Gay actors of the 50s and 60s

But did you know the film industry's queer culture existed even before that famous HOLLYWOODLAND sign went up inand half of Tinseltown kept their identities a secret to safeguard their careers? Classic Hollywood stars also represent some of our first examples of what it means to be different, to stand out because of who we are, how we look, dress, and act.

Queer actors have been a part of the film industry for many, many years! Most disturbingly, their pain and suffering become a source of entertainment; the sheer amount of yearly biopics about Hollywood icons with tragic lives says a lot about the way we view this particular time in film history.

History has seldom been kind to queer figures, a sad yet undeniable fact that remains true today. They walked lonely paths towards stardom, often dealing with multiple personal issues at once — from mental health struggles to sexist institutional behavior that pushed them over the edge.

We may not be able to change their stories or improve their situations, but we can keep their memories alive and introduce new generations to their work. Nostalgia will always make everything seem brighter, bigger, and inherently better. Golden Age of Hollywood stars you probably didn't know were LGBTQ+ Public Domain; Donaldson Collection/Getty Images.

You might know some, but we. Queer figures do not owe perfection to anyone, and appreciation is not glorification. We identify with their loneliness and sympathize with their struggles, knowing full well what it means to walk a path with no others around.

So, here are some Old Hollywood stars you probably didn’t know were LGBTQ.

Judy represents everything a queer icon should be, not because of the tragedy of her life but because of the strength of her will, a powerful hunger to be seen and heard even when everyone around her tried to make her disappear. One of the most successful stars of the s, Hudson became synonymous with manliness through his work in films like Giant and the many romantic comedies he made with Doris Day.

The charm and fantasy surrounding certain Hollywood actors make it easier to wonder about their sexualities.

Top 9 queer icons : During the old Hollywood times, being openly gay meant that your career and life are about to get destroyed

However, our respect and appreciation of these figures and their legacies go beyond simple admiration. Above all, we love these women because of the injustice that surrounded their lives. Their victories, their defeats, their smiles, their tears, their heartache, their joy.

Other well-known figures of the time, including legendary film director George Cukor, silent star Ramon Novarro, and s heartthrob Tab Hunter were also gay, with their sexualities playing varying degrees of importance in their legacies. Marlon Brando - Gay Is in Fashion Marlon Brando's career spanned 60 years, and he received many accolades: two Academy Awards, three BAFTAs, and two Golden Globes.

But why? Thus, we find comfort in those we relate to, rooting for their success and suffering along with their pain. However, the sword cuts both ways. Judy had a legion of gay followers, a closeted gay father, two potentially queer husbands, and a slew of gay friends.

In the end, we really are friends of Dorothy, and proudly so. We can see their flaws and understand their mistakes while celebrating their complexity and recognizing their influence in our community. Modern audiences consider it a period of unparalleled luxury, class, elegance, and talent and the birthplace of some of the best films ever, brought to life by a seemingly endless parade of charming and exceptional performers.

These actors hold a privileged place in our collective subconscious, flawless stars forever frozen in amber, icons rising high above the clouds, untouched by time, legends in every sense of the word. Even when we can fit more easily in a traditionally heteronormative space, we know the feeling of distance, of foreignness that comes with living half a lie, half a life.

The Golden Age of Hollywood gave us many of the biggest icons of the 20th Century. During his time on the big screen, Marlon Brando has had his fair share of sex with men and women. Their private struggles and strength to continue and prevail against all odds, sometimes against entire institutions hellbent on stopping them from thriving, are inspiring, especially for a group of people living in a society that moves the goalpost every day.