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
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. Moore has been a supporter of gay marriage well before it became legal in the US in 2015. She actively participated in Lambda Legal’s #IDo video campaign, stating, “We will keep fighting until all of us are truly equal.”Moore revealed that she’s lost count of all the gay prides she’s attended over the years.\
An open-minded mom
In a 2010 interview with The Advocate, Moore articulated her desire for loving without obstacles to become the norm rather than an issue. She said, “My children have plenty of friends who have two mommies or two daddies, so they really believe they have the choice to marry a man or a woman. By the time they’re adults, I hope that’s a reality for everyone.”
Actress, advocate, writer
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
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. Ford made his directorial debut in 2009 with the film ‘A Single Man,’ wherein he crafted a role specifically for Moore. 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.
Portraying LGBTQ characters in Hollywood
Julianne Moore has depicted many LGBTQ characters throughout her career. Can you recall which ones?
‘Echo Valley’ (2025)
In her latest film, Moore plays Kate Garretson, a queer woman grappling with the loss of her partner while trying to reconnect with her troubled daughter. The film delves into themes of love, loss, and the complexities of LGBTQ+ relationships, highlighted by Kate’s deep bond with her best friend Leslie, played by Fiona Shaw.
‘Freeheld’ (2015)
Moore played Laurel Hester in the film ‘Freeheld,’ portraying a detective confronted with a terminal cancer diagnosis. The character and story of Moore are inspired by the true life of Laurel Hester, an actual detective from New Jersey. 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.
‘Chloe’ (2009)
‘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 movie centers on Catherine Stewart (played by Moore) and her attempts to gather evidence of her husband’s (Liam Neeson) infidelity. Ironically, she finds herself developing feelings for the escort (Amanda Seyfried) she hired to put her husband to the test.
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