# List of gay, lesbian or bisexual people: R

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" was not used to describe sexual orientation until the mid 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.

## R

| Name | Lifetime | Nationality | Notable as | Notes |
| Armen Ra | b. 1969 | Iranian-American | Thereminist, production designer, director, performer | G |
| Peer Raben | 1940–2007 | German | Composer | G |
| Keith Rabois | b. 1969 | American | Technology entrepreneur, executive, investor | G |
| Patricia Racette | b. 1965 | American | Opera singer | L |
| María Rachid | b. 1974 | Argentine | Politician, LGBT rights activist | L |
| Radclyffe | b. 1950 | American | Writer | L |
| Fritz J. Raddatz | 1931–2015 | German | Writer, biographer, literary critic | B |
| Johannes Radebe | b. 1987 | South African | Dancer, choreographer | G |
| Eric Radford | b. 1985 | Canadian | Figure skater | G |
| Anne-Imelda Radice | b. 1948 | American | Art historian | L |
| James Rado | 1932–2022 | American | Actor, playwright, director, writer, composer | B |
| Friedrich Radszuweit | 1876–1932 | German | Publisher, writer | G |
| Jason Rae | b. 1986 | American | Student | G |
| Kori Rae | b. ? | American | Film producer | L |
| Kyle Rae | b. 1954 | Canadian | Politician | G |
| Gideon Raff | b. 1972 | Israeli | Film director | G |
| Marc-André Raffalovich | 1864–1934 | French | Journalist, essayist, poet | G |
| Neil Rafferty | b. ? | American | Politician | G |
| Andrew Raftery | b. 1962 | American | Painter | G |
| Luca Ragazzi | b. 1971 | Italian | Film director, screenwriter | G |
| Gautam Raghavan | b. ? | American | Deputy Director of the Office of Presidential Personnel | G |
| Gerome Ragni | 1935–1991 | American | Actor, singer, songwriter, playwright | B |
| Amit Rahav | b. 1995 | Israeli | Actor | G |
| Justin Raimondo | b. 1951 | American | Writer | G |
| Randy Rainbow | b. 1981 | American | Comedian, singer, YouTube personality | G |
| Yvonne Rainer | b. 1934 | American | Dancer, choreographer, filmmaker | L |
| Ma Rainey | 1882–1939 | American | Blues musician | B |
| Traver Rains | b. 1977 | American | Fashion designer | B |
| David Rakoff | 1964–2012 | American | Writer, actor | G |
| Ram Dass | 1931–2019 | American | Spiritual leader | B |
| Ahmad Danny Ramadan | b. 1984 | Syrian-Canadian | Novelist, poet, public speaker, activist | G |
| Dack Rambo | 1941–1994 | American | Actor | B |
| Emilia Ramboldt | b. 1988 | Swedish | Ice hockey player | L |
| Sara Ramirez | b. 1975 | Mexican-American | Actor, singer, songwriter | B |
| Carlos Ramirez-Rosa | b. 1989 | American | Politician | G |
| Manuel Ramos Otero | 1948–1990 | Puerto Rican | Writer | G |
| Benny Nemerofsky Ramsay | b. 1973 | Canadian | Artist | G |
| Emily Randall | b. ? | American | Politician | L |
| James Randi | 1928–2020 | Canadian-American | Magician, scientific skeptic | G |
| Vicki Randle | b. 1954 | American | Pop/jazz musician | L |
| Sridhar Rangayan | b. 1962 | Indian | Filmmaker | G |
| Axel Ranisch | b. 1983 | German | Actor, director, writer | G |
| Jessica Rankin | b. 1971 | Australian | Artist | L |
| Andrew Rannells | b. 1978 | American | Actor | G |
| Al Rantel | b. 1955 | American | Talk show host | G |
| R. Raj Rao | b. 1955 | Indian | Writer, poet, LGBT rights activist | G |
| Nina Rapi | b. ? | Greek | Writer | L |
| Megan Rapinoe | b. 1985 | American | Soccer player | L |
| Rachael Rapinoe | b. 1985 | American | Soccer player | L |
| Anthony Rapp | b. 1971 | American | Actor | B |
| Reneé Rapp | b. 2000 | American | Actor, singer | L |
| Röbi Rapp | 1930–2018 | Swiss | Actor; He and Ernst Ostertag became the 1st gay couple to register a domestic partnership in Switzerland | G |
| Jim Rash | b. 1971 | American | Actor, comedian, filmmaker | G |
| Ian Iqbal Rashid | b. 1965 | Canadian-British | Poet, screenwriter, filmmaker | G |
| Eugenia Rasponi | 1873–1958 | Italian | Noblewoman, suffragist, businessperson | L |
| Ernst vom Rath | 1909–1938 | German | German diplomat, remembered for his assassination in Paris in 1938, which provided a pretext for the Kristallnacht. | G |
| Pongsak Rattanapong (aka Aof) | b. 1985 | Thai | Singer, actor | G |
| Terence Rattigan | 1911–1977 | English | Playwright | G |
| Jonathan Rauch | b. 1960 | American | Writer | G |
| Robert Rauschenberg | 1925–2008 | American | Artist | G |
| Øyvind Rauset | b. 1971 | Norwegian | Rock musician, artist | G |
| Iris Rauskala | b. 1978 | Finnish-Austrian | Civil servant, economist, politician | L |
| Arlene Raven | 1944–2006 | American | Art historian, writer | L |
| Mark Ravenhill | b. 1966 | English | Playwright, actor | G< |
| Yigal Ravid | b. 1957 | Israeli | Journalist, radio and TV presenter | G |
| Yehudit Ravitz | b. 1956 | Israeli | Singer-songwriter, composer, music producer | L |
| Amy Ray | b. 1964 | American | Folk-rock musician (Indigo Girls) | L |
| Johnnie Ray | 1927–1990 | American | Pop musician | G |
| Nicholas Ray | 1911–1979 | American | Film director | B |
| Solomon Ray | b. ? | American | Recording artist, producer, DJ, singer-songwriter | G |
| Tamal Ray | b. 1985/1986 | British | Baker, columnist, doctor | G |
| Javier Raya | b. 1991 | Spanish | Figure skater | G |
| Raymix | b. 1991 | Mexican | Musician, aerospace engineer | G |
| Gene Raymond | 1908–1998 | American | Actor | B |
| Lisa Raymond | b. 1973 | American | Tennis player | L |
| Monica Raymund | b. 1986 | American | Actor | B |
| Michele Rayner | b. 1981 | American | Politician, civil rights attorney, social justice advocate | L |
| Toshi Reagon | b. 1964 | American | Folk-rock musician | L |
| Peeter Rebane | b. 1973 | Estonian | Film producer, director, entrepreneur | G |
| Ricky Rebel | b. 1980 | American | Singer-songwriter, dancer, musician | B |
| John Rechy | b. 1934 | American | Writer | G |
| Jeffrey Reddick | b. ? | American | Screenwriter | G |
| Riley Redgate | b. ? | American | Author | B |
| Michael Redgrave | 1908–1985 | English | Actor | B |
| Marius Redelinghuys | b. 1987 | South African | Politician | G |
| Alfred Redl | 1864–1913 | Austrian | Military officer, spy | G |
| Joe Redner | b. 1940 | American | Strip club owner | G |
| Tasya van Ree | b. 1976 | American | Artist, photographer | L |
| Caitriona Reed | b. 1949 | American | Zen sensei | B |
| Harris Reed | b. 1996 | British–American | Fashion designer | G |
| Lou Reed | 1942–2013 | American | Musician, songwriter | B |
| Phil Reed | 1949–2008 | American | Politician | G |
| Robert Reed | 1932–1992 | American | Actor | G |
| Dee Rees | b. 1977 | American | Film director, screenwriter | L |
| Roger Rees | 1944–2015 | Welsh | Actor, director | G |
| Cheryl Reeve | b. ? | American | Basketball coach | L |
| Kenneth Reeves | b. 1951 | American | Mayor | G |
| Charles A. Reich | 1928–2019 | American | Writer, activist, legal scholar | G |
| Forrest Reid | 1875–1948 | Irish | Writer | G |
| Mandu Reid | b. 1981 | Malawian-British | Current leader of the British Women's Equality Party | B |
| Melissa Reid | b. 1987 | English | Golfer | L |
| Robert Reid-Pharr | b. ? | American | Literary/cultural critic, professor | G |
| Marko Reikop | b. 1969 | Estonian | TV presenter | G |
| Charles Nelson Reilly | 1931–2007 | American | Actor | G |
| Sean Reinert | 1971–2020 | American | Musician, songwriter, drummer (Cynic, Æon Spoke) | G |
| Lili Reinhart | b. 1996 | American | Actor | B |
| Christa Reinig | 1926–2008 | German | Writer, poet | L |
| Kali Reis | b. 1986 | American | Boxer, actor | B |
| Toni Reis | b. 1964 | Brazilian | Teacher, LGBT rights activist | G |
| João Lucas Reis da Silva | b. 2000 | Brazilian | Tennis player | G |
| Rio Reiser | 1950–1996 | German | Rock musician (Ton Steine Scherben) | G |
| Jacob Reitan | b. 1982 | American | LGBT rights activist | G |
| Jennifer Diane Reitz | b. 1959 | American | Computer programmer, cartoonist, gender rights advocate | B |
| Mirkka Rekola | 1931–2014 | Finnish | Writer | L |
| Danton Remoto | b. 1963 | Filipino | Writer, journalist, editor, columnist, educator | G |
| Mary Renault | 1905–1983 | English | Writer | L |
| Derek Rencher | 1932–2014 | British | Ballet dancer | G |
| Ludwig Renn | 1889–1979 | German | Writer, antifascist | G |
| Maria Ressa | b. 1963 | Filipino-American | Journalist, Nobel Prize winner | L |
| Denise Restout | 1915–2004 | French | Musician | L |
| Glen Retief | b. ? | South African | Writer | G |
| Yolanda Retter | 1947–2007 | American | Librarian, archivist, scholar, activist | L |
| Paul Reubens | 1952–2023 | American | Actor (Pee-wee Herman), comedian | G |
| Gerard Reve | 1923–2006 | Dutch | Writer | G |
| Nina Revoyr | b. 1969 | American | Author, children's advocate | L |
| Rex | b. ? | American | Artist, illustrator | G |
| Bebe Rexha | b. 1989 | American | Singer-songwriter | B |
| Felix Rexhausen | 1932–1992 | German | Journalist, editor, author | G |
| Miguel Angel Reyes | b. 1964 | American | Artist, professor of art, jazz and modern dancer | G |
| Feliciano Reyna | b. 1955 | Venezuelan | Architect, AIDS activist | G |
| Hunter Reynolds | 1959–2022 | American | HIV activist, artist | G |
| Lady Rhea | b. ? | American | Writer | L |
| Stephen Rhodes | b. 1984 | American | Stock car racing driver | G |
| Max Rhyser | b. 1982 | Danish-American-Israeli | Actor, modeling | G |
| Øystein Rian | b. 1945 | Norwegian | Historian | G |
| Conrad Ricamora | b. 1979 | American | Actor | G |
| Jason Ricci | b. 1974 | American | Blues musician | G |
| Christopher Rice | b. 1978 | American | Writer | G |
| Dylan Rice | b. 1976 | American | Singer-songwriter | G |
| Santino Rice | b. 1974 | American | Fashion designer | G |
| Adrienne Rich | 1929–2012 | American | Poet | L |
| Little Richard | 1932–2020 | American | Singer-songwriter, musician | B |
| Maurice Richard | b. 1946 | Canadian | Politician | G |
| J. August Richards | b. 1973 | American | Actor | G |
| Anna Richardson | b. 1970 | English | TV presenter, writer, journalist | B |
| Bill Richardson | b. 1955 | Canadian | Writer, radio personality | G |
| Kieron Richardson | b. 1986 | English | Actor | G |
| Sha'Carri Richardson | b. 2000 | American | Sprinter | L |
| Tony Richardson | 1928–1991 | English | Film director | B |
| Helen Richardson-Walsh | b. 1981 | English | Field hockey player | L |
| Kate Richardson-Walsh | b. 1980 | English | Field hockey player | L |
| Richarlyson | b. 1982 | Brazilian | Footballer | B |
| Jeffrey Richman | b. ? | American | Producer, writer, actor | G |
| Sviatoslav Richter | 1915–1997 | Russian | Classical musician | G |
| Charles Ricketts | 1866–1931 | English | Artist, writer | G |
| Igor Rickli | b. 1983 | Brazilian | Actor | B |
| Sally Ride | 1951–2012 | American | Astronaut, first American woman in space, first openly LGBT astronaut | L |
| Keith Ridgway | b. 1965 | Irish | Author | G |
| Eva Rieger | b. 1940 | German | Musicologist | L |
| Rod Riffler | 1907–1941 | Croatian | Choreographer, Holocaust victim | G |
| Lynn Riggs | 1899–1954 | American | Playwright, poet | G |
| Marlon Riggs | 1957–1994 | American | Filmmaker | G |
| Cody Rigsby | b. 1987 | American | Fitness instructor, dancer, TV personality | G |
| Greg Rikaart | b. 1977 | American | Actor | G |
| Arthur Rimbaud | 1854–1891 | French | Poet | G |
| Robert Rinder | b. 1978 | English | Barrister, television personality | G |
| Nils Johan Ringdal | 1952–2008 | Norwegian | Writer, historian | G |
| Edgars Rinkēvičs | b. 1973 | Latvian | Politician, 11th President of Latvia, official | G |
| Laura del Rio | b. 1982 | Spanish | Footballer | L |
| Pío del Río Hortega | 1882–1945 | Spanish | Neuroscientist | G |
| João do Rio | 1881–1921 | Brazilian | Writer | G |
| Ana Lucía Riojas Martínez | b. ? | Mexican | Politician | L |
| Cassandra Rios | 1932–2002 | Brazilian | Writer, novelist | L |
| Emily Rios | b. 1989 | American | Actor | L |
| Frank Ripploh | 1949–2002 | German | Actor, film director, author | G |
| Mārtiņš Rītiņš | 1949–2022 | Latvian | Chef, TV presenter, businessman | G |
| Adam Rippon | b. 1989 | American | Figure skater | G |
| Louise Ritter | b. 1958 | American | Track and field athlete | L |
| Herb Ritts | 1952–2002 | American | Photographer | G |
| Marialy Rivas | b. ? | Chilean | Screenwriter, film director | L |
| Naike Rivelli | b. 1974 | Italian | Actor | B |
| Bobby Rivers | 1953–2023 | American | Television personality | G |
| Harrison David Rivers | b. 1981 | American | Playwright | G |
| Mawaan Rizwan | b. 1992 | Pakistani-British | Actor, screenwriter, TV personality | G |
| Law Roach | b. ? | American | Stylist, TV personality | G |
| Mattea Roach | b. 1998 | Canadian | Game show contestant, tutor | L |
| Chappell Roan | b. 1998 | American | Singer | L |
| Jerome Robbins | 1918–1998 | American | Choreographer | G |
| Carolina de Robertis | b. 1975 | Uruguayan-American | Author, teacher | L |
| Adele Roberts | b. 1979 | British | Broadcaster, reality TV personality | L |
| Danny Roberts | b. 1977 | American | Media personality | G |
| Hannah Roberts | b. 2001 | American | Cyclist | L |
| Hig Roberts | b. 1991 | American | Alpine skier | G |
| Ian Roberts | b. 1965 | Australian | Rugby player | G |
| John Roberts | b. ? | American | Actor, comedian | G |
| Leslie Roberts | b. 1962 | Canadian | News anchor | G |
| Rob Roberts | b. 1979 | Welsh | Politician | G |
| Robin Roberts | b. 1960 | American | News anchor | L |
| Thomas Roberts | b. 1972 | American | News anchor, TV journalist | G |
| Grant Robertson | b. 1971 | New Zealand | Politician | G |
| Ronald Robertson | 1937–2000 | American | Figure skater | G |
| Chloé Robichaud | b. 1988 | Canadian | Filmmaker | L |
| Rubem Robierb | b. 1976 | Brazilian | Visual artist, sculptor, photographer | G |
| David Robilliard | 1952–1988 | British | Poet, contemporary artist | G |
| Muriel Robin | b. 1955 | French | Actor, comedian | L |
| Angela Robinson | b. 1971 | American | Filmmaker | L |
| Beth Robinson | b. 1965 | American | Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court | L |
| Frank M. Robinson | 1926–2014 | American | Writer | G |
| Gene Robinson | b. 1947 | American | Bishop | G |
| Kelley Robinson | b. 1985/1986 | American | Community organizer, President of the Human Rights Campaign | L |
| Svend Robinson | b. 1952 | Canadian | Politician | G |
| Tom Robinson | b. 1950 | English | Rock musician, DJ | B |
| Mo Rocca | b. 1969 | American | Writer, comedian | G |
| Danni Roche | b. 1970 | Australian | Field hockey player | L |
| Mazo de la Roche | 1879–1961 | Canadian | Writer | G |
| Bretman Rock | b. 1998 | American | YouTube personality | G |
| Jeff Rock | b. 19?? | Canadian | Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto pastor | G |
| Jamey Rodemeyer | 1997–2011 | American | Blogger, suicide victim | G |
| Robert Rodi | b. 1956 | American | Writer | G |
| João Pedro Rodrigues | b. ? | Portuguese | Film director | G |
| Frankie A. Rodriguez | b. 1996? | American | Actor | G |
| Hena Rodríguez | 1915–1997 | Colombian | Sculptor | L |
| Jai Rodriguez | b. 1979 | American | Reality show host, actor, cabaret musician | G |
| Juana María Rodríguez | b. ? | American | Professor, theorist | B |
| Michelle Rodriguez | b. 1978 | American | Actor, screenwriter, DJ | B |
| Patricia Yurena Rodríguez | b. 1990 | Spanish | Actor, model, beauty queen, and the 1st openly lesbian international beauty queen and Miss Spain | L |
| Richard Rodriguez | b. 1944 | American | Writer | G |
| Vincent Rodriguez III | b. 1982 | American | Actor | G |
| Ofelia Rodríguez Acosta | 1902–1975 | Cuban | Writer, journalist, feminist, activist | L |
| Elena Rodriguez-Falcon | b. 1972 | Mexican | Chemical engineer, academic | L |
| Manuel Rodríguez Lozano | 1896–1971 | Mexican | Artist | B |
| Rafael Rodríguez Rapún | 1912–1937 | Spanish | Footballer, actor, soldier | G |
| Yamila Rodríguez | b. 1998 | Argentine | Footballer | L |
| Craig Rodwell | 1940–1993 | American | Gay rights activist, organizer & writer. | G |
| Maria Rodziewiczówna | 1863–1944 | Polish | Writer, suffragist | L |
| John Roecker | b. 1966 | American | Filmmaker | G |
| Ruth Margarete Roellig | 1878–1969 | German | Writer | L |
| Eric Rofes | 1954–2006 | American | Writer | G |
| Rosamaría Roffiel | b. 1945 | Mexican | Writer, journalist, editor | L |
| Howard Roffman | b. 1955 | American | Photographer, lawyer | G |
| Alan G. Rogers | 1967–2008 | American | Soldier, LGBT rights activist | G |
| Charles Rogers | b. 1987 | American | Director, screenwriter, producer, actor | G |
| Gerry Rogers | b. 1964 | Canadian | Filmmaker, actor, politician | L |
| Matt Rogers | b. 1990 | American | Actor, podcaster, writer, comedian | G |
| Robbie Rogers | b. 1987 | American | Footballer | G |
| Craig Rogerson | b. 1965 | Australian | Diver | G |
| Ernst Röhm | 1887–1934 | German | Leading Nazi and Oberster SA-Führer | G |
| Jeff Rohrer | b. 1958 | American | Football player | G |
| Yulimar Rojas | b. 1995 | Venezuelan | Track and field athlete | L |
| Frederick Rolfe | 1860–1913 | English | Writer | G |
| Ron Romanovsky | b. ? | American | Musician (Romanovsky and Phillips) | G |
| Haris Romas | b. 1960 | Greek | Actor, screenwriter, lyricist | G |
| Anthony Romero | b. 1965 | American | Executive Director of the ACLU | G |
| Cesar Romero | 1907–1994 | American | Actor | G |
| Gabriel Romero | b. ? | Mexican | Actor | G |
| Jean-Luc Romero | b. 1959 | French | Politician, writer | G |
| Steven Romo | b. 1987 | American | Journalist | G |
| Frank Ronan | b. 1963 | Irish | Novelist | G |
| Jim Rondeau | b. 1959 | Canadian | Politician | G |
| Trine Rønning | b. 1982 | Norwegian | Footballer | L |
| Samantha Ronson | b. 1977 | English | DJ | B |
| Paul Ronzheimer | b. 1985 | German | Journalist | G |
| Jack Rooke | b. 1993 | English | Comedian, writer | G |
| Don Roos | b. 1959 | American | Filmmaker | G |
| Esther Roper | 1868–1938 | English | Suffragist | L |
| Horacio Roque Ramírez | 1969–2015 | Salvadoran-American | Historian | G |
| Ned Rorem | 1923–2022 | American | Contemporary classical composer, diarist | G |
| Hayden Rorke | 1910–1987 | American | Actor | G |
| Angela Ro Ro | b. 1949 | Brazilian | Singer-songwriter | L |
| Will Roscoe | b. 1964 | American | Writer | G |
| Calypso Rose | b. 1940 | Tobagonian | Calypsonian; 1st female calypso star | L |
| Felipe Rose | b. 1954 | American | Pop musician (Village People) | G |
| George Rose | 1920–1988 | English | Actor | G |
| Ruby Rose | b. 1986 | Australian | Model, DJ, recording artist, actor, TV presenter | L |
| Sherman de Rose | b. ? | Sri Lankan | LGBT activist | G |
| Hilary Rosen | b. 1958 | American | Recording industry leader, TV commentator | L |
| Lev A. C. Rosen | b. ? | American | Author | G |
| Mark Brennan Rosenberg | b. ? | American | Author, comedian | G |
| Stan Rosenberg | b. 1949 | American | Politician | G |
| Bill Rosendahl | b. 1945 | American | Politician | G |
| Paul Rosenfels | 1909–1985 | American | Social scientist | G |
| Paul Rosenthal | b. ? | American | Politician | G |
| Dora Rosetti | 1908–1989 | Greek | Gynecologist | B |
| Maer Roshan | b. ? | American | Writer | G |
| Golda Rosheuvel | b. 1970 | Guyanese-British | Actor, singer | L |
| Ben Levi Ross | b. 1998 | American | Actor | G |
| Grace Ross | b. 1961 | American | Politician | L |
| Leone Ross | b. 1969 | British-Jamaican | Novelist, short story writer, editor, journalist, academic | B |
| Robbie Ross | 1869–1918 | Canadian | Journalist, art critic | G |
| Shaun Ross | b. 1991 | American | Model, actor, dancer | G |
| Sinclair Ross | 1908–1996 | Canadian | Banker, writer | G |
| Sal Rosselli | b. 1949 | American | Labor leader | G |
| Markku Rossi | b. 1956 | Finnish | Politician | G |
| Portia de Rossi | b. 1973 | Australian | Actor, wife of Ellen DeGeneres | L |
| Martin Rossiter | b. 1970 | Welsh | Rock musician (Gene) | G |
| Petra Rossner | b. 1966 | German | Cyclist | L |
| Maurice Rostand | 1891–1968 | French | Poet, novelist, playwright | G |
| Gabriel Rotello | b. 1953 | American | Writer, producer | G |
| Ernie Roth | 1926–1983 | American | Professional wrestling manager | G |
| Jim Roth | b. 1968 | American | Politician | G |
| Jordan Roth | b. 1975 | American | Theater producer | G |
| Rosely Roth | 1959–1990 | Brazilian | LGBT rights activist | L |
| Vanessa Rousso | b. 1983 | American | Professional poker player | L |
| Olivier Rousteing | b. 1985 | French | Fashion designer | G |
| Alma Routsong | 1924–1996 | American | Writer | L |
| Olivier Rouyer | b. 1955 | French | Footballer | G |
| Lauren Rowles | b. 1998 | English | Parasport rower, wheelchair athlete | L |
| A. L. Rowse | 1903–1997 | English | Historian, writer | G |
| Lesley Roy | b. 1986 | Irish | Singer | L |
| Bert V. Royal | b. 1977 | American | Screenwriter, playwright | G |
| Patricia Rozema | b. 1958 | Canadian | Film director | L |
| Ruan Ji | 210–263 | Chinese | One of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove | G |
| Steve Rubell | 1943–1989 | American | Co-owner of Studio 54 | G |
| Bruce Joel Rubin | b. 1943 | American | Screenwriter | G |
| Dave Rubin | b. 1976 | American | Political commentator, YouTube personality, talk show host | G |
| Gayle Rubin | b. 1949 | American | Cultural anthropologist | L |
| Ida Rubinstein | 1883–1960 | Russian | Actor, dancer | B |
| Ronen Rubinstein | b. 1993 | Israeli-American | Actor, activist | B |
| Seth Rudetsky | b. ? | American | Writer, radio personality | G |
| Scott Rudin | b. 1958 | American | Film producer | G |
| Paul Rudnick | b. 1957 | American | Writer, screenwriter | G |
| Kathy Rudy | b. ? | American | Ethicist, writer | L |
| Kurt von Ruffin | 1901–1996 | German | Holocaust survivor | G |
| Adamo Ruggiero | b. 1986 | Canadian | Actor | G |
| Deb Ruggiero | b. 1958 | American | Politician, radio personality | L |
| Javier Ruisanchez | b. 1997 | Puerto Rican | Swimmer | G |
| Mike Ruiz | b. 1964 | American | Actor, film director | G |
| Pablo Ruiz | b. 1975 | Argentine | Pop singer | G |
| Muriel Rukeyser | 1913–1980 | American | Poet, political activist | B |
| Jane Rule | b. 1931 | Canadian | Author | L |
| Anna Rüling | 1880–1953 | German | Journalist, lesbian activist | L |
| RuPaul | b. 1960 | American | Drag queen, actor, model, singer, TV personality | G |
| Michael Rupert | b. 1951 | American | Actor | G |
| Imani Rupert-Gordon | b. 1979 | American | Executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights (San Francisco, California) | L |
| Pacôme Rupin | b. 1985 | French | Politician | G |
| Laurent Ruquier | b. 1963 | French | Journalist, TV and radio host | G |
| Herbert Rusche | b. 1952 | German | Politician | G |
| Joshua Rush | b. 2001 | American | Actor | B |
| Stella Rush | 1925–2015 | American | Journalist, activist | L |
| Joanna Russ | 1937-2011 | American | Writer | L |
| Ada Dwyer Russell | 1863–1952 | American | Actor | L |
| Arthur Russell | 1952–1992 | American | Pop musician | G |
| Erick Russell | b. ? | American | Politician | G |
| P. Craig Russell | b. 1951 | American | Comic artist | G |
| Ryan Russell | b. 1992 | American | Football player | B |
| Lloyd Russell-Moyle | b. 1986 | English | Politician | G |
| Albert Russo | b. 1943 | Belgian | Writer | G |
| Giuni Russo | 1951–2004 | Italian | Singer-songwriter | L |
| Renato Russo | 1960–1996 | Brazilian | Rock musician (Legião Urbana) | B |
| Vito Russo | 1946–1990 | American | LGBT rights activist, cofounder of GLAAD, writer, film historian | G |
| Bayard Rustin | 1912–1987 | American | Civil rights activist | G |
| Elizabeth Ruth | b. 1968 | Canadian | Writer | L |
| Nancy Ruth | b. 1942 | Canadian | Politician | L |
| Paul Rutherford | b. 1959 | English | Pop musician (Frankie Goes to Hollywood) | G |
| Ryan | b. 1978 | Indonesian | Serial killer | G |
| Bill Ryan | b. 1955 | Canadian | Professor | G |
| Kay Ryan | b. 1945 | American | 16th Poet Laureate of the United States | L |
| Lee Ryan | b. 1983 | English | Singer–songwriter | B |
| Sara Ryan | b. 1971 | American | Writer, librarian | B |
| John Rykener | fl. 1390s | English | Transvestite prostitute | G |
| Geoff Ryman | b. 1951 | Canadian-English | Writer | G |