Best public outings of 2011

Can't say I'm sad to have Evan Rachel Wood on our team. Score!

A future where celebrities won’t make headlines just for acknowledging their sexuality may not be far off, but for now we still love to gossip, surmise, and celebrate when a famous person finally comes out of the closet.

5 – Mo Rocca

It’s likely that most of you don’t know who Mo Rocca is but public broadcasting and pop culture nerds will recognize the bespectacled hipster nerd from The Daily Show, where he was an early correspondent, VH1’s I Love the [fill in the blank] or PBS shows such as Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me (auditory recognition).

4 – Jonathan Knight

The oldest of that first real boy band that girls my age were so obsessed with as tweens, New Kids on the Block, was seldom the one in the spotlight. That was left for his brother Jordan and young member Joey, but (surprise!) he was actually my favorite. I must have known somehow that he was family.

3 – Johnny Weir

Um, he needed to come out? He’s the gayest looking figure skater out there, and we’re talking figure skaters here. But, he clarified it for all of us with the interesting addition that he could still marry a woman. “In a sexual way, I’m gay, but I would marry a woman tomorrow if it struck me. I don’t think sex and relationships necessarily have to go together,” he says. And that might be the most interesting coming out story.

2 – Evan Rachel Wood

Could appearing as a bisexual vampire on True Blood have influenced another bisexual woman to come out? (Last year it was Anna Paquin). Surely once you realize that queer people (and beasts?) have more fun it’s an easy choice. But what might rev more lezzie engines (besides her steamy lingerie photo shoot) is her statement that she would marry her Mildred Pierce costar Kate Winslet if she could.

1 – Zachary Quinto

Inspired by the sadness of gay bullied kids committing suicide, as well as the bravery of ones that come out and continue living proudly, this Stark Trek and Heroes star came out on his blog this Fall. He also made an “It Gets Better” video, which you can watch below.