9 out and proud bisexual+ stars to mark Bi Visibility Day
Here are some role models whose sexuality isn't defined by gender.
By Will Stroude
Today (23 September) marks Bi Visibility Day – a day for championing those who identify as bisexual+ and to shine a light on the specific stigma and prejudice they still face from both gay and straight people alike.
Held annually since 1999, the day serves as an important reminder that bisexual people are all around us, and that being in single or mixed-sex relationship at any given time doesn’t define their sexual identity.
Here, we remind you of just some of the stars in the public eye who’ve held push bisexual visibilty forward by opening up about their sexuality.
Whether they identify as bisexual, pansexual or forego labels altogether, the fact their love is not limited by gender serves as the common thread which unites them all…
Halsey
The 25-year-old ‘Without Me’ singer hit back at those who questioned her bisexuality because she was dating a man back in 2017.
“So I posted on my Instagram for National Coming Out Day that I’m out and proud, and everyone’s commenting like, ‘But aren’t you dating G-Eazy?’,” Halsey wrote at the time.
“So I wanted to take a moment to make a PSA to remind you that — bisexual people. We exist.”
Alan Cumming
For decades, the Scottish actor has stood as a relatively rarity in Hollywood: an out and proud bisexual actor.
After an eight-year marriage to actress Hilary Lyon and a two-year relationship with actress Saffron Burrows, Cumming married his husband, graphic artist Grant Shaffer, in 2007.
“I feel that’s what I am,” Cumming told The Advocate in 2015. “I see a worrying trend among LGBT people, that if you identify yourself in just one way, you close yourself off to other experiences.
“My sexuality has never been black and white; it’s always been gray. I’m with a man, but I haven’t closed myself off to the fact that I’m still sexually attracted to women.”
Stephanie Beatriz
Best known for her role as Detective Rosa Diaz on US comedy series Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Stephanie Beatriz came out publicly when asked about her sexuality by a fan on Twitter in 2016.
She wed her husband, fellow actor Brad Hoss, in 2018.
Levi Davis
The rugby union star came out publicly as bisexual earlier this month, becoming the first Black British rugby professional to do so.
“There are definitely others out there in rugby,” the 22-year-old former Bath and England player said at the time. “I want people to feel that they can be who they are and that it is OK to be who they are.”
He added: “At this moment in time, I feel so free. I am really, really happy that this is coming out and I can be myself.”
Lili Reinhart
The Riverdale and Hustlers actress came out as bisexual in June 2020 ahead of an LGBTQ for Black Lives Matter protest.
“Although I’ve never announced it publicly before, I am a proud bisexual woman”, the 24-year-old wrote on Twitter. “And I will be joining this protest today. Come join.”
mxmtoon
As “a young bisexual woman of color from a family of immigrants”, Californian singer-songwriter mxmtoon nailed her Pride flag colours firmly to the mast during Attitude Pride at Home this year, and represents a new generation of stars unafraid to be open about their sexuality from the earliest days of their career.
Keiynan Lonsdale
Lonsdale was riding a wave off success as Wally West ake Kid Flash on The CW’s The Flash when he came out publicly in 2017.
Choosig to forego labels altogether, the 29-year-old Australian has since gone on to star in LGBTQ teen drama Love, Simon and released his debut album Rainbow Boy last year.
Tinashe
The ‘2 On’ singer and former Two and a Half Men star first alluded to her bisexuality in 2011, writing on Twitter: “I like boys. and I like girls. I just got so much love love loveeeeee to give”.
After refusing to label her sexuality for several years, describing herself as on the queer “spectrum”, the 27-year-old confirmed her bisexuality in 2020.
Nico Tortorella
After breakout roles in Scream 4 and TV’s Younger, Nico Tortorella redefined the industry’s understanding of what a ‘leading man’ could be after coming out as pansexual and genderfluid.
The 32-year-old married long-term partner Bethany C. Meyers in 2018, and has spoken publicly about the couple’s polyamourous relationship.
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