Feature image of Maria Bello and Kristen Stewart by Alexandra Wyman/WireImage; Queen Latifah by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic Inc, and Sarah Paulson and Sara Ramirez by Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic
These days when one or more bisexual, lesbian or queer celebrities appear in the same photograph in a context besides “these two people are dating,” it’s everywhere right away — our website, Instagram, TikToks and often our hearts. But the world is in fact awash in such photographs that never got that moment in the sun because they came out before the internet made image-sharing easy or because we didn’t notice or because it was before one or more of those actors had come out. But Getty Images never forgets.
Here are some queer celebrities in expected and unexpected combinations! The inclusion of any celebrity on this list does not indicate affection for said celebrity!
Debbie Harry and Joan Jett, 1970s
UNITED STATES – JANUARY 01: Photo of BLONDIE and Debbie HARRY and Joan JETT; Debbie Harry and Joan Jett (Photo by Donna Santisi/Redferns)
Kristy McNichol and Tatum O’Neal, 1980
Photo by Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images
Jodie Foster and Kelly McGillis, 1987
VANCOUVER, CANADA — JUNE 1987: Actresses Kelly McGillis (L) and Jodie Foster pose for a photo in June 1987 in Vancouver, Canada. McGillis and Foster are promoting the movie, “The Accused.” (Photo by David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images)
kd Lang, Sandra Bernhard and Wendy Melvoin, 1991
Canadian singer-songwriter kd lang and American singer-songwriter and guitarist Wendy Melvoin attend the Los Angeles premiere of ‘Truth or Dare’ held at the Pacific Cinerama Dome in Los Angeles, California, 6th May 1991. (Photo by Vinnie Zuffante/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Rosie Perez and Rosie O’Donnell, 1993
Rosie Perez and Rosie O’Donnell during 1993 MTV Movie Awards at Sony Studios in Culver City, California, United States. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc)
Raven-Symoné and Da Brat, 1994
CHICAGO – JULY 1994: Actress Raven-Symoné and rapper Da Brat poses for photos during a break in filming Da Brat’s video ‘Fa All Y’all’ on the West Side in Chicago, Illinois in July 1994. (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)
Queen Latifah & Melissa Etheridge, 1995
Bonnie Raitt, Queen Latifah and Melissa Etheridge during 1995 MTV Rock the Vote in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc)
Lily Tomlin and Jodi Foster, 1996
CENTURY CITY, CA – JUNE 21: Actresses Lily Tomlin and Jodie Foster attending 20th Annual Women in Film Crystal Awards on June 21, 1996 at the Century Plaza Hotel in Century City, California. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Gillian Anderson, Ellen DeGeneres and Anne Heche, 1999
Gillian Anderson, Ellen DeGeneres, & Anne Heche during PETA Honors The Animal Rights Movement at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, California, United States. (Photo by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage)
Sara Gilbert and Lily Tomlin, 1999
Actresses Lily Tomlin and Sara Gilbert attending Rally for Women’s Rights In Afghanistan on March 29, 1999 at the Director’s Guild Theater in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Thea Gill and Cynthia Nixon, 2000
Thea Gill, (left) and Michelle Clunie, stars of Showtime Network’s ‘Queer As Folk’ flank guest, Cynthia Nixon of HBO’s ‘Sex in the City’ at a world premiere screening of the controversial program last night in New York City. (credit Nick Elgar/ImageDirect)
Jodie Foster and Kristen Stewart, 2002
Jodie Foster and Kristen Stewart at the premiere of “Panic Room” at the Loews Century Plaza Theater in Los Angeles, Ca. Monday, March 18, 2002. Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images.
Whitney Houston and Queen Latifah, 2003
Whitney Houston and Queen Latifah during VH1 Divas Duets: A Concert to Benefit the VH1 Save the Music Foundation – After Party at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. (Photo by Chris Polk/FilmMagic)
Michelle Rodriguez and Bai Ling, 2004
Michelle Rodriguez and Bai Ling during 2004 Bangkok International Film Festival – Exclusive Dinner at Suan Pakkard Palace in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo by Mark Sullivan/WireImage)
Honey Labrador and Jane Lynch, 2004
Honey Labrador, Jane Lynch, Carmen Plumb and Christopher Racster (Photo by Rebecca Sapp/WireImage)
Sara Ramirez and Lea Delaria, 2005
Sara Ramirez and Lea Delaria during 71st Annual Drama League Awards at Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York, NY, United States. (Photo by Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic)
Rosie O’Donnell, Kate Moennig and Leisha Hailey, 2005
NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 8: (L-R) Actress/comedian Rosie O’Donnell, Erin Daniels, Katherine Moennig, Leisha Hailey and Sarah Shahi attend Showtime’s “The L Word” second season premiere in Chelsea February 8, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by Fernando Leon/Getty Images)
Kristanna Loken and Bai Ling, 2005
Kristanna Loken and Bai Ling (Photo by John Sciulli/WireImage for FHM Magazine – USA)
Wanda Sykes and Niecy Nash, 2005
Wanda Sykes accepts Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Theatrical Film for “Monster-in-Law” from presenter Niecy Nash (Photo by M. Caulfield/WireImage for BET Network)
Kate Moennig and Alexandra Heddison, 2005
Katherine Moennig and Alexandra Hedison during Alexandra Hedison (Re)building Show Opening Reception at White Room Gallery in West Hollywood, California, United States. (Photo by Amy Graves/WireImage)
Melissa Etheridge, Tammy Lynn Michaels and Rosie O’Donnell, 2006
NEW YORK – MAY 18: (L-R) Singer Melissa Etheridge, Tammy Michael and Rosie O’Donnell arrive at the Gilda’s Club 11th Anniversay gala Benefit May 18, 2006 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
Ione Skye and Samantha Ronson, 2006
Ione Skye and Samantha Ronson during Ultimatebet.com, Kari Feinstein and Mike McGuiness Host Celebrity Poker Tournament to Honor Clifton Collins Jr.’s Emmy Nomination at Private Residence in Beverly Hills, California, United States. (Photo by J.Sciulli/WireImage for Kari Feinstein PR)
Raven-Symone and Keke Palmer, 2007
Raven Symone and Keke Palmer, presenters during 38th Annual NAACP Image Awards – Show at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by John Shearer/WireImage)
Sarah Paulson and Sara Ramirez, 2008
NEW YORK – MARCH 09: Actor, composer and writer Lin Manuel Miranda, actress Sarah Paulson and actor Sara Ramirez attend the opening night party for The New Musical “In The Heights” held at Pier 60 on March 9. 2008 in New York City, New York. (Photo by Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic)
Maria Bello and Kristen Stewart, 2008
Actresses Maria Bello and Kristen Stewart attends “The Yellow Handkerchief” Dinner at the Tent at the Lift on January 18, 2008 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Alexandra Wyman/WireImage)
Queen Latifah and Angelina Jolie, 2008
SANTA MONICA, CA – JANUARY 07: Actress Queen Latifah and actress Angelina Jolie inside at the 13th ANNUAL CRITICS’ CHOICE AWARDS at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium on January 7, 2008 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Chris Polk/WireImage)
Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato, 2009
Miley Cyrus And Demi Lovato Arriving At The Uk Film Premiere Of ‘Hannah Montana’ At The Odeon Leicester Square, London. (Photo by Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)
Olivia Wilde and Maria Bello, 2009
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – SEPTEMBER 24: Actresses Olivia Wilde and Maria Bello attend Variety’s 1st Annual Power of Women Luncheon at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel on September 24, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/WireImage)
Rita Ora and Cara Delevingne, 2012
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 27: Rita Ora (L) and Cara Delevingne, winner of the Best Model award, pose at the British Fashion Awards 2012 at The Savoy Theatre on November 27, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Dave M. Benett/Getty Images)
Lily Tomlin and Holland Taylor, 2013
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 07: Lily Tomlin and Holland Taylor attend the after party for the opening night of “Ann” at The Plaza Hotel on March 7, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic)
Ali Liebert and Emily Hampshire, 2013
WHISTLER, BC – DECEMBER 05: Actors Ali Liebert (L) and Emily Hampshire arrive at the red carpet for the the 13th Annual Whistler Film Festival – Elle Canada Spotlight on Ali Liebert and Emily Hampshire hosted by Variety executive editor Steven Gaydos on December 5, 2013 in Whistler, Canada. (Photo by Phillip Chin/WireImage)
Tessa Thompson and Lena Waithe, 2014
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 17: Actress Tessa Thompson and producer Lena Waithe attend the premiere of “Dreams Are Colder Than Death” during the2014 Los Angeles Film Festival at Regal Cinemas L.A. Live on June 17, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vincent Sandoval/WireImage)
Amandla Stenberg and Rowan Blanchard, 2015
LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 05: (L-R) Actors Amandla Stenberg, Kiernan Shipka and Rowan Blanchard attend Teen Vogue x Simon BTSS Kick-off Dinner on August 5, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Donato Sardella/Getty Images for Teen Vogue)
Kiersey Clemons and Keke Palmer, 2015
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 08: Actors Kiersey Clemons (L) and Keke Palmer (R) attend the premiere of “Dope” at The Regal Cinemas L.A. Live on June 8, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic)
Amandla Stenberg and Janelle Monae, 2016
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – MAY 12: Actor Amandla Stenberg (L) and Honoree Janelle Monae attend the AltaMed Power Up, We Are The Future Gala at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on May 12, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for AltaMed)
Kiersey Clemons & Beanie Feldstein, 2016.
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 11: (L-R) Kiersey Clemons, Beanie Feldstein, and Rose Byrne attend the “Neighbors 2” Pre-Screening at AMC Empire on May 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
Sandra Bernhard, Abbi Jacobson and Jenna Lyons, 2017
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 15: (L-R) Sandra Bernhard, Abbi Jacobson and Jenna Lyons attend the “Paint It Black” New York premiere after party at Fishbowl at the Dream Hotel on May 15, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images)
This is very cute, I needed it.
YAY
Wendy is giving Gigi Vibes & I Love that photo of Da Brat and Raven.
this is the exact thing i needed today.
The year on Joan And Debbie can’t be 1970. Joan was 12 in 1970.
Sara Ramirez is listed as “actress Sara Ramirez”, but in 2021 they changed their pronouns to they/them and should maybe be listed as Actor instead?
Yes, our apologies. Those are Getty’s captions, I’ll fix it.
this article is 10/10, thank you Riese <3
Wait Rosie Perez is in the community? I don’t remember reading anything about her being out?
https://develop.autostraddle.com/pop-culture-fix-rosie-perez-had-a-girlfriend-in-junior-high-kate-mckinnon-wants-a-hamburger-right-now-and-other-stories-294150/
Love how all the Queen Latifah pics are of her being surrounded by women and/or having them gazing up at her.
goal: find someone who looks at me the way angelina jolie looks at queen latifah
the sheer number of Gayzes in this article…unmatched!
The smirk/smug look of Maria Bello with Olivia Wilde…I’m sweating…
Same. same. very much, same.
Riese, you have outdone yourself. This is delightful
Jodie Foster and Kristen Stewart, iconic!
Kate Moennig and Alexandra Heddison, I want them to top me, I’m sorry TMI but here we are.
Same. same. very much, same.
So much to see! So much to say!
Ione Skye with short hair (!?!!!!) 🤩
The length of the pants on Lily Tomlin and Jodie Foster (??!) 🧐
wait wait wait did Olivia Wilde come out and I somehow missed it??
This is weird. Of course queer people hang out together (or in the case of most of these, work together/see each other at events?) And not all of these people are queer. For example, Olivia Wilde.