List of gay, lesbian or bisexual people: W–Z

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.” Americans are divided – a majority (60 percent) believes homosexuality should be accepted, while 33 percent disagree.

W

Name LifetimeEntries with no sourced year of birth available are marked with a "?". Nationality Notable as NotesEntries may also contain a letter indicating Lesbian, Gay, or Bisexual. Lana Wachowski b. 1965 American Director, screenwriter, producer L Joel Wachs b. 1939 American Politician G Nur Warsame b. 1984 Somali-Australian Imam G Tom Waddell 1937–1987 American Athlete, founder of the Gay Games G Riyad Vinci Wadia 1967–2003 Indian Film director G Jane Wagner b. 1935 American Writer, film director, film producer L Siegfried Wagner 1869–1930 German Classical music composer B Sam Wagstaff 1921–1987 American Art curator, collector G Clyde Wahrhaftig 1919–1994 American Geologist G Binyavanga Wainaina 1971–2019 Kenyan Writer G Rufus Wainwright b. 1973 Canadian Pop musician G Keisha Waites b. 1972 American Politician L Lena Waithe b. 1984 American Actor, writer L Dave Wakeling b. 1956 English Ska and pop singer, musician (The Beat, General Public) B Anton Walbrook 1896–1967 Austrian Actor G Tillie Walden b. 1996 American Cartoonist L Claire Waldoff 1884–1957 German Kabarett singer L Jerzy Waldorff 1910–1999 Polish Writer, literary critic G Czeslaw Walek b. 1975 Polish-Czech Lawyer, LGBT activist G Blanka Waleská 1910–1986 Czech Actor L Kira Walkenhorst b. 1990 German Beach volleyball player L Alice Walker b. 1944 American Author, poet B Darren Walker b. 1959 American Nonprofit executive, lawyer, investment bankerG Jackie Walker 1950–2002 American Football player G Paul A. Walker 1946–1991 American Social psychologist GThomas, Kathy (20 April 1981). Psychologist says no cure exists for habitual rapist. Galveston Daily News Rebecca Walker b. 1969 American Author B Vaughn R. Walker b. 1944 American Federal judge G Brady Walkinshaw b. 1984 American Politician G Louisa Wall b. 1972 New Zealand Politician, netball player, rugby player L Travis Wall b. 1987 American Dancer G Ji Wallace b. 1977 Australian Trampoline gymnast G Yona Wallach 1944–1985 Israeli Poet B Linda Wallem b. 1961 American Actor, writer, producer L Stephen Wallem b. 1968 American Actor G John Wallowitch 1926–2007 American Cabaret performer, songwriter G Hugh Walpole 1884–1941 English Writer G Dearbhla Walsh b. ? Irish Director L María Elena Walsh 1930–2011 Argentine Writer, musician L Michaela Walsh b. 1993 Irish Boxer L Michaela Walsh b. 1998 Irish Hammer thrower, shotputter L Sarah Walsh b. 1983 Australian Footballer, sports administratorL Tonie Walsh b. 1960 Irish LGBT rights activist, DJ G Amy Walter b. 1969 American Political analyst L Charles Walters 1911–1982 American Director, choreographer G Abby Wambach b. 1980 American Soccer player L John Abdallah Wambere b. 1973 Ugandan LGBT rights activist G Jeffrey Wammes b. 1987 Dutch Gymnast G Alex Wan b. 1967 American Politician G Gok Wan b. 1974 British Fashion consultant G Alexander Wang b. 1983 American Fashion designer G Jim Ward b. 1941 American Body piercer G Ryan Ward b. 1989 American Gymnast G Sophie Ward b. 1964 English Actor L Tony Ward b. 1963 America Actor, model B Marsha Warfield b. 1954 American Actor, comedian L Andy Warhol 1928–1987 American Artist G Marilyn Waring b. 1952 New Zealand Politician, feminist L Krzysztof Warlikowski b. 1962 Polish Theatre director G Sarah Warn b. ? American Writer, editor L Jackie Warner b. 1968 American Personal trainer, TV personality L Michael Warner b. 1958 American Writer, Queer theorist G David Warren b. ? American Theatre and TV director G Patricia Nell Warren 1936–2019 American Writer L Rusty Warren 1930–2021 American Comedian, singer L Tony Warren b. 1936 English TV writer G Vincent Warren 1938–2017 Canadian Dance historian G Richard Warwick 1945–1997 English Actor G Bryan Washington b. 1993 American Writer G Haleigh Washington b. 1995 American Volleyball player B Mary L. Washington b. 1962 American Politician L Michał Waszyński 1904–1965 Polish Film director G Matthew Waterhouse b. 1961 English Actor, writer G Rosie Waterland b. 1986 Australian Author, TV personalityB Ethel Waters 1896–1977 American Jazz musician, actor B John Waters b. 1946 American Film director G Mike Waters b. 1967 South African Politician G Miriam Van Waters 1887–1974 American Prison reformer, Feminist social worker L Sarah Waters b. 1966 Welsh Novelist L David Watkin 1925–2008 English Cinematographer G Ian "H" Watkins b. 1976 Welsh Pop musician (Steps), actor G Perry Watkins 1949–1996 American Soldier G Tuc Watkins b. 1966 American Actor G David Watmough 1926–2017 Canadian Novelist, playwright G Anthony Watson b. ? English Business and technology executive, activistG Benjamin Charles Watson b. ? Canadian Actor GDaniel Reynolds, "Benjamin Charles Watson Brings Black and Gay Visibility to Designated Survivor". The Advocate, June 9, 2019. Edith Watson 1861–1943 Canadian Photographer L Giz Watson b. 1957 English-Australian Politician L Jim Watson b. 1961 Canadian Politician, first openly gay mayor of Ottawa G Kylie Watson b. 1978 Australian Actor L Danny Watts b. 1979 English Racing driver G Michael Waugh b. ? Australian Singer–songwriter G Ann Wauters b. 1980 Belgian Basketball playerL Chaunté Wayans b. 1982 American Comedian, writer, editor L Rembert Weakland b. 1927 American Roman Catholic Archbishop G Lois Weaver b. 1949American