Black gay actress
Home / gay topics / Black gay actress
The strong voices and significant contributions of LGBT Black celebrities will help to create a more inclusive and equitable future for everyone as Hollywood develops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which well-known Black homosexual performers are in Hollywood? Fierce, vulnerable, and magnetic, Porter was the first openly gay Black man to take home an Emmy for Lead Actor.
BD Wong
Even though BD Wong is Asian and not Black, it’s crucial to make a distinction in lists like this to maintain focus. Latifah has collected a Grammy, an Emmy, and a Golden Globe across her music and acting career. She speaks frequently about creators’ rights, consent, and fair practices in the entertainment industry.
Angelica Ross
Angelica Ross is a transgender actress and entrepreneur known for roles in ‘Pose’ and ‘American Horror Story’.
Waithe launched programs supporting underrepresented filmmakers and has championed inclusive casting and hiring.
In 2019, Billy Porter won a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, making him the first openly gay Black male actor.
From blockbuster features to prestige TV, Black queer actresses have shaped screen culture while pushing representation forward on and off set.
In addition to being excellent at what they do, each of these gay Black celebrities promotes justice and equity.
He has made a huge impact on LGBTQ+ visibility and is still a beacon of hope for gay Black celebrities around the world.
5. Jussie Smollett
As Jamal Lyon in Empire, Jussie Smollett became well-known for portraying a Black and gay character that mirrored his own identity.
Hollywood has embraced variety in terms of sexual orientation, gender, and ethnicity in recent years. With his comedic touch, Jackson brought nuance to a film that allowed itself to poke fun at the very industry it served.
Ejiofor’s performance as Lola, a drag queen who saves a shoe factory from going under, was achingly heartfelt, funny, and dignified.
He showed audiences that queer Black characters could be both central and celebrated within mainstream storytelling.
In Spike Lee’s Get on the Bus, Lennix and Washington played Randall and Kyle, a gay couple navigating love and activism. This is a celebration of the top 10 black gay celebrities who still motivate millions of people.
List of Top 10 Gay Black Actors
1.
Set It Off broke new ground for lesbian visibility in mainstream cinema, with Latifah’s performance remaining one of the most memorable queer roles in Black film history.
Ellis’ Lafayette Reynolds redefined queer identity on HBO’s True Blood. His portrayal inspired countless viewers to rethink ideas about identity and strength.
Porter’s Pray Tell is the gold standard when it comes to Black LGBTQ+ representation.
For many years, people who straddled both racial and sexual minority identities had little room in Hollywood. She earned major theater honors for ‘The Color Purple’ and transitioned to film with roles including ‘Widows’ and ‘Harriet’. A sharpshooter, she was committed to her partner, combining toughness with tenderness to show that queer Black women could be compelling, central figures in high-stakes films.
Queen Latifah’s Cleo is iconic: unapologetically butch, fiercely loyal, and heartbreakingly human.
His win of the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series made him the first Black man to be openly gay.
He is one of those well-known Black homosexual actors that openly displays their sexual orientation during every performance. Their roles include ‘The Hunger Games’, ‘The Hate U Give’, and the series ‘The Acolyte’.
Rodriguez was the first trans actress to win a Golden Globe, and Porter went on to become the very first openly gay Black man to pick up an Emmy for Lead Actor.
Among the black homosexual celebrities who have actively supported LGBTQ+ rights are Lil Nas X, Wanda Sykes, Lee Daniels, and Billy Porter.
Why is it vital that homosexual Black male actors are represented?
Representation guarantees the celebration and validation of LGBTQ+ people of color’s experiences.
The work of Stephens, an openly gay Black actor, has influenced queer Black television storytelling.