rukkle’s Top Coming Out Stories Of 2013

rukkle announces their Top Coming Out Stories of 2013.

Our top coming out stories of 2013 feature a number of athletes (Tom Daley), actors (Sherlock’s Andrew Scott), and actresses (Jodie Foster).

rukkle’s top Coming Out stories of 2013 features a number of athletes, actors, and actresses. This year featured numerous coming out stories. Some were done online (i.e. Tom Daley’s Youtube Confessional) and some were done on Twitter (i.e. Raven-Symone).

In no particular order, here’s rukkle’s top Coming Out stories of 2013:

Wentworth Miller

In August, American actor and screenwriter, Wentworth Miller, came out as gay. He did so in an open letter to the director of the St. Petersburg International Film Festival held in Russia. In the open letter he wrote,

“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.”

He made clear that he wouldn’t attend due to Russia’s anti gay laws,

“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.”

Robbie Rogers

Back in February, footballer Robbie Rogers posted this tweet to his followers

Fans were directed to read his blog. On the blog, they discovered that Rogers had written his coming out story. He wrote about his fear of coming out,

“For the past 25 years I have been afraid, afraid to show whom I really was because of fear. Fear that judgment and rejection would hold me back from my dreams and aspirations. Fear that my loved ones would be farthest from me if they knew my secret. Fear that my secret would get in the way of my dreams.”

As well he shared his feelings after coming out as gay,

“Life is only complete when your loved ones know you. When they know your true feelings, when they know who and how you love. Life is simple when your secret is gone. Gone is the pain that lurks in the stomach at work, the pain from avoiding questions, and at last the pain from hiding such a deep secret.”

Maria Bello

In December, Maria Bello wrote in an article for the New York Times that she was bisexual. She wrote that she had fallen for her best friend,

“I had become involved with a woman who was my best friend, and, as it happens, a person who is like a godmother to my son.”

At first she was afraid of coming out and its possible impact on her career,

“….how would it affect my career? I have never defined myself by whom I slept with, but I know others have and would.”

Jason Collins

In April, Jason Collins became the first active basketball player to come out as gay. As a true athlete, Collins came out in an article that he wrote for Sports Illustrated. He did it with one simple statement,

“I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay.”

In the article, he explained his reasons for coming out,

“I didn’t set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I’m happy to start the conversation. I wish I wasn’t the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, “I’m different.” If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I’m raising my hand.”

Jodie Foster

In February, Jodie Foster came out at the Golden Globe Awards. In her acceptance speech for the Cecil B. Demille Award, she said that she had already come out to those that had met her,

“I already did my coming out, about a thousand years ago, back in the Stone Age. In those very quaint days when a fragile young girl would open up to trusted friends and family and co-workers and then gradually and proudly to everyone who knew her – to everyone she actually met.”

Watch the Youtube video of her coming out speech

Andrew Scott

In November, Sherlock star Andrew Scott came out as gay. He told The Independent that he didn’t come out earlier for his own reasons,

“Mercifully, these days people don’t see being gay as a character flaw. But nor is it a virtue, like kindness. Or a talent, like playing the banjo. It’s just a fact. Of course, it’s part of my make-up, but I don’t want to trade on it.”

He further explained that it’s important for actors to be private,

“I am a private person; I think that’s important if you’re an actor. But there’s a difference between privacy and secrecy, and I’m not a secretive person. Really I just want to get on with my job, which is to pretend to be lots of different people. Simple as that.”

Michelle Rodriguez

In October, Michelle declared quite bluntly that she was bisexual. She shared in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that she’s tired of all the speculation,

“I’ve never walked the carpet with anyone, so they wonder: What does she do with her vagina? Plus, I play a butchy girl all the time, so they assume I’m a lesbo.”

She clarified that she’s not a lesbian, but she’s not straight either,

“I’ve gone both ways. I do as I please. I am too f**king curious to sit here and not try when I can. Men are intriguing. So are chicks.”

Raven-Symone

In August, Raven-Symone came out via a simple tweet in support of the government’s support of same sex marriage.

I can finally get married! Yay government! So proud of you — Raven-Symonè (@MissRavenSymone) August 2, 2013

She then elaborated in an interview with E! News that,

“I am very happy that gay marriage is opening up around the country and is being accepted. I was excited to hear today that more states legalized gay marriage. I, however am not currently getting married, but it is great to know I can now, should I wish to.”

Ben Whishaw

In August, actor Ben Whishaw confirmed that he was in a civil partnership with composer Mark Bradshaw. He actually had his publicist confirm it on his behalf,

‘Due to speculation, I can confirm that Ben and Mark entered into a civil partnership in August 2012. They were proud to do so and are very happy.’

Whishaw, known best for his role of Q in the Bond films, had previously chosen not to discuss his sexuality. He said,

For me, it’s important to keep a level of anonymity. As an actor, your job is to persuade people that you’re someone else. So if you’re constantly telling people about yourself, I think you’re shooting yourself in the foot.’

Tom Daley

In early December, British diver, Tom Daley revealed on YouTube that he was dating a guy.

In the video, he shared his motivation for coming out via video,

“Recently, I was misquoted in an interview. It made me feel angry.”

He revealed that he had been dating this guy since the Spring and that he made him really happy,

“My life changed massively… I met someone. They make me feel safe. That someone is a guy.”

Daley has been rumoured to be linked to Hollywood screenwriter Dustin Lance Black; however, neither of them have confirmed their relationship.

Watch his YouTube confessional below

The past year has featured a number of high profile coming out stories. What were your top coming out stories of 2013?

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