Focus FeaturesLooking for a way to celebrate the end of DOMA?
How about a movie night!
From Harry Hamlin in 1982's Making Love to Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger's cowboy romance in Brokeback Mountain in 2005, Hollywood has a long history of gay men and lesbians in movies.
Fast forward to 2010 and you had Julianne Moore and Annette Bening as parents to Josh Hutcherson and Mia Wasikowska in The Kids Are All Right.
Hilary Swank became a household name (and earned her first of two Academy Awards) in 1999 when she played transgendered teen Brandon Teena in Boys Don't Cry. Kristen Stewart stepped out of Bella's Twilight shoes to rock out with Dakota Fanning in The Runaways.
But not all the flicks are so heavy. To lighten things up, don't forget about The Birdcage, Robin Williams and Nathan Lane's 1996 U.S. adaptation of the French film La Cage aux Folles about a gay couple trying to hide their relationship when their son brings home his fiancé and her parents. Sure, the prancing and over the top antics may play on some ugly gay stereotypes, but it's still worth the laughs.
Next up in theaters could be the movie adaptation of 8, Milk screenwriter Dustin Lance Black's play about the courtroom battles over Proposition 8 to be directed by Rob Reiner. Stage readings of the drama starred Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Matt Bomer and more.
And while it didn't get a theatrical release, we'd be remiss not to mention Michael Douglas and Matt Damon in HBO's Steven Soderbergh-directed Liberace film, Behind the Candelabra. Come awards season, expect to see and hear a lot more about this look at the late showman's relationship with boyfriend Scott Thorson.
While our collection of gays in the movies is nowhere near the complete list of flicks with same-sex loving characters and storylines, we think there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Pass the popcorn, please.