List of LGBTQ people from New York City

Academia and research

• Andrew Dolkart – co-founder, NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project; professor, historic preservation, Columbia Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation (GSAPP)^[13]
• Kevin Nadal – professor of psychology and researcher at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and The Graduate Center of the City University of New York^[14]

Architecture

• Charles Renfro – architect, partner at Diller Scofidio + Renfro, faculty member at School of Visual Arts^[15]

Aviation and military

• Robina Asti – late Navy pilot who ran reconnaissance missions out of Midway Island in World War II; born in Queens and longtime Manhattan resident; transitioned post-war, and remained a pilot her whole life; Guinness world record holder for oldest active flight instructor in 2020, when she was 99^[16]

Dance

• Bill T. Jones – dancer and choreographer^[17]
• Shen Wei – choreographer, artist, and director^[18]

Entrepreneurship and technology

• Bradford Shellhammer – entrepreneur and designer, founding editor of Queerty^[19]
• Joel Spolsky – software engineer^[20]

Fashion

Film and television

• Desiree Akhavan – film director, producer, and screenwriter^[49]
• Ted Allen – television personality and author^[50]
• Casper Andreas – director, writer, and actor^[51]
• Brian Balthazar – co-executive producer, The View^[52]
• Sandra Bernhard – actress, singer, and author^[53]
• Matt Bomer – actor and director^[54]
• Joel Kim Booster – actor, comedian, producer, and writer^[55]
• Jerrod Carmichael – actor, comedian, and filmmaker^[56]
• Candis Cayne – transgender actress^[57]
• Bill Condon – director, screenwriter, and producer^[58]
• Laverne Cox – transgender actress^[59]
• Lee Daniels – director, screenwriter, and producer^[60]
• Casey Donovan – late gay pornography actor
• Fredrik Eklund – real estate broker, co-star of Million Dollar Listing New York^[61]
• Rodney Evans – director and screenwriter^[62]
• Tim Gunn – fashion consultant, television personality and actor^[63]
• Dominique Jackson – transgender actress and model^[64]
• Punkie Johnson – actress, comedian, writer, Saturday Night Live^[65]
• Jari Jones – transgender filmmaker and producer^[66]
• Michael Patrick King – director, writer, and producer^[67]
• Carson Kressley – television personality, former host of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy^[68]
• John Krokidas – director, writer, and producer^[69]
• James Charles - influencer
• Jennie Livingston – documentary filmmaker^[70]
• Chella Man – artist, actor, and transgender model^[71]
• Rob Marshall – director, choreographer and producer^[72]
• Kate McKinnon – comedian, actor^[73]
• John Cameron Mitchell – director, writer, and actor^[74]
• Janet Mock – TV host, writer, and transgender rights activist^[75]
• Indya Moore – transgender actor and model^[76]
• Lauren Morelli – screenwriter^[77]
• Cynthia Nixon – actress^[78]
• Wolé Parks – actor
• Stacie Passon – director, screenwriter, and producer^[79]
• Sarah Paulson – actress^[80]
• Kal Penn – actor^[81]
• Patrik-Ian Polk – director, screenwriter, and producer^[82]
• Antoni Porowski – television personality, cook, actor, model, and author^[83]
• Zachary Quinto – actor and producer^[84]
• Dee Rees – director, screenwriter, and producer^[85]
• Erik Rhodes (James Elliott Naughtin) – late gay pornography actor, amateur bodybuilder^[86]
• Yoruba Richen – documentary filmmaker^[87]
• Michaela Jaé Rodriguez – transgender actress^[88]
• Harmony Santana – transgender actress^[89]
• Greta Schiller – documentary filmmaker^[90]
• Jonathan Van Ness – non-binary television personality^[91]
• John Waters – director, actor, and writer^[92][93]
• Rutina Wesley – actress^[94]
• Samira Wiley – actress and model^[95]
• Bowen Yang – writer and actor, Saturday Night Live^[96]

Law

• Roy Cohn – late closeted lawyer who prosecuted those accused of being homosexuals and communists during the Lavender scare and Second Red Scare^[97]
• Paul Feinman – first openly gay judge confirmed to the New York State Court of Appeals, in June 2017^[98]

Literature

• Hilton Als – writer and theater critic
• Ellis Avery – late author^[99]
• James Baldwin – late novelist, playwright, essayist, poet, and activist
• James Beard – late culinary author and chef^[100]
• Bruce Benderson – author^[101]
• Jennifer Finney Boylan – trans author and journalist^[102]
• Augusten Burroughs – author, memoirist^[103]
• Regie Cabico – poet and spoken-word artist^[104]
• Michael Cunningham – author^[105]
• Samuel R. Delany – author
• Nicole Dennis-Benn – author^[106]
• Thomas M. Disch – late author
• Mark Doty – poet and memoirist^[107]
• Martin Duberman – biographer and historian^[108]
• Cyrus Grace Dunham – author^[109]
• David Ebershoff – author and editor^[110]
• Allen Ginsberg – late poet, philosopher, and writer^[111]
• Paul Lisicky – author and memoirist^[107]
• Jaime Manrique – poet, essayist, and translator^[112]
• Eric Marcus – author^[113]
• Lesléa Newman – author and editor^[114]
• Frank O'Hara – late New York School poet
• Rakesh Satyal – author^[115]
• Ariel Schrag – cartoonist and television writer^[116]
• Sarah Schulman – author^[117]
• Charles Silverstein – author, therapist, and gay activist^[118]
• Susan Sontag – late writer, filmmaker, philosopher, teacher, and political activist^[119][120]
• Colm Tóibín – author, journalist, critic^[121]
• Edmund White – author, critic, and memoirist^[122]

Media

• Jack Anderson – late dance critic and author^[123]
• Rose Arce – journalist and producer^[124]
• Michael Ausiello – journalist, multiple media platforms^[125]
• Josh Barro – journalist and senior editor, Business Insider^[126][127]
• Keith Boykin – syndicated columnist^[128]
• Ben Brantley – journalist and chief theater critic, The New York Times^[129]
• Kristen Browde – journalist, formerly of NBC 4 News and CBS News, and attorney
• Frank Bruni – journalist and op-ed columnist, The New York Times^[130]
• Sam Champion – meteorologist and television weather anchor^[131]
• Sewell Chan – senior fellow at the Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership & Policy
• Andy Cohen – television personality^[132]
• Anderson Cooper – journalist and television anchor, CNN^[133]
• Angela Dimayuga – food critic for The New York Times,^[134] chef
• George Dorris – editor and writer^[123]
• David W. Dunlap – journalist, The New York Times^[135]
• Ronan Farrow – journalist and lawyer^[136]
• Stephanie Gosk – journalist, NBC News^[137]
• Mark Harris – journalist, multiple media platforms
• Perez Hilton – blogger^[138]
• Charles Kaiser – journalist and author
• Sally Kohn – journalist, political commentator^[139]
• Steve Kornacki – writer and political correspondent with NBC News^[140]
• Don Lemon – journalist and television anchor, CNN^[141]
• Bryan Llenas – journalist, Fox News
• Michael Lucas – journalist, The Advocate and HuffPost; director, businessman, actor, and activist^[142]
• Rachel Maddow – journalist and television anchor, MSNBC^[143]
• Stephen Morgan – meteorologist, Fox Weather^[144]
• Adam Moss – writer and editor, New York magazine^[145]
• Michael Musto – journalist^[146]
• Rosie O'Donnell – television personality^[147]
• Richard Quest – journalist, CNN International^[148]
• Robin Roberts – journalist and television anchor, Good Morning America^[149]
• Thomas Roberts – TV journalist and news anchor^[150]
• Steven Romo – anchor, NBC News, MSNBC^[144]
• Nate Silver – writer, statistician, and founder/editor of FiveThirtyEight^[151]
• Shepard Smith – journalist and anchor, formerly of FOX News and CNBC^[152]
• André Leon Talley – late fashion journalist, Vogue^[153]
• Andy Towle – blogger, political commentator, and founder of Towleroad^[154]
• Jann Wenner – co-founder and publisher, Rolling Stone^[155]
• Jenna Wolfe – journalist and TV news host^[156]

Music

• Adult Mom – singer and songwriter^[157]
• Michael Alig – late musician, club promoter, convicted murderer^[158]
• Mykki Blanco – transgender rapper, performance artist, poet, and activist^[159]
• Mal Blum – singer and songwriter^[160]
• Dai Burger – rapper^[161]
• Cakes da Killa – rapper^[162]
• Cazwell – rapper^[163]
• Jayne County – glam-rock musician^[164]
• Angel Haze – rapper and songwriter^[165]
• House of Ladosha – rap duo (Antonio Blair and Adam Radakovich) and artistic collective^[166]
• Dev Hynes – musician^[167]
• DJ Keoki – electronic musician^[168]
• Lady Gaga – singer and songwriter^[169]
• Le1f – rapper and producer^[170]
• Larry Levan – late, pioneering house DJ and producer^[171]
• Stephin Merritt – musician and songwriter with The Magnetic Fields, writer of the music and lyrics of Coraline^[172]
• Jonte' Moaning – singer, songwriter, dancer, and choreographer^[173]
• Princess Nokia – rapper and musician^[174]
• Lou Reed – late musician^[175]
• Moi Renée – late singer and performer, known for the house music single "Miss Honey" (1992)
• Arthur Russell – late avant-garde musician^[176]
• Jake Shears – singer and songwriter^[177]
• Will Sheridan – singer and musician^[178]
• St. Vincent – singer-songwriter, musician^[179]
• Sufjan Stevens – singer and songwriter^[180]
• Brad Walsh – singer and music producer^[181]

Nightlife

Politics

• Erik Bottcher – member of the New York City Council (2022–present)
• Tiffany Caban – elected to the New York City Council representing western Queens (2022–present)
• David Carr – first openly gay Republican member of the New York City Council (2021-present) and Council Minority Leader (2026-present)^[232][233]
• Daniel Dromm – member of the New York City Council (2010–2022)^[234]
• Thomas Duane – first openly gay member of the New York State Senate, 1999–2012; former New York City Council member (1991–1999)^[235]
• Sarah Kate Ellis – CEO, GLAAD
• Deborah J. Glick – member of the New York State Assembly, the 66th Assembly District in Manhattan (1991–present)^[236]
• Brad Hoylman-Sigal – current Manhattan borough president and former Democratic senator for the New York State Senate from Manhattan's 27th district
• Crystal Hudson – elected to the New York City Council, representing Brooklyn (2022–present)
• Corey Johnson – speaker of the New York City Council (2018–2022) and member of the NYC Council (2014–2022)^[237]
• Kristin Richardson Jordan – elected to the New York City Council, representing northern Manhattan (2022–present)
• Ed Koch – late mayor of New York City, 1978–1989^[238]
• Margarita López – first openly lesbian and female Puerto Rican elected to the New York City Council, 1998–2006
• Carlos Menchaca – member of the New York City Council (2014–2022); first Mexican-American elected to a statewide New York political office^[239]
• Rosie Méndez – member of the New York City Council (January 2006– January 2018)^[240]
• Daniel J. O'Donnell – first openly gay man elected as a member of the New York State Assembly (2002–present), the 69th district in Manhattan^[241]
• Chi Ossé – youngest ever member of the New York City Council to be elected, in 2021, at age 23^[242]
• Antonio Pagán – first openly gay male and Puerto Rican elected to the New York City Council, 1994–1998; former New York City commissioner of Small Businesses (1998–2002)^[243]
• Christine Quinn – first female and first openly lesbian or gay speaker of the New York City Council (2006–2014) and member of NYC Council (1999–2014)^[244]
• Phil Reed – first openly gay male and African-American elected to the New York City Council (1998–2006)^[245]
• George Santos – U.S. congressman from New York's 3rd district (2023–2023)^{[246][247][248]}
• Tony Simone – member of the New York State Assembly, the 75th Assembly District in Manhattan (2023–present)^[249]
• Matthew Titone – elected Richmond County Surrogate Court judge of Staten Island in 2018^[250] and member of the New York State Assembly (2006–2018) from the 61st District, on Staten Island
• Ritchie Torres – U.S. congressman from New York's 15th district (2019–present); city councilor (2014–2019)^[251]
• James Vacca – former member of the New York City Council^[252]
• Jimmy Van Bramer – majority leader of the New York City Council^[253]
• Randi Weingarten – president, American Federation of Teachers^[254]

Social activism

• Stormé DeLarverie – drag king, M.C., security worker, believed by many to have instigated the Stonewall uprising
• Brian Ellner – LGBT rights activist and executive vice president for public affairs at Edelman^[255]
• Marsha P. Johnson – late gay liberation activist, Stonewall combatant, member of the Gay Liberation Front (GLF), co-founder of Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR)
• Rose Montoya – transgender activist^[256]
• Sylvia Rivera – late gay liberation and trans activist, participant in GLF actions, co-founder of Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries
• Craig Rodwell – LGBT activist

Sports

• Brian Anderson – skateboarder^[257]
• Travis Shumake – NHRA Top Fuel drag racer; first openly gay driver in the top level of any global touring motorsports league

Theatre

• Edward Albee – late playwright
• Michael Arden – director, actor, and singer^[258]
• Jon Robin Baitz – playwright, screenwriter, and producer^[259]
• Anne Bogart – director^[260]
• David Burtka – Broadway and television actor, chef^[261]
• Charlie Carver – Broadway and television actor
• Jenn Colella – actress^[262]
• Roberta Colindrez – actress and writer^[263]
• Gavin Creel – late actor and singer^[264]
• Quentin Crisp – late stage actor, raconteur, and writer^[265]
• Mart Crowley – late playwright
• Jim David – comedian, actor, playwright^[266]
• Robin de Jesús – actor^[267]
• Harvey Fierstein – actor, playwright, and screenwriter^[268]
• Jason Forbach – actor, singer, playwright and filmmaker^[269][270]
• Richard Greenberg – playwright and screenwriter^[271][272]
• Jonathan Groff – Broadway and television actor, co-star, Glee^[273]
• Jeremy O. Harris – actor and playwright^[274]
• Neil Patrick Harris – Broadway and television actor, producer, singer, comedian, magician, and television host^[261]
• Brian Hutchison – actor^[275][276]
• Cheyenne Jackson – actor and singer^[277]
• Larry Kramer – late playwright, author, producer, and LGBT rights advocate^[278]
• Tony Kushner – playwright and screenwriter^[279]
• Matteo Lane – comedian^[280]
• Nathan Lane – actor and comedian^[281]
• Joe Langworth – performer, director and choreographer
• Joe Mantello – director and actor^[259]
• Michael Mayer – Broadway theatre director
• Keith McDermott – actor, director and memoirist^[282]
• Terrence McNally – late playwright
• Danny McWilliams – actor and comedian^[283]
• Andy Mientus – actor, Broadway musicals^[284]
• Dylan Mulvaney – transgender actress and comedienne^[285]
• Javier Muñoz – actor, singer, and HIV/AIDS activist^[286]
• Rory O'Malley – actor and singer^[287]
• Lee Pace – actor^[288]
• Jim Parsons – Broadway and television actor, co-star, The Big Bang Theory^[289]
• Anthony Perkins – late Broadway and film actor
• Billy Porter – actor and singer^[290]
• Conrad Ricamora – multiple-award-winning Broadway and screen actor^[291]
• Ben Levi Ross – actor^[292][293]
• Jordan Roth – majority owner, Jujamcyn Theaters on Broadway^[294]
• Michael Rupert – actor, singer, composer, and director^[295]
• Wesley Taylor – actor and writer^[296]
• Taylor Trensch – actor^[297]
• Tuc Watkins – stage and screen actor^[298]
• BD Wong – actor

Visual arts

• Cass Bird – photographer and artist^[299]
• Andrew Bolton – head curator, the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute^[21]
• Nancy Brooks Brody – founding member of fierce pussy, a lesbian feminist art collective
• Paul Cadmus – late artist, magical realist
• Joy Episalla – founding member of fierce pussy, visual artist
• Anthony Goicolea – artist chosen in 2017 to design the official New York State LGBT monument^[300]
• Keith Haring – late artist^[301]
• Peter Hujar – late artist
• Annie Leibovitz – photographer^[302]
• Zoe Leonard – founding member of fierce pussy, visual artist
• J.C. Leyendecker – late illustrator, creator of the Arrow Collar Man
• Robert Mapplethorpe – late photographer^[303]
• Susan Mikula – photographer and artist
• Larry Rivers – late painter, sculptor^[304]
• Carter Smith – fashion photographer^[305]
• Sam Wagstaff – art curator^[306]
• Andy Warhol – late artist^[307]
• Carrie Yamaoka – founding member of fierce pussy, visual artist