Strictly speaking, we can't limit this one to 2008. It started in late 2007 with a public appearance that sparked a year-long media buzz over one of Hollywood's most acclaimed stars, Jodie Foster, who is now officially out - for the most part.

Foster is said to have met Cydney Bernard, her partner of 14 years, on the set of the film "Sommersby" where Bernard was working as a production coordinator. Foster later had two children by insemination, who Bernard adopted, and the couple worked to keep a happy home for the four of them.

Prior to just a year ago Foster was emphatically private about her personal life. However, at a charity event last year she surprised everyone by posting a plate engraved with the names of her and Bernard's children. Then, in December she mentioned her partner by name for the first time publicly as she thanked her during an acceptance speech for the prestigious Sherry Lansing Leadership award.

Publicly recognizing a partner does not quite qualify as "coming out" per se, and Foster herself has yet to openly admit whether she is gay. However, Foster's remarks were devoured by entertainment media hungry for evidence of what has, for too long, been common knowledge. Her words have depicted as being equivalent to an actual coming out.

Though Foster has never as much as stated, "I am a lesbian" - or said anything that could effectively label her as such, both her actions and her lifestyle are tacit expressions of her out - for the most part status. This appears to be a new mainstream approach for many celebrities today.

Unfortunately, just a few months after her out - for the most part debut, Foster's 14 year relationship met its end. However, no matter how events transpire, the media now unquestionably recognizes Foster as an out lesbian, and her fans were moved by her words - making this development one of the most heart-warming of 2008!

Some may say that this "coming out" is hardly a big deal, even after Foster had refused to admit much of anything for so long. Even still, the international media has expressed an audible sigh of relief, as it can now cover its long-time darling with "the one" taboo out of the way - for the most part. Will we have a "real coming out" next year?

★ A comment from one of our readers

Though it's not a word, one of the great events of this year was Jodie Foster's (kind of) coming out! Even though she's no longer with her partner, I was moved to hear her pay tribute to her love in a way that surely freed her from emotion pent up for so long!