For the past two weeks, HuffPost UK has been getting Loud & Proud, taking a deeper look at the ways that the entertainment world has embraced LGBT culture, and looking back at key moments and figures from the decades gone by.
We’ve also taken a look at the industry as it currently stands, looking at the progress that is being made, and the all-important issues that are yet to be addressed in terms of representation on screen and in the media.
Now, we’re taking a look into the future with 10 rising LGBT stars to watch, from across various fields of the entertainment industry...
Samira Wiley ('Orange Is The New Black' actress)
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"I was just taught that love is the most powerful thing."
Adore Delano (Drag performer/singer)
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"My voice is not only for singing, I speak about body image issues, HIV rights, and many other topics that should be addressed when you have a platform like mine."
Mary Lambert (singer/songwriter)
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"Hearing women of all ages sing 'She Keeps Me Warm' at the top of their lungs - they don’t give a shit about what pronoun it is.
"They get that it’s about love, so I think that’s really given me perspective. I think people can deal with it, and they get it."
"They get that it’s about love, so I think that’s really given me perspective. I think people can deal with it, and they get it."
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Todrick Hall (YouTube star/singer)
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"When you’re a person that’s trying to be a public figure and you’re black and you’re gay and for some people it’s a little too much for them to handle...
"I think there are a lot of people who are afraid to be who they are and if I have to sacrifice a little bit of fame and a little bit of success because I’m being 100 percent truthful with who I am, hopefully that will create a paved way for someone else."
"I think there are a lot of people who are afraid to be who they are and if I have to sacrifice a little bit of fame and a little bit of success because I’m being 100 percent truthful with who I am, hopefully that will create a paved way for someone else."
Ines Rau (model)
Instagram/Ines Rau
"It's all about what's in your heart. Gender and sexuality do not make you who you are. Your heart and actions do!"
Riley Carter Millington ('EastEnders' actor)
Peter MacDiarmid/REX/Shutterstock
"I want to help make a difference. [Being trans] is a part of me and I want hopefully to make other people feel like they can come out, like they can feel that they’ve got support."
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Angel Haze (rapper)
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"Sexuality is like having a favorite colour. It doesn’t rule you, you know? And I should be able to do whatever and whoever I want at any given time."
Joe Lycett (stand-up comedian)
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"Gender is fluid and I think it’s absolutely fascinating, so I talk about that a little bit in my show. I think it’s important some people do publicly go, 'Hey, I’m not straight and I’m not gay. I’m somewhere in the middle and that’s OK.'"
Ruby Tandoh (foodie/'Bake Off' finalist)
Richard Saker/Rex/Shutterstock
"To all the bros who hate social media, who pit it against 'real life' - I never would've had the courage to be me without Twitter's queer queens."
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Troye Sivan (YouTube star/pop sensation)
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'[Being gay] been a non-issue for me. But the same thing that’s been a blessing in my life can lead someone to suicide. Every time I hear about an LGBTQ kid committing suicide, it’s just so much frustration. I just think about lost potential because a parent wasn’t accepting or a friend wasn’t, and it ended an LGBTQ kid’s life.
"I really want the parents of my audience to see these videos actually. And realise that their reaction influences their kid’s entire experience. Showing them two sides of the coin: this is how it could go or this is how it could go. It’s up to you."
"I really want the parents of my audience to see these videos actually. And realise that their reaction influences their kid’s entire experience. Showing them two sides of the coin: this is how it could go or this is how it could go. It’s up to you."