In 2015, coming out still matters.

The more people who share their true and authentic identities, the more chances to erase outdated and false stereotypes about what it means to be queer.

When celebrities and public figures open up about who they are, their visibility can be especially useful in changing hearts and minds. Still, coming out today often isn’t the dramatic affair it has been for many people in the past. More and more stars now choose to make declarations about their sexual or gender identities in understated ways, like discussing a partner in an interview, rather than opting for splashy cover stories.

In fact, of the 19 notable people below, we’re willing to bet that you probably didn’t even know a good handful of them had come out. Check out our list below and add any other important coming out stories from the last 12 months you think people should know about in the comments section.

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