2013 has been a fabulous year for movies, TV, and celebrities leaving the closet (in new, kooky, Jodie Foster-esque ways). Before we move on to 2014, let’s look back on this decadent year with a calendar countdown: 12 queer men in entertainment who made each month of 2013 great by coming out, wowing us with talent, or just by being notably excellent celebrities.
Mr. January: Matt Dallas
Speaking of jackets, Matt Dallas says this is the softest most comfortable jacket ever
The Kyle XY hunk intended to make 2013 a decadent year right from the start, as he proved with this tweet about his upcoming marriage to singer/songwriter Blue Hamilton. “Starting off the year with a new fiance, @BlueHamilton. A great way to kick off 2013!”
Mr. February: Frank Ocean
The queer singer/songwriter gifted us with a most unusual performance at the 2013 Grammys in February with “Forrest Gump,” a longing ode with that recurring bleat of “Running on my mind, boy.” The 26-year-old R&B wunderkind picked up two trophies: Best Urban Contemporary Album for Channel Orange and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for “No Church in the Wild” with Kanye West.
Mr. March: Jinkx Monsoon
The fifth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race had its ups and downs, but Jinkx Monsoon — a.k.a. Jerick Hoffer — was a constant sensation with her subversive perkiness, unbelievable singing voice, and thunderous impersonation of Little Edie from Grey Gardens. Though Alaska Thunderf*ck was a fine competitor, the season belonged to Jinkx. And for what it’s worth, Jinkx was easily my favorite interview I’ve conducted all year.
Mr. April: Jason Collins
The world of sports continued its great sea change towards LGBT acceptance in 2013. Jason Collins made one of the biggest waves by becoming the first openly gay male athlete in any of the four major U.S. sports. “I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay,” he said in a first-person essay in Sports Illustrated. His statement drew praise from not one, but two U.S. presidents: Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. That strikes me as a triumph.
Mr. May: Robbie Rogers
In May, soccer player Robbie Rogers became the first openly gay athlete to play in a U.S. professional sports league when he made his Los Angeles Galaxy debut as a substitute in the 77th minute of a game against the Seattle Sounders. “I guess this is a historic thing, but for me it was just a soccer game,” Rogers said, according to the AP. Also of interest: Mr. Rogers is relatively new to West Hollywood. Hope everyone by the Starbucks on Santa Monica is making him feel welcome.
Mr. June: Neil Patrick Harris
In June, that consummate emcee Neil Patrick Harris had a terrific month: He was the host of another phenomenal Tonys ceremony (during which he jumped through a tiny hoop in a bit of choreography I’m still comprehending), and he was announced as the star of Broadway’s upcoming Hedwig and the Angry Inch adaptation. It’s nice to know that an openly gay man who has seemingly conquered the world can still find exciting and sinister projects to occupy his time with.
Mr. July: Steve Grand
Out of nowhere like a Roman candle, Chicago native Steve Grand exploded into YouTube fame with a catchy single called “All-American Boy” and an impressive moniker: the first openly gay country star. He looked like Superman, ached like a folky troubadour, and gave us a video featuring an unrequited crush on a straight guy. Drape this gentleman in an American flag for a victory lap around my heart.
Mr. August: Lucas Cruikshank
Correct me if I’m wrong: I don’t think there has ever been a young marquee star on a currently airing children’s TV show who has come out of the closet, let alone a Nickelodeon star. Lucas Cruikshank treated his announcement as an NBD proclamation — “My family and friends have known for like three years, I just haven’t felt the need to announce it on the Internet,” the 20-year-old creator of Fred Figglehorn and star of Marvin, Marvin said — but facts are facts: It’s a one-of-a-kind pop culture moment. Congrats to the fast-talking Nick star!
Mr. September: Dan Bucatinsky
Scandal was the year’s most compulsively watchable melodrama, and part of that show’s success was guest actor Dan Bucatinsky. The 48-year-old gay actor (and producing partner of Lisa Kudrow!) played the recurring role of James Novak, a gay journalist and husband of the President’s Chief of Staff. He scooped up an Emmy for the role in September, and that means he’s the most prestigious part of our most prized TV obsession.
Mr. October: Ronan Farrow
The queer son of Mia Farrow and, oh, maybe Frank Sinatra found himself with his own MSNBC talk show in October, and the handsome devil’s telegenic smarts earned him The New York Times‘ label of “the youngest old guy in the room.” His MSNBC colleague Chris Matthews also jokingly called him “Young Blue Eyes,” which should be the title of his new series.
Mr. November: Adam Lambert
In November, two worlds finally collided: Adam Lambert and Glee. The American Idol alum’s outsize voice and glam/camp grandeur are perfect for Glee’s stadium-sized renditions, and Lambert gave the retiring series its best moment of the year with his amazing cover of “Marry the Night.” Makes you wish “Bad Romance,” “Judas,” and “Applause” would been available for his 2009 face off against Kris Allen.
Mr. December: Tom Daley
Is there a sweeter celebrity coming-out video in the history of coming out? Diver Tom Daley, whose previous YouTube exploits included a dance routine to an LMFAO song, told his fans, “Come this spring, my life changed — massively — when I met someone. They make me feel so safe, happy, and everything just feels so great. And that someone is a guy.” And TheBacklot’s readership jackknifed in approval.
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