion, we're shining a spotlight on seven LGBTQ trailblazers from the U.K. who have p. The Scottish performer, whose trophy cabinet boasts gongs from the Laurence Olivier Awards, two Tony Awards, a Bafta and more, was crucial in helping to legalise same-sex marriage in Scotland in and has raised thousands for multiple charities. The rising star has not only won praise from critics for their portrayal of Ellie in HBO series The Last of Us — including Bafta and Emmy nominations — but has also inspired a generation of young fans, thanks to speaking openly and proudly about their gender and sexual identity. Their portrayal of the late icon in the fourth season of the Netflix series saw Emma win several accolades, including a Golden Globe Award and an Emmy nomination.