I read something about a notable gay politician recently and it got me thinking, how are they seen in the LGBT community? So I started this thread to ask you all: are there any high profile or famous LGBT people in society today or in the past that you respect or admire? For me it would be: Justice Michael Kirby (of the High Court of Australia) Sir Richard Rodney Bennett (famous music composer) Sir John Gielgud (Actor) Sir Nigel Hawthorne (Actor) Sir Ian McKellen (Actor) Stephen Fry (enough said!)
John Barrowman, Gavin Creel, Luke MacFarlane. All are out actors, gorgusfully beautiful, and talented.
I'm gonna start off by being completely predictable and say Rachel Maddow. <3 And Amanda Palmer. ... Would it be horribly stereotypical of me to say Ellen? If not, Ellen. If so, then... still Ellen. =P Barney Frank, too. Ditto on Stephen Fry. There should probably be more on this list! But I'm way tired and a bit brain fried so I can't think of anyone else.
The only LGBT person who has truly inspired me was my boss over the summer. He was the first openly gay man I had the pleasure to interact with on a day to day basis. The entire idea of being open in society just really hit home, and I began to realize I could really do it myself. He's the entire reason I've been walking towards coming out. I'm still in touch with him over Facebook, and I plan to send him a long letter about it later this year. As far as I know, he has know idea that I am gay.
I think Ian Roberts is incredibly brave to have been both out of the closet and a professional footballer.