7 Celebs Who Came Out in 2014

A lot of really great women came out in 2014. Some of them shocked us because they'd been keeping the secret pretty well for a long time, and some of them we totally expected and, quite frankly, had been anticipating for ages (looking at you, Ellen Page, light of my life). The big "coming out" theme this year was much more subtle and less fussed over than celebrity coming-outs have been in the past — Let's recall Ellen DeGeneres' "Yep, I'm Gay!" TIME cover or Drew Barrymore telling Contact Music "Do I like women sexually? Yeah, I do. Totally. I have always considered myself bisexual."

While I wish that some people would just come out like Ellen or Drew so I could know for sure whether or not I romantically stand a chance with them (ST. VINCENT DO YOU LIKE WOMEN OR NOT?) there's something to be said for a widespread desire to get rid of labels, because for a lot of people it allows for more freedom and flexibility within the realm of sexuality and sexual attraction, which should always be understood when discussing something that can be so fluid for many.

Here are some awesome women that came out, expressed their interest in other women, or indicated that they're probably not strictly heterosexual in 2014.

1 & 2. Samira Wiley & Lauren Morelli

In September, we learned that Lauren Morelli, a writer for Orange is the New Black divorced her husband to date total heartthrob Samira Wiley who plays Poussey on the show. According to Out Magazine, Wiley grew up in a super accepting family; in fact, her parents' church was the first traditional, black baptist church in D.C. to perform same-sex marriages.

3. Cara Delevingne

Eyebrow goddess and model Cara Delevingne was seen canoodling Michelle Rodriquez quite a few times out in public earlier this year before Rodriquez confirmed that she and Delevingne were dating and totally obsessed with each other. Though the model isn't officially out as anything and shouldn't necessarily be labeled "gay" and "lesbian," it was a pretty big deal she was out in public with her ladybae and willing to deal with all the scrutiny that came with.

4. Shailene Woodley

Secret Life of the American Teenager star Shailene Woodley made all sorts of news this year like when she told TIME she wasn't a feminist because she loved men, revealed that she almost quit acting, defended Miley Cyrus in the July issue of Vanity Fair, and told the Hollywood Reporter that she falls in love with human beings regardless of sex.

5. Patricia Yurena

Miss Spain 2008 and 2013 Patricia Yurena came out earlier this year when she posted an Instagram photo with her girlfriend. It wasn't the first time we saw evidence of her sexuality. According to the International Business Times, Yurena wrote a blog post in February where she grappled with her sexuality and wondered why "God made her wrong." Girl, if you're wrong then all I ever wanna do is wrong...

6. Ellen Page

OK, if you were surprised when Ellen Page came out on Valentines day and made every freakin' queer woman's heart beat faster, you clearly haven't been paying attention or obsessively collecting photos of her to store under your pillow and kiss when you wake every morning. Seriously, what are you doing with your life.

7. Djuan Trent

In March, former Miss Kentucky Djuan Trent came out on her blog as queer, which is incredible because not only was she the first Miss America contestant to be openly out, but is also one of the few public figures who has come out as "queer," a term that many celebrities still seem to shy away from or avoid.

Congrats, ladies! It always feels better to be out in some way.

Images: patriciayurena/Instagram, djuantrent/Instagram, Getty Images