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1997: Ellen DeGeneres Comes Out
Yep, she’s gay!
“The Puppy Episode,” as it was known, would win an Emmy and a Peabody.

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But DeGeneres faded into obscurity and has not been heard from since.
But the Emmy winner did it her way, during a small stand-up comedy show in February.
(The next month, she opened up to Diane Sawyer on ABC.)

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Turns out, we can all get along.
A flood of states would follow Massachusetts' lead over the next decade.
After all, sexuality isn’t what defines you at Hogwarts it’s your wizarding skills that matter.

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In the years since, she’s also become one of the most trusted.
One year later, Cox would be the first trans actress to ever benominated for an Emmy.
Andy Cohen captured the nation’s ecstatic mood best on June 26: “It sure is beautiful.”

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