In light of the Supreme's Court ruling on California's Proposition 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act, TheCelebrityCafe.com takes you through some of the greatest moments in pop culture that reflect the growing support for the gay community in the nation.

1. Elton John comes out

In an in-depth interview with Rolling Stone, multi-talented pop star Elton John came out as bisexual. "I think everybody's bisexual to a certain degree," John told the magazine. "I don't think it's just me. It's not a bad thing to be." As one of the most well-known and popular musicians of the time, John's very public declaration was bold, to say the least. The confidence he had in his announcement was inspirational, as many celebrities have followed John's lead by coming out in major ways.

2. Freddie Mercury dies of AIDS

The Queen front man was admired by many for his enigmatic stage presence and powerful voice. Even though he led one of the biggest rock bands ever, it was a well-kept secret that he was gay, and he became one of the first rock stars to die of AIDS in 1991.

3. Tom Hanks wins an Oscar for "Philadelphia"

A bold and emotional drama, "Philadelphia" follows the life of a gay man after he is diagnosed with and slowly succumbs to AIDS. The film was praised for its honest depiction of a gay character, and the film's star Tom Hanks took home the Oscar for Best Actor for his work in the film.

4. Ellen comes out...and is as popular as ever

Before she was the star of her own talk show, Ellen DeGeneres was the star of her own sitcom. She made headlines in the late 90s when her television persona came out of the closet nearly simultaneously when she came out herself. While the initial backlash from her admission seemed like a career ender, just a few short years later The Ellen DeGeneres Show premiered, and Ellen was an instant household name once more.

5. "Will & Grace" is a hit

The conversation about the gay community changed when "Will & Grace" came on the air. With a cast who's featured and star performers were gay, the show has become a landmark in LGBT pop culture. The show's mainstream success and critical acclaim, including its 15 Emmys, also showcased a major shift in the public opinion of the gay community.

6. Eminem performs with Elton John at the Grammys

Another appearance for John, and a major moment for the hip hop community. Eminem had been criticized for his homophobic lyrics and attitude in the past, so when he invited the legendary performer to join him at the Grammys came as a shock to everyone. The performance was controversial and not well received by GLAAD members, but it marked a major, public step forward for the hip hop community, which has long been known for its homophobia.

7. "Brokeback Mountain" hailed by critics

When two straight male actors sign on to play gay cowboys in a tortured love affair, it's hard to know what to expect. Luckily for Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, their brave work in "Brokeback Mountain" was applauded by critics. The story of these star-crossed lovers received eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and acting nods for Ledger and Gyllenhaal, and has become a staple film in gay culture.

8. "Modern Family" and it's ever-popular gay couple

Modern Family is one of the funniest shows on television, and one of the aspects the show is most often celebrated for is its treatment of its gay characters, Cameron and Mitchell. Raising their adopted daughter, Lily, the couple is often shown going through the same familial struggles as the show's heterosexual couples, straying far away from typical gay stereotypes. Eric Stonestreet's work as Cameron has been hailed by critics and earned him multiple awards, but Stonestreet has been vocal about his sexual orientation and how comfortable he is playing a gay man as a straight man.

9. "Glee's" Klaine becomes America's favorite couple

"Glee's" Kurt is one of the fan favorites of the show, and when a potential love interest in Blaine emerged in season 2, fans went nuts. Kurt and Blaine, affectionately called "Klaine" by devoted Gleeks, surpassed more established couples like Rachel & Finn and Will & Emma to become the most talked-about couple on the musical comedy. And when they kissed, they nearly shut down Twitter. That's a power couple.

10. Frank Ocean comes out as bisexual

Hip hop seemed to overcome all the years of anti-gay sentiments in 2012 when the year's most exciting new artist, Frank Ocean, came out as bisexual in a revealing letter he posted online. What was more surprising than the suport he received from the hip hop community, including industry giants Russell Simmons and Jay-Z, was the overall lack of noise that was made around the announcement. It was a sign that being gay isn't a scandal anymore, but something that is accepted into society. And it seems sentiments continue to flow in that direction, as more Americans than ever have been reported to support gay marriage.

Photos courtesy of Wikimedia Commons and Tumblr.