List of gay, lesbian or bisexual people: A

This is a partial list of notable people who were or are gay men, lesbian or bisexual.

The historical concept and definition of sexual orientation varies and has changed greatly over time; for example the general term "gay" wasn't used to describe sexual orientation until the mid-20th century. A number of different classification schemes have been used to describe sexual orientation since the mid-19th century, and scholars have often defined the term "sexual orientation" in divergent ways. Indeed, several studies have found that much of the research about sexual orientation has failed to define the term at all, making it difficult to reconcile the results of different studies. However, most definitions include a psychological component (such as the direction of an individual's erotic desire) and/or a behavioural component (which focuses on the sex of the individual's sexual partner/s). Some prefer to simply follow an individual's self-definition or identity.

The high prevalence of people from the West on this list may be due to societal attitudes toward homosexuality. The Pew Research Center's 2013 Global Attitudes Survey found that there is "greater acceptance in more secular and affluent countries," with "publics in 39 countries [having] broad acceptance of homosexuality in North America, the European Union, and much of Latin America, but equally widespread rejection in predominantly Muslim nations and in Africa, as well as in parts of Asia and in Russia. Opinion about the acceptability of homosexuality is divided in Israel, Poland and Bolivia." Americans are divided – a majority (60 percent) believes homosexuality should be accepted, while 33 percent disagree.

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Name LifetimeEntries with no sourced year of birth available are marked with a "?". Nationality Notable as NotesEntries may also contain a letter indicating Lesbian, Gay, or Bisexual. Janet Aalfs b. 1956 American Martial artist, poet L Saara Aalto b. 1987 Finnish Pop singer L William Aalto 1915–1958 American Writer, soldier G Leroy F. Aarons 1933–2004 American Journalist GCommondreams.org (30 November 2004), NLGJA Mourns Roy Aarons, Founder and Pioneering Journalist . Retrieved 25 June 2007. Anne Aasheim 1962–2016 Norwegian Journalist, editor L Louise Abbéma 1853–1927 French Painter, designer LWilliams, Carla (March 2006), Louise Abbema , glbtq.com. Retrieved January 2006. Berenice Abbott 1898–1991 American Photographer LCorinne, Tee A. (13 January 2006), Berenice Abbot . glbtq.com. Retrieved January 2006. Sidney Abbott 1937–2015 American Feminist, lesbian activist L Khalid Abdel-Hadi b. 1989 Jordanian LGBT rights activist, magazine founder, model G Reza Abdoh 1963–1995 Iranian-American Theater director, playwright G Daayiee Abdullah 1954–2025 American Imam, Muslim activist G Henry D. Abelove b. ? AmericanAcademic, literary scholar G Helena Åberg b. 1971 Swedish Freestyle swimmer L Joseph Friedrich Abert 1879–1959 German Historian, archivist GPersecution of Homosexuals. Utrecht Sodomy Trials . Retrieved 18 August 2017. Paula Aboud b. 1950 American Politician, activist L Caio Fernando Abreu 1948–1996 Brazilian Writer G Kevin Abstract b. 1996 American Rapper (Brockhampton) G Ahmad Abu Murkhiyeh 1996/1997–2022 Palestinian Murder victim G Boy Abunda b. 1955 Filipino Journalist GThe Manila Bulletin Online. (21 January 2007), A Private Conversation with Boy Abunda . Retrieved 24 January 2007.Nicole Abusharifb. 1980AmericanConvicted murdererL Gabriel Acevero b. 1990 Trinidadian-American Organizer, activist, politician G Eleanor D. Acheson b. 1947 American Lawyer L Midi Achmat b. ? South African LGBT activist, sister of Zackie Achmat L Zackie Achmat b. 1962 South African LGBT and AIDS activist, brother of Midi Achmat GPower, Samantha (May 2003), The AIDS rebel , The New Yorker. Retrieved 24 January 2007. Roberta Achtenberg b. 1950 American Politician LRapp, Linda (25 February 2004), Roberta Achtenberg . glbtq.com. Retrieved January 2006. Marc Acito b. 1966 American Author G Jean Acker 1893–1978 American Actor, wife of actor Rudolph Valentino L Kathy Acker 1949–1997 American Writer, feminist BSimon, Lola, Goodnight Kathy, X-Riot. Retrieved 17 November 2006. J. R. Ackerley 1896–1967 English Writer, arts editor of The Listener GParker, Peter, Ackerley: The Life of J. R. Ackerley, (New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1989). Gerald M. Ackerman 1928–2016 American Art historian G Graham Ackerman b. 1983 American Gymnast G Peter Ackroyd b. 1949 English Biographer, novelist, critic GAnthony, Andrew, (4 September 2005), The Big Life, The Guardian. Retrieved January 2006. Mercedes de Acosta 1893–1968 American Writer, socialite LSchanke, Robert A. (2004). That Furious Lesbian: The Story of Mercedes de Acosta. Southern Illinois University Press. . Harold Acton 1904–1994 British Art writer, aesthete GAldrich, Robert, and Wotherspoon, Garry (2001). Who's Who in Gay and Lesbian History: From Antiquity to World War II, Routledge (UK). . (discusses Harold Acton) Gilbert Adair 1944–2011 Scottish Novelist, poet, film critic, journalist G Peter Adair 1943–1996 American Filmmaker, artist G Barry D. Adam b. 1952 Canadian Sociologist G Margie Adam b. 1947 American Composer, women's music performer LGianoulis, Tina (13 January 2006), Margie Adam , glbtq.com. Retrieved 25 June 2007. Katarzyna Adamik b. 1972 Polish Film director LKasia Adamik przyznała, że jest lesbijką (Polish) Mark Adamo b. 1962 American Classical music composer GJohnson, Lawrence (1 March 2005), Sex, War and Satire: Mark Adamo on His Lusty – and Thoughtful – New Operatic Version of Lysistrata , South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved 25 June 2007. Dallas Adams 1947–1991 English Actor G John Bodkin Adams 1899–1983 Northern Irish Doctor, suspected serial killer GCullen, Pamela V., "A Stranger in Blood: The Case Files on Dr John Bodkin Adams", London, Elliott & Thompson, 2006, . Maude Adams 1872–1953 American Actor L Nicola Adams b. 1982 English Boxer B Richard Adams 1947–2012 Filipino-American Activist G Sam Adams b. 1963 American First openly gay Portland, Oregon City Council member, first openly gay mayor of a major US city (Portland) GFrank, Ryan. "Council peers support Adams' fight", The Oregonian. Retrieved 21 February 2007. Thom Adcox-Hernandez b. ? American Voice actor G Jane Addams 1860–1935 American Social reformer, Nobel prize winner LProno, Luca (25 February 2004), Jane Addams , glbtq.com. Retrieved January 2006. Gaye Adegbalola b. 1944 American Blues musician BOfficial site biography of Gaye Adegbalola . Adegbalola.com. Retrieved 29 June 2007. Jacques d'Adelswärd-Fersen 1880–1923 French Aristocrat, writer GFoster, Stephen Wayne. Adelswärd Fersen, Baron Jacques D. Encyclopedia of Homosexuality. Dynes, Wayne R. (ed.), Garland Publishing, 1990. pp. 11-12. Amal Aden b. 1983 Somali-Norwegian Author, lecturer, lesbian activist L Thomas Adès b. 1971 English Composer GService, Tom (26 February 2007), Writing music? It's like flying a plane , The Guardian. Retrieved 23 June 2007. Pamela Adie b. 1984 Nigerian LGBT rights activist, public speaker, filmmaker L Allison Adler b. 1967 American TV writer, producer LSara Gilbert and partner welcome second child : Celebrity Baby Blog . Jonathan Adler b. 1966 American Interior designer G Etel Adnan 1925–2021 Lebanese-American Poet, artist LLisa Suhair Majaj and Amal Amireh, Etel Adnan: Critical Essays on the Arab-American Writer and Artist. McFarland & Company, 2001. . Adolfo 1933–2021 Cuban-American Fashion designer G James Adomian b. 1980 American Actor, comedian G Andrew Adonis b. 1963 British Politician G Adrian 1903–1959 American Costume designer G Max Adrian 1903–1973 Northern Irish Actor G Gösta Adrian-Nilsson 1884–1965 Swedish Artist, writer G Sharon Afek b. 1970 Israeli Military general, lawyer G Rhammel Afflick b. 1994 British Writer, political activist B Patience Agbabi b. 1965 British Poet, performer B Ray Aghayan 1928–2011 Iranian Fashion designer G Gabriel Aghion b. 1955 French Film director, screenwriter G"Bonjour, sweetie darling". The Advocate, 20 November 2001. Marilyn Agliotti b. 1979 Dutch Field hockey player L Faustina Agolley b. 1984 Australian TV presenter L Dominic Agostino 1959–2004 Canadian Politician GBrown, Eleanor, Why did he die a straight man? , Fab magazine. Retrieved 29 June 2007. Jessica Aguilar b. 1982 Mexican-American Mixed martial artist L Laura Aguilar 1959–2018 American Photographer L Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa b. 1971 American Playwright, writer for Marvel Comics GMarvel Spotlight: David Finch/Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (March 2006). Ah Toy 1829–1928 Chiniese–American Sex worker, madam B Tommy Ahlers b. 1975 Danish Politician B Andrew Ahn b. 1986 American Filmmaker G Michelle-Lee Ahye b. 1992 Trinidadian Sprinter L Emperor Ai of Han 27–1 BC Chinese (Han dynasty) Head of state GBook of Han, vols. 11, 80, 99, part 1. Clay Aiken b. 1978 American Singer, songwriter G Alvin Ailey 1931–1989 American Dancer, choreographer GTurnbaugh, Douglas Blair (30 July 2004), Alvin Aily , glbtq.com. Retrieved January 2006. Jean-Jacques Aillagon b. 1946 French Politician G Dawn Airey b. 1960 English TV executive LThe Independent, (2 July 2006), Gay Power: The pink list . Retrieved 25 June 2007. Will Aitken b. 1949 Canadian Writer GW. H. New, Encyclopedia of Literature in Canada. University of Toronto Press, 2002. . Chapter "Gay and Lesbian Writing", pp. 418–422. Ajamu X b. 1963 British Artist G Chantal Akerman 1950–2015 Belgian Filmmaker LMorris, Gary (August 2002), Rare Docs on French Filmmakers, Bright Lights Film Journal. Retrieved 18 November 2006. Michael Akers b. 1970 American Filmmaker G Desiree Akhavan b. 1984 American Filmmaker, writer, actor B Manabe Akifusa 1666–1720 Japanese Confidant and lover of Shōgun Tokugawa Ienobu GCrompton, Louis, Homosexuality and Civilization, Harvard University, 2003. Page 442 Richard Akuson b. 1993 Nigerian Lawyer, LGBTQ rights activist, essayist, editor, magazine founder G Magaly Alabau b. 1945 Cuban-American Poet, theatre director, actor L Michael Alago b. 1960 American Music executive, photographer, writer G Faisal Alam b. 1977 American LGBT Muslim rights activist GLGBTran's Religious Archives Network (18 July 2006), . Retrieved 21 December 2006. Rumaan Alam b. 1977 Bangladeshi-American Writer G Rabih Alameddine b. 1959 Lebanese-American Painter and writer G Francisco X. Alarcón 1954–2016 AmericanPoet, educator G Rolando Alarcón 1929–1973 Chilean Folk musician, composer G Elissa Alarie b. 1986 Canadian Rugby union player L Leopoldo Alas Mínguez 1962–2008 Spanish Author, poet G Edward Albee 1928–2016 American Playwright GGussow, Mel (1999). Gussow Edward Albee: A Singular Journey : A Biography. . Matt Alber b. 1978 American Singer, songwriter G Niki Albon b. 1992 English YouTube personality, radio presenter, digital creator G Pablo Alborán b. 1989 Spanish Singer, songwriter, musician G Pearl Alcock 1934–2006 Jamaican-British Club owner, outsider artist