11 people whose coming out made headlines in 2013

The increasing visibility of openly gay politicians, actors and public figures speaks volumes for the progress the LGBTI community and allies have made in the past few decades.

This year saw beloved celebrities, athletes and young students come forward and share with the world one of the most important and intimate aspects of their lives.
Whether they came out at school, on the Golden Globes stage or in a Youtube video - GSN applauds the message these 11 individuals shared when they came out of the closet.

1. Jodie Foster

The actress used the 2013 Golden Globes ceremony for a glorious coming out speech.
Foster went on stage to receive the Cecil B De Mille Lifetime Achievement Award and made a strong statement on how she didn’t think there was a need for a public declaration about her sexuality.
‘Every celebrity is expected to honor the details of their private life with a press conference, a fragrance and a primetime reality show,’ Foster said.
Watch Jodie Foster's speech at the Golden Globes 2013:

2. Jacob Rudolph

This brave student went on stage to receive the Class Actor Award during the presentations of senior class awards at his New Jersey high school.
Jacob took this opportunity to share with everyone what no one knew about him. ‘Most of you see me everyday. You see me acting the part of straight Jacob, when I am in fact LGBT,’ he said. He came out in front of more than 300 peers and the reaction couldn’t be better when classmates responded with a standing ovation.
Check out his speech below:

3. Raven-Symoné

Some people on social media said Raven Symoné ruined their childhood after coming out as a lesbian, but that was definitely the right thing to do. After the demise of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and the dismissal of Prop 8 in the United States, the Disney Chanel star expressed her excitement over the advances for the LGBTI community on Twitter.
‘I can finally get married! Yay government! So proud of you.’

He Wanted Out: Wentworth Miller Attempted Suicide As a Teen

At an HRC dinner in Seattle, actor Wentworth Miller revealed that as a teenager, he attempted suicide multiple times while struggling with accepting his sexuality.

Wentworth Miller Comes Out as Gay in Letter Declining Invite to Russian Film Festival

Prison Break actor Wentworth Miller came out of the closet today in a letter to the St. Petersburg International Film Festival declining an invitation to appear there. Wrote Miller in a letter published on GLAAD's website:

Thank you for your kind invitation. As someone who has enjoyed visiting Russia in the past and can also claim a degree of Russian ancestry, it would make me happy to say yes.

However, as a gay man, I must decline.

I am deeply troubled by the current attitude toward and treatment of gay men and women by the Russian government. The situation is in no way acceptable, and I cannot in good conscience participate in a celebratory occasion hosted by a country where people like myself are being systematically denied their basic right to live and love openly.

Perhaps, when and if circumstances improve, I'll be free to make a different choice.

Said GLAAD spokesman Wilson Cruz: "Wentworth's bold show of support sends a powerful message to LGBT Russians: you are not alone. "As people from across the globe continue to speak out against this horrific law, more celebrities and corporations should follow his courageous lead in openly condemning Russia's anti-LGBT law."