20 Classic Gay TV Couples That Still Have Us Jealous
February is the month of love and in honor of Valentine's Day, we take a stroll down memory lane, remembering twenty iconic gay romances that still linger on our minds. These men brought drama, fun, and romance to our screens and, in most cases, were the epitome of couples goals.
Ended: 2021
Network: AMC
The Walking Dead spinoff followed a group of teens coming of age ten years into the zombie apocalypse. The naive teens have been sheltered in a large Nebraska camp but leave it behind to help leading sisters Iris & Hope find their abducted scientist father. The series also introduced Felix (Nico Tortorella), a security officer within the camp who is charged with taking care of the sisters by their father. Felix's life with his love Will (Jelani Alladin) is also chronicled on the series. Felix's past as a teen tossed out by his family for being gay, only to return to find them undead is highlighted. Felix & Will begin the series separated but are reunited by the end of the first season and virtually inseparable in the second, and final, season. While they are guided by their dedication to protecting the teens, they are also guided by their deep love for each other. By the end of the series, the two were happily married, living safely with their dog, having succeeded in helping Hope & Iris reunite with their father.
Ended: 2017
Network: NBC
The medical drama The Night Shift's ensemble cast included Dr. Drew Alister (Brendan Fehr), an army medic and the hospital's chief resident. Upon the arrival of Rick (Luke Macfarlane), a soldier injured in a bus accident, it was revealed that Drew was hiding his homosexuality and secretly in a relationship with Rick. The accident forced Rick's leg to be amputated and Drew came out, staying by his side for support. The two would face a major break-up, but their reconciliation would later lead to them getting married by the end of Season 2. Drew & Rick became adoptive parents in Season 3, where Drew continued to grow, confronting his "act-first" mentality, after he returned to active military service. Drew came to terms with his priorities and realized that he needed to be more responsible for his family and less reckless in his career. The series was one of the first to present the story of a gay military couple and the struggles they faced within their military service as they juggled it with their relationship.
Ended: 2019
Network: Netflix
The post-apocalyptic world presented on the series Daybreak left teenagers fending for themselves after an explosion left adults infected in a zombie-like state. That backdrop was used to tell stories of redemption for two characters, Wes & Turbo. Wes (Austin Crute) made amends for his bullying past, teaming up with Josh, the victim of his high school jock antics. Meanwhile, his fellow bully and high school teammate Turbo (Cody Kearsley) found himself disfigured and unable to speak. He still commanded the villainous jock tribe, until he crossed paths with Wes, leading to the revelation that the two shared a romantic past before the apocalypse. It took no time for things to reignite, despite them being on opposite sides of a post-apocalyptic war. Their romance rose above the conflict and Turbo would leave behind his villainous ways. The unique pairing also dealt with personal challenges as Turbo's inability to speak, and his insecurities over his disgurement left him closed off. Wes never gave up on him or their love and they ended the short-lived series united and in love.
Ended: 2012
Network: ABC
Season 4 of the long-running dramatic comedy Desperate Housewives introduced Lee (Kevin Rahm) & Bob (Tuc Watkins), a gay couple who move onto Wisteria Lane. Given the history of the neighborhood, one would think they would be holders of some great mystery, or concocting the latest drama to ruin the housewives, but the duo proved to be great new friends for the women. Bob's job as a lawyer would come in handy given the various dramas the characters faced and Lee would take on the mantle of go-to realtor on the block after the death of Edie Britt. Bob & Lee's relationship was rarely in doubt and their marriage was a big event for the neighborhood. While they often played roles in the chaos of the characters around them, they were never antagonists. In many ways, Bob & Lee were audience surrogates, peeking into the chaotic lives of the show's characters, observing and participating safely from the sidelines.
Ended: 2017
Network: MTV
Despite being a teen genre thriller dripping with homoeroticism, it wasn't until Season 5 that Teen Wolf introduced a gay romance. Super-smart supporting character Mason (Khylin Rhambo) found himself in a romantic dilemma as he developed feelings for Corey (Michael Johnston), a fellow teen dealing with his chameleon-like powers as a Chimera. With Corey lured by the villainous Theo to be part of his pack, and Mason on the side of the hero pack, the two were unable to fight their feelings, developing their mantra of surviving together, above the fight between good and evil. When Mason's life was on the line, Corey fully defected to the side of good in a vow to save and protect Mason at all costs. The two became a reliably faithful duo, determined to do whatever it took to keep each other safe and help Scott's pack defend their town against the forces of evil without sacrificing their growing love for each other.
Ended: 2019
Network: The CW
The immediate pairing of Steven (James Mackay) and Sam (Rafael de la Fuente) was an instant hit with Dynasty viewers. While themes of class warfare ignited the rivalry between Steven's sister Fallon and Sam's aunt Cristal, Steven & Sam never let that taint their growing romance. Sam's fun-loving spirit would soften the often uptight Steven, and it was not long before the two were walking down the aisle. But their happiness would be short-lived, as Steven's dramas, including discovering the identity of his real birth father, would become too much, leading him to flee his life, leaving Sam behind. Steven would be manipulated by his villainous brother Adam, leading him to be institutionalized, after cutting ties with his family, including Sam. While Sam worked to move on, he never truly did and Steven's return in the series' final batch of episodes proved that their love never really died and they ended the series on the road to reclaiming their relationship.
Ended: 2018
Network: ABC Family/Freeform
At the start of the popular award-nominated comedy Young & Hungry, the character of Elliot (Rex Lee) seemed to fall into the sitcom trope of the sexless overprotective gay assistant pining for his hot boss Josh. While the show cashed in on those laughs, the high strung Elliot grew as a character of his own and Alan (Bryan Safi), a recurring male love interest, was introduced in Season 2. Alan & Elliot shared history after attending high school together. Alan had an unspoken crush on Elliot even then. Elliot got to develop his own romance, as the straight leads navigated their on-again/off-again relationship. Elliot & Alan only strengthened over time, ultimately leading to their engagement and later marriage, openly supported by the series' straight characters. The two would also become foster parents.
Ended: 2020
Network: Netflix
Hollywood presented an alternate take on the 1940's entertainment business from the perspective of a group of young people looking to achieve stardom, while overcoming challenges of racism, sexism, and homophobia. The series presented a fictionalized version of film icon Rock Hudson (Jake Picking), who was forced to keep his homosexuality hidden in order to reach stardom. Here, he meets and falls in love with aspiring screenwriter Archie (Jeremy Pope). Their immediate chemistry leads to a major romance that knows no bounds. Rising above homophobia and racism as a mixed race couple, Rock & Archie were allowed to be open with their relationship and appear publicly at Hollywood's biggest night, the Academy Awards ceremony, hand-in-hand. While the series presented a fantasy, their pairing stood as a bittersweet vision of what could have been and we yearned for this fantasy to be real.
Ended: 2010
Network: ABC
In 2008, daytime television was barren when it came to gay male representation. That year, One Life to Live introduced Oliver Fish (Scott Evans) a closeted police officer. Oliver was initially paired with female characters until the arrival in 2009 of medical student Kyle Lewis (Brett Claywell), a man with whom Oliver shared a secret past. Kyle wasted no time confronting Oliver about his newfound straight lifestyle, after their relationship in college. Oliver's road to overcoming his internalized homophobia and embracing true love struck a chord with viewers, who affectionately dubbed the duo "Kish." Oliver & Kyle's first kiss and later televised wedding solidified their popularity. In 2010, the two would even become parents to Oliver's daughter, gaining custody of her in what would turn out to be their final storyline. The two characters were cut due to conservative outcry, which then led to protests and campaigns insisting the couple return. After their exits, the soap opera fell to all-time lows in viewership, putting it on a path to cancellation.
Ended: 2011
Network: ABC
The producers of Brothers & Sisters set out to present Kevin (Matthew Rhys) as a gay regular character whose struggles and dramas were on the same level as his straight counterparts, unrelated to coming out or familial homophobia. While Kevin was out at home and at work, he did deal with some internalized homophobia when it came to his public persona. This would be called out by the out and proud Scotty (Luke Macfarlane), who worked to push Kevin to be himself at all times. Kevin & Scotty were not without drama. From break-ups, to affairs, to a failed proposal, they definitely experienced as much emotional drama as the show's straight characters. Despite multiple other love interests, though, Kevin always found his way back to Scotty. The two got their commitment ceremony and soon grew their own family, with two children. They would become an iconic pairing in gay pop culture and proved that while no relationship is perfect, there are partners that are perfect for one another.
Ended: 2016
Network: VH1
In a drama centered on the salacious drama between basketball players and cheerleaders, the second season introduced a different kind of drama in the form of a gay romance between bisexual basketball player Zero (Adam Senn) and his soft-spoken agent Jude (Brent Antonello). Zero made waves as he attempted to become the star of the team, with Jude's help. The gay romance made waves with viewers as well, becoming an immediate favorite. In a sports-dominated world, seeing a professional basketball player romancing another man remains controversial. Jude & Zero's two-season romance broke ground, especially after the couple went public with a climactic kiss during a basketball game. They showed love and support for one another and only separated as a result of Senn's departure from the series after it's long-delayed Season 4 renewal, which saw Jude returning in 2018 and looking for new love after Zero's departure from the team.
Ended: 2006
Network: Logo
On the landmark black-led gay drama Noah's Arc, it was the pairing of Alex & Trey that warmed hearts the most. Their opposite personalities and style always seemed to make them stronger. Trey (Gregory Keith) was always shown to support Alex (Rodney Chester) in his fight for equity when it came to medical care for those with HIV. Alex also made no secret about the fact that he would fight for his buff firefighter love, especially when he began to suspect that another man was out to destroy their relationship by latching onto Alex in the name of friendship. While Alex's proposal fell flat, and Trey felt he was too jealous, Alex's suspicions would prove to be true, leading the couple to grow even stronger. Despite any challenges in their relationship, the two worked through them and never broke-up. The series-ending movie Jumping the Broom further solidified their relationship, revealing that after 11 years together they had adopted a newborn child. With the announcement of an upcoming revival, this duo may not be gone for too much longer.
Ended: 2020
Network: ABC
The legal drama was never known for depicting the best in people, as the characters were often forced to confront their demons in an effort to keep their heads above water while involved in twisted murder plots. This was certainly true for law student Connor (Jack Falahee), as he jumped head-first into the drama to help his criminal defense professor Annalise Keating, by getting his hands dirty. He juggled that with his blossoming romance with computer whiz Oliver (Conrad Ricamora). His worlds collided when Oliver accepted a job with Keating as well. Connor & Oliver kept each other grounded around a sense of normalcy in the chaos, and supported each other through their personal struggles, including Oliver's HIV diagnosis and Connor's rift with his father. They weren't above scheming in the name of love either, proving they would do anything for one another. In the end, love prevailed for the two as their marriage appeared on the verge of crumbling, only to be revealed in a flash-forward that they worked things out and remained together in the future.
Ended: 2021
Network: Netflix
One of the most popular pairings on the high school thriller were underachievers Omar & Ander. Sparks instantly flew between the closeted Omar and popular student Ander. The chemistry between the actors, Omar Ayuso & Arón Piper, was off the charts and the struggles that the two characters faced, and overcame, endeared them to viewers over multiple seasons. Omar faced the homophobia of his religious father while selling drugs to make enough money to move out of his family's home. When the situation reached a breaking point, Ander took Omar in, strengthening their bond. Ander was later diagnosed with cancer, causing Omar to take responsibility for his care, to the detriment of his own mental health. Ander broke up with him in an effort to free him, but the two still found their way back to one another, as Ander was declared cancer-free. They would then contend with the arrival of Patrick, presenting their relationship with its biggest challenge. Their throuple experiment fizzled and damaged their relationship for a while, before they reconciled yet again, proving again their ability to overcome obstacles in the name of love. Élite is still active, heading into its eighth and final season, but the pairing of Ander & Omar didn't survive Season 4 as Ander left town to travel the world.
Ended: 2021
Network: FOX
The short-lived musical comedy The Big Leap presented a refreshing gay romance as a ragtag group of dancers competed for coveted roles in a modern remake of Swan Lake as part of a reality show. The contestants included Justin (Raymond Cham Jr.), an amateur street performer, and ballroom dance champion Simon (Adam Kaplan). While the two were positioned on opposites sides in the immediate rivalry between Justin's best friend Gabby and Simon's twin sister Brittney, the conflict would push them closer together as their chemistry was undeniable. A twist of fate would later lead to the guys capturing the lead roles, allowing more time for them to bond in rehearsals which led to their romance blossoming. Their attempts to keep their romance quiet were thwarted by the reality tv staff, looking to make their pairing a cornerstone of the show. Simon's efforts to break free of his mother & sister's efforts to sabotage other contestants, and Justin's rift with his father & brother over his coming out also helped strengthen the characters and their connection. In the end, they made their stage debut together, putting their real love on display openly and beautifully through dance.
Ended: 2015
Network: FOX
The coming of age journey of Kurt Hummel (Chris Colfer) on Glee mirrored the experiences of many gay teens. The show explored Kurt's struggles with acceptance, and being the target of harsh bullying. Season 2 saw him being transferred to another school to leave the trauma behind, leading him to meet the guy who would become the love of his life, Blaine Anderson (Darren Criss). Viewers came along for their blossoming romance and its ensuing ups & downs. Life was never perfect for the couple, as they navigated several conflicts, and even a major break-up. But, Kurt & Blaine would find their way back to one another. Kurt became a shining example for queer teens, who dreamed of stardom, love, and acceptance. The popularity of the couple never waned and the two would ultimately get their happy ending. After getting married, the series ended with them expecting their first child together.
Ended: 2005
Network: Showtime
While love at first sight was a trope not afforded to many gay characters, Queer as Folk changed all that in Season 2 when leading man Michael (Hal Sparks) opened a comic book shop and came face-to-face with his first customer Ben (Robert Gant). Through their shared love of writing, the two characters came together and sparks flew. They were not without their struggles, due to Ben's HIV status and Michael's unerequited feelings for his best friend Brian. This didn't stop them from growing their own love and becoming a popular example of a couple that let love guide them through their challenges. They would go on to adopt and reform teenage hustler Hunter, and become advocates for gay rights in their community, putting them in harm's way when their local gay club Babylon was bombed, leaving Michael gravely injured. Their marriage in Canada shed light on the lack of gay marriage rights in the U.S. and the two got their ultimate happy ending as the acclaimed show came to a close.
Ended: 2021
Network: Showtime
The wrong-side-of-the-tracks romance between fellow hoodlums Ian (Cameron Monaghan) and Mickey (Noel Fisher) proved to be arguably the most popular pairing on the long-running family drama. From contending with homophobia in Mickey's family to Ian's struggles with bipolar disorder, their many challenges helped to put a spotlight on issues facing LGBTQ young people and how they could be overcome with the help of strong support. Ian and Mickey were clearly each others' champion, even when they were at odds in their everyday lives. Like other straight couples on the show, they experienced their conflicts and temptations with their never-ending verbal jabs and quips, but their love was never in question, even when things got bloody or they were fighting to survive. From break-ups, to make-ups, to prison time, Ian & Mickey always found their way back to one another ultimately culminating in their marriage. Through it all, they're love endured, making them an iconic example of gay love.
Ended: 2019
Network: Freeform
One of the biggest queer romances on U.S. television was the pairing of the stoic, warm-hearted shadowhunter Alec and the flamboyant and powerful warlock Magnus. Enhanced by the stellar chemistry between actors Matthew Daddario & Harry Shum Jr., it took very little time for viewers to become invested in the blossoming romance between the characters. In a supernatural fantasy world filled with magic, vampires, and werewolves, Alec & Magnus managed to make their characters, and their love, both relatable and aspirational. This led to massive online support for the duo, affectionately dubbed "Malec." As the series continued, the popularity of the couple led to more attention on the series, causing more challenges to be overcome. The love story and marriage of Alec & Magnus would be the main focus of the series' final slate of episodes as Alec led the charge to rescue Magnus from the demonic underworld of Edom, after Magnus sacrificed his freedom to end the onslaught of demonic creatures invading their world. True love would win out in the end, and Alec & Magnus got their happy ending, walking down the aisle in the finale.
Ended: 2020
Network: CBC
The modern classic comedy Schitt's Creek, the brainchild of showrunner Dan Levy, followed the lives of the Rose family. Disgraced and no longer wealthy, they are forced to take refuge in a motel in Schitt's Creek, a town they once bought as a joke. In addition to the family antics, the Roses' pansexual son David (Levy) would find love with his new business partner Patrick (Noah Reid), introduced in Season 3. The two men proved opposites attract as the warm-hearted and earnest Patrick discovered his homosexuality while bonding with the spoiled and obsessive David. David would support Patrick and his coming out, finding his own inner warmth in the process. The coupling became instantly popular with audiences and their romance would drive story in the show's later seasons. This led to their engagement and wedding during the show's final season. Their personalities would compliment one another. Their romance proved to be a celebration of love and unwaivering acceptance, presented with no expressions of homophobia.
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