The first gay couple in Hollywood refused to disavow their love for one another.
And they lived happily ever after.
Silent film star Billy Haines met Jimmie Shields in 1926, beginning a nearly 50-year romance. Refusing a studio ultimatum to enter a lavender marriage, Haines left show business and built a wildly successful interior design business. Playing true to the stereotype, Haines and Shields decorated homes for Hollywood’s top stars of the era, including Joan Crawford and Nancy and Ronald Reagan, ironically enough.
A century later, there are a bevy of gay Hollywood couples, and none of them have to hide. When one thinks of all the gay star-powered couples, it’s astounding that out celebrities have only existed en masse for the last 20 years or so.
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We have so many to admire gawk at!
Along those lines, we asked Queerty readers to name their favorite A-list tandems. Unsurprisingly, a few dominate the list.
Here’s what they had to say…
Who do you think is the hottest celebrity gay couple and why?
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Tom Daley and Dustin Lance Black — Michael in Carlsbad, California
Tom Daley and Dustin Lance Black — Philip in Phoenix
Tom Daley and Dustin Lance Black — Josh in Australia
Jaymes Vaughan and Jonathan Bennett — Jason in Albama
Jonathan Bennett and Jaymes Vaughan. The boy next door charm with the amazing bodies. — James in Buffalo, New York
Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka. They are both cute and never seem to age a bit. — Frank in Fairfield, Connecticut
Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka— MGK in Phoenix
Jermelle Simon and Obio Jones — John in New Jersey
D*n*ld and Elon — James in Chicago
Whoever is dating Jonathan Bailey… or just him solo! — Ronaldo in Brooklyn
Solo it is! (Jonathan Bailey said last year he’s “dating a lovely man,” but wouldn’t provide any more tea.)
Whoever is with Ronan Farrow — Ras in Martinez, California
Ronan Farrow broke up with his longtime partner, Jon Lovett, in 2023. But now, he appears to have a new man??
Luke Evans and Fran Tomas. The speedos don’t lie. Plus they work together and fully support each other. Fran moved to NYC so he could be with Luke during his Broadway run. — Phil in Denver
Luke Evans and Fran Thomas. Hot looking and down to earth with no drama. — Ronny in Houston, Texas
Fran Tomas and Luke Evans. Nothing hotter than two daddies building a fitness brand together, travelling the world and showing us if you’re willing, you can make anything WERK! — Ken in Germany
Antoni Porowski and his BF Zacharias. They are adorable together and having matching pecs, abs and biceps. All queer eyes are on them, I’m guessing! — Adam in LA
Colman and Raúl Domingo. What a talented, loyal and hunky couple! — Brandon in Tallahassee, Florida
Noah Galvin and Ben Platt — Jeff in WeHo
Froy Gutierrez and Zane Phillips — Chris in Western Europe
Andrew Rannells and Tuc Watkins — Ginny in Wisconsin
Matt Bomer and Simon Halls — Tara in the USA
Matt Bomer and Simon Halls — John in Oregon
Matt Bomer and Simon Halls. There’s nothing hotter than commitment, non-toxic masculinity and good parenting! — Jason in Ireland
Matt Bomer and Simon Halls. Family, support and uconditional love. — Sofia in Italy
Matt Bomer and Simon Halls 
— Mabel in Honduras
Matt Bomer and Simon Halls — Charlie in Atlanta
It seems like we have a winner. Queerty readers have good taste!
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