(PEOPLE) Jussie Smollett

Marriage equality or not, many in the world - in this country - still seethe with ignorance and hate for the LGBT community ... even those in the entertainment industry who just "grin and bear" it by keeping their opinions to themselves in public. Which makes what "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett did, in coming out of the closet on "Ellen", as brave and important as it was back in the days when coming out wasn't even an option.  Kudos to you, man, and may your "keeping it real" lead to further acceptance and the change still needed, for LGBT people, both in and out of the industry.  You rock, and God Bless.