13 Outstanding Lesbian and Queer Women in Film and Television

13 Outstanding Lesbian and Queer Women in Film and Television

Women who love women have shaped film and television in ways that deserve to be celebrated.

From award-winning dramas to groundbreaking comedies, lesbian and queer women have brought authenticity, talent, and courage to screens everywhere.

Their visibility has opened doors, changed conversations, and inspired countless people to live boldly and authentically.

1. Queen Latifah

Few entertainers have commanded the screen quite like Queen Latifah.

From her powerful performance in Set It Off to her Oscar-nominated role in Chicago, she has consistently delivered excellence.

Her current starring role in The Equalizer continues to showcase her ability to lead major productions.

As one of the most influential queer women in mainstream media, Queen Latifah has navigated her career with grace and strength.

She’s a rapper, actor, producer, and businesswoman who broke barriers in multiple industries.

Her impact reaches far beyond the screen, inspiring generations to pursue their dreams without compromise.

2. Lily Tomlin

There’s something magical about watching Lily Tomlin work.

Her career stretches back decades, from classic films like 9 to 5 to her recent starring role in Grace and Frankie.

She’s made audiences laugh while quietly helping normalize queer women on television long before it was fashionable.

Tomlin came out publicly in the 1970s, a time when doing so could have ended her career.

Instead, she continued thriving, proving that talent transcends prejudice.

Her partnership with writer Jane Wagner, both professionally and personally, has lasted over 50 years.

She remains a beloved figure whose influence on comedy cannot be overstated.

3. Sarah Paulson

Sarah Paulson has become synonymous with excellence in prestige television.

Her work on American Horror Story showcased her ability to inhabit wildly different characters each season.

She’s earned multiple Emmy nominations and wins, cementing her status as one of the finest actors working today.

Openly queer, Paulson has been refreshingly honest about her personal life and relationship with Holland Taylor.

She doesn’t shy away from discussing her identity in interviews.

Her visibility matters, especially in an industry that often pressures actors to hide their true selves.

Paulson’s career proves that authenticity and success can absolutely go hand in hand.

4. Kate McKinnon

When Kate McKinnon joined Saturday Night Live, she brought something the show desperately needed: openly lesbian representation in sketch comedy.

Her impressions, from Hillary Clinton to Ruth Bader Ginsburg, became instant classics.

She’s won multiple Emmy awards for her work, and her characters are endlessly quotable.

McKinnon’s comedy breaks barriers while making people laugh, which is no easy feat.

She’s transitioned into film roles as well, appearing in Ghostbusters and other major productions.

Her success has opened doors for other openly LGBTQ+ comedians.

Watching her perform feels like witnessing someone who’s completely comfortable in their own skin, which is genuinely inspiring.

5. Wanda Sykes

Wanda Sykes doesn’t hold back, and that’s exactly what makes her brilliant.

Her stand-up comedy tackles everything from politics to personal life with razor-sharp humor.

She’s appeared in numerous television shows and films, bringing her distinctive voice to every project she touches.

Coming out publicly in 2008, Sykes became one of the most recognizable out lesbian entertainers in America.

She’s used her platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights while continuing to make audiences laugh.

Her comedy specials remain hugely popular, and her television appearances are always memorable.

Sykes proves that being funny and being yourself aren’t mutually exclusive—they actually work better together.

6. Jodie Foster

Few careers shine as brightly as Jodie Foster’s.

She’s won two Academy Awards for The Accused and The Silence of the Lambs, delivering performances that defined a generation.

Beyond acting, she’s directed and produced influential films, demonstrating her mastery of storytelling from multiple angles.

Foster came out publicly during her 2013 Golden Globes acceptance speech, though she’d lived authentically for years before that.

Her decision to maintain privacy while still being honest reflects her personal approach to fame.

She’s mentored younger actors and continues working on projects that challenge and inspire.

Her legacy in cinema is simply extraordinary and undeniable.

7. Samira Wiley

Samira Wiley burst onto screens in Orange Is the New Black, delivering a performance that was both heartbreaking and hopeful.

Her portrayal of Poussey Washington became a fan favorite and earned widespread critical praise.

She later starred in The Handmaid’s Tale, winning an Emmy for her guest performance.

Wiley is married to writer Lauren Morelli, whom she met on the set of Orange Is the New Black.

She speaks openly about her identity and experiences as a queer Black woman in Hollywood.

Her nuanced performances bring depth to every character she plays.

Watching her work reminds viewers that representation matters and that authentic storytelling creates genuine emotional connections.

8. Gillian Anderson

Gillian Anderson became a cultural icon as Dana Scully in The X-Files, inspiring countless young women to pursue science careers.

Her range as an actor is extraordinary—she’s played everyone from Margaret Thatcher in The Crown to a sex therapist in Sex Education.

Each role showcases a completely different side of her abilities.

Anderson has been open about her fluid sexuality, discussing her relationships with both men and women.

She’s respected worldwide for her talent and her willingness to take creative risks.

Her career demonstrates that actors can reinvent themselves multiple times while maintaining artistic integrity.

She remains one of the most fascinating performers working today.

9. Cynthia Nixon

Most people first met Cynthia Nixon as Miranda Hobbes on Sex and the City, but her talent extends far beyond that iconic role.

She’s won Emmy, Grammy, and Tony awards, proving her versatility across different mediums.

Her dramatic performances have earned critical acclaim throughout her career.

Nixon came out as queer after her relationship with Christine Marinoni became public, and she’s since become a prominent LGBTQ+ rights advocate.

She even ran for Governor of New York, bringing political activism into her public life.

Her willingness to use her platform for change demonstrates that being an actor means more than just performing on screen.

10. Aubrey Plaza

Aubrey Plaza has built a career on being delightfully unpredictable.

Her deadpan delivery in Parks and Recreation made April Ludgate unforgettable, but her indie film work reveals even more depth.

She chooses roles that challenge expectations, from dark comedies to psychological thrillers.

Plaza is openly queer and has spoken about her attraction to people regardless of gender.

She connects strongly with modern audiences who appreciate her refusal to fit into neat categories.

Her interviews are often as entertaining as her performances, filled with unexpected humor and honesty.

She represents a new generation of actors who embrace complexity and reject traditional Hollywood molds completely.

11. Jane Lynch

With a comedic timing that could make anyone laugh, Jane Lynch has spent decades bringing unforgettable characters to life.

Her role as Sue Sylvester on Glee earned her an Emmy and made her a household name, but her work in films like Best in Show showed her range long before that.

Lynch has been openly lesbian throughout her career, never hiding who she is even when Hollywood wasn’t always welcoming.

Her honesty helped pave the way for younger performers.

She’s appeared in countless TV comedies, proving that talent and authenticity can coexist beautifully in the entertainment industry.

12. Stephanie Beatriz

Stephanie Beatriz made Rosa Diaz one of the most beloved characters on Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and her portrayal included an important bisexual coming-out storyline.

She also voiced Mirabel in Disney’s Encanto, bringing warmth and authenticity to the animated lead role. Her work spans comedy and drama with equal skill.

Beatriz is openly bisexual and married to Brad Hoss, and she’s been vocal about bisexual visibility and representation.

She’s written about the importance of seeing bisexual characters on television who aren’t stereotypes.

Her advocacy work complements her acting career beautifully.

She continues expanding queer representation on screen, proving that visibility creates understanding and acceptance.

13. Raven-Symoné

Raven-Symoné grew up on television, starring in The Cosby Show as a child before leading That’s So Raven as a teenager.

Her Disney Channel show became a massive hit, making her one of the most recognizable young actors of her generation.

She’s since transitioned into hosting and producing work.

She came out publicly in 2013 and has since married Miranda Maday, living openly as a queer woman.

Her journey from child star to authentic adult has resonated with fans who grew up watching her.

She’s spoken about the challenges of navigating identity in the public eye.

Her lasting influence spans multiple generations, proving that childhood stars can evolve and thrive.