People & Relationships

Famous Lesbians and Bisexual Women

By Kathy Belge, About.com Guide

We keep adding to this list of famous lesbians and bisexual women as more and more celebrities come out of the closet. Also included are famous lesbians from history and some women who may be just under your radar.

1. Jane Addams

Photo:Lewis Wickes Hine (Library of Congress)

Born in 1860, Jane Addams is known as the mother of social work. She founded the famous Hull House Chicago, which revolutiozed the field of social work. She is a Nobel Peace Prize winner and was in several long term relationships with other women.

2. Christina Aguilera

A fierce advocate for our rights, Christina Aguilera admits she likes to kiss women. When asked by The Advocate magazine if she supported gay marriage, Christina said, "Yes. My trainer married her girlfriend last weekend and we went. It was beautiful. I was so touched by their vows to each other, I totally cried." So is she lesbian or bisexual?

3. Jamie Babbit

Jamie Babbit is a television and film director whose films include: Itty Bitty Titty Committee and But I'm a Cheerleader. She has also directed numerous television shows including episodes of The L Word, Gilmore Girls, Nip/Tuck and Ugly Betty. Jamie is also on the board of the POWER UP, an organization to promote the visibility of lesbians in Hollywood.

Lesbian Life Interview with Jamie Babbit

4. Tammy Baldwin

Tammy Baldwin is an out elected representative in Congress from Wisconsin. She is a fierce advocate for LGBT and is considering a run for US Senate in 2012.

5. Ann Bannon

Ann Bannon is a celebrated author of lesbian pulp fiction in the 1950 and 1960s. Although she was married and not quite living a lesbian life when she penned her popular books, Ann Bannon, author of Odd Girl Out, Beebo Brinker, I am a Woman, Journey to a Woman and Women in the Shadows, struggled with same-sex attractions and came out later in life. In fact, she calls her books "love letters to the women I thought I would never get to know."

Lesbian Life Interview with Ann Bannon

6. Drew Barrymore

Although Drew Barrymore relationships with men have been public, but her bisexuality was kept hidden for some time. Drew Barrymore came out as bisexual in 2003.

7. Meredith Baxter

The mom on Family Ties is a lesbian. Well, the actress playing her is. When the media found was on a lesbian cruise with her parnter, she decided to come out about being a later-in-life lesbian.

8. Alison Bechdel

Alison Bechdel is the author/artist of Dykes to Watch Out For comic strip and the award-winning graphic memoir Fun Home.

Lesbian Life Interview with Alison Bechdel

9. Gladys Bentley

Gladys Bentley was a popular Blues singer during the 1920s Harlem Renaissance. She dressed in men's clothing, her signature look was a tuxedo and top hat. She was very out about her sexual orientation and reputation as a 'bulldagger' or butch lesbian and she openly flirted with women in the audience.

10. Bitch

Bitch is a singer/songwriter/actor who is also partners with Daniela Sea from The L Word. My interview with Bitch has stirred controversy because of her statements about the Michigan Womyn's Music festival.

Lesbian Life Interview with Bitch