‘Juno’ And ‘Inception’ Star Ellen Page Announces ‘I Am Gay’

Ellen Page, best known for portraying intelligent and quirky characters in hit films including “Juno,” “Inception,” and “X-Men: The Last Stand,” Friday told an audience attending HRC’s Las Vegas conference for LGBT teens, “I’m here today because I am gay. And because maybe I can make a difference. To help others have an easier and more hopeful time. Regardless, for me, I feel a personal obligation and a social responsibility.”

Michael Sam's only choice is to go back into the closet.

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BOY GEORGE TALKS ABOUT 'COMING OUT

NFL: Celebrating our differences

 Dale Hansen, from Dallas, sharing his thoughts on Michael Sam being the first openly gay player in the NFL.
Dale has twice been named Sportscaster of the Year by the Associated Press and with thoughtful commentary like this, it's easy to see why.

Jon Stewart Takes On Michael Sam Coming Out As Gay

The Daily Show
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Michael Sam Comes Out As Gay: Missouri Football Star Could Be 1st Openly Gay NFL Player

Former Missouri defensive lineman Michael Sam, named a first-team All-American after the 2013 season, has publicly come out as gay. The college football standout is eligible for the 2014 NFL Draft and is poised to become the first active openly gay player in the league's history. He spoke publicly about his sexuality for the first time to The New York Times and ESPN on Sunday.

"I am an openly, proud gay man," Sam told ESPN.

The 24-year-old from Hitchcock, Texas revealed to both outlets that he had come out to his teammates during a preseason football practice before the Tigers' 2013 campaign.

"I understand how big this is," Sam told ESPN. "It's a big deal. No one has done this before. And it's kind of a nervous process, but I know what I want to be ... I want to be a football player in the NFL."

A 6-foot-2, 255-pound senior who was voted co-defensive player of the year in the vaunted Southeastern Conference for the 2013 season, Sam made his announcement just two weeks before the NFL Scouting Combine begins on Feb. 22 in Indianapolis.

“We admire Michael Sam’s honesty & courage," the NFL said in a statement released on Sunday, via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. "Michael is a football player. Any player with ability and determination can succeed in NFL.”

So Cute: Gay Man Comes Out of the Closet With Some Help From His Dachshund

Son Comes Out to Amazing Mother in Heartwarming Video

NEW YORK GIANTS PLAYER VICTOR CRUZ GIVES ASSIST TO GAY BULLIED TEEN

German World Cup Player Becomes Biggest Soccer Star To Come Out As Gay

Although Americans can be found glued to TVs when the U.S. is playing in the World Cup, soccer never became as big in the U.S. as it has in the rest of the world. So the name Thomas Hitzlsperger might or might not mean much to most Americans, but around the world he was a soccer — “football” — superstar, until his retirement in September.

Hitzlsperger became the biggest footballer to announce he is gay.

“I am talking about being gay because I want to move forward the discussion about homosexuality among professional sports stars,” he told German newspaper Die Zeit, adding that coming to accept he is gay was “a long and difficult process,” but that he has “never been ashamed” of it.

“It is only in the last few years I have realized I would rather live with a man.”

“I was never ashamed of being who I am but it was not always easy to sit at a table with 20 young men and listen to jokes about gays. You let them get on with it as long as the jokes are somewhat funny and not too insulting.”

He also said that an openly gay footballer, for “the vast majority” of fans, “probably wouldn’t be a problem.”

Of the upcoming 2014 Winter Olympic games in Sochi, Russia, Hitzlsperger says, “I think multiple voices are required against the campaigns mounted by several governments against homosexuals.”

In February of last year American pro soccer star Robbie Rogers came out. He now plays for the Los Angeles Galaxy.

CNN's Don Lemon explains why he believes it's important to be open about being gay.

Brian Boitano Explains How Russia’s Antigay Laws Influenced His Decision To Come Out Publicly

"When the president named the delegation, and I read in the news what his message was of tolerance and diversity, I thought, I have to take this opportunity. I think the message is so strong. I’ve always wanted to represent my country as best I could, and I knew that I had to go past my comfort zone and reveal a private side of my life that I’ve never done before because I felt that the message is so strong. … I think that we have to be careful once we go over there. I think the statement is already being made by us being on the delegation and Billie Jean and Caitlin, and us standing together united as gay people showing that there is freedom of speech, and we are successful human beings and athletes. I think that speaks measures.”

Robin Roberts Comes Out

"Good Morning America" anchor Robin Roberts came out Sunday in a touching post thanking her "long time girlfriend."

Roberts disclosed the relationship in a Facebook post in which she reflected on the past year. On Dec. 29, 2012, the news anchor celebrated 100 days post bone marrow transplant during her battle with myelodysplastic syndrome.

"At this moment I am at peace and filled with joy and gratitude," Roberts wrote. "I am grateful to God, my doctors and nurses for my restored good health. I am grateful for my sister, Sally-Ann, for being my donor and giving me the gift of life. I am grateful for my entire family, my long time girlfriend, Amber, and friends as we prepare to celebrate a glorious new year together."

Amber Laign is a licensed massage therapist from the San Francisco Bay Area, according to People magazine. She and Roberts met through mutual friends and have been together for 10 years.

Teen Tennis Ace Comes Out

Michael “Mikey” Drougas is a high school senior, state tennis champ and, as of two weeks ago, an out and proud teen.

As a junior, Mikey won Virginia’s AA state high school championship and he hopes to game-set-match his success with a second consecutive title this year.

Though he came out two years ago to his friends and family, Mikey decided to serve pride realness via an eloquent and poignant note on Twitter two weeks ago.

“At the time I was scared,” he told Outsports. “I was anxious to see what people thought. I didn’t think people would be mean to me, but I didn’t know if people would be awkward about it.”

Turns out they weren’t awkward at all and Mikey says the response he’s received has been “phenomenal.”

University Of Texas Swimmer Comes Out In ‘One Of The Greatest Experiences’ Of His Life

In a heartwarming email, a University of Texas swimmer came out to his teammates recently, and instead of rejection got “one of the greatest experiences” of his life. Matt Korman, a junior from Houston, told his teammates that he had “fallen into a state of depression” and “had a hard time sleeping at night, eating, and have lost a lot of interest in swimming,” so much so he considered quitting.

“Although this has been something I have known for a while, it hit me particularly hard more recently as I have realized that I’m not getting any younger and would like to start dating and enjoy the simple things of life that I have been missing out on. When I was younger I thought I was only curious or it was just a phase for me, but have come to terms that I’m actually gay. (There, I finally said it).”

And Korman told his teammates they ”are and forever will be” his “brothers.”

“I simply couldn’t continue to hide this from you anymore because it was slowly killing me. I want you to know me for who I am. I pray that this will not change anything, but I know for some of you this is uneasy. I want you all to know that I am here to have an open dialogue.”

How did it go?

One of his teammates wrote to OutSports to say they “all been 100% supportive and have tried to provide him with the best environment possible, simply changing nothing.”

Bisexual Georgia Teen Kicked Out By Parents Gets Amazing Response From Strangers

When Nick's parents found out their son was bisexual, they threw him out of the house, leaving his belongings on the front yard. Although his parents did not support him, hundreds of strangers rallied around the penniless 18-year-old to offer their support, and they managed to raise thousands of dollars.

Yes, I’m Gay — ‘Why Should It Matter?’

U.S. Democratic Rep. Mike Michaud, serving the people of Maine in Congress since 2003, wants to become their next governor. 

Ahead of the 2014 election, Michaud announced in August he was running. Today, in an op-ed published in one of the state’s top newspapers, Michaud made another announcement. The 58-year old third-generation Mainer says he is gay, and asks, “why should it matter?”

Wendy And Tom Montgomery Lead Push To Change LDS Church Stance On Homosexuality

Wendy and Tom Montgomery went door-to-door in their California neighborhood in 2008 campaigning for the passage of an anti-gay marriage proposition. They were among thousands of faithful Mormons following the direction of a church that spent millions on the cause.

Then they learned last year that their 15-year-old son is gay — a revelation that rocked their belief system.

Now, Wendy Montgomery is leading a growing movement among Mormons to push The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to teach that homosexuality isn't a sin.

Grandfather's Letter to his Daughter after she Disowns her Son for being Gay

In this incredible letter, a grandfather passionately addresses his daughter's decision to kick her gay son out of the house after he decided to come out of the closet. 

GREENWICH VILLAGE STREET TO BE RENAMED FOR BRAVE GAY COP WHO CAME OUT OF THE CLOSET IN 1981

A New York Community Board is expected to vote to rename a block in Greenwich Village - Washington Place, between Grove St. and 6th Ave - after Sergeant Charles H. Cochrane, who came out of the closet in a City Council meeting in 1981 when he testified in support of a gay rights bill, the NY Daily News reports.

"I am very proud of being a New York City policeman,” Cochrane said. “And I’m equally proud of being gay."

A 14-year veteran assigned to the Manhattan South Task Force, Cochrane testified that gays were “not cruel, wicked, cursed, sick or possessed by demons.”

Cochrane had testified moments after a police official claimed he knew no gay cops.

Cochrane's coming out inspired the formation of Gay Officers Action League, or GOAL. The street to be honored was chosen because it's the home of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, where GOAL meetings were held, the paper adds, and was also the target of bomb threats after Cochrane came out.

Cochrane died of cancer in 2008, at age 68. His sister has promised to come to NYC from her home in Illinois for the street-naming ceremony.