
Queen Latifah and the Coming Out Debate: Insights from Bad Queers Podcast
In today's world, where we have unprecedented access to celebrities, the question of whether they should come out is a hot topic. Shana and Kris from Bad Queers Podcast weigh in on this debate, particularly in light of the criticism Queen Latifah faced for not coming out publicly.

Shana: Respecting Personal Journeys
Shana shared that with the access we have to celebrities today, the general public feels like celebrities always owe us something. Coming out can be an extremely personal experience, and with celebrities having their lives already in the public eye at all times, they deserve to have something to themselves. If that’s their sexual identity that they hold close to their chest, then so be it.
More representation doesn’t hurt, especially for Black and Brown LGBTQ+ folks. Shana emphasizes that while we definitely want to see more celebrities owning their sexuality and sharing it proudly with us so we can celebrate them, it ultimately remains their business. Celebrities are people too, and they should come out on their own terms, without societal pressure dictating their personal journeys.Kris: The Importance of Representation

Kris: The Importance of Representation
Kris believes that everyone should come out on their own time, at their own pace, and reserves the right to do so. However, she also feels it’s very important for Black and Brown queer celebs to come out.
Explaining that growing up, she only saw white queer celebs, and although that helped confirm her queerness, the validation from seeing out Black celebs hits different. It would have expanded what she felt she could be and helped inform who she is—not having to search for herself in other places that don’t really align to her lived experience.
Kris is aware of the reasons why some Black and Brown celebs don’t come out. She recalls a time when coming out was a career death sentence and “don’t ask, don’t tell” was a way of life, not only for service people, but for Black and Brown queer people in all spaces and professions. Those days are over or at least have largely passed.
Another reason some don’t come out is to avoid “hurting” a loved one and are waiting until they pass on. Kris believes that’s no way anyone to live.
She highlights that there’s a large community of Black and Brown queer people and allies waiting to fully embrace newly out celebrities and love them for being their authentic selves. It’s not an exaggeration to say Black and Brown queer celebs can change the world, our world, our communities by coming out. Kris states that we’ve always been here and have made major and minor contributions but are often erased by white queer folks. It’s important to show just how expansive and vibrant our community is. It normalizes us. Coming out speeds up acceptance. Visibility and representation matter.
The Power of Visibility
Shana and Kris both agree that while coming out is a deeply personal decision, the impact of visibility and representation cannot be overstated. Celebrities, especially Black and Brown queer celebs, have the power to influence, inspire, and normalize LGBTQ+ identities within their communities and beyond. Their visibility can speed up acceptance, create a sense of belonging, and pave the way for future generations to live authentically.
Join the Conversation
We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a comment and tell us what you think about the importance of celebrities coming out and how it affects representation in the LGBTQ+ community.
Cheers to more queer years ahead!