I was a big Disney Channel kid. Honestly, even now as I write this, I am listening to Olivia Rodrigo, so in many ways I am still a (gay) Disney Channel kid. And when I came out at the ripe old age of 20, I was embarrassed that while my queer peers had spent their teen years watching edgier, queerer content like Degrassi, South of Nowhere or even The L Word itself, I had been deeply invested in the unfolding drama between Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus, and Selena Gomez taking place largely via YouTube and graphic tees.
But while the Disney Channel may not be known for its gay characters, one thing it is known for is launching the careers of some of today’s biggest stars. And not for nothing, a lot of those stars have turned out to be extremely queer! Luckily for today’s teens, more and more of these stars are coming out (or dispensing of the idea of “coming out” as any specific label) while they are on the Disney Channel, making it much easier to be a queer Disney kid these days — and maybe saving them from sharing my experience of being self-conscious at queer parties a decade from now.
” data-medium-file=”https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Kiyoko.jpg?fit=640%2C320″ data-large-file=”https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Kiyoko.jpg?fit=1200%2C600″ loading=”lazy” class=”size-large wp-image-542593″ src=”https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Kiyoko.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200%2C600″ alt=”Hayley Kiyoko, a Disney Channel Star who came out as gay, guest stars on Wizards of Waverly Place, placed next to the photo an adult Kiyoko performs on a stage with rainbow smoke around her.” width=”1200″ height=”600″ srcset=”https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Kiyoko.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200%2C600 1200w, https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Kiyoko.jpg?w=640 640w, https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Kiyoko.jpg?w=768 768w” sizes=”(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px” data-recalc-dims=”1″>
Right photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images
Despite having come out to her parents in the sixth grade and despite having truly one of the gayest haircuts ever seen on TV (and certainly the gayest haircut ever seen on the Disney Channel), Hayley Kiyoko was not, as far as I can tell, publicly out while on Disney Channel (she came out in 2016, in an essay about the Girls Like Girls video).
Before she was known as Lesbian Jesus, she was playing a troublemaking wizard (gay) in a small arc on Wizards of Waverly Place and played Stella, the lead guitarist (gay) in the titular band of the DCOM Lemonade Mouth.
Raven-Symoné
(That’s So Raven, Raven’s Home, The Cheetah Girls, Kim Possible, Zenon)
Right photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Smile Train
” data-medium-file=”https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Raven.jpg?fit=640%2C320″ data-large-file=”https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Raven.jpg?fit=1200%2C600″ loading=”lazy” class=”size-large wp-image-542601″ src=”https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Raven.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200%2C600″ alt=”Raven Symone, a Disney Star who came out as gay, stars on "That’s So Raven" next to an adult Raven in sunglasses and a fedora” width=”1200″ height=”600″ srcset=”https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Raven.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200%2C600 1200w, https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Raven.jpg?w=640 640w, https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Raven.jpg?w=768 768w” sizes=”(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px” data-recalc-dims=”1″>
Right photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Smile Train
I find that just a little hard to believe because babes, the fashion on That’s So Raven? Setting aside the fact that it would absolutely destroy on TikTok right now, it’s all just so gay. The patterns, the textures, the accessories — a maximalist femme dream playing out before my 12-year-old eyes every week.
” data-medium-file=”https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Miley-Final.jpg?fit=640%2C320″ data-large-file=”https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Miley-Final.jpg?fit=1200%2C600″ loading=”lazy” class=”size-large wp-image-542588″ src=”https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Miley-Final.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200%2C600″ alt=”Miley Cyrus, a Disney Channel star who came out as gay, stars in Hannah Montana, she’s next to an adult Miley performing on stage” width=”1200″ height=”600″ srcset=”https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Miley-Final.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200%2C600 1200w, https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Miley-Final.jpg?w=640 640w, https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Miley-Final.jpg?w=768 768w” sizes=”(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px” data-recalc-dims=”1″>
Right photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for MC
Miley Cyrus was at the center of much Disney Channel celebrity gossip in my day, from her feud with Demi Lovato and her role as one of the founding members of the Jonas Brothers Ex-Girlfriend Club (many members of which appear on this list, just…saying…)
Right photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for iHeartMedia
” data-medium-file=”https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/demi.jpg?fit=640%2C320″ data-large-file=”https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/demi.jpg?fit=1200%2C600″ loading=”lazy” class=”size-large wp-image-542604″ src=”https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/demi.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200%2C600″ alt=”Demi Lovato on Sonny with a Chance, and Demi dressed up like Elton John performing as an adult on stage” width=”1200″ height=”600″ srcset=”https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/demi.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200%2C600 1200w, https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/demi.jpg?w=640 640w, https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/demi.jpg?w=768 768w” sizes=”(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px” data-recalc-dims=”1″>
Right photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for iHeartMedia
Demi starred in Sonny With a Chance and, of course, ran vocal circles around The Jonas Brothers in Camp Rock, bringing the choppy bang mainstream in a spiritual predecessor to the shaggy cut that is currently in favor with white queers today! Despite playing Santana’s love interest on Glee in 2014, releasing the gayest song ever written “Cool for the Summer” in 2015, and making various comments about sexual fluidity and experimentation throughout the years, Lovato didn’t officially come out until 2017 as pansexual (thank you to Stef Schwartz for her intrepid reporting on this matter), and this year as non-binary.
” data-medium-file=”https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Keke.jpg?fit=640%2C320″ data-large-file=”https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Keke.jpg?fit=1200%2C600″ loading=”lazy” class=”size-large wp-image-542598″ src=”https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Keke.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200%2C600″ alt=”Keke Palmer, a Disney star who came out as gay, as a child next to Keke as an adult” width=”1200″ height=”600″ srcset=”https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Keke.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200%2C600 1200w, https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Keke.jpg?w=640 640w, https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Keke.jpg?w=768 768w” sizes=”(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px” data-recalc-dims=”1″>
Right photo by RB/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
The red-carpet host of this year’s Met Gala? The lead of Disney Channel Original Movie Jump In!? Sexually fluid and making the rules for herself? Baby, that’s Keke Palmer! Ultimately, Nickelodeon was the network that gave her a series (True Jackson, VP), but the DCOMs do not lie.
Lindsay Lohan
(Get a Clue)
Right photo by James Gourley/Getty Images
Another one and done DCOM star, Lindsay Lohan was the (impeccably dressed) lead in Get a Clue. I assume everyone knows that she dated Samantha Ronson, but her long and famous feud with Hilary Duff (over, of all people, Aaron Carter) has firmly entrenched her in The Extended Disney Channel Gay Chart!
” data-medium-file=”https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Dove-Final.jpg?fit=640%2C320″ data-large-file=”https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Dove-Final.jpg?fit=1200%2C600″ loading=”lazy” class=”size-large wp-image-542585″ src=”https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Dove-Final.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200%2C600″ alt=”Dove Cameron in The Descendants next to an adult Dove Cameron walking around NYC” width=”1200″ height=”600″ srcset=”https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Dove-Final.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200%2C600 1200w, https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Dove-Final.jpg?w=640 640w, https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Dove-Final.jpg?w=768 768w” sizes=”(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px” data-recalc-dims=”1″>
Josie Totah never led a Disney Channel show, but had arcs in both Jessie and Liv & Maddie and was on Glee, which you know is sort of in the same emotional universe as many Disney Channel shows (if we’re all being honest with ourselves!).
Rowan Blanchard publicly came out as queer at the age of 14while she was the star of her show, the updated-for-the-millennium reboot of Boy Meets World, making her, I think, the only lead of a show to be out while starring on the channel.
Right photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Alo Yoga
” data-medium-file=”https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/My-Post-2.jpg?fit=640%2C320″ data-large-file=”https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/My-Post-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C600″ loading=”lazy” class=”size-large wp-image-542584″ src=”https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/My-Post-2.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200%2C600″ alt=”Alyson Stoner, a Disney Channel star who came out as gay, stars in Camp Rock with Demi Lovato, next to an adult Alyson Stoner with Purple Hair” width=”1200″ height=”600″ srcset=”https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/My-Post-2.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200%2C600 1200w, https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/My-Post-2.jpg?w=640 640w, https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/My-Post-2.jpg?w=768 768w” sizes=”(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px” data-recalc-dims=”1″>
Right photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Alo Yoga
When I tell you that I would happily and cheerfully sit through commercial breaks as a child hoping for Mike’s Super Short Show to come on, I hope you understand why. I finally do!
” data-medium-file=”https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/High-School-Musical.jpg?fit=640%2C320″ data-large-file=”https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/High-School-Musical.jpg?fit=1200%2C600″ loading=”lazy” class=”size-large wp-image-542597″ src=”https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/High-School-Musical.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200%2C600″ alt=”Julia Lester stars in High School Musical: The Musical, and next to the image is Julia Lester on the red carpet of the live action movie Mulan” width=”1200″ height=”600″ srcset=”https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/High-School-Musical.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200%2C600 1200w, https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/High-School-Musical.jpg?w=640 640w, https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/High-School-Musical.jpg?w=768 768w” sizes=”(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px” data-recalc-dims=”1″>
Right photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Julia Lester stars in the newest entry into the High School Musical franchise, and loves hanging out with this pansexual flag. (And though the show technically airs on Disney+, I’m counting her as a Disney Channel star because back in my day that was where High School Musical content aired!)
” data-medium-file=”https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Mollee.jpg?fit=640%2C320″ data-large-file=”https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Mollee.jpg?fit=1200%2C600″ loading=”lazy” class=”size-large wp-image-542599″ src=”https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Mollee.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200%2C600″ alt=”Mollee Gray, as a child star and as an adult” width=”1200″ height=”600″ srcset=”https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Mollee.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200%2C600 1200w, https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Mollee.jpg?w=640 640w, https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Mollee.jpg?w=768 768w” sizes=”(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px” data-recalc-dims=”1″>
At press time, Zendaya, wearer of incredible suits, is not officially out as any specific label, but we remain hopeful.
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