Groundbreaking LGBT TV stars

By Kenny Herzog
Special to MSN TV

June is a significant point in the calendar for several reasons: It marks the year's halfway point, features its longest day and, of course, ushers in the lazy days of summer. But it's also LGBT Pride Month, which provides an opportunity to recognize the civil rights and cultural contributions of and within the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities. And even though most network television series are in offseason hiatus, June is still the perfect time to appreciate some of TV's most talented, outspoken and groundbreaking LGBT performers.

If we included everyone from news analysts (Rachel Maddow et. al.) to reality pioneers ("Real World" alumni Pedro Zamora and Katelynn Cusanelli, among others) and talk hosts (Rosie O'Donnell etc.) to reality tv show judges (Tim Gunn etc.), the list of openly LGBT personalities might seem endless. That itself is a remarkable shift from only several years ago. So in the interest of succinctness, we've narrowed our focus to 10 actors and actresses from scripted comedies and dramas who, whether in or out of character, have entertained us, but also inspired us with their prideful personal choices.

Bing: Tim Gunn | More LGBT TV Stars

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"Project Runway" premieres Thursday, July 19, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Lifetime.

(Lifetime)