# List of gay, lesbian or bisexual people: I–J

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 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.

## I

| Name | Lifetime | Nationality | Notable as | Notes |
| Paul Iacono | b. 1988 | American | Actor | G |
| Janis Ian | b. 1951 | American | Singer-songwriter | L |
| Eréndira Ibarra | b. 1985 | Mexican | Actor | B |
| Xandra Ibarra | b. ? | American | Performance artist | L |
| Miquel Iceta | b. 1960 | Spanish | Politician | G |
| Youssef Idilbi | 1976–2008 | Dutch | Actor | G |
| Marleen van Iersel | b. 1988 | Dutch | Volleyball player | L |
| Arnell Ignacio | b. 1964 | Filipino | TV personality, actor, singer | B |
| Witi Ihimaera | b. 1944 | New Zealand | Author | G |
| Allison Ikley-Freeman | b. ? | American | Politician | L |
| Ioannis Ikonomou | b. 1964 | Greek | Translator for the EU | G |
| Nnanna Ikpo | b. ? | Nigerian | Novelist | G |
| Pablo Illanes | b. 1973 | Chilean | Writer, journalist, film director | G |
| iLoveMakonnen | b. 1989 | American | Rapper, singer | G |
| Silvana Imam | b. 1986 | Lithuanian-Swedish | Rapper | L |
| Blair Imani | b. 1993 | American | African-American and Muslim activist, writer | L |
| Connie Imboden | b. 1953 | American | Photographer | L |
| Per Imerslund | 1912–1943 | Norwegian | Nazi soldier, writer | G |
| Facundo Imhoff | b. 1989 | Argentine | Volleyball player | G |
| Mark Indelicato | b. 1994 | American | Actor | G |
| Gary Indiana | 1950–2024 | American | Writer, actor, artist, cultural critic | G |
| Rita Indiana | b. 1977 | Dominican | Author, singer-songwriter | L |
| Alvin Ing | 1932–2021 | American | Singer, actor | G |
| William Inge | 1913–1973 | American | Playwright, novelist | G |
| John Inman | 1935–2007 | English | Actor | G |
| Vera Int-Veen | b. 1967 | German | TV presenter and producer | L |
| Manu Intiraymi | b. 1978 | American | Actor, writer, director, film producer | B |
| Willoughby Ions | 1881–1977 | American | Dramatist | L |
| Cemil İpekçi | b. 1948 | Turkish | Fashion designer | G |
| Daniela Iraschko-Stolz | b. 1983 | Austrian | Ski jumper | L |
| Percy Irausquin | 1969–2008 | Aruban-Dutch | Fashion designer | G |
| Samantha Irby | b. 1980 | American | Comedian, author | B |
| Doug Ireland | b. 1946 | American | Journalist, blogger | G |
| Evelyn Irons | 1900–2000 | Scottish | Journalist | L |
| Daniel K. Isaac | b. 1988 | American | Actor | G |
| Rachel Isaacs | b. ? | American | 1st openly lesbian rabbi ordained by the Conservative movement's Jewish Theological Seminary | L |
| Håkan Isacson | 1958–2002 | Swedish | Intelligence agent | G |
| Richard Isay | b. 1934 | American | Author, psychiatrist | G |
| Sharon Isbin | b. 1956 | American | Classical musician | L |
| Taiga Ishikawa | b. 1974 | Japanese | Politician, activist | G |
| Wataru Ishizaka | b. 1976 | Japanese | Politician, LGBT rights activist | G |
| Tania Israel | b. 1966 | American | Psychologist, professor | B |
| Sam Irvin | b. 1956 | American | Director | G |
| Elisabeth Irwin | 1880–1942 | American | Educator, psychologist, reformer | L |
| Christopher Isherwood | 1904–1986 | English | Author | G |
| Arturo Islas | 1938–1991 | American | Academic | G |
| Tari Ito | 1951–2021 | Japanese | Performance artist, activist | L |
| Maja Ivarsson | b. 1979 | Swedish | Rock musician (The Sounds) | B |
| George Cecil Ives | 1867–1950 | English | Poet, writer, penal reformer, gay rights campaigner | G |
| Rurik Ivnev | 1891–1981 | Russian | Poet, translator | G |
| James Ivory | b. 1928 | American | Filmmaker | G |
| Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz | 1894–1980 | Polish | Poet, writer | B |
| Harish Iyer | b. 1979 | Indian | Activist | G |
| Boris Izaguirre | b. 1965 | Venezuelan | Writer | G |

## J

| Name | Lifetime | Nationality | Notable as | Notes |
| Paul Jabara | 1948–1992 | American | Actor, singer-songwriter | G |
| Harold Jackman | 1901–1961 | British-American | Teacher, model, patron of the arts | G |
| Brian Keith Jackson | b. 1968 | American | Writer | G |
| Cheyenne Jackson | b. 1975 | American | Actor | G |
| Colin Jackson | b. 1967 | Welsh | Sprinter, hurdler | G |
| Jack Jackson Jr. | b. ? | American | Politician | G |
| Joe Jackson | b. 1954 | English | Singer-songwriter, musician | B |
| Michael R. Jackson | b. ? | American | Playwright, lyricist and composer | G |
| Paris Jackson | b. 1998 | American | Actor, daughter of Michael Jackson | B |
| Tony Jackson | 1882–1921 | American | Pianist, singer, composer | G |
| Max Jacob | 1876–1944 | French | Poet, painter, writer, critic | G |
| Derek Jacobi | b. 1938 | English | Actor, director | G |
| Helen Jacobs | 1908–1997 | American | Professional tennis player | L |
| Marc Jacobs | b. 1963 | American | Fashion designer | G |
| Abbi Jacobson | b. 1984 | American | Film actor | B |
| Louisa Jacobson | b. 1991 | American | Model, actor | L |
| Peter Marc Jacobson | b. 1957 | American | Actor, director | G |
| Simon Porte Jacquemus | b. 1990 | French | Fashion designer | G |
| Cheryl Jacques | b. 1962 | American | Politician, LGBT rights activist | L |
| Louis Jacquinot | 1898–1993 | French | Politician, lawyer | G |
| Felix Jaehn | b. 1994 | German | DJ, record producer | B |
| Michal Jagelka | b. 1977 | Czech | Actor | G |
| Nico de Jager | b. ? | South African | Politician | G |
| Hans Henny Jahnn | 1894–1959 | German | Playwright, novelist | B |
| Sabrina Jalees | b. 1985 | Canadian | Comedian | L |
| Afdhere Jama | b. 1978 | Somalian | Writer | G |
| Paco Jamandreu | 1925–1995 | Argentine | Fashion designer, actor | G |
| Aiden James | b. 1982 | American | Singer-songwriter | G |
| Duncan James | b. 1978 | English | Singer-songwriter (Blue) | B |
| G. Winston James | b. ? | American | Poet, essayist, editor, activist | G |
| Jeremy James | b. 1978 | American | Singer-songwriter | G |
| Kevin James | b. 1963 | American | Broadcaster, politician, former Assistant U.S. Attorney | G |
| Margot James | b. 1958 | English | Politician, entrepreneur | L |
| Marlon James | b. 1970 | Jamaican | Writer | G |
| Parson James | b. 1994 | American | Singer-songwriter | G |
| Ryland James | b. 1999 | Canadian | Singer-songwriter | Q |
| Sylvester James | 1948–1988 | American | Singer | G |
| Piroska Jancsó-Ladányi | 1934–1954 | Hungarian | Serial killer | L |
| Gary Janetti | b. 1966 | American | TV writer and producer | G |
| Crystal Jang | b. ? | American | LGBT activist | L |
| Jang Yeong-jin | b. 1957/1958 | Korean | Writer, North Korean defector | G |
| Claude Janiak | b. 1948 | Swiss | Politician |
| Maria Janion | 1926–2020 | Polish | Scholar, critic, literary theoretician, politician | L |
| Jakub Jankto | b. 1996 | Czech | Footballer | G |
| Tove Jansson | 1914–2001 | Finnish | Author | L |
| Arthur Japin | b. 1956 | Dutch | Novelist | G |
| Derek Jarman | 1942–1994 | English | Film director | G |
| Aleksandra Jarmolińska | b. 1990 | Polish | Sports shooter | L |
| Alfred Jarry | 1873–1907 | French | Playwright | G |
| Jason and deMarco (band) | b. 1975/1976 | American | Christian musical duo | G |
| Carlos Jáuregui | 1957–1996 | Argentine | LGBT rights activist, founder of La Comunidad Homosexual Argentina, brother of Roberto Jáuregui | G |
| Lauren Jauregui | b. 1996 | American | Pop singer (Fifth Harmony) | B |
| Roberto Jáuregui | 1960–1994 | Argentine | Journalist, actor, human rights activist, brother of Carlos Jáuregui | G |
| Karla Jay | b. 1947 | American | Professor, LGBT rights activist | L |
| Sam Jay | b. 1982 | American | Writer, comedian | L |
| Lorri Jean | b. ? | American | LGBT rights activist | L |
| Karine Jean-Pierre | b. 1977 | Haitian-American | Political campaign organizer, activist, political commentator, author serving as White House Deputy Press Secretary since 2021 | L |
| Alex Jeffers | b. ? | American | Writer | G |
| Patrick Jeffrey | b. 1965 | American | Diver | G |
| Mike Jeffries | b. 1944 | American | Businessman | G |
| Konstanty Jeleński | 1922–1987 | Polish | Writer | G |
| Martin Jenkins | b. 1953 | American | 1st openly gay Justice of the California Supreme Court | G |
| Max Jenkins | b. 1985 | American | Actor, writer | G |
| Roy Jenkins | 1920–2003 | Welsh | Politician, historian, writer | B |
| Walter Jenkins | 1918–1985 | American | Special assistant to U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson | B |
| Dale Jennings | 1917–2000 | American | LGBT rights activist, playwright, author | G |
| Drake Jensen | b. 1970 | Canadian | country singer-songwriter | G |
| Hayley Jensen | b. 1992 | New Zealand | Cricketer | L |
| Jeong Yol | b. 1976 | South Korean | LGBT and Human Rights activist | G |
| Daniel Jervis | b. 1996 | Welsh | Swimmer | G |
| Christian Jessen | b. 1977 | English | Physician, TV presenter | G. |
| Jessie J | b. 1988 | English | Singer-songwriter | B |
| Connor Jessup | b. 1994 | Canadian | Actor, writer, director | G |
| Robin de Jesús | b. 1984 | American | Actor | G |
| Michael Jeter | 1952–2003 | American | Actor | G |
| Charlot Jeudy | 1984–2019 | Haitian | LGBT rights activist | G |
| Geri Jewell | b. 1956 | American | Comedian, actor | L |
| Sarah Orne Jewett | 1849–1909 | American | Author | L |
| Sophia Jex-Blake | 1840–1912 | English | Physician, suffragette | L |
| Barbara Jezeršek | b. 1986 | Slovenian | Skier | L |
| Patria Jiménez | b. 1957 | Mexican | Politician, first openly lesbian member of the Congress of Mexico | L |
| Phil Jimenez | b. 1970 | American | Comic artist | G |
| Emperor Jing of Han | 188–141 BC | Chinese (Han Dynasty) | Head of state | B |
| Laurie Jinkins | b. ? | American | Politician | L |
| Napolean Jinnies | b. ? | American | One of the first male National Football League (NFL) cheerleaders to perform during the Super Bowl | G |
| Peter Jöback | b. 1971 | Swedish | Singer | G |
| Jobriath | 1946–1983 | American | Rock musician | G |
| Percy Jocelyn | 1764–1842 | Irish | Anglican Bishop of Clogher | G |
| Sonja Jógvansdóttir | b. 1977 | Faroese | Journalist, establisher and coordinator of SAMTAK | L |
| Klara Johanson | 1875–1948 | Swedish | Journalist | L |
| Karan Johar | b. 1972 | Indian | Actor, film director, screenwriter, TV personality | G |
| Navtej Johar | b. 1959 | Indian | Choreographer | G |
| Edmund John | 1883–1917 | English | Uranian poet | G |
| Elton John | b. 1947 | English | Pop singer, musician | G |
| Gwen John | 1876–1939 | Welsh | Painter | B |
| Jeffrey John | b. 1953 | English | Anglican priest | G |
| Jasper Johns | b. 1930 | American | Artist | G |
| Christine Johnson | b. 1968 | American | Politician | L |
| Craig Johnson | b. ? | American | Film director, screenwriter | G |
| Darren Johnson | b. 1966 | English | Politician | G |
| Dean Johnson | 1961–2007 | American | Musician, party promoter | G |
| Deon K. Johnson | b. ? | Barbadian-American | XI Bishop of Missouri | G |
| E. Patrick Johnson | b. 1967 | American | Academic | G |
| Fenton Johnson | b. 1954 | American | Author | G |
| Glory Johnson | b. 1990 | American | Basketball player | L |
| Holly Johnson | b. 1960 | English | Pop singer (Frankie Goes to Hollywood) | G |
| Jay Armstrong Johnson | b. 1987 | American | Actor, singer,dancer | G |
| Jed Johnson | 1948–1996 | American | Interior designer, film director | G |
| Joanna Johnson | b. 1961 | American | Actor | L |
| Ken "Snakehips" Johnson | 1914–1941 | Guyanese-British | Jazz band leader, dancer | G |
| Lionel Johnson | 1867–1902 | English | Poet | G |
| Liz Johnson | b. 1974 | American | Ten-pin bowler | L |
| My-King Johnson | b. ? | American | Football player | G |
| Philip Johnson | 1906–2005 | American | Architect | G |
| Punkie Johnson | b. 1985 | American | Actress, comedian | L |
| Sam Johnson | b. 1989 | New Zealand | Social entrepreneurship, activist | G |
| Scott Johnson | 1961–1988 | American | PhD student who was killed in a homophobic attack | G |
| Sonia Johnson | b. 1936 | American | Feminist activist, writer | L |
| Van Johnson | 1916–2008 | American | Actor, dancer | G |
| Frances Benjamin Johnston | 1864–1952 | American | Photographer | L |
| Gus Johnston | b. 1979 | Australian | Creative director, filmmaker, LGBT activist, field hockey player | G |
| Jill Johnston | 1929–2010 | American | Feminist author, cultural critic | L |
| Lyndon Johnston | b. 1961 | Canadian | Figure skater | G |
| Campbell Johnstone | b. 1980 | New Zealand | Rugby player | G |
| William R. Johnson | b.1946 | American | First openly gay minister to be ordained in a historic protestant denomination | G |
| Angelina Jolie | b. 1975 | American | Actor | B |
| Gerard Joling | b. 1960 | Dutch | Pop singer | G |
| Jess Jonassen | b. 1992 | Australian | Cricketer | L |
| Adam Garnet Jones | b. 1982/83 | Canadian | Filmmaker, screenwriter | G |
| Aled Haydn Jones | b. 1976 | Welsh | Radio DJ | G |
| Allison Jones | b. 1984 | American | Paralympic skier, cyclist | L |
| Bill T. Jones | b. 1952 | American | Dancer, choreographer | G |
| Brandon Scott Jones | b. ? | American | Actor, writer | G |
| Cherry Jones | b. 1956 | American | Actor | L |
| Cleve Jones | b. 1954 | American | Activist | G |
| Dot-Marie Jones | b. 1964 | American | Shot putter, arm wrestler, actor | L |
| G. B. Jones | b. 1965 | Canadian | Artist, filmmaker | B |
| Gina Ortiz Jones | b. 1981 | American | Intelligence officer, politician | L |
| Ignatius Jones | b. 1957 | Filipino-Australian | Singer (Jimmy and the Boys, Pardon Me Boys), contortionist, actor, events director | B |
| Jason Jones | b. 1964 | Trinidadian and Tobagonian | LGBT activist | G |
| Jim Jones | 1931–1978 | American | Cult leader | B |
| Jolanda Jones | b. 1965 | American | Attorney, TV personality, politician, heptathlete | L |
| Megan Jones | b. 1996 | Welsh | Rugby player | L |
| Owen Jones | b. 1984 | English | Columnist, political commentator, writer, activist | G |
| Rahne Jones | b. 1987 | American | Actor | L |
| Randy Jones | b. 1952 | American | Pop singer (Village People) | G |
| Robert Jones | b. ? | British | Writer, figure skating popularizer | G |
| Rosie Jones | b. 1959 | American | Golfer | L |
| Rosie Jones | b. 1990 | English | Comedian, actress | L |
| Saeed Jones | b. 1985 | American | Poet | G |
| Sarah Jones | b. 1990 | Welsh | Field hockey player | L |
| Shevrin D. Jones | b. 1983 | American | Politician, teacher; 1st openly gay African-American legislator in Florida | G |
| Steffi Jones | b. 1972 | German | Footballer, manager | L |
| Venton Jones | b. ? | American | Politician | G |
| Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger | b. 1985 | American | Mixed martial arts fighter | L |
| Jónsi | b. 1975 | Icelandic | Rock musician (Sigur Rós, Jónsi & Alex) | G |
| Dennis de Jong | b. 1955 | Dutch | Politician | G |
| Wolfgang Joop | b. 1944 | German | Fashion designer | B |
| Janis Joplin | 1943–1970 | American | Singer | B |
| Barbara Jordan | 1936–1996 | American | U.S. Representative from Texas | L |
| June Jordan | 1936–2002 | American | Poet, essayist, teacher, activist | B |
| Leslie Jordan | 1955–2022 | American | Actor | G |
| Orlando Jordan | b. 1974 | American | Professional wrestler | B |
| Matthieu Jost | b. ? | French | Entrepreneur | G |
| Marcel Jouhandeau | 1888–1979 | French | Writer | G |
| Éric Jourdan | 1938–2015 | French | Novelist, playwright | G |
| Michel Journiac | 1935–1995 | French | Artist | G |
| Robert Joy | b. 1951 | Canadian | Actor | G |
| Mychal F. Judge | 1933–2001 | American | Franciscan priest, FDNY chaplain, "Saint of 9/11" | G |
| Rafe Judkins | b. 1983 | American | TV personality | G |
| Ildikó Juhász | b. 1953 | Hungarian | LGBT rights activist | L |
| Isaac Julien | b. 1960 | English | Installation artist, filmmaker, director | G |
| Jacqueline Julien | b. 1945 | French | Lesbian activist | L |
| Bruno Julliard | b. 1981 | French | Politician | G |
| Miranda July | b. 1974 | American | Performance artist, filmmaker, writer | B |
| Hansol Jung | b. ? | South Korean | Translator, playwright | L |
| Sabine Jünger | b. 1973 | German | Politician | L |
| Sondre Justad | b. 1990 | Norwegian | Pop singer, musician | B |
| Jolie Justus | b. 1971 | American | Politician | L |
| Claude Jutra | 1930–1986 | Canadian | Filmmaker | G |
| Kersti Juva | b. 1948 | Finnish | Translator | L |
| Patrick Juvet | 1950–2021 | Swiss | Singer | B |
| Helvi Juvonen | 1919–1959 | Finnish | Poet | L |