Biggest Influential Coming Outs Of 2014

2014 was a great year as far as people in the media coming out. From all sectors of the media - broadcasting to acting to professional sports - this was the year to stomp on stereotypes and prove you can be anything you want to be no matter your orientation.

Here's a list of those whose coming outs made some of the biggest impacts in 2014.

1. Ellen Page - a Canadian actress who came out at a gay youth conference back in February.

2. Kristian Nairn - an Irish actor from the show "Game Of Thrones" who came out in March, wanting to challenge those who stereotype what gay men are supposed to look like.

3. Vicky Beeching - a British Christian singer who came out in August and became an advocate for gay rights in churches.

4. Daniel Franzeze - an actor best known for his role in the film "Mean Girls" who came out by writing a letter to his character from the film.

5. Tyler Glenn - the lead vocalist and keyboardist for the band Neon Tree proved when coming out that you can be gay and Mormon.

6. Andreja Pejic - a model for Elle and French Vogue who stunned the fashion world when she came out as a transgender woman.

7. Mark McAdam - a Sky Sports presenter who came out in September.

8. Maria Walsh - won the Rose of Tralee (a competition to find the "ultimate Irish woman") in August.

9. Michael Sam - the 2013 Defensive Player of the Year challenged the stereotype that gay men can't play football when he was drafted by the NFL.

10. Derrick Gordon - became the first openly gay National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 1 play when he came out in April.

11. Thomas Hitzlsperger - the highest profile soccer player to ever come out as gay which he did a mere 4 months after retiring.

12. Wang Ann-Jiun - the magazine editor-in chief came out as lesbian right in front of Taiwan's Parliament.

13. Sam Smith - the singer's debut album about unrequited love for a man was released this year.

14. Kellie Maloney - a former boxing promoter and UKIP politician had one of the most publicized coming outs this year.

15. Richard Quest - a CNN reporter who became one of the few out and proud gay journalists working for a national publication.

16. Djuan Trent - the first ever veteran Miss American contestant to come out.

17. Ian Thorpe - an Australian championship swimmer came out this year after years of media rumors circulating about his sexuality.

18. Charlie King - after earning his fame from the show "The Only Way Is Essex", the reality star came out on live UK morning television.

Thomas Hitzlsperger

National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 1 basketball player - See more at: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/18-coming-outs-changed-world-2014101014#sthash.ymnfI9qc.dpuf

Daniel Franzeze

Daniel Franzeze

It's people like these individuals who help pave the way for the younger generations. They're the ones who show others that their orientation does not limit their potential to be or do anything they want.

http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/18-coming-outs-changed-world-2014101014

Kristian Nairn

Kristian Nairn

Kristian Nairn

Kristian Nairn