Famous Same-Sex Couples © March 9, 2008, Demian It is a popular myth that same-sex relationships don’t last. Our Partners National Survey of Gay & Lesbian Couples gives us data to the contrary. This list of well known couples — some from ancient times, others more recent — suggests the reality of committed couples, and the roles that partners plays in each other’s lives and, in some cases, each other’s work. The data for our list comes primarily from books, and from reputable Web sites. We are often sent suggestions, however, do not post a couple until we have published verification. We do not include in our list, for instance, such couples as Emily Dickinson and Sue Gilbert. While they had a deep love for each other, there has not been enough evidence that they considered themselves actually partnered — even though these women did dream of establishing a quiet life together in a little house somewhere, they did not do so because of finances and social obligations. Gathering information about same-sex families is sometimes very difficult. Because of the fact that homosexuality has, at various times in history, been attacked or forbidden, historians and their publishers have often refused to acknowledge that famous people had same-sex partners. Most history books for k-12 students routinely delete any mention of homosexuality, never mind offering reference to same-sex families. Then there are the relatives who, embarrassed by their famous kin’s same-sex life partners or lovers, choose to hide or burn the love letters that would allow the world to see their relative’s true orientation, as was the case with Emily Dickinson. Because of this kind of omission, many listeners of Benjamin Britten, for instance, have no idea that he was gay and that his orientation informed so much of his work. In fact, he wrote much of his music to be sung by Peter Pears, his partner of 40 years. Britten’s work continues, to this day, to influence the face of music. “The biographical head notes in every sophomore [literature] anthology suggest the importance Petrarch’s love for Laura, of Dante’s love for Beatrice, of Wordsworth’s love for Annette, but never are we told [in textbooks] that Oscar’s love for Bosie informs some of his prose … ; that Whitman’s love for Peter Doyle influenced his prophetic theory of comradeship; that A.E. Housman’s unrequited love for A.J. Jackson contributed to the bitter but restrained sorrow of much of his poetry …; or that Edna St. Vincent Millay’s frequent references to Sappho or Lesbos are not prompted by her love for Eugene, or that Tennyson’s love for Arthur Hugh Hallam prompted him to write that most ‘universal’ of sentiments: ‘Tis better to have loved and lost / Than never to have loved at all.’” - Rictor Norton in “Ganymede Raped: Gay Literature — The Critic as Censor,” Gay Sunshine Journal #23, Nov. 1974 Few think twice when an historian figure is assumed to be heterosexual, though there may be no factual grounds whatsoever for this assumption. Historically, couples themselves have often been silent about the nature of their relationship because they consider it private. And in some cases they kept silent because they knew that they could be ostracized, loose jobs or elections — or be imprisoned or murdered — often at the insistence of those institutions devoted to loving one’s neighbor: religion. Here, then, are those same-sex couples for which there is ample evidence of their love and commitment to each other. Couples who created a family based, not on legal bonds, but on companionship and mutual love. Couples who are lesbians and gay men, and just happen to be famous. Famous Historical Couples Years Together Mazo de la Roche (author) Caroline Clement (?) They were cousins who met when Mazo was seven. From that time on, these two lived together until Mazo’s death in 1961. Mazo adapted her novel “Whiteoaks of Jalna” into play form, which ran in London for 827 performances and on Broadway for 14 weeks with Ethel Barrymore. In the play, eighteen-year-old Fitch is a talented pianist who is disgusted by his homoerotic feelings. Contrary to many plays and films on homosexuality, before and since, Fitch is not punished for being gay, and further is rewarded as he becomes the sole beneficiary of his grandmother’s estate. 75 Bruhs Mero (dancer, modern dance teacher, lyricist) Gean Harwood (pianist, composer, author) Bruhs Mero and Gean Harwood met in New York in 1929, and remained together until Bruh’s death in 1995. They co-wrote about sixty songs. Gean authored their story in a book titled, “The Oldest Gay Couple in America.” A musical about their life together was written by Tom Wilson Weinberg in 2003, called “Sharing a Dance: Sixty Years with Bruhs & Gean”, later produced as “Bruhs and Gean.” 66 Edith Hamilton (educator, author, historian) Doris Fielding Reid (investment banker, author) Edith wrote “The Greek Way” (1930). It was such a perennial best-seller that it was a Book-of-the-Month Club selection in 1957. She also wrote “The Roman Way” (1932), “The Prophets of Israel” (1936), “Three Greek Plays” (1937), “Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes” (1942), “The Golden Age of Greek Literature” (1943), “Spokesmen for God” (1949), “Witness to the Truth: Christ and His Interpreters” (1949), “Echo of Greece” (1957). Doris wrote “Edith Hamilton: An Intimate Portrait” 60 Romaine Brooks (painter) Natalie Barney (heiress) 55 George Nader (actor, author) Mark Miller (secretary) George retired from acting in 1974, and published “Chrome,” a sci-fi novel that featured a gay love story between a man and a robot, in 1978. With Miller, he also wrote the forthcoming “The Perils of Paul,” a novel about the gay community in Hollywood. George died at 80 in February 2002. Mark served as George’s secretary for 35 years, and then as Rock Hudson’s secretary for 16 years. 55 Lady Eleanor Butler Sarah Ponsonby (?) Known as the “Ladies of Llangeollen” (the small Welsh hamlet where they lived) in the General Evening Post, 1790. 53 Mary Woolley (author, Mt. Holyoke College president) Jeannette Marks (?) Wooley was the only female member of the 1932 Geneva Arms Conference. 52 J.C. Leyendecker (illustrator) Charles Beach (artists model) J.C.’s work appeared in the Saturday Evening Post, Collier’s, etc. Charles was the “Arrow Collar Man,” as well as J.C.’s manager and assistant. 50 Mary “Molly” Dewson (known as “Americas first female political boss”) Polly Porter (?) 50 Octave Thanet (?) Jane Crawford (?) 50 Mary Renault (author) Julie Mullard (?) 50 William Haines (20s-30s movie actor, interior decorator) Jimmie Shields (househusband) Referred to by their friend Joan Crawford as “The happiest married couple in Hollywood.” 50 George Edward Kelly (playwright) William Weagly (?) George was a vaudevillian actor and skit writer. His best-known plays, penetrating satires on American middle-class life, include: “The Torch-Bearers” (1922), “The Deep Mrs. Sykes” (1945) and “The Show-off” (1924), which was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. “Craig’s Wife,” (1925) earned him the Pulitzer in 1926, and was adapted to the screen three times. His brother, Walter C. Kelly, was also a vaudeville actor. George was uncle to the actress, and later princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly. She made her acting debut in “The Torch-Bearers.” 49 Maud Hunt Squire [aka Miss Skeene] (artist) Ethel Mars [aka Miss Furr] (artist) They met while art school students, sometime before 1906, which is when they settled together in Paris. Gertrude Stein immortalized Squire and Mars in her early word portrait, “Miss Furr and Miss Skeene” (1908-11). 48+ Axel Axgil (gay activist) Eigil Axgil (gay activist) World’s first “Registered Partnership” couple. [See Committed Couples Gallery III.] 46 Ismail Merchant (film producer, chef and author) James Ivory (film director) Ismail and James maintained a personal and business partnership. They met in 1959, and formed Merchant Ivory Productions in May 1961. For the next 44 years, Merchant Ivory Productions produced at least 45 films. Their films included: “The Bostonians” (1984), “A Room with a View” (1986), “Maurice” (1987), and “Howards End” (1992). Their relationship lasted until Ismail’s death on May 25, 2005. 44 J. Edgar Hoover (FBI chief, transvestite) Clyde Tolson (FBI special agent) 44 Edward Perry Warren (art connoisseur) John Marshall (archaeologist) Edward strove to create an informal “brotherhood of men” in his home devoted to the Hellenic ideal. His Greek antique collections form the core collections at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. Warren commissioned Rodin’s “The Kiss.” 44 Sir John Gielgud (actor) Martin Hensler (?) 40 Benjamin Britten (composer) Peter Pears (singer) 40 Marguerite Yourcenar [born Marguerite de Crayencour] (author) Grace Frick (academic) Yourcenar wrote “Alexis,” “Memories of Hadrian,” “The Abyss,” and an influential essay on Yokio Mishima. She became the first and only woman to be admitted to the Académie Fançaise in 1980. 40 Rosa Bonheur (painter) Natalie Micas (?) 40 Willa Cather (author) Edith Lewis (?) 40 H.D. [Hilda Doolittle] (poet) Bryher (writer) 40+ Gertrude Stein (poet, author) Alice B. Toklas (author) 39 Edward Carpenter (reformer, author, England’s first gay activist) George Merrill (?) 39 Harry Hay (author, activist) John Burnside (activist) Harry formed the Mattachine Society in 1949, and was co-founder of the Radical Faeries in 1979. 39 [Ended with Hay’s death in 2002.] Timothy Findley (author, playwright) Bill Whitehead (?) Bill often cheerfully referred to himself as Timothy’s “keeper.” Timothy credited Bill with all that was good in his life. 39+ Janet Flanner (journalist) Natalia Danesi Murray (writer, editor, radio commentator) 38 [Flanner’s 2nd relationship] Raymond Burr (actor, philanthropist) Robert Benevides (Burr’s business partner, philanthropist) 35 [Relationship ended when Burr died in 1993.] Paul Cadmus (painter) Jon Andersson (singer, actor) 35 W.H. Auden (poet) Chester Kallman (poet) 34 Lou Silver Harrison (composer) William Colvig (electrician, amateur musician, instrument designer) Lou’s work “Music for Bill and Me” celebrated his life with William. Lou also wrote a puppet opera in 1971 called “Young Caesar,” which chronicled a same-sex love affair of Julius Caesar with and King Nicomedes of Bithynia. He called his work “the only opera with an overtly presented gay subject from history.” In the last years of his life, he worked to expand the opera. For many years, Lou was involved in the gay rights movement, and also worked on behalf of the ecological and world peace movements. 33 [Ended with William’s death in 2000. Lou died on February 1, 2003, at which time he was survived by Todd Burlingame.] Christopher Isherwood (author) Don Bachardy (painter) 32 Charlotte Witton (1st woman mayor of a major Canadian city, Ottawa) Margaret Grier (?) Witton is credit with creating the slogan: “Whatever women do they must do twice as well as men to be thought of half so good … luckily, it’s not difficult.” 32 Ned Rorem (composer, author) James Holmes (organist, choirmaster) Rorem: “I can’t imagine life without Jim. He is my dearest friend, the only person I consult about anything. He is smarter than me, and I rely utterly on him.” (The Advocate, February 14, 1989) 32 [Their relationship ended upon James’ death in 1999.] Maria Louise Pool (author) Caroline M. Branson (?) While Branson is listed as “literary companion” in Pool’s obituary, the two are buried together, with a double headstone, in the Rockland, Massachusetts Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. 32 Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti (sculptor, painter, architect, poet) Tommaso dei Cavalieri (nobleman) Tommaso was the model for Michelangelo’s “Victory” statue and for Christ in the “Last Judgment.” Michelangelo dedicated to him more than 300 sonnets and madrigals. Tommaso was 23 when he met Michelangelo in 1532, at the age of 57. In their first exchange of letters, on January 1, 1533, Michelangelo declared: “Your lordship, only worldly light in this age of ours, you can never be pleased with another man’s work for there is no man who resembles you, nor one to equal you… It grieves me greatly that I cannot recapture my past, so as to longer be at your service. As it is, I can only offer you my future, which is short, for I am too old… That is all I have to say. Read my heart for ‘the quill cannot express good will.’ ” Cavalieri replied: “I swear to return your love. Never have I loved a man more than I love you, never have I wished for a friendship more than I wish for yours.” Cavalieri remained devoted until Michelangelo’s death, holding his hand as he drew his last breath. 32 Leonardo da Vinci (artist, inventor) Giacomo Caprotti (Leonardo’s apprentice) 30 approx. Truman Capote (author, playwright) Jack Dunphy (author, playwright, dancer) Truman (1924-1984) was an American writer whose stories, novels, plays, and non-fiction are recognized literary classics, including “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (1958) and “In Cold Blood” (1965). At least 20 films and TV dramas have been produced from his novels, stories and screenplays. Truman was openly gay in an era when it was rarely talked about. Jack (1915–1992) danced as one of the cowboys in the original Broadway production of “Oklahoma!” Truman and Jack shared a non-exclusive relationship. Their partnership became nonsexual, living apart during much of the 70s, and ended with Truman’s death in 1984. Their ashes were scattered at Crooked Pond, on Long Island, close to where they maintained a property with individual houses for many years. 30 approx. John Schlesinger (filmmaker) Michael Childers (photographer) John directed “Midnight Cowboy,” “Daring,” “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” “Marathon Man,” and “The Falcon and the Snowman.” John died, at 77, in July 2003. 30 Samuel Osborne Barber II (composer, singer) Gian Carlo Menotti (composer, librettist) Gian Carlo wrote “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” and won Pulitzer prizes for his operas “The Consul” (1950), and “The Saint of Bleeker Street” (1954). Samuel’s work included the “Adagio for Strings” which later was used in films such as “Platoon,” “The Elephant Man,” “El Norte,” and “Lorenzo’s Oil.” He won a Pulitzer prize in 1963 for his “Concerto for Piano and Orchestra.” Samuel was also influential in the successful campaign against ASCAP, winning composer an increase of their share of royalties. The couple separated in 1973, however, in a 1985 interview Gian Carlo stated that, when he died, he wished to be buried beside Samuel where there was a plot waiting for him. Barber, who died in 1981, left instructions that, if Gian Carlo was buried elsewhere, a marker should be put on the empty plot reading: “To the memory of two friends.” 30 Jack Larson (actor, producer) Jim Bridges (director) Jack played Jimmy Olsen in the original TV series “Superman.” A CD entitled “More Than a Day” with music by Ned Rorem, featured some of the poems Jack wrote to Jim. Jim died in 1993. 30 Anna Cogswell Wood (?) Irene Leache (?) 30 Dame Ivy Compton-Burnett Margaret Jourdain (?) 30 Sarah Orne Jewett (novelist, feminist) Annie Adams Fields (philanthropist, biographer) 30 Radclyffe Hall (author) Lady Una Troubridge (?) 30 Noël Peirce Coward (playwright, songwriter, actor, director, author) Graham Payn (actor) Noël wrote songs and lead roles for Graham in Noël’s reviews. They co-stared in Noël’s “Astonished Heart.” Noël was about 11-years-old when he had his first professional acting experience. He was 14 when he became the lover of Philip Streatfeild, a society painter, who took him in and introduced him to high society. He appeared in the D. W. Griffith film “Hearts of the World” (1918) in an uncredited role. He starred in one of his first full-length plays, the inheritance comedy “I’ll Leave It to You,” (1920) at the age of twenty. The controversy surrounding his play “The Vortex” (1924) — which contains many veiled references to both drug abuse and homosexuality — made him an overnight sensation on both sides of the Atlantic. Alongside his highly-publicised tours entertaining Allied troops, Noël was also engaged by the British Secret Service MI5 to conduct intelligence work. He wrote “In Which We Serve,” a film based on the career of Captain Lord Louis Mountbatten. It stared Noël, and he also wrote the music. He co-directed it with David Lean, and it was very popular on both sides of the Atlantic. The film brought Noël an honorary Oscar. He was knighted in 1970. He published 50 plays and many albums of original songs, wrote comic revues, poetry, several volumes of short stories, a novel (“Pomp and Circumstance,” 1960), and three volumes of autobiography. 29 [Coward’s last relationship - after Jack Wilson] W. Somerset Maugham (author) Gerald Haxton (?) 29 approx. [Met when Maugham was 40] Francis Poulenc (composer) Pierre Bernac (baritone) Francis also had a relationship with Raymond Radiguet, who later partnered with Jean Cocteau, and with Richard Chanelaire. 28 approx. Touko Laaksonen (AKA “Tom of Finland” - artist, musician) Veli (?) (dancer) Touko was a fetish artist, notable for his stylized, male-focused, homoerotic art, and his influence on late twentieth century gay male culture. His goal: “I work very hard to make sure that the men I draw having sex are proud men having happy sex!” Touko and Veli met in 1953. Their relationship lasted until Veli’s death in 1981. Touko died on November 7, 1991. 28 Jean Cocteau (author, poet, painter, filmmaker) Jean “Jeannot” Marais (actor) Jean was one of the most influential artists of his time. 26 [Met in 1937; Cocteau died 1963] James Whale (director in theater and film) David Lewis (producer, studio exec.) James directed “Frankenstein,” “Invisible Man,” and “Show Boat.” 26 Katharine Lee Bates (poet, author, Wellesley College professor) Katharine Coman (Wellesley College Dean) Bates wrote the poem “America the Beautiful:” “O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed his grace on thee And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea!” 25 Sir Nigel Hawthorne (actor) Trevor Bentham (stage manager, screenwriter) Nigel was in dozens of theater, films and TV shows. He played opposite Sylvester Stallone in “Demolition Man,” as well as starred in “The Madness of King George” and in the popular TV series “Yes, Prime Minister.” 22 [Relationship ended upon Nigel’s death in 2001] Kathryn Hulme (author The Nun’s Story) Marie-Louise Habets (ex-nun) 21+ Allen Ginsberg (poet) Peter Orlovsky (poet, gardener) 20 Barbara Charline Jordan (attorney, Texas senator, U.S. representative) Nancy Earl (?) Barbara was the first African American to preside over the state senate and chair a major committee, and the first freshman senator named to the Texas Legislative Council. She was a prominent member of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee when it held President Richard M. Nixon’s impeachment hearings. In 1976 Barbara became the first African American to give a keynote address to the Democratic National Convention. In 1992, she was again the keynote speaker at the Democratic National Convention at which she nominated president Bill Clinton. In 1994, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. After retiring from Congress, she taught at U. Texas, Austin. Barbara was very private about her personal life, which included her orientation, religion, and state of health. In 1973, she began to suffer from multiple sclerosis. President Bill Clinton stated he wanted to nominate Jordan for the U.S. Supreme Court, but her health problems prevented that. Even though she and Nancy lived together in a house they built on co-owned property, she did not announce her orientation, most likely for employment and electability reasons. One gets the sense she was not comfortable with her orientation when she said: “There is no way that I can equate discrimination on the basis of sexual preference with discrimination on the basis of skin color.” However, she also said: “The American dream is not dead. It is gasping for breath, but it is not dead.” And one more quote from Barbara: “Just remember the world is not a playground, but a school room. Life is not a holiday, but an education. One eternal lesson for us all: to teach us how better we should love.” 20 [Relationship ended when Barbara died in 1996.] James Buchanan (U.S. Representative, Senator, Secretary of State under Polk, minister to Russia and Great Britain, 15th President) William Rufus Devane King (U.S. Senator, minister to France, Vice-President under Franklin Pierce) 20 Graham Chapman (medical doctor, writer) David Sherlock (writer) Chapman wrote for and acted in Monty Python’s Flying Circus TV shows and films. He played King Arthur in “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” and Brian in the “Life of Brian.” In 1971, Chapman nursed John Tomiczek, a run away teenager from Liverpool, back to health. Sherlock and Chapman agreed to adopt Tomiczek on the condition that he finish school. 20 Sylvia Beach (bookstore owner, publisher) Adrienne Monnier (writer, publisher) 20 Charlotte Cushman (actor, arts patron) Emma Stebbins (sculptor) 20 Cris Williamson (singer, songwriter) Tret Fure (music producer, engineer) 20 [Relationship ended in 2000] Janet Flanner (journalist) Solita Solano (drama critic, editor) 19+ [Flanner’s 1st relationship] Alexander the Great (known world conqueror) Hephaistion (Al’s primary cavalry commander and right-hand man) 19 W. Somerset Maugham (writer) Alan Searle (?) 19 [Met when Maugham was 72] Joe Orton (playwright) Kenneth Halliwell (writer) Joe wrote plays that entertained, scandalized, or outraged, depending on the viewer. He wrote: “Fred and Madge” (1959), “The Visitors” (1961), “The Ruffian on the Stair” (1964), “Entertaining Mr Sloane” (1964), “Loot” (1965), “The Erpingham Camp” (1966), “The Good and Faithful Servant” (1967), “Funeral Games” (1968), “What the Butler Saw” (1969), “Up Against It” (a 1967 screenplay written for and rejected by the Beatles). For self-entertainment, Joe and Kenneth stole books from their local library, and modified the cover art before returning them. For example, a volume of poems by John Betjeman sported a new dust jacket featuring a photograph of a nearly naked, heavily tattooed, middle-aged man. They were eventually charged with theft and malicious damage in 1962, admitting to damaging more than 70 books, jailed for six months, and fined £262. The books they vandalized are now the most valued of the Islington Library service collection. The two men also collaborated on a number of unpublished novels. Their relationship ended when Kenneth killed himself following his killing of Joe on August 9, 1967. 16 Eric Rofes (scholar, author, educator, political activist) Crispin Hollings (?) Eric led the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Community Center, 1985-1988, and directed San Francisco’s Shanti Project, 1989-1993. He authored:     “I Thought People Like That Killed Themselves: Lesbians, gay men and suicide” (1983),     “Socrates, Plato, & Guys Like Me: Confessions of a gay schoolteacher” (1985)     “Gay Life: Leisure, love, and living for the contemporary gay male” (1986)     “Living with AIDS on Long Island: A practical guide” (1989)     “Reviving the Tribe: Regenerating gay men’s sexuality and culture in the ongoing epidemic” (1996)     “Dry Bones Breathe: Gay men creating post-aids identities and cultures” (1998)     “A Radical Rethinking of Sexuality & Schooling: Status quo or status queer” (2005) Eric also edited or co-edited:     “The Kids’ Book of Divorce: By, for and about Kids” (1981)     “The Kids’ Book About Parents” (1984)     “The Kids’ Book About Death and Dying: By and for kids,” (1985)     “Opposite Sex: Gay men on lesbians, lesbians on gay men” (1998)     “The Emancipatory Promise of Charter Schools: Toward a progressive politics of school choice” (2004)     “Youth and Sexualities: Pleasure, subversion, and insubordination in and out of schools” (2004) 16 Al Parker [b. Andrew Okun] (director, producer, porn star) Richard Cole (producer, actor) 16 Cary Grant (screen actor) Randolph Scott (screen actor) 15 Aleta Fenceroy (computer programmer) Jean Mayberry (retail employee) AKA the “Fenceberrys.” From 1996-2004, they distributed via daily e-mail newspaper articles that had gay content, such as court rulings, a celebrity coming-out stories, editorials and columns, hate crime reports. 15 [Relationship ended with Aleta’s dead in 2006] Edward II (king) Piers Gaveston (son of a king) 14 Tennessee Williams (playwright) Frankie Merlo (?) 14 Amy Lowell (poet) Ada Russell (?) 13 Jean O’Leary (liberation activist, author) Lisa Phelps (?) Jean co-founded Lesbian Feminist Liberation in 1972, and National Coming Out Day in 1987. She contributed a chapter to the book “Lesbian Nuns: Breaking Silence.” Jean negotiated an agreement for co-gender management of the National Gay Task Force, and became co-director in 1974. Jean was the first openly lesbian delegate elected to the Democratic National Committee, in 1976, in which she served for 12 years. She organized the first meeting of gay rights advocates in the White House in 1977, and was the first openly gay person appointed to a presidential commission (National Commission on the Observance of International Women’s Year) by president Jimmy Carter in 1979. In the 80s, she built a local San Francisco group, Gay Rights Advocates, into one of the largest national gay and lesbian activist organizations, National Gay Rights Advocates (NGRA). As head of NGRA, Jean pursued “impact litigation” and won important victories protecting gay people from discrimination in employment, housing and other areas. In 1985, NGRA became one of the first advocacy organizations to focus on the legal and civil liberties ramifications of the AIDS epidemic. 12 [Relationship ended with O’Leary’s death in June 2005] Michael Bussee (co-found Exodus International) Gary Cooper (not the screen actor) Exodus International is an anti-gay group that falsely claims orientation conversion. The couple met in an “ex-gay” ministry in late 70s. They denounced the ministry as fraudulent in 1978, and ceremonially married each other in 1982. 12 [Relationship ended with Cooper’s death in 1991] Melissa Etheridge (singer) Julie Cypher (film & video director) They had two children via alternative insemination with rock music performer David Crosby. 12 [Relationship ended in 2000] Lige Clarke (author, activist) Jack Nichols (author, activist) They published “Gay,” the first U.S. gay weekly newspaper out of New York City (1969–73). They co-wrote “I Have More Fun With You Than Anybody” (1972), and “Roommates Can’t Always Be Lovers: An Intimate Guide to Male/Male Relationships” (1974), as well as a weekly column in the straight “Screw” newspaper called “"Homosexual Citizen"” (1968-73). Jack edited “Gay” and was co-founder of the Mattachine Societies of Washington, D.C. and Florida. He wrote “The Tomcat Chronicles: Erotic Adventures of a Gay Liberation Pioneer” (2004), “The Gay Agenda: Talking Back to the Fundamentalists” (1996), “Men’s Liberation: A New Definition of Masculinity” (1975), and “Welcome to Fire Island: Visions of Cherry Grove & the Pines” (1976). 11 [Relationship ended with Clarke’s death in 1975] Barney Frank (U.S. House of Representatives (D-Mass.)) Herb Moses (potter) 11 [Relationship ended in 1998] Armistead Maupin (author) Terry Anderson (?) Armistead wrote the Tales of the City series. 10 [Armistead later became partners with Christopher Turner] Billy Strayhorn (composer) Aaron Bridgers (pianist) Billy composed such well-known songs as “Take the ‘A’ Train,” co-wrote many songs with Duke Ellington, and was his arranger for many years. 10 [Billy’s 1st relationship] Gianni Versace (fashion designer) Antonio D’Amico (?) 10+ James Charles Stuart (King James VI of Scotland and King James I of England) George Villiers (Duke of Buckingham) James was the author of the “Basilicon Doron,” King, and commissioned the 1611 version of the Bible. James bestowed upon his love the titles of knight, earl, and finally duke. James wrote: “You may be sure that I love the Earl of Buckingham more than anyone else, and more than you who are here assembled. I wish to speak in my own behalf and not to have it thought to be a defect, for Jesus Christ did the same, and therefore I cannot be blamed. Christ had John, and I have George.” 10+ Walt Whitman (poet) Peter Doyle (streetcar conductor) 10 Sir Lawrence Olivier (actor) Danny Kaye (actor, singer, comedian, humanitarian) 10 [Their sexual relationship lasted until Olivier’s third wife, Joan Plowright, objected.] Noël Peirce Coward (playwright, songwriter, actor, director, author) Jack Wilson (business manager, producer) Jack produced Noël’s play “Design for Living.” 10 [Coward’s 1st major relationship - before Graham Payn] Oscar Wilde (author, playwright) Lord Alfred Douglas (?) 9 Martina Navratilova (tennis champion) Judy Nelson (businesswoman) 8 [Relationship ended in 1991] Angelina Weld Grimké (author, abolitionist) Mamie Burrill (?) 7 Sara Teasdale (poet) Margaret Conklin (?) 7 Publius Aelius Hadrian (Roman emperor) Antinous (slave or page, household favorite) Hadrian (76-138 AD), considered one of the greatest Roman emperors. They met when Hadrian was 39 and Antinous was about 14. Rather than an accident or suicide, some say Antinous may have been drowned in Egypt by jealous imperial servants. Hadrian was extremely distraught over Antinous’ death. He declared the former slave or page to be a god, and, on the spot where his body was found, named a city, Antinopolis, after him. Statues of Antinous were carved to honour the new deity, and were erected throughout the Roman empire. They often mimicked the form of the Egyptian god Osiris, who also drowned in the Nile. 6 Jean Cocteau (author, poet, painter, filmmaker) Raymond Radiguet (poet, playwrite, author) Jean was one of the most influential artists of his time. Raymond wrote “Le Diable au Corps” (Devil in the Flesh) which was adapted into film in 1946, and “Le Bal du Comte d’Orgel” (The Count’s Ball). 6 [Relationship ended with Radiguet’s death in 1923] Jasper Johns (artist) Robert Rauschenberg (artist) 6 [Relationship ended in 1961] T.E. Lawrence (archaeologist, spy, author) Dahoum (personal assistant) 5 Abraham Lincoln (lawyer, U.S. president) Joshua Speed (merchant, editor) On April 15, 1837, an impoverished Abraham Lincoln, 28, met Joshua Speed, 22, at his general store in Springfield, Illinois, and immediately agreed to share a bed with him in his living quarters above the store. They continued to share their bed for four years. They must have had a lot of interesting discussions because Joshua was the son of a plantation and slave owner. When Joshua told Abraham that he was returned to his native Kentucky, Abraham had a nervous breakdown. Abraham wrote at the time: “I am now the most miserable man living. Whether I shall ever be better I can not tell; I awfully forbode I shall not. To remain as I am is impossible; I must die or be better, it appears to me.” They remained friends throughout life. Abraham penned passionate letters to Joshua Speed, which he signed “yours forever,” a phrase he never wrote to his wife. 4 Serge Diaghilev (impresario) Vaslav Nijinsky (dancer) 4 Rock Hudson (actor) Marc Christian (?) 4 John Treville Latouche (author, lyricist, opera librettist) Kenward Elmslie (poet, lyricist, opera librettist) John provided lyrics for Bernstein’s “Candide,” and Kenward the lyrics for “The Grass Harp.” Their life partnership was cut short by John’s death in 1956. 4 Billy Strayhorn (composer) Bill Grove (?) Strayhorn composed such well-known songs as “Take the ‘A’ Train,” co-wrote many songs with Duke Ellington, and was his arranger for many years. 3 [Billy’s 2nd relationship ended with his death in 1967] Akhenaten - formerly Amenhotep IV (pharaoh: 10th king, 18th dynasty) Smenkhkare (co-ruler) 3+ Liberace (Walter Valentino) (piano entertainer, philanthropist) Scott Thorson (?) 3 Paul Verlaine (poet) Arthur Rimbaud (poet) 2 Anthony Perkins (actor, director) Tab Hunter (actor) After Tony, Tab lived for many years with a partner, but declines to name him. 2 Eleanor Roosevelt (philanthropist, presidential first lady) Lorena Hickok (reporter) Unknown Francis Poulenc (composer) Richard Chanelaire (painter) Francis dedicated his Concert Champêtre to Richard: “You have changed my life, you are the sunshine of my thirty years, a reason for living and working.” Unknown Susan Sontag (author, critic) Annie Liebovitz (photographer) In a 2000 interview in London’s Guardian newspaper, Sontag spoke of her bisexuality, describing the nine “loves of her life” which included five men and four women. In a 2000 New Yorker interview, Sontag said, “That I have had girlfriends as well as boyfriends is what? Is something I guess I never thought I was supposed to have to say, since it seems to me the most natural thing in the world.” In 2001, Time magazine reported that Sontag and Leibovitz were raising a child. This was mentioned in a People Magazine obit. Time reported that Leibovitz had given birth to a daughter, Sarah Cameron Leibovitz. Unknown (One source suggested 20 years) Armistead Maupin (author) Christopher Turner (?) They married, Februray 2007, in Canada. Armistead wrote the Tales of the City series. Unknown [Armistead was formerly partners with Terry Anderson] Katherine Bradley (author) Edith Cooper (author) They were aunt and niece — living their whole lives together — and wrote books under the shared pen name of “Michael Field.” Unknown Margaret Anderson (co-founder of The Little Review) Jane Heap (co-founder of The Little Review) Unknown Margaret Anderson (co-founder of The Little Review) Georgette Leblanc (soprano, author) Unknown [Relationship followed Anderson and Heap’s] Margaret Anderson (co-founder of The Little Review) Dorothy (Enrico) Caruso (author) Unknown [Relationship followed Leblanc’s and Enrico’s deaths] Jane Heap (co-founder of The Little Review) Elspeth Champcommunal (clothing designer) Unknown [Relationship followed Heap and Anderson’s] William III (King of England) William Bentinck (?) Unknown Sergius (saint) Bacchus (saint) Unknown Achilles (warrior) Patroclus (warrior) The Greeks would have completely perished during their seige of Troy, had not Achilles been stirred to vengence by the death of his lover Patroclus. Unknown Asopichus (warrior) Epaminondas (warrior) Unknown Eric Rofes (educator, gay liberationist) Crispin Hollings (airplane engine maintenance manager) Eric was editor of Boston’s Gay Community News, a founder of Boston’s first group for LGBT teachers, two of the first LGBT youth groups in the country, and the Boston Lesbian and Gay Political Alliance which focused on organizing gay and lesbian voters. He was a founding member of the Boston Men’s Childcare Collective, which provided childcare at women’s music concerts and shelters for battered women. He was an elected delegate to the 1980 White House Conference on the Family. From 1985-89, Eric served as executive director of the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Community Services Center. In 1989, he became executive director of Shanti Project. He published 12 books, including “Reviving the Tribe: Regenerating Gay Men’s Sexuality and Culture in an Ongoing Epidemic,” and “Dry Bones Breathe: Gay Men Creating Post-AIDS Identities and Cultures.” Unknown Caphisodorus (warrior) Epaminondas (warrior) They died together at the Battle of Mantineia Unknown Francis Beaumont (dramatist) John Fletcher (?) Unknown John Maynard Keynes (economist) Duncan Grant (painter) Unknown Frederico Garcia Lorca (author, poet, playwright) Phillip Cummings (?) Unknown Anne Cormac Bonny (pirate) Mary Read, alias “Mark” Read (pirate) These two women where hot-headed, bisexuals who also happened to be thieves, arsonists, and cut-throat murderers. Historical knowledge about them is based largely upon “A General History of the Robberies and Murders of the Most Notorious Pirates,” by Captain Charles Johnson (probably a pseudonym for Daniel Defoe). It was published in 1724 after Anne and Mary were brought to trial for piracy on the high seas in 1720. Unknown Lucius Morris Beebe (author; philanthropist) Charles Clegg (literary collaborator) Lucius was named one of the ten best-dressed men in America for several years. He and Charles traveled for many years in Lucius’s elaborate, private railroad car. Among the more than 30 books Lucius wrote were many on railroads. Unknown Cheng I (pirate) Chang Pao (pirate, military colonel) Pirating in the South Seas, Cheng I kidnapped Chang Pao, 15. They became lovers, then Cheng adopted Chang. After Cheng’s death, and a failed campaign to become emperor Chang became a colonel in the Chinese army. Unknown Gilgamesh (Babylonian king) Enkidu (the king’s right-hand man) Tales of heroic deeds by this couple are recounted in the world’s earliest known epic poem, “Gilgamesh” (2,000-2,700 years BC). In one version of the tale, Gilgamesh is so distraught when Enkidu dies that he travels to the underworld in an attempt to retrieve him. [See Gilgamesh & Enkidu feature script] Unknown Famous Contemporary Couples Relationship Started In Tiny [Ernestine] Davis (musician) Ruby Lucas (musician) 1948 Gore Vidal (statesman, author, actor) Howard Austen (?) 1948 Del Martin (author, editor) Phyllis Lyon (author, editor) Del and Phyllis founded the Daughter of Bilitis in 1955. 1951 Arthur Laurents (playwright, novelist, screenwriter, librettist, stage director) Tom Hatcher (?) Arthur wrote the play “Jolson Sings Again,” the books for “West Side Story,” “Gypsy,” “Anyone Can Whistle,” and “Do I Hear a Waltz?,” which was based on his play “Time of the Cuckoo.” His novels “The Way We Were,” and “The Turning Point,” became successful films for which Laurents wrote the screenplays. He also wrote the screenplays for “Rope,” “The Snake Pit,” and “Anastasia.” 1955 Jane Rule (writer, critic, teacher) Helen Sonhoff (teacher) 1956 Barbara Gittings (activist, editor, bibliographer) Kay Tobin Lahusen (activist, writer, photographer) 1961 Arthur J. Finkelstein (political consultant) ? (?) [unnamed in articles] Since 1980, Arthur directed a series of hard-edged, mean-spirited political campaigns to elect conservatives in the United States and Israel. He has been allied with Republicans who have fiercely opposed any civil rights for gay men and lesbians, including former Senator Jesse Helms of North Carolina. In December 2004, Arthur and his partner had a legal marriage in Massachusetts. 1965 Phillip Johnson (architect) David Whitney (art curator, collector) 1967 Lily Tomlin (actor) Jane Wagner (writer, director) “No one believes, or they can’t accept, that I don’t write the material, or at least write a big part of it. But I don’t. I’m a very good editor, I’m a very good perceiver of material, and I’m Jane’s typist.” — David Schmader interview, The Stranger, Sept. 7, 2000 early 70s Barbara Grier (publisher) Donna McBride (publisher) 1972 Scott Wittman (composer) Marc Shaiman (composer) Upon winning Best Score at the 2003 Tonys for “Hairspray,” personal and professional partners Scott and Marc shared a big same-sex type kiss before an internationally televised audience. They kissed right after Marc said, “We’re not allowed to get married in this world. … but I’d like to declare in front of all these people I love you, and I’d like to live with you the rest of my life.” 1978 Martina Navratilova (tennis champion) Rita Mae Brown (author) 1978-1981 Martina Navratilova (tennis champion) Nancy Lieberman (basketball pro) 1981-1984 John Rechy (author) ? (?) [unnamed in articles] John wrote:    “City of Night” (1963)    “Numbers” (1967)    “This Day’s Death” (1969)    “The Vampires” (1971)    “The Fourth Angel” (1972)    “The Sexual Outlaw” (1977)    “Rushes” (1979)    “Bodies and Souls” (1983)    “Marilyn’s Daughter” (1988)    “The Miraculous Day of Amalia Gomez” (1991)    “Our Lady of Babylon” (1996)    “The Coming of the Night” (1999)    “The Life and Adventures of Lyle Clemens” (2003)    “Beneath the Skin” (2004) 1981 Raymond Mungo (author) Robert H. Yamaguchi (?) Ray Mungo, well-known counter-cultural figure of the 60s, co-founded the Liberation News Service in Washington, DC in 1967. He authored titles such as “Famous Long Ago,” “Return to Sender,” “Palm Springs Babylon,” “San Francisco Confidential,” “No Credit Required,” and “Liberace: Lives of Notable Gay Men and Lesbians.” His Atlantic Monthly article, “Total Loss Farm,” about a year in a Vermont commune, was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. 1981 Steve Gunderson (U.S. House of Representatives (R-Wis.)) Rob Morris (architect) 1983 Mel White (minister, author) Gary Nixon (?) Mel founded Soul Force, a non-violent, justice movement. He wrote “Stanger at the Gate” 1984 Domenico Dolce (clothing designer) Stefano Gabbana (clothing designer) Amicable dissolution. They continue to work together on their “D&G” brand 1984-2004 Troy Perry (Rev. Elder, moderator and founder of Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Church) Phillip Ray DeBlieck (?) 1985 Steve McDonagh (caterer) Dan Smith (caterer) The couple produce Food Network TV show “Party Line with Dan & Steve.” They owned “The Hearty Boys Caterers,” and own a restaurant called “HB.” The two became parents in 2005 when they adopted Nate, who was nearly five months old. 1985 Colin McAllister (interior designer) Justin Ryan (interior designer) This Scottish couple co-host television programs, such as “Trading Up” (BBC1) and “The Million Pound Property Experiment” (BBC1), on interior design and on how to make money on your home. 1986 George Takei (actor) Brad Altman (theatrical manager) George created the role of Lt. Hikaru Sulu on the “Star Trek” TV series and movie sequels. 1987 Minnie Bruce Pratt (poet, essayist, educator, activist) Leslie Feinberg (writer, activist) ? about 1988 Col. Margarethe Cammermeyer (soldier, nurse, activist) Diane Divelbess (?) 1988 Urvashi Vaid (author, political activist) Kate Clinton (comedian, author) Urvashi founded the Boston Lesbian/Gay Political Alliance (1983), led the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute (1989) for a total of seven years. Urvashi wrote “Virtual Equality: The mainstreaming of gay and lesbian liberation” (1996). Kate wrote: “Don’t Get Me Started” (2000), “What the L” (2005). 1988 Jeremy Davies (Canon, Precentor of Salisbury Cathedral) Simon McEnery (opera singer) They joined in a U.K. Civil Partnership on January 8, 2006. 1988 Janis Ian (singer, songwriter) Patricia Snyder (criminal defense attorney) 1989 Gene Robinson (Bishop Coadjutor of the Diocese of New Hampshire) Mark Andrew Gene is the first openly gay reverend to be elected bishop in the Episcopal Church, Anglican Communion, August 5, 2003. 1990 Alan Bennett (playwright, actor) Rupert Thomas (journalist) Bennett co-authored the stage revue “Beyond the Fringe.” He starred in it along with Dudley Moore, Peter Cooke, and Jonathan Miller. He later also wrote for TV and film, including “The Madness of George III.” ? Carsten Damsgaard (Denmark’s ambassador to Israel) Esben Karmak (Ph.D., employed by a Copenhagen business school) Carsten and Esben were the first same-sex couple to register as partners in the foreign service. 1992 Mary Cheney (campaign manager, corporate executive, author) Heather Poe (business manager) Mary is the daughter of the vice president of the United States. Said Mary in USA Today on May 8, 2006: “As far as I’m concerned, Heather and I are married. We’ve built a home and a life together. She is the person I hope to spend the rest of my life with. We’re just waiting for the state and federal laws to catch up with us.” 1992 Camille Paglia (author) Alison Maddex (curator) 1993 Sir Elton John (singer, songwriter, activist) David Furnish (film producer) They joined in a British “civil partnership” on December 21, 2005. 1993 Larry Kramer (playwright, author, activist) David Webster (architect) Larry co-produced and co-wrote the film “Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush.” He produced and wrote the screenplay for “Women in Love.” He wrote the plays “The Normal Heart,” “The Destiny of Me,” “Just Say No, A Play about a Farce,” and the novel “Faggots.” Larry co-founded Gay Men’s Health Crisis, ACT-UP, and founded the Treatment Data Project. David and Larry first met in 1977, when they were in a 3-4 year relationship, however, it did not work. 1994 Tim Miller (performance artist, writer) Alistair McCartney (?) Tim Miller is an internationally acclaimed performance artist. His creative work as a performer and writer explores the artistic, spiritual, and political topography of his identity as a gay man. 1994 Kevin Sharkey (painter) Ade Antigha (business manager, photographer, former cop) 1995 Ed Flanagan (Vermont State Senator) Isaac Lustgarten (attorney) Flanagan was the first gay official elected to a statewide position in the United States. He was elected state auditor in 1992, which he held for four terms until 1998. He was elected a senator for the state of Vermont in 2004. 1995 George Michael (singer, musician, composer) Kenny Goss (businessman) 1996 Ellen DeGeneres (comedic TV entertainer) Anne Heche (actress) 1997-2000 Rosie O’Donnell (entertainer, parent) Kelli Carpenter O’Donnell (marketing executive, parent) 1998 Jason Tree (Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman) David Connors (Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman) The constables are the first mounties to legally marry. Their June 2006 marriage takes place in Nova Scotia. 1998 Sheryl Swoopes (athlete) Alisa Scott (coach) Sheryl is a three-time WNBA Most Valuable Player, as well as an Olympic gold medalist winner. She plays with the Houston Comets. 1999 Chrissy Gephardt (political activist, social worker) Amy Loder (social worker) Chrissy is the openly lesbian daughter of 2004 presidential candidate Dick Gephardt. Chrissy came out as the first openly lesbian daughter of a presidential candidate in history. 2000 Terrence McNally (playwright) Thomas Kirdahy (public advocate lawyer) McNally wrote: “The Ritz,” (1975), and “Corpus Christi” (1997). He received Tony Awards for “Love! Valour! Compassion!” (1995), “Master Class” (1996), “Kiss of the Spider Woman” (1993), and “Ragtime” (1998). Mr. McNally also wrote “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune” (1987), and “Lips Together, Teeth Apart” (1991). He has also won two Guggenheim Fellowships, a Rockefeller Grant, the Lucille Lortel Award, the Hull-Warriner Award, and a citation from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Terrence and Thomas had a Civil Union in Vermont in December 2003. 2001 k.d. lang (b. Kathryn Dawn Lang - singer, songwriter, musician) Jamie Price (attorney) “ I’ve been in a relationship for the last six years and I’m happy. Her name is Jamie Price.” - from “And on the seventh day she got naked” article by Lawrence Ferber, in the Windy City Times, January 23, 2008 and reprinted widely. k.d.’s vocal work is widely acclaimed, winning her many awards, including the Grammy in 1988, 1989, 1992, 1993, and 2003. In 1996, she was made an Officer of the Order of Canada, the highest civilian honor within Canadian. She publicly declared being lesbian in 1992, and, in the 90s, took a stand for vegetarianism and against the beef industry. 2002 Stephen Gately (singer, actor) Andy Cowles (internet entrepreneur) Stephen former sang with Boyzone, an Irish band. They joined in a British civil partnership on March 20, 2006. 2003 Armistead Maupin (novelist, screenplay writer) Christoper Turner (Web site producer, photographer) Armistead is most well-known for his “Tales of the City,” which feature characters that continue in a series of novels. Armistead and Christopher were married in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on February 18, 2007. 2004 Mark Feehily (singer) Kevin McDaid (singer) Mark sings with the group Westlife, the Irish boy band. As of January 2006, the group has 12 number-one hit singles in the U.K. Kevin formerly sung with the group called V. 2005 Richard Chamberlain (actor, author) Martin Rabbett (producer, director) ? Paula Vogel (playwright, teacher, 1998 Pulitzer Prize winner) Ann Fausto-Sterling (?) Paula and Ann married in Massachusetts in 2004. Paula told Rhode Island legislators that she is a writer-in-exile from her former Rhode Island residence “because I do not want to live in a place where I do not have full civil rights, equal rights.” ? Melissa Etheridge (musician) Tammy Lynn Michaels (actor) Exchanged vows and wedding bands, September 21, 2003. ? Additions and corrections are welcome. Please tell us: • Names of the couple • Their professions • Years together, or, for contemporary couples, the year the relationship started • Your information source © 2008, Demian Please do not reproduce this article by any form of reproduction without permission. Please do not copy this to other Web sites or by any other electronic means. 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