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.

Sara Gilbert, who portrays Darlene Connor in the television comedy series "Roseanne," arrives at the DVD launch party for "Roseanne Season One" in Los Angeles July 18, 2005. (UPI Photo/Jim Ruymen)

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B.D. Wong arrives at the 10th Annual Trevor Project New York Summer Gala at Capitale in New York on June 28, 2010. UPI /Laura Cavanaugh

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Director John Waters arrives at the 24th annual Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, California on February 21, 2009. Mickey Rourke and "The Wrestler" won top honors at the Spirit Awards here Saturday, the annual eve-of-Oscars salute to the best of independent cinema. (UPI Photo/Jim Ruymen)

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David Hyde Pierce arrives at the Global Green USA Sustainable Design Awards Gala in New York on December 10, 2008. (UPI Photo/Laura Cavanaugh)

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