Words: Francesca Lever

Image Sources: Adam | Halsey | Hayley | Miley | Lauren

Over the years, artists have found it difficult to truly be themselves in the limelight due to social biases. Gender and Sexuailty often shape who someone is to their core and for someone on a platform, it can be hard to truly express who they are. Recently Demi Lovato came out as non-binary which came after years of not fully confirming their sexuality. Harry Styles breaks the gender stereotypes whilst often promoting that love is well… just love.

No one should ever be forced to confirm who they are or who they love but as time has gone on, it is truly refreshing to see more and more celebrities be more comfortable with who they are. Here are five celebrities who continue to show that being yourself and loving who you do is truly the greatest freedom.

Halsey

Halsey – born Ashley Frangipane is a singer-songwriter and is openly bisexual. More recently, they changed their pronouns to she/they. Halsey has always been a force to be reckoned with and often stood out from the crowd. From having a shaved head and wearing wigs to writing songs about being boys and girls, they have always truly been themselves even through difficult times and are such an inspiration to everyone.

Lauren Jauregui

Up next is Halsey’s collaborator on the single Strangers, a song that tells the breakdown of a relationship between girls. Lauren was a member of the group Fifth Harmony and is now forging a solo career. In 2016, she came out as bisexual in an open letter to Donald Trump. She has also said she identifies with sexual fluidity. She is also a huge advocate of LGBTQ+ issues and is not afraid of speaking her mind – even if she is to be hit with backlash. She is a true example of being yourself and don’t be scared to speak your mind.

Hayley Kiyoko

Hayley is often called the ‘Lesbian Jesus’ by her fans. She came out to her parents at a young age. Her music is often focused on her story and the emotions she’s experienced while coming to terms with her identity. She has stated that she works to normalise lesbian relationships in a society and the music industry which she sees as very heteronormative (that being hetrosexual is the default). After seeing the impact that her music has on her fans, she said she regretted not being open about her sexuality sooner. She continues to be a true advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. For example on tour, 78 bras were thrown at her, she then donated them to I Support The Girls, an organisation who support homeless LGBTQ+ youth.

Adam Lambert

Adam is known from being the flamboyant performer from American Idol and for joining forces with Queen but he is also known for being open and comfortable with his sexauilty. After appearing on the show, it was confirmed he is gay. When questioned about not announcing it before, Adam responded that there was no need and his appearance on the show was about his singing. Nothing more. Last year, he launched a non-profit LBGTQ+ advocacy group called the Feel Something Foundation. One specific goal is to “abolish ‘coming out'” as a term used to define someone simply being themselves.

Miley Cyrus

Miley is known for a lot of different reasons but one of the main reasons she is known is for being a vocal member of the LGBTQ+ community. She came out as pansexual to her mother aged 14. She has said ‘I never want to label myself! I am ready to love anyone that loves me for who I am! I am open’. She has also called herself gender fluid. She’s the founder of the Happy Hippie Foundation, which works to “Fight injustice facing homeless youth, LGBTQ+ youth and other vulnerable populations. She wrote the song ‘My Heart Beats For Love’ for her Can’t Be Tamed album in 2010 for one of her gay friends. She has also written songs like ‘She’s Not Him’ about her own experiences.