Updated: July 3, 2012 at 11:40 AM

Out and proud celebrities (58 images)

These famous folks have gone public with their sexual orientation, often saying they want to send a positive message young people who may be struggling with their own identity.

NYP2000111607 - 15 NOVEMBER 2000 - NEW YORK, NEW YORK, USA: Reknown actor and cross dresser RuPaul poses with his likeness at the November 15, 2000, opening of Madame Tussaud's New York in Times Square. rlw/ep/Ezio Petersen UPI

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Noted actor, playwright and gay activist Harvey Fierstein takes his January 20, 2005 Broadway opening night curtain call bows for his role as Tevye in the musical "Fiddler on the Roof" currently playing at the Minskoff theatre. (UPI Photo/Ezio Petersen)

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Actor Luke Evans, a cast member in the motion picture fantasy "Immortals", attends the world premiere of the film at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on November 7, 2011. UPI/Jim Ruymen

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Actor Sean Hayes (Larry), a cast member in the motion picture comedy "The Three Stooges", attend the premiere of the film at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles on April 7, 2012. UPI/Jim Ruymen

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