25 Black Stars Who Came Out Later in Life

Everyone comes out – or shares their true selves – in their own time, and it’s a very personal process. For many Black celebrities, sharing who they really are with the public often happens after they’ve already become successful. They dealt with the challenges of fame and being in the spotlight before deciding to live openly and embrace their identities. Their experiences show how important it is to be visible and prove that you can always be true to yourself, no matter when you choose to do it.

Wanda Sykes

Wanda Sykes, the well-known comedian and actress, publicly came out as LGBTQ+ in 2008 while speaking at a rally in Las Vegas. She was protesting Proposition 8 and used the opportunity to share her personal identity and advocate for equal rights. Already a successful comedian at age forty-four, Sykes has continued to be a strong voice for LGBTQ+ rights and remains one of Hollywood’s most beloved funny women. By speaking out, she inspired others to oppose discriminatory laws.

Robin Roberts

Robin Roberts, a well-known television personality, shared news about her longtime partner, Amber Laign, in a 2013 Facebook post. This came after Roberts, age 53, successfully recovered from a challenging bone marrow transplant. She wanted to express her appreciation for Laign and the vital role her support played during her health struggles. The simple announcement was warmly received by both viewers and her fellow colleagues.

Niecy Nash

Niecy Nash, known for her role in ‘Claws,’ surprised everyone in 2020 by announcing her marriage to musician Jessica Betts. Having been married to men before, Nash found love with Betts through their shared passion for music. At age fifty, she playfully explained she hadn’t ‘come out,’ but instead had fully embraced who she is. Nash prefers not to define her sexuality with labels, emphasizing the deep connection she has with her wife. Her happiness and honesty have changed how people view finding love at any age.

Da Brat

For most of her career, rapper Da Brat kept her personal life private. In 2020, at age 46, she publicly came out as a lesbian in a heartfelt social media post, revealing her relationship with businesswoman Jessica Dupart. She explained how challenging it had been to hide her true self and shared her desire to inspire others facing similar struggles with fear and judgment, particularly within the music industry. Coming out was a liberating experience that allowed her to fully embrace her happiness.

Wayne Brady

In 2023, at age 51, television personality and comedian Wayne Brady publicly shared that he identifies as pansexual. He explained that he’s attracted to people regardless of their gender, and that being open about his identity is important for his well-being and living authentically. After years of keeping this part of himself private, Brady hopes his openness will inspire others and contribute to a more honest conversation about mental health. Known for his comedic work on shows like ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway?’, he continues to be a vocal advocate for emotional wellness.

Aunjanue Ellis

Aunjanue Ellis, an Academy Award nominee, recently shared that she is bisexual for the first time. While promoting her film ‘King Richard’ in 2022, the fifty-three-year-old actress confirmed her identity and made a statement by wearing a suit jacket adorned with the word ‘Queer’ in rhinestones. Ellis explained that although she’d been open about her sexuality with loved ones for years, she had chosen not to discuss it publicly until now. Her confident appearance helped highlight the importance of LGBTQ+ representation within the Black community.

Tevin Campbell

I was so moved when Tevin Campbell finally shared a part of himself with the world in 2022. For years, everyone wondered, and he just subtly confirmed he’s gay with a simple rainbow flag tweet. Later, he opened up even more on a podcast, explaining that at forty-five, he felt ready to talk about living his life privately as a gay man. He’d never felt pressured to announce it before, but he seemed genuinely relieved to finally be open and honest, free from industry expectations. It was amazing to see the outpouring of love and support from fans – so many of us were happy for him and excited to see him embrace this new chapter.

J. August Richards

J. August Richards, known for his work on shows like ‘Angel’ and ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’, publicly shared that he is gay in 2020. He was forty-six years old at the time and felt inspired to do so by a co-star on ‘Council of Dads’. Having played a gay character with a complicated story, Richards felt it was important to be truthful about his own life. He announced it on Instagram and was met with a lot of support, especially from fans of science fiction and fantasy. His openness emphasized how vital it is to have genuine and diverse representation in television and film.

Jason Collins

In 2013, Jason Collins broke barriers as the first openly gay athlete currently playing in a major North American professional sport. The NBA center shared his personal story in an essay for Sports Illustrated when he was thirty-four years old. Collins hoped to encourage acceptance and understanding within sports teams and the wider world of professional athletics. His bravery helped create a more inclusive environment, allowing other athletes to be open about their identities without risking their careers. Since then, he’s become a well-known advocate for diversity and inclusion in sports.

Don Lemon

Don Lemon, a well-known journalist and news anchor, publicly came out as gay in his 2011 memoir, ‘Transparent.’ At the age of 45, he shared his experiences as a gay Black man working in the media, and the difficulties he faced. Lemon wrote the book in dedication to Tyler Clementi, hoping to offer support to young people questioning their identity. He believed that hiding this important part of himself was preventing him from being fully authentic as a journalist. Today, he remains a leading voice in news, often bringing a personal understanding to discussions about important social topics.

Jerrod Carmichael

In his 2022 HBO special, ‘Rothaniel,’ comedian Jerrod Carmichael publicly came out as gay. During the deeply personal performance, the thirty-five-year-old discussed the conflict between his identity and his religious background. Critics and audiences alike applauded Carmichael’s honesty and the innovative way he shared his story. The special proved to be a turning point in his career, allowing him to create more authentic and personal work.

Raven-Symoné

Raven-Symoné grew up in the spotlight, and for years, she hadn’t publicly discussed her sexuality. In 2013, at age 27, she subtly came out by tweeting in support of the legalization of same-sex marriage. Later, the star of ‘That’s So Raven’ shared more about her personal life and eventually married Miranda Maday. While she doesn’t like to be defined by labels, she openly talks about their relationship on her podcast. Many fans have been inspired by her transformation from a Disney Channel star to a confident and outspoken member of the LGBTQ+ community.

Rutina Wesley

Rutina Wesley, famous for playing Tara Thornton on ‘True Blood,’ revealed she was engaged to a woman on Instagram in 2017, when she was 38 years old. This post also marked her public acknowledgement that she is a member of the LGBTQ+ community, as she had been previously married to a man. While Wesley generally keeps her personal life private, she occasionally shares joyful moments with her partner online. She shows that you don’t need a lot of public attention to be true to yourself.

Lee Daniels

Lee Daniels is a successful director and producer known for hits like ‘Precious’ and ‘Empire’. He’s become a prominent LGBTQ+ figure as his career has flourished, particularly after turning forty. Daniels frequently explores themes of sexuality and race in his films and TV shows, drawing from his own life. He’s been vocal about the homophobia he experienced and strives to tell a wider range of stories. His achievements demonstrate that openly being yourself can actually strengthen a creator’s impact.

Johnny Mathis

Johnny Mathis is a beloved singer with a career lasting many decades, famous for songs like ‘Misty’. Though he hinted at being gay in a 1982 interview, he was pressured to take it back due to concerns about public reaction. Mathis publicly confirmed he was gay in 2017, when he was in his eighties, explaining that growing up in a different era meant keeping his personal life private was the norm. His eventual openness felt like a peaceful acceptance of who he is and the life he’s lived.

Sheryl Swoopes

Sheryl Swoopes is a legendary figure in the WNBA, known for her incredible achievements. When she publicly came out as gay in 2005 at age 34, she was one of the most well-known athletes to do so. As part of her announcement, she partnered with Olivia, a company focused on lesbian travel and lifestyle. Swoopes wanted to be open and honest about her personal life, and her courage helped break down stereotypes about female athletes and inspired future generations of players.

Lena Waithe

Lena Waithe is a groundbreaking writer and actress who made history by becoming the first Black woman to win an Emmy for comedy writing. She publicly came out as a lesbian as her career started to flourish in her thirties. Her work on the show ‘Master of None’ included a deeply personal episode inspired by her own coming-out story. Waithe is a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ artists and people of color, using her influence to support them in the entertainment industry. She’s celebrated for her distinctive style and her dedication to telling stories that highlight the experiences of those who are often unheard.

Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monáe, the singer and actress, used to avoid talking about her personal relationships by leaning into her image as an android. In 2018, at age 32, she publicly identified as pansexual, explaining she’d been subtly sharing clues about her identity through her music and art for years. Her album ‘Dirty Computer’ was created as a message of support for young people struggling with their sexuality. Monáe continues to be a versatile and influential artist in both the music and film industries.

Tessa Thompson

Tessa Thompson, known for her roles in popular films like ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ and ‘Creed’, publicly shared that she is bisexual in 2018 while discussing her close bond with Janelle Monáe. Thompson explained she is attracted to people of all genders and that her family is supportive. She believes it’s important to accept and normalize all sexual orientations, rather than focusing on strict labels. Her openness is a refreshing and contemporary perspective within the Hollywood community.

Colman Domingo

Colman Domingo is an actor who has consistently worked in theater and film for many years, recently gaining widespread recognition in his fifties. While he has always been openly gay, his visibility increased significantly with his roles in ‘Euphoria’ and the Oscar-nominated film ‘Rustin’. Domingo frequently discusses the happiness he finds as a queer person of color and achieving success while staying true to himself. He’s also a playwright and producer, creating work that delves into the complexities of Black families and the LGBTQ+ experience. He serves as an inspiration for actors worried about being limited by stereotypical roles.

Billy Porter

Billy Porter became a global star in his late forties thanks to his role in the TV series ‘Pose’. Though he’d been a working actor for years, ‘Pose’ allowed him to introduce himself to a wider audience as a groundbreaking and gender-fluid fashion icon. In 2021, Porter publicly shared that he’d been living with HIV for fourteen years, hoping to reduce the stigma around the virus. He consistently uses his red carpet appearances to push boundaries and challenge traditional ideas about gender through his incredible fashion choices. His successful comeback proves that being true to yourself can be incredibly powerful.

Tituss Burgess

Tituss Burgess became a well-known actor thanks to his role as Titus Andromedon in ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’. He was openly gay early in his career, but gained broader fame in his mid-thirties as a performer who proudly embraced his identity. Burgess has discussed the challenges of finding complex roles that aren’t based on stereotypes, and he actively uses his voice to push for more diversity in casting and the kinds of stories being told. He’s become a fan favorite thanks to his great comedic skills and musical abilities, both on stage and in television.

Monifah

Monifah is an R&B singer who had a hit song called ‘Touch It’ in the 1990s. She revealed she was gay on the reality TV show ‘R&B Divas: Atlanta’ in 2012. The show followed her relationship and marriage to her partner, Terez. Monifah hoped to present a positive example of a same-sex relationship on television, and her story was well-received for its honesty and the support she received from those around her.

Tracie Thoms

Tracie Thoms is an actress known for her work in the movie ‘Rent’ and the TV show ‘Cold Case’. She frequently portrays LGBTQ+ characters and is openly a part of the community herself. Thoms is a dedicated supporter of LGBTQ+ causes and various charities. She prioritizes her craft as an actress, staying focused on her roles rather than seeking fame. Through consistent work in film and theater, she provides important visibility for the LGBTQ+ community.

Meshell Ndegeocello

Meshell Ndegeocello is a groundbreaking musician who openly identified as bisexual early in her career during the 1990s, paving the way for greater LGBTQ+ representation. She has consistently explored and discussed her identity throughout her career, sparking important conversations about Black female masculinity and sexuality at a time when these topics were rarely addressed. Her music is known for its genre-bending style and often explores themes of love and politics. Ndegeocello remains a vital and influential figure in the history of Black queer representation in music.

2025-11-24 16:51