20 LGBTQ movie characters who were played by LGBTQ actors

Abby MonteilJul 1, 2020, 05:55 IST

Mya Taylor, Megan Fox, and Keiynan Lonsdale are a few of the LGBTQ actors who have played LGBTQ film characters.Magnolia Pictures; 20th Century Studios

Because of increased LGBTQ visibility in recent years, queer and trans actors are getting more opportunities in Hollywood.
These performances can be found in films spanning many genres.
Movies on this list include comedies like "Tangerine" and "The Watermelon Woman" as well as dramas like "Looking" and "The Normal Heart."

Increased LGBTQ visibility has led to more queer and trans characters in film, as well as more actors openly identifying within the LGBTQ community.

Openly LGBTQ actors have been able to portray queer characters in films spanning many genres, from Cheryl Dunye in the romantic comedy "The Watermelon Woman" to Kitana Kiki Rodriguez and Mya Taylor in the crime dramedy "Tangerine" to Ian McKellen in the biographical drama "Gods and Monsters."

Here are 20 LGBTQ movie characters played by LGBTQ actors.

Queer actor Keiynan Lonsdale had a breakout role playing gay high schooler Bram Greenfeld in 2018's "Love, Simon."

Keiynan Lonsdale played Bram in "Love, Simon." Fox 2000 Pictures

Adèle Haenel played Héloïse in the romantic drama "Portrait of a Lady on Fire." Both Haenel and Héloïse identify as lesbians.

Adèle Haenel starred in "Portrait of a Lady on Fire." Neon

Kiersey Clemons starred as queer musician Sam Fisher in the 2018 comedy "Hearts Beat Loud."

Kiersey Clemons played Sam in "Hearts Beat Loud." Gunpowder & Sky

Jim Parsons portrayed gay activist Tommy Boatwright in the 2014 HBO film "The Normal Heart."

Jim Parsons and Taylor Kitsch played activists in "The Normal Heart." HBO

Sasha Lane and her 2018 "The Miseducation of Cameron Post" character, Jane, both identify as queer.

Sasha Lane appeared in "The Miseducation of Cameron Post." FilmRise Vertigo Releasing

Andrew Scott, a gay actor, portrayed gay bookshop owner Gethin in the 2014 British historical dramedy "Pride."

Andrew Scott played Gethin in "Pride." 20th Century Studios

Actress Mya Taylor plays trans sex worker Alexandra in the 2015 dramedy "Tangerine."

Mya Taylor starred in "Tangerine." Magnolia Pictures

Clea DuVall played rebellious teen Graham in 2000's "But I'm a Cheerleader." The actress herself later came out as gay.

Clea DuVall played Graham in "But I'm a Cheerleader." Lionsgate Films

Filmmaker Cheryl Dunye plays a version of herself in the 1997 romantic comedy "The Watermelon Woman."

Cheryl Dunye wrote, directed, and starred in "The Watermelon Woman." First Run Features

Megan Fox and her 2009 "Jennifer's Body" character both identify as bisexual.

Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried co-starred in "Jennifer's Body." 20th Century Fox

Rupert Everett stars in the 1997 comedy "My Best Friend's Wedding" as George Downes, an openly gay man.

Julia Roberts with Rupert Everett in "My Best Friend's Wedding." TriStar Pictures

Daniela Vega and her 2018 "A Fantastic Woman" character, Marina Vidal, are both trans women.

Daniela Vega starred in "A Fantastic Woman." Sony Pictures Classics

In the 1998 biographical drama "Gods and Monsters," actor Ian McKellen portrayed gay director James Whale.

Ian McKellen starred in "Gods and Monsters." Lionsgate Films

Jonathan Groff reprised his role as a gay man named Patrick Murray in the 2016 film "Looking."

Jonathan Groff starred in "Looking." HBO

Writer and actress Lena Waithe voiced the first openly LGBTQ animated Disney Pixar character in the 2020 film "Onward."

Lena Waithe voiced Officer Specter in "Onward." Disney Pixar; Taylor Hill/Contributor via Getty Images

Kate McKinnon played closeted lesbian and Fox News employee Jess Carr in the 2019 drama "Bombshell."

Margot Robbie and Kate McKinnon costarred in "Bombshell." Hillary B. Gayle/Lionsgate

Singer Troye Sivan, who is gay, played Gary in the 2018 drama "Boy Erased."

Troye Sivan appeared in "Boy Erased." Focus Features

Actress Kitana Kiki Rodriguez had her breakout role playing Sin-Dee in 2015's "Tangerine."

Kitana Kiki Rodriguez starred in "Tangerine." Magnolia Pictures

Lucas Hedges, who identifies on the LGBTQ spectrum, played gay writer Jared Eamons in the 2018 drama "Boy Erased."

Lucas Hedges played a gay teenager who's been outed in "Boy Erased." Focus Features

Tessa Thompson's Marvel character Valkyrie's bisexuality will be addressed in the next "Thor" movie. Tessa herself identifies as queer.

Tessa Thompson first played Valkyrie in 2017's "Thor: Ragnarok." Marvel

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