Julianne Moore: the life and career of a gay icon

Vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights, An open-minded mom, She has attended many pride parades, Actress, advocate, writer, An unbreakable bond, A star in his movie debut, A driving force for Ford, 'Freeheld' (2015), 'Maps to the Stars' (2014), Positive reception for 'Maps to the Stars', 'The Kids Are All Right' (2010), 'Chloe' (2009), 'The Private Lives of Pippa Lee' (2009), 'The Hours' (2002), Praise for 'The Hours', 'Psycho' (1998)

Julianne Moore is best known for her extensive, award-winning career in TV and film, but she's much more than just an actress. Most casual fans have no idea about her dedicated work and activism with the LGBTQ+ community.

Intrigued? Click through the gallery to learn more about the queer roles she's played, the awards she's won for portraying those characters, and her long-lasting support and advocacy for the community.

Vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights

Vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights, An open-minded mom, She has attended many pride parades, Actress, advocate, writer, An unbreakable bond, A star in his movie debut, A driving force for Ford, 'Freeheld' (2015), 'Maps to the Stars' (2014), Positive reception for 'Maps to the Stars', 'The Kids Are All Right' (2010), 'Chloe' (2009), 'The Private Lives of Pippa Lee' (2009), 'The Hours' (2002), Praise for 'The Hours', 'Psycho' (1998)

Julianne Moore is considered a gay icon, according to Gay Star News and many other sources. She has appeared in several queer films and has been a steadfast ally and supporter of the LGBTQ community for many years.

An open-minded mom

Vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights, An open-minded mom, She has attended many pride parades, Actress, advocate, writer, An unbreakable bond, A star in his movie debut, A driving force for Ford, 'Freeheld' (2015), 'Maps to the Stars' (2014), Positive reception for 'Maps to the Stars', 'The Kids Are All Right' (2010), 'Chloe' (2009), 'The Private Lives of Pippa Lee' (2009), 'The Hours' (2002), Praise for 'The Hours', 'Psycho' (1998)

In a 2010 interview with The Advocate, Moore articulated her desire for loving without obstacles to become the norm rather than an issue.

She has attended many pride parades

Vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights, An open-minded mom, She has attended many pride parades, Actress, advocate, writer, An unbreakable bond, A star in his movie debut, A driving force for Ford, 'Freeheld' (2015), 'Maps to the Stars' (2014), Positive reception for 'Maps to the Stars', 'The Kids Are All Right' (2010), 'Chloe' (2009), 'The Private Lives of Pippa Lee' (2009), 'The Hours' (2002), Praise for 'The Hours', 'Psycho' (1998)

Moore revealed that she's lost count of all the gay prides she's attended over the years. 

Actress, advocate, writer

Vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights, An open-minded mom, She has attended many pride parades, Actress, advocate, writer, An unbreakable bond, A star in his movie debut, A driving force for Ford, 'Freeheld' (2015), 'Maps to the Stars' (2014), Positive reception for 'Maps to the Stars', 'The Kids Are All Right' (2010), 'Chloe' (2009), 'The Private Lives of Pippa Lee' (2009), 'The Hours' (2002), Praise for 'The Hours', 'Psycho' (1998)

Moore, aside from being a skilled actress and LGBTQ rights advocate, is also a successful writer! Published in 2007, her book 'Freckleface Strawberry' narrates the tale of a girl initially struggling with her freckles but eventually embracing herself just as she is. One of the characters in the book happens to have two mothers!

An unbreakable bond

Vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights, An open-minded mom, She has attended many pride parades, Actress, advocate, writer, An unbreakable bond, A star in his movie debut, A driving force for Ford, 'Freeheld' (2015), 'Maps to the Stars' (2014), Positive reception for 'Maps to the Stars', 'The Kids Are All Right' (2010), 'Chloe' (2009), 'The Private Lives of Pippa Lee' (2009), 'The Hours' (2002), Praise for 'The Hours', 'Psycho' (1998)

For a significant portion of her career, Moore has served as the muse for designer and director Tom Ford. In addition to adorning her with his remarkable gowns, Ford and Moore share a deep connection that extends beyond mere fabric.

A star in his movie debut

Vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights, An open-minded mom, She has attended many pride parades, Actress, advocate, writer, An unbreakable bond, A star in his movie debut, A driving force for Ford, 'Freeheld' (2015), 'Maps to the Stars' (2014), Positive reception for 'Maps to the Stars', 'The Kids Are All Right' (2010), 'Chloe' (2009), 'The Private Lives of Pippa Lee' (2009), 'The Hours' (2002), Praise for 'The Hours', 'Psycho' (1998)

Ford made his directorial debut in 2009 with the film 'A Single Man,' wherein he crafted a role specifically for Moore.

A driving force for Ford

Vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights, An open-minded mom, She has attended many pride parades, Actress, advocate, writer, An unbreakable bond, A star in his movie debut, A driving force for Ford, 'Freeheld' (2015), 'Maps to the Stars' (2014), Positive reception for 'Maps to the Stars', 'The Kids Are All Right' (2010), 'Chloe' (2009), 'The Private Lives of Pippa Lee' (2009), 'The Hours' (2002), Praise for 'The Hours', 'Psycho' (1998)

Colin Firth portrays George Falconer in the queer film, which depicts his deep sorrow following the tragic death of his partner Jim. Julianne Moore stars as Charley, Falconer's close friend and former wife.

'Freeheld' (2015)

Vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights, An open-minded mom, She has attended many pride parades, Actress, advocate, writer, An unbreakable bond, A star in his movie debut, A driving force for Ford, 'Freeheld' (2015), 'Maps to the Stars' (2014), Positive reception for 'Maps to the Stars', 'The Kids Are All Right' (2010), 'Chloe' (2009), 'The Private Lives of Pippa Lee' (2009), 'The Hours' (2002), Praise for 'The Hours', 'Psycho' (1998)

Moore's latest portrayal in the LGBTQ+ role was as Laurel Hester in the film 'Freeheld,' where she played a detective confronted with a devastating diagnosis of terminal cancer.

Vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights, An open-minded mom, She has attended many pride parades, Actress, advocate, writer, An unbreakable bond, A star in his movie debut, A driving force for Ford, 'Freeheld' (2015), 'Maps to the Stars' (2014), Positive reception for 'Maps to the Stars', 'The Kids Are All Right' (2010), 'Chloe' (2009), 'The Private Lives of Pippa Lee' (2009), 'The Hours' (2002), Praise for 'The Hours', 'Psycho' (1998)

The primary focus of the film was examining the status of domestic partnerships between gay couples in the US during the 2000s. These partnerships were not recognized as marriages, resulting in the surviving partner being left without any legal rights in case of their partner's death.

'Maps to the Stars' (2014)

Vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights, An open-minded mom, She has attended many pride parades, Actress, advocate, writer, An unbreakable bond, A star in his movie debut, A driving force for Ford, 'Freeheld' (2015), 'Maps to the Stars' (2014), Positive reception for 'Maps to the Stars', 'The Kids Are All Right' (2010), 'Chloe' (2009), 'The Private Lives of Pippa Lee' (2009), 'The Hours' (2002), Praise for 'The Hours', 'Psycho' (1998)

According to an article in Pride, Havana in the film engages in intimacy devoid of meaning or pleasure, symbolizing her unfulfilled nature.

Vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights, An open-minded mom, She has attended many pride parades, Actress, advocate, writer, An unbreakable bond, A star in his movie debut, A driving force for Ford, 'Freeheld' (2015), 'Maps to the Stars' (2014), Positive reception for 'Maps to the Stars', 'The Kids Are All Right' (2010), 'Chloe' (2009), 'The Private Lives of Pippa Lee' (2009), 'The Hours' (2002), Praise for 'The Hours', 'Psycho' (1998)

Also appearing in the film are Mia Wasikowska, cast as Moore's on-screen personal assistant, and Robert Pattinson, taking on the role of the limousine driver.

Positive reception for 'Maps to the Stars'

Vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights, An open-minded mom, She has attended many pride parades, Actress, advocate, writer, An unbreakable bond, A star in his movie debut, A driving force for Ford, 'Freeheld' (2015), 'Maps to the Stars' (2014), Positive reception for 'Maps to the Stars', 'The Kids Are All Right' (2010), 'Chloe' (2009), 'The Private Lives of Pippa Lee' (2009), 'The Hours' (2002), Praise for 'The Hours', 'Psycho' (1998)

Moore received the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2014 for her performance in 'Maps to the Stars'. She was also honored with the Best Actress award at the Sitges Film Festival that same year, for the same role.

'The Kids Are All Right' (2010)

Vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights, An open-minded mom, She has attended many pride parades, Actress, advocate, writer, An unbreakable bond, A star in his movie debut, A driving force for Ford, 'Freeheld' (2015), 'Maps to the Stars' (2014), Positive reception for 'Maps to the Stars', 'The Kids Are All Right' (2010), 'Chloe' (2009), 'The Private Lives of Pippa Lee' (2009), 'The Hours' (2002), Praise for 'The Hours', 'Psycho' (1998)

Opinions among members of the LGBTQ community regarding 'The Kids Are All Right' were divided. Some felt that the film, written by queer writers Lisa Cholodenko and Stuart Blumberg, contained too many "lesbian clichés."

'Chloe' (2009)

Vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights, An open-minded mom, She has attended many pride parades, Actress, advocate, writer, An unbreakable bond, A star in his movie debut, A driving force for Ford, 'Freeheld' (2015), 'Maps to the Stars' (2014), Positive reception for 'Maps to the Stars', 'The Kids Are All Right' (2010), 'Chloe' (2009), 'The Private Lives of Pippa Lee' (2009), 'The Hours' (2002), Praise for 'The Hours', 'Psycho' (1998)

'Chloe' is a film categorized as an erotic thriller. It is an adaptation of Anne Fontaine's book 'Nathalie...' and revolves around an affluent married couple residing in Toronto, Canada.

'The Private Lives of Pippa Lee' (2009)

Vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights, An open-minded mom, She has attended many pride parades, Actress, advocate, writer, An unbreakable bond, A star in his movie debut, A driving force for Ford, 'Freeheld' (2015), 'Maps to the Stars' (2014), Positive reception for 'Maps to the Stars', 'The Kids Are All Right' (2010), 'Chloe' (2009), 'The Private Lives of Pippa Lee' (2009), 'The Hours' (2002), Praise for 'The Hours', 'Psycho' (1998)

'The Private Lives of Pippa Lee' features well-known actors such as Robin Wright, Blake Lively, Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder, and Alan Arkin, alongside numerous others.

'The Hours' (2002)

Vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights, An open-minded mom, She has attended many pride parades, Actress, advocate, writer, An unbreakable bond, A star in his movie debut, A driving force for Ford, 'Freeheld' (2015), 'Maps to the Stars' (2014), Positive reception for 'Maps to the Stars', 'The Kids Are All Right' (2010), 'Chloe' (2009), 'The Private Lives of Pippa Lee' (2009), 'The Hours' (2002), Praise for 'The Hours', 'Psycho' (1998)

The film 'The Hours' tells the stories of three women who lived in different times and locations but shared the same fears. It is an adaptation of Michael Cunningham’s novel with the same title.

Praise for 'The Hours'

Vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights, An open-minded mom, She has attended many pride parades, Actress, advocate, writer, An unbreakable bond, A star in his movie debut, A driving force for Ford, 'Freeheld' (2015), 'Maps to the Stars' (2014), Positive reception for 'Maps to the Stars', 'The Kids Are All Right' (2010), 'Chloe' (2009), 'The Private Lives of Pippa Lee' (2009), 'The Hours' (2002), Praise for 'The Hours', 'Psycho' (1998)

In 2003, Moore, along with Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman, received the Best Actress award at the Berlinale International Film Festival in Berlin, Germany.

'Psycho' (1998)

Vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights, An open-minded mom, She has attended many pride parades, Actress, advocate, writer, An unbreakable bond, A star in his movie debut, A driving force for Ford, 'Freeheld' (2015), 'Maps to the Stars' (2014), Positive reception for 'Maps to the Stars', 'The Kids Are All Right' (2010), 'Chloe' (2009), 'The Private Lives of Pippa Lee' (2009), 'The Hours' (2002), Praise for 'The Hours', 'Psycho' (1998)

In this 1998 remake, Moore appears in her first-ever LGBTQ+ role.

Vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights, An open-minded mom, She has attended many pride parades, Actress, advocate, writer, An unbreakable bond, A star in his movie debut, A driving force for Ford, 'Freeheld' (2015), 'Maps to the Stars' (2014), Positive reception for 'Maps to the Stars', 'The Kids Are All Right' (2010), 'Chloe' (2009), 'The Private Lives of Pippa Lee' (2009), 'The Hours' (2002), Praise for 'The Hours', 'Psycho' (1998)

Moore portrayed Lila Crane, also referred to as the "final girl" of the movie. Director Gus Van Sant, who is gay, added a twist by making Lila a lesbian in his film. Although this may not have been obvious to viewers, Moore confirmed this detail in interviews with the press.

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