Gay Celebrities:  OUT!

Former star of "Doogie Howser, M.D." actor Neil Patrick Harris, came out in November 2006.

Rosie O'Donnell, comedian extraordinaire and partner, Kelli O'Donnell.

T.R. Knight stars as Dr. George O'Malley on "Grey's Anatomy."  Knight announced he was gay in October 2006.

'N Sync band member, Lance Bass came out, announcing he was in a relationship with Amazing Race 4 winner, Reichen Lehmkul.

Former Major League Baseball player Billy Bean's 1999 book "Going The Other Way" revealed his homosexuality and alleged widespread homophobia in professional sports. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

K.D. Lang first came out in the gay news magazine, The Advocate in 1992.

"Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" stars - Carson Kressley, Ted Allen, Jai Rodriguez, Thom Filicia,  and Kyan Douglas-  All out.  All very, very out.

Tab Hunter was every woman's dream boat in the 1950's.  The actor published an autobiography in 2005 in which he announced he was gay.

RuPaul was born Andre Charles and became the queen of all drag queens in the 1990's. Known for hit, "Supermodel (You Better Work)" and others.

Cynthia Nixon came out shortly after the final episode of Sex and the City.

First winner of the popular show, "Survivor" Richard Hatch came out shortly after his million dollar win.

Multiple Grammy award winning musician Grammy favorite, musician Melissa Etheridge is well known for her efforts as a gay rights activist.  Etheridge initially came out during Bill Clinton's inauguration in January 1993.   With a little help from sperm donor David Crosby of Crosby, Stills and Nash, Etheridge and partner, Julie Cypher became the proud gay parents of Beckett and Bailey Jean.

Child actor Chad Allen, who starred on "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman," came out in the October 2001 issue of gay news magazine, The Advocate.

Out actor Nathan Lane  -best known as the voice of the animated meerkat, Timon, in Disney's "The Lion King."

Known for his over-manly role as talk show host "Bulldog" on Frasier, actor Dan Butler came out during the run of the hit TV show and also authored and starred in the gay-themed theater production, "The Only Worse Thing You Could Have Told Me."

Richard Chamberlain - star of TV's "Dr. Kildare," "The Thorn Birds" and "Shogun," among others.  Chamberlain's autobiography announced he was a homosexual when he was 69 years old.

Out celebrity, Alan Cumming won a Tony Award for his role as the Master of Ceremonies in the revival of Cabaret.  He is also known for his roles in GoldenEye, X2: X-Men United and Romy and Michele's High School Reunion.

Sir Elton John, born Reginald Kenneth Dwight became a musical superstar in the 1970's.  Previously married to Renate Blauel for 4 years, John divorced, renounced his bisexuality and came out as being gay.  On December 21, 2005, John and partner, David Furnish entered into a civil partnership, complete with an elaborate celebration.

Harvey Fierstein, actor and singer, is best known for "Torch Song Trilogy."  A semi-autobiographical play and film production about the trials and triumphs of a gay man living through the 1970s.

Alan Ball is an openly gay celebrity who won an Academy Award for his "American Beauty" screenplay and also created the HBO drama series "Six Feet Under."

Rupert Everett is one of the few gay actors in Hollywood who have successfully played both gay and straight leading characters.  

George Takei, known for his Star Trek role as Enterprise helmsman Hikaru Sulu, came out in 2005 at the age of 68.

Cherry Jones, film and stage actress.  Jones was the first open lesbian to win a Tony Award: Best Actress in a Play for 1995's "The Heiress."

Greg Louganis, Former U.S. Olympic diver won gold medals in the 1984 Los Angeles and 1988 Seoul Olympic Games.

Major award-winning British actor, Sir Ian McKellen courageously came out in 1988 in response to "Section 28," an anti-gay rights legal proposal in England.

George Michael- the singer was publicly outted following the scandal of his arrest in a park bathroom in Beverly Hills.  Following the scandal, George Michael confirmed that he was gay through the media.

John Cameron Mitchell, director, writer and actor,  created "Hedwig And The Angry Inch." A play and movie about a cross-dressing rocker pursuing a former lover.

Danny Roberts of MTV's Real World.  Roberts is openly gay and often seen in photos of gay events including the premiere of "The Broken Hearts Club" and OUTFEST, the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.

Randy Harrison "Queer As Folk" actor.  During an interview with gay.com, Harrison was asked, "When did you first become aware of gay issues?" Harrison responded, "Conception."  Heterosexual co-star, Sharon Gless, is also a staunch supporter of gay rights and actively involved with PFLAG. 

Actors Peter Paige, Robert Gant, openly gay actors who played gay characters in the HBO TV series "Queer As Folk."

Musician Stephen Gately

Boy George, born George O'Dowd and star of 1980's sensation, Culture Club.

Actor Anthony Rapp starred in the original Broadway production "Rent," and later starred in the film version.

Actor Danny Pintauro, child star known for his role in "Who's the Boss?"

Comedian Kate Clinton is an openly gay comic known for her ability to raise laughs while promoting gay rights and pushing the boundaries of gender roles.

Emmy winning actor, Leslie Jordan is openly gay and starred i nthe polot episode of  Laugh Out, the world's first interactive, gay-themed comedy show.

Author Christopher Rice, son of author Anne Rice.

Fred Schneider, lead singer of the quirky B52s.

Comedian Bruce Vilanch, former Hollywood Squares regular, is best known as the writer of  jokes for the Academy Awards and similar shows.

Rufus Wainwright, the son of folk singers/entertainers Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle.  Wainwright has said he "realized he was gay when he was a young teenager and has always been public about his orientation."

Cult film director John Waters, cult film director and the creative lead behind movies, "Pink Flamingos" (1972), "Polyester" (1981), "Hairspray" (1988), "Cry-Baby" (1990) and "Cecil B. DeMented" (2000).

Actor B.D. Wong who plays Dr. George Huang on Law and Order: SVU.  The actor and his partner used a surrogate to mother their child from an ovum taken from his partner's sister. In 2000. Wong published his experiences in the book Following Foo: the Electronic Adventures of the Chestnut Man.