# List of gay, lesbian or bisexual people: K

This is a partial list of notable people who were or are gay men, lesbian or bisexual.
The historical concept and definition of sexual orientation varies and has changed greatly over time; for example the general term "gay" wasn't used to describe sexual orientation until the 20th century. A number of different classification schemes have been used to describe sexual orientation since the mid-19th century, and scholars have often defined the term "sexual orientation" in divergent ways. Indeed, several studies have found that much of the research about sexual orientation has failed to define the term at all, making it difficult to reconcile the results of different studies. However, most definitions include a psychological component (such as the direction of an individual's erotic desire) and/or a behavioural component (which focuses on the sex of the individual's sexual partner/s). Some prefer to simply follow an individual's self-definition or identity.
The high prevalence of people from the West on this list may be due to societal attitudes towards homosexuality. The Pew Research Center's 2013 Global Attitudes Survey found that there is “greater acceptance in more secular and affluent countries,” with "publics in 39 countries [having] broad acceptance of homosexuality in North America, the European Union, and much of Latin America, but equally widespread rejection in predominantly Muslim nations and in Africa, as well as in parts of Asia and in Russia. Opinion about the acceptability of homosexuality is divided in Israel, Poland and Bolivia.” As of 2013, Americans are divided – a majority (60 percent) believes homosexuality should be accepted, while 33 percent disagree.

## K

| Name | Lifetime | Nationality | Notable as | Notes |
| Miryam Kabakov | b. 1964 | American | Social worker, community organizer | L |
| Joshua Kadison | b. 1963 | American | Pop musician | B |
| Bart Kaëll | b. 1960 | Belgian | Singer, TV personality | G |
| Kagendo Murungi | 1971–2017 | Kenyan | LGBT rights activist, filmmaker | L |
| Rodney Kageyama | 1941–2018 | American | Actor | G |
| Frida Kahlo | 1907–1954 | Mexican | Painter, artist | B |
| Scott Kahn | b. 1946 | American | Painter, printmaker, draughtsman, sculptor | G |
| Tom Kahn | 1938–1992 | American | Social democrat | G |
| Johannes Kahrs | b. 1963 | German | Politician | G |
| Natasha Kai | b. 1983 | American | Soccer player | L |
| Uuno Kailas | 1901–1933 | Finnish | Poet, author, translator | G |
| Charles Kaiser | b. 1950 | American | Journalist | G |
| Florina Kaja | b. 1982 | American | Reality TV personality | B |
| Hilda Käkikoski | 1864–1912 | Finnish | Politician, writer | L |
| Juba Kalamka | b. 1970 | American | Musician | B |
| Chester Kallman | 1921–1975 | American | Poet | G |
| Dick Kallman | 1933–1980 | American | Actor, antiques art dealer | G |
| Imri Kalmann | b. 1986 | Israeli | Social activist | G |
| David Kalstone | 1933–1986 | American | Writer, literary critic | G |
| Frank Kameny | 1925–2011 | American | LGBT activist | G |
| Christian Kampmann | 1939–1988 | Danish | Author, journalist | B |
| Lisette Kampus | b. 1984 | Estonian | LGBT rights activist | L |
| Adelaide Kane | b. 1990 | Australian | Actor, model | B |
| Alex Kane | b. 1993 | American | Professional wrestler | G |
| Candye Kane | b. 1965 | American | Blues singer, former porn star | B |
| Firdaus Kanga | b. 1960 | Indian-British | Writer, actor | G |
| Arnie Kantrowitz | 1940–2022 | American | Activist and author | G |
| Chris Kanyon | 1970–2010 | American | Professional wrestler | G |
| Rebecca Kaplan | b. 1970 | American | Politician | B or L |
| Roberta A. Kaplan | b. 1966 | American | Litigator | L |
| Giorgos Kapoutzidis | b. 1972 | Greek | Screenwriter, actor | G |
| Marnix Kappers | 1943–2016 | Dutch | Actor, TV presenter | G |
| Maud Kaptheijns | b. 1994 | Dutch | Cyclo-cross cyclist | L |
| Xheni Karaj | b. ? | Albanian | LGBT rights activist, co-founder and executive of the Aleanca LGBT organization | L |
| Alexander Kargaltsev | b. 1985 | Russian-American | Artist, writer, photographer, actor, film director | G |
| Jiří Karásek ze Lvovic | 1871–1951 | Czech | Poet, writer, literary critic | G |
| Fred Karger | b. 1950 | American | Political consultant, gay rights activist, actor | G |
| Pamela S. Karlan | b. 1959 | American | Professor of Law | B |
| JP Karliak | b. 1981 | American | Actor, voice actor, comedian | G |
| Peter Karlsson | 1966–1995 | Swedish | Ice hockey player | G |
| Roger Karoutchi | b. 1951 | French | Politician | G |
| Nadezhda Karpova | b. 1995 | Russian | Footballer | L |
| Ferdinand Karsch-Haack | 1853–1936 | German | Arachnologist, entomologist, sexologist, anthropologist | G |
| Daria Kasatkina | b. 1997 | Russian | Tennis player | L |
| Dastan Kasmamytov | b. 1991/1992 | Kyrgyz | LGBT rights activist | G |
| Stefanos Kasselakis | b. 1988 | Greek | Politician | G |
| Arundhati Katju | b. 1982 | Indian | Lawyer | L |
| David Kato | c. 1964–2011 | Ugandan | LGBT rights activist | G |
| Carl Katter | b. 1978 | Australian | LGBT rights activist, politician | G |
| Debra Katz | b. 1958 | American | Civil rights and employment lawyer | L |
| Jonathan Ned Katz | b. 1938 | American | Historian | G |
| Zebra Katz | b. 1987 | American | Rapper, producer, multimedia artist | G |
| Michael Kauch | b. 1967 | German | Politician | G |
| Virág Kaufer | b. 1975 | Hungarian | Politician | L |
| Moisés Kaufman | b. 1963 | Venezuelan | Playwright, director | G |
| Christine Kaufmann | b. 1951 | American | Politician | L |
| Kathleen Kauth | b. 1979 | American | Ice hockey player | L |
| Ashok Row Kavi | b. 1947 | Indian | Writer, theologian | G |
| Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawānanakoa | 1926–2022 | Hawaiian-American | Princess, heiress, equestrian, philanthropist | L |
| Yoshiko Kawashima | 1907–1948 | Japanese | Spy | B |
| Daniel Kawczynski | b. 1972 | Polish-British | Politician | B |
| Adam Kay | b. 1980 | English | Comedy writer, author, comedian | G |
| Jackie Kay | b. 1961 | Scottish | Writer | L |
| Gorden Kaye | 1941–2017 | English | Actor | G |
| Kaytranada | b. 1992 | Haitian-Canadian | Musician | G |
| Jay Keasling | b. ? | American | Academic administrator, biologist | G |
| Joe Keenan | b. 1958 | American | Screenwriter, TV producer, novelist | G |
| Andrew Keenan-Bolger | b. 1985 | American | Actor, writer, director | G |
| John Keene | b. 1965 | American | Poet, translator, professor, artist | G |
| Tommy Keene | b. 1957 | American | Rock musician | G |
| Kehlani | b. 1995 | American | Singer-songwriter | L |
| Christine Kehoe | b. 1950 | American | Politician | L |
| Frans Kellendonk | 1951–1990 | Dutch | Writer, translator | G |
| Colby Keller | b. 1980 | American | Visual artist, blogger, pornographic film actor | G |
| Lenn Keller | 1951–2020 | American | Photographer | L |
| Lucas Keller | b. 1984 | American | Music executive, manager | G |
| Micah Kellner | b. 1978 | American | Politician | B |
| Chris Kelly | b. 1983 | American | Screenwriter, director | G |
| Clinton Kelly | b. 1969 | American | TV personality | G |
| Ellsworth Kelly | 1923–2015 | American | Painter, sculptor, printmaker | G |
| George Edward Kelly | 1887–1974 | American | Playwright, director, actor | G |
| Patrick Kelly | 1954–1990 | American | Fashion designer | G |
| Patsy Kelly | 1910–1981 | American | Actor | L |
| Erin Kellyman | b. 1981 | English | Actor | L |
| Alev Kelter | b. 1991 | American | Rugby sevens player | L |
| Randall Kenan | 1963–2020 | American | Writer | G |
| Rona Kenan | b. 1979 | Israeli | Singer | L |
| Kate Kendell | b. 1960 | American | Activist | L |
| Johan Kenkhuis | b. 1980 | Dutch | Swimmer | G |
| Bill Kennedy | b. 1966 | American | Basketball referee | G |
| Brian Kennedy | d. 1991 | English | Journalist | G |
| Brian Kennedy | b. 1966 | Irish | Singer-songwriter, musician | G |
| Emma Kennedy | b. 1967 | English | Actor, writer, TV presenter | L |
| Helen Kennedy | b. 1958 | Canadian | Politician, activist | L |
| Sean W. Kennedy | 1987–2007 | American | Murder victim | G |
| Keala Kennelly | b. 1978 | American | Surfer, actor | L |
| Brian Kenny | b. 1982 | American | Artist | G |
| Jack Kenny | b. 1958 | American | TV writer, producer | G |
| Maurice Kenny | 1929–2016 | American | Poet | G |
| Gus Kenworthy | b. 1991 | American | Freestyle skier | G |
| Malcolm Kenyatta | b. 1990 | American | State Representative of Pennsylvania | G |
| DJ Keoki | b. 1966 | Salvadorean-American | Disc jockey | G |
| Jim Kepner | 1923–1997 | American | Archivist | G |
| Hape Kerkeling | b. 1964 | German | Comedian, actor, TV presenter | G |
| Sanne van Kerkhof | b. 1987 | Dutch | Speed skater | L |
| Johannes Kerkorrel | 1960–2002 | South African | Pop musician | G |
| Keith Kerr | b. 1936 | American | United States Army officer | G |
| Sam Kerr | b. 1993 | Australian | Association football player | L |
| J. Warren Kerrigan | 1879–1947 | American | Actor | G |
| Larry Kert | 1930–1991 | American | Actor, singer | G |
| Karl-Maria Kertbeny | 1824–1882 | Hungarian-Austrian | Journalist, memoirist, and human rights campaigner (coined terms "heterosexual" and "homosexual") | G |
| Kesha | b. 1987 | American | Singer-songwriter | B |
| Maryam Keshavarz | b. 1975 | American | Film director, screenwriter | B |
| Hans Kesting | b. 1960 | Dutch | Actor | G |
| Emma Kete | b. 1987 | New Zealand | Footballer | L |
| Maya Keyes | b. 1985 | American | Political activist | L |
| John Maynard Keynes | 1883–1946 | English | Economist | G |
| Sarah Keyworth | b. 1993 | English | Stand-up comedian | L |
| Khải Định | 1885–1925 | Vietnamese | Emperor of the Nguyễn dynasty | G |
| Khalid | b. 1998 | American | Singer | G |
| Bhupen Khakhar | 1934–2003 | Indian | Artist | G |
| El-Farouk Khaki | b. 1963 | Canadian | Lawyer and activist | G |
| Yevgeny Kharitonov | 1941–1981 | Russian | Actor, writer | G |
| Elizabeth Khaxas | b. 1960 | Namibian | Writer, activist | L |
| Mohammad Khordadian | b. 1957 | Iranian | Dancer, choreographer | G |
| Rohit Khosla | 1958–1994 | Indian | Fashion designer | B |
| Lotte Kiærskou | b. 1975 | Danish | Handball player | L |
| Kid Congo Powers | b. 1959 | American | Rock musician, singer (The Gun Club, The Cramps, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds) | G |
| Kid Fury | b. 1987 | American | YouTube personality, podcaster | G |
| Chip Kidd | b. 1964 | American | Graphic designer | G |
| Saleem Kidwai | b. 1951 | Indian | Author | G |
| Caitlín R. Kiernan | b. 1964 | Irish-American | Author | L |
| Bandy Kiki | b. 1991 | Cameroonian | Blogger, LGBT activist, entrepreneur | L |
| Siobhán Killeen | b. 1995 | Irish | Footballer | L |
| Ged Killen | b. 1986 | Scottish | Politician | G |
| Kevin Killian | 1952–2019 | American | Poet, playwright | B |
| Joel Kim Booster | b. 1988 | American | Actor, comedian and writer | G |
| Kim Jho Gwangsoo | b. 1965 | South Korean | Film director | G |
| Willyce Kim | b. 1946 | American | Writer, 1st openly lesbian Asian-American poet published in the U.S. | L |
| Edd Kimber | b. 1986 | English | Reality TV personality; winner of the 2010 Great British Bake Off | G |
| Ben Kimura | 1947–2003 | Japanese | Artist | G |
| Bernard King | 1934–2002 | Australian | TV personality | G |
| Billie Jean King | b. 1943 | American | Tennis player | B |
| Diana King | b. 1970 | Jamaican | Reggae singer-songwriter | L |
| Florence King | b. 1936 | American | Writer | B |
| Kaki King | b. 1979 | American | Rock and jazz musician | L |
| Mark S. King | b. 1960 | American | HIV/AIDS activist, blogger, writer, and actor | G |
| Melissa King | b. 1983 | American | Chef, TV personality | L |
| Michael Patrick King | b. 1954 | American | Director, screenwriter | G |
| King Princess | b. 1988 | American | Singer-songwriter, musician | L |
| Shelley King | b. 1955 | Indian-British | Actor | L |
| Solomon King | 1932–2005 | American | Pop musician | G |
| Troy King | b. 1968 | American | Former Attorney General of Alabama | B |
| William R. King | 1786–1853 | American | Politician, diplomat | G |
| Andrew Kinlochan | b. 1978 | English | Pop musician | G |
| Caitlin Kinnunen | b. 1991 | American | Actor | B |
| Keisuke Kinoshita | 1912–1998 | Japanese | Film director | G |
| Alfred Kinsey | 1894–1956 | American | Biologist, human sexuality researcher | B |
| Gary Kinsman | b. 1955 | Canadian | Sociologist | G |
| Tamás Király | 1952–2013 | Hungarian | Avant-garde fashion designer | G |
| Michael Kirby | b. 1939 | Australian | Justice of the High Court of Australia | G |
| Robert Kirby | b. 1962 | American | Cartoonist | G |
| Tom Kirdahy | b. 1963 | American | Theatre producer | G |
| Kris Kirk | 1950–1993 | English | Journalist, gay rights activist | G |
| Tommy Kirk | 1941–2021 | American | Actor | G |
| Tim Kirkman | b. 1966 | American | Filmmaker | G |
| James Kirkwood, Jr. | 1925–1989 | American | Playwright, author | G |
| Lincoln Kirstein | 1907–1996 | American | Writer, impresario, philanthropist, co-founder of the New York City Ballet | B |
| Kirtanananda Swami | 1937–2011 | American | Hare Krishna guru, racketeer | G |
| Kristen Kish | b. 1983 | American | Chef | L |
| Rives Kistler | b. 1949 | American | Judge | G |
| Tomasz Kitliński | b. 1965 | Polish | Political philosopher, cultural and social analyst, civic activist | G |
| John Kittmer | b. 1967 | English | Diplomat | G |
| Hayley Kiyoko | b. 1991 | American | Singer, actor | L |
| Stine Brun Kjeldaas | b. 1975 | Norwegian | Snowboarder | L |
| Markus Klaer | 1968–2020 | German | Politician | G |
| Jeffrey Klarik | b. ? | American | Writer, producer | G |
| Fritz Klein | 1932–2006 | Austrian-American | Psychiatrist, LGBT activist | B |
| Jason Klein | b. ? | American | Rabbi | G |
| Sharon Kleinbaum | b. 1959 | American | Rabbi | L |
| Irena Klepfisz | b. 1941 | Polish-American | Author | L |
| Rudolf Klimmer | 1905–1977 | German | Psychologist, sexologist, gay rights activist | G |
| Hans Klok | b. 1969 | Dutch | Illusionist | G |
| Ilana Kloss | b. 1956 | South African | Tennis player | L |
| Anna Elizabeth Klumpke | 1856–1942 | American | Portrait and genre painter | L |
| Nikolai Klyuev | 1884–1937 | Russian | Poet | G |
| Steve Kmetko | b. 1953 | American | Broadcast journalist | G |
| Jennifer Knapp | b. 1974 | American | Musician | L |
| Roberta Knie | 1938–2017 | American | Opera singer | L |
| Jennie Lea Knight | 1933–2007 | American | Sculptor | |
| Jonathan Knight | b. 1968 | American | Pop singer (New Kids on the Block) | G |
| T. R. Knight | b. 1973 | American | Actor | G |
| Belle Knox | b. ? | American | Former pornographic actor, activist | B |
| Frankie Knuckles | 1955–2014 | American | DJ, record producer | G |
| Tamai Kobayashi | b. 1965 | Canadian | Writer | L |
| Olha Kobylianska | 1863–1942 | Ukrainian | Writer, feminist | B |
| Cooper Koch | b. 1996 | American | Actor | G |
| Igor Kochetkov | b. 1970 | Russian | Writer, human rights activist | G |
| Boris Kochno | 1904–1990 | Russian | Ballet dancer, poet, librettist | G |
| Bryan Kocis | 1963–2007 | American | Porn producer, murder victim | G |
| Reşat Ekrem Koçu | 1905–1975 | Turkish | Writer, historian | G |
| Paul Koering | b. 1964 | American | Politician | G |
| Wayne Koestenbaum | b. 1958 | American | Poet and cultural critic | G |
| Jeffrey Kofman | b. 1959 | Canadian | Broadcast journalist | G |
| Valentina Kogan | b. 1980 | Argentine | Handball player | L |
| Bob Kohler | 1926–2007 | American | LGBT rights activist | G |
| Sally Kohn | b. 1977 | American | Journalist | L |
| Irene de Kok | b. 1963 | Dutch | Judoka | L |
| Uri Kokia | b. 1981 | Israeli | Basketball player | G |
| Ilse Kokula | b. 1944 | German | Sociologist, author, LGBT activist | L |
| Chris Kolb | b. 1958 | American | Politician | G |
| Jim Kolbe | 1942–2022 | American | Politician | G |
| Dominik Koll | b. 1984 | Austrian | Swimmer | G |
| Helmut Kolle | 1899–1931 | German | Painter | G |
| Oswalt Kolle | 1928–2010 | Dutch-German | Sexologist | B |
| Debra Kolodny | b. ? | American | Rabbi | B |
| Gerrit Komrij | 1944–2012 | Dutch | Poet, novelist, translator, polemic, critic, playwright | G |
| Harry Kondoleon | 1955–1994 | American | Dramatist | G |
| Ralf König | b. 1960 | German | Cartoonist | G |
| Jade Konkel-Roberts | b. 1993 | Scottish | Rugby player | L |
| Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich | 1858–1915 | Russian | Nobleman, poet | G |
| Toto Koopman | 1908–1991 | Dutch-Javanese | Model | B |
| David Kopay | b. 1942 | American | American football player | G |
| Steve Kornacki | b. 1979 | American | Journalist | G |
| Tinja-Riikka Korpela | b. 1986 | Finnish | Footballer | L |
| Michael Kors | b. 1959 | American | Fashion designer | G |
| Jon Kortajarena | b. 1985 | Spanish | Model, actor | G |
| Zak Kostopoulos | 1985–2018 | Greek-American | Activist, murder victim | G |
| Eva Kotchever | 1891–1943 | Polish | Librarian, writer, lesbian bar owner | L |
| Tina Kotek | b. 1966 | American | Politician | L |
| Davina Kotulski | b. 1970 | American | Psychologist, writer, activist | L |
| Sofia Kovalevskaya | 1850–1891 | Russian | Mathematician | B |
| Kris Kovick | 1951–2001 | American | Writer, cartoonist | L |
| Anna Kowalska | 1903–1969 | Polish | Writer | B |
| Daniel Kowalski | b. 1975 | Australian | Swimmer | G |
| Dave Koz | b. 1963 | American | Jazz musician | G |
| Kathy Kozachenko | b. ? | American | Politician | L |
| Vadim Kozin | 1903–1994 | Russian | Singer | G |
| Greg Kramer | 1961–2013 | English-Canadian | Actor | G |
| Larry Kramer | 1935–2020 | American | Writer, LGBT activist | G |
| Vjekoslav Kramer | b. 1976 | Bosnian | Chef, media personality | G |
| Anton Krasovsky | b. 1975 | Russian | Political journalist, TV personality, LGBT rights activist | G |
| Bill Kraus | 1947–1986 | American | Gay-rights/AIDS activist, congressional aide | G |
| Bruce Kraus | b. 1954 | American | Politician | G |
| Katja Kraus | b. 1970 | German | Footballer | L |
| Olga Krause | b. 1953 | Russian | Poet, singer-songwriter, LGBT rights activist | L |
| Elmar Kraushaar | b. 1950 | German | Journalist, author | G |
| Reginald Kray | 1933–2000 | English | Criminal, one half of the Kray twins | B |
| Ronald Kray | 1933–1995 | English | Criminal, one half of the Kray twins | G |
| Levi Kreis | b. 1981 | American | Pop musician | G |
| Carson Kressley | b. 1969 | American | TV personality, actor, designer | G |
| Kelly Kretschman | b. 1979 | American | Softball player | L |
| Marco Kreuzpaintner | b. 1977 | German | Film director, screenwriter | G |
| Nicholas Krgovich | b. 1982 | Canadian | musician | G |
| Ali Krieger | b. 1984 | American | Soccer player | L |
| Henry Krieger | b. 1945 | American | Composer | G |
| Uwe Kröger | b. 1964 | German | Singer, musical theater actor | G |
| John Krokidas | b. 1973 | American | Film director, screenwriter, producer | G |
| Henk Krol | b. 1950 | Dutch | Journalist, publisher, entrepreneur, politician | G |
| Rindert Kromhout | b. 1958 | Dutch | Children's writer | G |
| Lisa Kron | b. 1961 | American | Playwright | L |
| Anne Kronenberg | b. ? | American | Political administrator | L |
| Maren Kroymann | b. 1949 | German | Actor, singer | L |
| Emmy Krüger | 1886–1976 | German | Opera soprano | L |
| Josh Kruger | 1984–2023 | American | Journalist, advocate | G |
| Václav Krška | 1900–1969 | Czech | Film director, screenwriter | G |
| Risto Kübar | b. 1983 | Estonian | Actor | G |
| Daniel Küblböck | 1985–2018 | German | Pop musician, actor | G |
| Iwona Kuczyńska | b. 1961 | Polish | Tennis player | L |
| Sheila Kuehl | b. 1941 | American | Politician | L |
| Thomas Kufen | b. 1973 | German | Politician | G |
| Michael Kühnen | 1955–1991 | German | Neo-Nazi leader | G |
| Kim Kulig | b. 1990 | German | Footballer | L |
| Nancy Kulp | 1921–1991 | American | Actor | L |
| Caroline Kumahara | b. 1995 | Brazilian | Table tennis player | L |
| Luksika Kumkhum | b. 1993 | Thai | Tennis player | L |
| Elisar von Kupffer | 1872–1942 | Baltic German | Artist, writer | G |
| Marius Kurkinski | b. 1969 | Bulgarian | Actor, singer, director | G |
| Kiyoshi Kuromiya | 1943–2000 | American | Author, civil rights and anti-war activist, Gay Liberation Front founder | G |
| Alejandro Kuropatwa | 1956–2003 | Argentine | Photographer | G |
| Elvira Kurt | b. 1961 | Canadian | Comedian | L |
| Ellen Kushner | b. 1955 | American | Author | L |
| Tony Kushner | b. 1956 | American | Playwright | G |
| Dmitry Kuzmin | b. 1968 | Russian | Poet, critic, publisher | G |
| Mikhail Kuzmin | 1872–1936 | Russian | Poet | G |
| Nataliya Kuznetsova | b. 1991 | Russian | World armlifting, bench press and deadlift champion | B |
| Stanley Kwan | b. 1957 | Hong Kong | Film director, producer | G |
| Michał Kwiatkowski | b. 1983 | Polish | Pop singer | G |
| R.O. Kwon | b. ? | South Korean-American | Novelist | B |
| Kylie Kwong | b. 1969 | Chinese-Australian | TV chef, author, TV presenter, restaurateur | L |
| Daniel Kyri | b. 1994 | American | Actor | G |