By John Mack Freeman
Lily Tomlin is one of five people set to receive Kennedy Center Honors this year. This would make her the first out lesbian to ever receive this recognition. The Honors recognize living American artists for their contributions to American culture. Via The Advocate:
While several women previously honored have been rumored to be lesbian or bisexual, such as Lynn Fontanne and Katharine Hepburn, Tomlin is the first out female honoree. Numerous gay or bisexual men have received the Kennedy Center Honors, including Tennessee Williams, Stephen Sondheim, Aaron Copland, Edward Albee, Elton John, and Merce Cunningham.
Tomlin and another out lesbian performer, Ellen DeGeneres, have both received a different Kennedy Center award, the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, Tomlin in 2003, DeGeneres in 2012.
