12 Celebrities Who Came Out as Gay After Years of Keeping It Private, photo 1

But in recent years, more and more stars have been finding the courage to embrace their true selves, coming out as gay after years of hiding. Some were even married to the opposite sex before publicly revealing their sexuality, while others had long been the subject of rumors before making the big announcement.

These courageous individuals have inspired fans around the world and shown that being true to yourself is the ultimate form of empowerment. Here’s a look at 12 celebrities who came out as gay after years of hiding their true selves.