Proud and out in Beverly Hills

Matt Bomer not be a household name but news of his coming out at the weekend has been reported all over the world. Why? Because he is an actor, and many feel that if they are honest about their sexuality the number of roles available to them will be limited.

That's what makes it all the more brave when a rising actor chooses to tell the world they're gay. Bomer, the 34-year-old star of the US TV show White Collar and sci-fi flick In Time, came out while accepting an award at a gala in California, just four months after Star Trek star Zachary Quinto confirmed he was gay in a magazine interview.

"It's easy to forget that there are very few Hollywood actors that are openly out," says Joanne Dunning of The Lesbian and Gay Foundation. "This kind of visibility of high-profile lesbian, gay and bisexual people is really powerful in encouraging other people to have the confidence to come out."