25 LGBTQ TV characters who were played by LGBTQ actors

Hunter Schafer, MJ Rodriguez, and Titus Burgess are just a few LGBTQ actors who have played LGBTQ characters on TV.HBO; FX Networks; Netflix

• Because of increased LGBTQ visibility in recent years, queer and trans actors are getting more opportunities in Hollywood.
• These performances can be found in a wide range of genres, from comedies like "Orange is the New Black" and "The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" to dramas such as "Euphoria" and "Billions."
• Notably, the cast of the FX show "Pose" is almost entirely composed of queer and trans actors of color playing LGBTQ characters of color.
• Here are 25 LGBTQ TV characters played by LGBTQ actors.

Increased LGBTQ visibility in recent years has inevitably led to more queer and trans characters on TV, as well as more actors openly identifying within the LGBTQ community. Because of this, more than ever before, actors within the community are getting more opportunities to portray LGBTQ characters (who are often informed and enriched by an actor's own personal experiences navigating their sexuality and/or gender identity).

Openly LGBTQ actors have been able to portray queer characters on a wide range of shows, from Dan Levy on the heartfelt sitcom "Schitt's Creek" to Janelle Monáe on the psychological thriller "Homecoming" to Sarah Paulson on the horror anthology "American Horror Story."

The cast of FX's groundbreaking series "Pose" is almost entirely composed of queer and trans actors of color, who bring their own stories to the show's exploration of New York City's underground ball culture and found families.

Here are 25 LGBTQ TV characters played by LGBTQ actors.