These days, it might seem as if virtually nothing for a Hollywood star to come out as gay – at least relative to the past, when figures like Liberace and Rock Hudson had to be discreet. Gay and lesbian performers abound in the entertainment world and one sure way to earn valuable media coverage is to come out. When the National Football League (NFL) embraces an openly-gay player like Michael Sam, how hard could it be for someone in the entertainment industry?
However, LGBT celebrities in the past faced a very different situation. Being "outed" as gay could destroy a career and there is no real way to know how many Golden Age celebrities did share their private lives with same-sex companions. As liberal as Hollywood represents itself today, that is neither entirely the case today nor was it so as recently as the 20th century.
One of the ambiguous figures of the past is the famed James Dean. Despite a relatively minuscule career, he has nevertheless become an icon in Hollywood, represe
