Just because they like dudes doesn't mean we can't think they're totally dreamy.
By sara brady — Written on Nov 20, 2009
Gay men and straight women have been natural allies for years, sharing relationship horror stories and top billing on popular '90s sitcoms. And now that there are so many out and proud celebrities, and such adorable ones, too, that we don't see any reason why we should limit our crushes to heterosexuals. Here are seven of our favorite famous gay men, and the reasons we love them so (yes, like that).
Neil Patrick Harris
Because he handled a public outing with grace, nonchalance, and dignity. Because he makes being a gay icon for the 21st century look easy while playing a womanizing horndog in his day job. Because he and his boyfriend are adorable. Because he always shows up for Magic Week on The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson. Because he's the best damn awards show host we've seen in years (our apologies, Hugh Jackman). Because he's Dr. Horrible and we have a soft spot for villains. What 'How I Met Your Mother' Teaches Us About Love
Cheyenne Jackson
The Broadway star (Aida, Xanadu, and right now, Finian's Rainbow) makes a big impression: at 6'4", he's burly and beautiful, and we hear he's also a complete sweetheart to audiences and journalists alike. "I'm in uncharted territory because based on what I look like, I get cast as the guy who gets the girl," he told The Advocate last year. "But I have a sense that the tide is changing, and I have no problem being the trailblazer. I don't know how or when it's going to manifest itself, but I think being my authentic self is going to have its rewards." Cheyenne has a recurring role on 30 Rock as a new TGS cast member, and we look forward to seeing much more of him (aside to Tina Fey: Have you seen how he looks in short-shorts and roller skates?), perhaps in his dream project, a biopic of Rock Hudson.
Ted Allen
Who doesn't love a man who can cook? The former Queer Eye for the Straight Guy food guru is also a cookbook author, contributor to Esquire, and frequent Iron Chef America judge as well as the star of his own show on the Food Network, and we have delusional fantasies of grilling with him and Bobby Flay while Ted gossips about what a prima donna Carson Kressley is. None of us are wearing pants in this fantasy, by the way. Just aprons. Men's Secret Culinary Seduction Tricks
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John Barrowman
Friends, if you have not watched Torchwood, the BBC's awesome Doctor Who spinoff starring the gorgeous Scottish-American Barrowman, we insist you go Netflix it right now and then finish reading this article. There are only three seasons; it should take you about two solid days of nonstop drooling. Done? Okay. This is why we love John Barrowman: He's like a butch Tom Cruise who sings. He's funny and generous to his coworkers: When he judged the British reality competition show Any Dream Will Do, John picked out his (and our) favorite non-winning contestant, Daniel Boys, and took him on the road as his opening act. He also investigated whether homosexuality is a product of nature or nurture, backtracking in his life and interviewing his family and friends for a fantastic, eye-opening BBC documentary The Making of Me. And seriously. Look at him!
Bryan Batt
As the closeted art director Sal on Mad Men, Bryan Batt is playing the role a thousand gay actors would trample Liza Minnelli for. Offscreen, we love him because he's a witty interview and not just another actor; Bryan's also the owner of a home furnishings store in New Orleans with his partner of almost 20 years, and they throw the most legendary parties. Suits! Cocktails! Nibbly things on toothpicks! We are super jealous of everyone lucky enough to get invited to one of Bryan's parties.
Dan Savage
It's not just straight ladies who should love Dan Savage. Everyone should love Dan Savage. The editor of Seattle's alt paper The Stranger has been making sex and relationships better for gay, straight, bi, trans, kinky, vanilla, confused, and confusing people alike for 18 years with his column, Savage Love, his popular weekly podcast, lectures around the country, and appearances on TV. And he helped boot Rick Santorum out of Congress, which every thinking person in the country should thank him for.
George Takei
We are torn between our crush on George Takei and our even bigger crush on his Star Trek successor, John Cho. How awesome would it be if they played father and son one day? But now we're off track. The fantastic George Takei first made his case as a fellow even non-Trekkie straight ladies love with his incredibly good-natured endurance during the Comedy Central roast of William Shatner, which was shortly after he came out in 2005. Most of the ribbing on the roast was directed at Takei's gayness rather than the many, many, many things you could say about Shatner, but George took it all in stride and appeared to be having the time of his life. Since then he's made an excellent guest appearance on Heroes, married his longtime partner, Brad Altman, and won $10,000 for charity on The Newlywed Game. He also recorded a completely awesome PSA after former NBA player Tim Hardaway made some gross homophobic remarks, ending it with a lecherous twist that only makes us love him more.
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Photo via Bauer-Griffin.