24 LGBTQ actors who are the future of Hollywood

Although Moore began their career as a model, they broke into Hollywood by playing background characters in TV shows and films. They've since rocketed to fame by playing a trans woman and aspiring model named Angel on FX's "Pose," a trailblazing show about New York City's 1980s underground ballroom culture.

The actor went on to be nominated for rising star of the year at The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics' 2019 Dorian Awards, and (along with several of their "Pose" costars) was an honoree at the 2020 Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards.

In a conversation with costar MJ Rodriguez for L'Officiel Magazine, Moore spoke about why representation is mandatory, as well as identifying as non-binary.

"I'm non-binary but I don't really talk about it that much," they said. "I don't feel like people really are there yet for understanding it, which I don't mind, but I also acknowledge the way people see me as a woman."

Schafer made waves for playing dreamy, enigmatic new girl Jules (who, like her, is trans) on HBO's "Euphoria." Prior to making her acting debut on the series, the actress had already modeled for prestigious fashion brands like Dior and Marc Jacobs and joined the ACLU and Lambda Legal's lawsuit against North Carolina's anti-trans "bathroom bill" while still in high school.

"There need to be more roles where trans people aren't just dealing with being trans; they're being trans while dealing with other issues," Schafer said in an interview with Variety. "We're so much more complex than just one identity."

Schafer has also discussed what playing Jules on "Euphoria has meant to her.

"The fact that we begin to see her move into some form of queerness as an alternative to straightness was another thing I was excited for as a queer trans person," she told Them. in July 2019. "I didn't feel that I had really seen that before on TV."

In early 2019, the actress also told Dazed that "I'm closer to what you might call a lesbian."

Over the past few years, Feldstein has excelled at portraying scene-stealing teenage heroines — in Greta Gerwig's Oscar-nominated 2017 film "Lady Bird," Olivia Wilde's 2019 comedy "Booksmart," and 2020's "How to Build a Girl" (in which she plays a teenage rock-writer prodigy).

She'll soon take a step away from those roles, playing Monica Lewinsky in Ryan Murphy's "American Crime Story."

In October 2019, the 26-year-old actress told Teen Vogue that she's "just started to figure out" her sexuality "in the past year and a half."

Feldstein, who has also dated men in the past, is currently dating producer Bonnie Chance Roberts.

"Not to sound flippant, but I was in love with her and all of her, and she's a woman," Feldstein said. "That's not scaring me or deterring me. And it wasn't just women in general; it was her specifically."

Clemons had her breakout role playing a teen lesbian in 2015's "Dope." Now, she's all over Hollywood with her roles in movies like "Hearts Beat Loud," "Scoob!," and the upcoming Janelle Monáe-led horror film "Antebellum."

The actress has been an out queer woman for years, and is currently dating Ebony De La Haye — who worked as Clemons' stunt double on the movie "Sweetheart."

"I think it's important to show people that you as a queer person are also deserving of a healthy, steady relationship the same way that hetero people have every single day," Clemons told IndieWire in June 2020.

After receiving an Emmy nomination for playing the beloved, ill-fated character Barb on "Stranger Things," Purser went on to star in the Netflix comedy "Sierra Burgess Is a Loser," and appear on other teen shows, like "Riverdale" and "Rise."

Shannon Purser, 22, came out as bisexual on Twitter.

"I don't normally do this, but I figure now is as good a time as any to get personal," Purser said. "I've only just recently come out as bisexual to my family and friends. It's something I am still processing and trying to understand and I don't like talking about it too much. I'm very very new to the LGBT community."

Cravalho became a well-known actress after starring in Disney's "Moana," and the film was praised for featuring a strong female lead with agency.

The Hawaii native went on to perform "How Far I'll Go" with Lin-Manuel Miranda at the 2017 Oscars, and played the lead role of Ariel in "The Little Mermaid Live!"

She's currently set to star as Jos on Amazon's upcoming sci-fi TV series "The Power."

In April 2020, Cravalho came out as bisexual via a Tik Tok video, where she lip-synced to Eminem's "Those Kinda Nights."

"'Seriously though, jokes aside, how you doin'? You straight?'/ She said, 'No, I'm bi,'" the actress mouthed along.

Stenberg has been a recognizable face in Hollywood since they played Rue in "The Hunger Games" at only 12 years old. Since then, the actor has starred in other prominent young adult films, like "The Hate U Give" and "Everything, Everything." More recently, Stenberg can be seen in "The Eddy," "La La Land" director Damien Chazelle's new Netflix series.

The actor first came out as non-binary with a Tumblr post in 2016 and also identifies as pansexual.

"Gender and sexuality are so fluid. It's OK to change your mind a million times and figure out what works for you. It's OK to take your time," Stenberg told Seventeen magazine in 2018. "I love that we have this umbrella term of 'queer,' and so many things can exist underneath it, but I realized that part of my journey was hiding underneath that umbrella, because I was scared — on a personal and a public level — to confront what I was."

"It was easier for me to say 'I'm bi' or 'I'm pan' as I was figuring it out," they continued. "But I came to a place where I felt really proud of my sexuality, and I decided I wanted to share that pride."

In 2018, Maines made history by playing Nia Nal, TV's first trans superhero, on The CW's "Supergirl." The actress went on to play the character in a crossover episode of "DC's Legends of Tomorrow."

"I think that cis gender actors don't take roles out of malice, it's just a failure to realize the context of having cis gender people play trans gender characters," she told Variety while discussing trans representation in Hollywood. "We don't see the same issue with sexuality, we see straight people play gay all the time. With trans folks we have a lot of people accusing us of just playing dress up for whatever reasons and that's just not true. Having trans people play trans roles show that we are valid in our identities and we exist."

Reinhart became an A-list star through playing Betty Cooper on The CW's popular teen drama "Riverdale." She recently appeared in the Golden Globe-nominated film "Hustlers," and is set to publish her first book ("Swimming Lessons") in September 2020.

The actress came out as bisexual on her Instagram stories in June 2020.

"Although I've never announced it publicly before, I am a proud bisexual woman," Reinhart wrote on her Instagram story.

Along with her announcement, the actress shared a poster for an "LGBTQ+ for #BlackLivesMatter" protest in West Hollywood, California, and encouraged her fans to attend.

When Alexander made his TV debut playing Buck on Netflix's "The OA" back in 2016, he became the first Asian-American trans actor on TV at only 15 years old. Since then, he has appeared in the coming-of-age movie "Every Day," and voiced one of the leads in the anticipated 2020 video game "The Last of Us: Part II."

"I'm noticing more opportunities for trans roles, and when I go in for those auditions, I'm seeing more trans people there," Alexander told Them. "It's amazing. I want to see trans people every day in the film industry. Behind the camera, in front of it, in the writers' room — everywhere, because trans people are everywhere."

Since appearing in the 2015 adaptation of John Green's "Paper Towns," Smith has gone on to star in Hollywood blockbusters like "Pokémon Detective Pikachu" and "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom." Previously, he starred as Ezekiel "Books" Figuero in Netflix's acclaimed musical series "The Get Down."

The actor came out as queer on Instagram in June 2020 and shared that he and "Queen Sugar" actor Nicholas Ashe are a couple.

In the post, he shared a video from a Black Lives Matter protest in New Orleans.

"As a black queer man myself, I was disappointed to see certain people eager to say Black Lives Matter, but hold their tongue when Trans/Queer was added," Smith wrote. "I want to reiterate this sentiment: if your revolution does not include Black Queer voices, it is anti-black."

Watson is just one of the rising stars of Netflix's hit show "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina." On the show, they play trans teen Theo Putnam.

In an interview with MTV News, the teenage actor opened up about their struggle to not put themselves inside a box when talking about their gender identity.

"That's sort of why I call it 'gender freedom' as opposed to gender fluidity, because instead of fluctuating between two options or three options or four options, you're just sort of free," Watson told MTV News. "I've found it a really beautiful thing to just not limit myself as much as I used to."

Rodriguez began her career in the ballroom competition scene and was discovered at the age of 14. After appearing on shows like "Nurse Jackie" and "Luke Cage," she scored the starring role of Blanca Rodriguez-Evangelista on FX's acclaimed show "Pose."

She was nominated for breakthrough performance at the 2019 MTV Movie & TV Awards, and for best actress in a drama series at the 2020 Critics' Choice Awards.

While speaking to GQ about the opportunity to play a trans woman on "Pose," Rodriguez said, "I'm glad that we get to be the spokespeople for the story. It's a huge responsibility, but it's the best responsibility to ever have."

Lundy-Pain currently stars on Netflix's popular series "Atypical," playing a young queer woman named Casey Gardner. They've also had roles in the 2019 drama "Bombshell," and the 2017 biographical film "The Glass Castle."

In November 2019, the actor clarified their gender identity on Instagram.

"I'm non-binary, always felt a lil bit boy, lil bit girl, lil bit neither. using they/them as of late n it feels right," the actor wrote. "scary af to come out n been rly putting this off. But I feel I owe it to myself and to all of us who struggle w gender. If you're NB comment and celebrate yourself! u r beautiful and u r whole."

Many viewers may remember seeing Platt for the first time when he portrayed awkward aspiring magician Benji in the "Pitch Perfect" movies. He went on to win a Tony Award for playing the lead role in the Broadway musical "Dear Evan Hansen," and currently stars as Payton on the Netflix comedy "The Politician."

The actor has been out as gay to his family and friends since he was 12 years old, but only began talking about his sexuality in interviews leading up to the release of his debut album in March 2019.

"You know, your queerness is part of what makes you an interesting, intelligent, nuanced person," Platt said to PinkNews while addressing teens who may be facing homophobic bullying. "I think you should celebrate it and rejoice, and just know that if there are people around you that can't embrace that right now or that don't understand that that only makes you a better person right now, it can only get better as you get older and meet people who will appreciate every aspect of who you are, including your queerness."

Lane shot to stardom for her leading role as Star in the acclaimed indie film "American Honey." She won best actress at the 2017 British Independent Film Awards, and also received acting nominations for the film at the Gotham Independent Film Awards, Independent Spirit Awards, and Empire Awards.

The actress has since appeared in films like "The Miseducation of Cameron Post" and "Hellboy," and identifies as queer.

"I don't know what the terms all mean," the 24-year-old actress told ASOS Magazine in 2019. "[...] If my heart wants it, my heart wants it. That's been with anyone. I love who I love or like what I like."

Lonsdale received praise for playing Bram in the beloved queer teen comedy "Love, Simon," but the actor has been building up his Hollywood resumé for years. He got his start in major projects such as the TV series "Dance Academy" and the blockbuster "Insurgent" (starring alongside Shailene Woodley).

However, Lonsdale (who identifies as queer) is arguably best known for playing a superhero. He portrays Wally West/Kid Flash on The CW's "DC's Legends of Tomorrow" and "The Flash."

Lonsdale is also a singer, and has released singles like "Kiss The Boy," "Preach," and "Rainbow Dragon."

In a June 2018 interview with MTV News, he said that seeing Ezra Miller play a superhero as an openly queer actor and playing a gay teen in "Love, Simon" helped inspire him to publicly come out.

"I wasn't planning on coming out at the time, but it gave me a lot of confidence to know, like, whenever I was ready, that's not a problem," the actor noted. "I've got someone right there who's doing them so unapologetically."

Delevingne began her career as a model at age 10, and was named "model of the year" at the British Fashion Awards by 20. At that same age she also began acting, and has since appeared in major movies like "Suicide Squad" and "Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets."

The actress has been openly bisexual since 2014.

"A lot of the friends I have who are straight have such an old way of thinking," Delevingne said in an interview for Glamour. "It's 'So you're just gay, right?' [They] don't understand it. [If] I'm like, 'Oh, I really like this guy,' [they're like], 'But you're gay.' I'm like, 'No, you're so annoying!'"

Totah is another actress who has achieved major success and fought for LGBTQ representation as a teenager. She got her start on popular shows like "Glee," "New Girl," and "Jessie," before starring as an openly gay teen on Mindy Kaling's Netflix show "Champions."

After "Champions," Totah came out as trans in an essay for Time.

"I realized over the past few years that hiding my true self is not healthy," she wrote. "I know now, more than ever, that I'm finally ready to take this step toward becoming myself. I'm ready to be free. So, listen up y'all: You can jump on or jump off. Either way this is where I'm heading."

Totah plays Lexi on the upcoming "Saved By the Bell" reboot.

You might know Dorfman as openly gay character Ryan Shaver, on "13 Reasons Why," but they also appeared on Netflix's "Insatiable" and the final season of The CW's "Jane the Virgin."

The actor told Out Magazine in 2017 that they've "had a lot of insecurities about being gay in this industry."

However, Dorfmanhas continued to speak openly about their identity.

In 2018, they wrote an essay for Teen Vogue about the complexities of wearing gendered clothing as a non-binary person.

"Physically, biologically I am male, and I've never wanted to change that," Dorfman said "Yet inside, I am considerably more female. My spirit is more female, this even my therapist could intuit."

After playing bubbly theater kid Alan in the hit 2019 comedy "Booksmart," Crute took on the scene-stealing role of gay football player Wesley on Netflix's dystopian comedy "Daybreak." He's also had memorable turns on "Atlanta" (playing Justin Bieber) and "Orange Is the New Black."

"It feels like a melody from heaven," the actor told Out of playing Black queer teens onscreen. "It is a blessing to be able to portray a character that one, I could never be [in real life], and two, portray people in environments that I never had. These accepting and nonchalant [worlds] are the environments of the future, and I feel the media should be two steps ahead of the way that society is because we should be reflecting and portraying the future and the society that we want to see."

Elliot Fletcher got his big break in 2016, playing a trans man named Noah on the MTV series "Faking It." Since then, he's moved onto other trans roles in prominent shows, like Freeform's "The Fosters" and "Shameless" (where he plays a social worker at a local LGBTQ center).

"I happily tell people [that I'm trans] because my goal in life is not only to become a successful musician but also, a trans advocate. I have so much love for my trans family and I want to spread that love as much as I can," Fletcher told the New York Times.

Bex Taylor-Klaus has already had a varied career in Hollywood, with roles in the Netflix comedy "Dumplin,'" as well as on AMC's "The Killing," The CW's "Arrow," and MTV's "Scream" (just to name a few).

In an interview and shoot with Autostraddle in 2018, the young actor spoke about their struggle to freely explore gender, both in society and in Hollywood.

"In this day, exploring gender is taboo and stigmatized but to a lesser extent [than in the past], and it's something that I've always been a little bit afraid of because my industry can be a little bit brutal," Taylor-Klaus said.

A month later, Taylor-Klaus tweeted that they did in fact identify as non-binary.

"I came out as trans non-binary in a room full of people today," they wrote in the tweet. "Guess it's time for me to do that on here, too … Hi. I'm Bex, and the rumors are true. I'm v enby [non-binary]."

The actor shot to fame by starring as Justin Foley on Netflix's "13 Reasons Why," and also appeared alongside Mahershala Ali on the most recent season of HBO's "True Detective."

"It's my hope that eventually one day, we're not even calling them 'LGBTQ stories' or 'gay movies,' and that they are just a part of the fabric of telling stories, because that's what I think will really revolutionize all of this — when we step away from saying, 'Brandon Flynn is an LGBTQ actor' when really, I'm just an actor, or saying that 'Call Me by Your Name' is an LGBTQ story when really, it's just a story," he told IndieWire in June 2019.