List of fictional gay characters


This is a list of gay characters in fiction, i.e. characters that either self-identify as gay or have been identified by outside parties to be gay, becoming part of gay media. Listed characters are either recurring characters, cameos, guest stars, or one-off characters, some of which may be gay icons. This page does not include gay characters in animation, feature films or television.
For fictional characters in other parts of the LGBTQ community, see the lists of [list of fictional list of fictional trans characters|trans characters|trans], [List of fictional List of fictional bisexual characters|bisexual characters|bisexual], [List of fictional List of fictional lesbian characters|lesbian characters|lesbian], non-binary, [list of fictional list of fictional pansexual characters|pansexual characters|pansexual], aromantic, [list of fictional list of fictional asexual characters|asexual characters|asexual], and intersex characters.
The names are organized alphabetically by surname, or by single name if the character does not have a surname. If more than two characters are in one entry, the last name of the first character is used.

Graphic novels

CharactersTitleYearsNotesCountry
Corinthian1989–2015The Corinthian is a nightmare created by Dream. He has two additional mouths in place of his eyes, which he covers with sunglasses. In The Doll's House, he goes AWOL from the dreamscape and becomes a serial killer who invites men to have sexual relations with him, then murders them. Corinthian then removes the eyes of their victims and eats them using his eye-mouths. Neil Gaiman has stated that the Corinthian is homosexual in The Sandman Companion, wherein the first Corinthian consumed eyes only of boys. The second Corinthian is featured with a boyfriend as written by Caitlin R. Kiernan in the Dreaming.England
Dads of Charlotte "Charlie"The Witch Boy2017They are the dads of Charlie, a tomboy. They appear in all three graphic novels as recurring characters and are the only explicitly LGBTQ characters shown in the graphic novels.United States
Dads of Charlotte "Charlie"The Hidden Witch2018They are the dads of Charlie, a tomboy. They appear in all three graphic novels as recurring characters and are the only explicitly LGBTQ characters shown in the graphic novels.United States
Dads of Charlotte "Charlie"The Midwinter Witch2019They are the dads of Charlie, a tomboy. They appear in all three graphic novels as recurring characters and are the only explicitly LGBTQ characters shown in the graphic novels.United States
IcemanAll-New X-Men2002–presentAll New X-Men #40 contains a pivotal moment where Iceman/Bobby Drake is informed by Jean Grey that his thoughts reveal his homosexuality. The scene plays out with Bobby wondering why his older self dated women for so long; he ponders bi-sexuality before being told, unequivocally, that he is in fact gay.United States
Jayesh "Jay"Lucifer2000–2006Jay is a friend of Jill Presto. Jay is interested in a man named Karl, unaware that Karl is a homophobic neo-Nazi. Jay asks Karl out, after being encouraged by Jill. Afterwards, Karl and other men and beat Jay up in a dark alley.United Kingdom
Kevin KellerVeronica1989–2011First appearance: Veronica #202. Kevin was first eyed by Veronica who did not realize he was gay. He has since become a part of the gang.United States
Kid JuggernautMarvel Comics2024-presentJustin Jin is a friendly and confident Korean-Canadian superhero with superhuman strength. He is a successor to the supervillain Juggernaut. He is also openly gay.United States
Andy LippincottDoonsbury1970–presentFirst appearance: 1976. Andy Lippincott was the first openly gay character to appear in a mainstream comic strip.United States
MidnighterMidnighter & Midnighter2006–2008 & 2015–2016Midnighter is one of DC Comics' most prominent gay superheroes and his relationship with Apollo is one of the most prominent gay relationships in DC Comics.United States
ApolloMidnighter & Midnighter2006–2008 & 2015–2016Midnighter is one of DC Comics' most prominent gay superheroes and his relationship with Apollo is one of the most prominent gay relationships in DC Comics.United States
NorthstarUncanny X-Men1963–2015First appearance: Uncanny X-Men #120. Northstar was the first openly gay superhero in the Marvel Comics universe.-
Lawrence PoirierFor Better or For Worse1979–2008In 1993, Lawrence Poirier's coming out generated controversy, with readers opposed to homosexuality threatening to cancel newspaper subscriptions. See also: For Better or For Worse#Lawrence comes out.Canada
Arnie RothMarvel comics1982-presentThe oldest friend and mentor of Steve Rogers.United States
Thomas WernerThomas no Shinzō1974–1975Set in a German boys boarding school, the story relates how, after Thomas' suicide, an upper classman, Yuri, finds a love letter Thomas wrote to him, and then meets a new student, Eric, who looks just like Thomas.Japan
Julusmole Bayhan Thomas no Shinzō1974–1975Set in a German boys boarding school, the story relates how, after Thomas' suicide, an upper classman, Yuri, finds a love letter Thomas wrote to him, and then meets a new student, Eric, who looks just like Thomas.Japan
Eric FruehlingThomas no Shinzō1974–1975Set in a German boys boarding school, the story relates how, after Thomas' suicide, an upper classman, Yuri, finds a love letter Thomas wrote to him, and then meets a new student, Eric, who looks just like Thomas.Japan
Andrew WellsBuffy the Vampire Slayer comics1998–presentAndrew realizes he is gay in Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten.United States
WiccanMarvel Comics1986-presentWiccan is a superhero and the son of Scarlet Witch. He falls in love with and marries Hulkling.United States

Literature

CharactersWorkAuthorYearDescription
Achilles The Song of AchillesMadeline Miller2011Achilles is gay, showing no interest in girls, while Patroclus is bisexual, saying he would fall in love with Briseis if not for Achilles.
Assorted charactersTales of the City series1978–2014While the original series featured gay and bisexual characters who "kissed on camera and had sex in bathhouses," in the Netflix adaption of this series, Shawna is "explicitly bisexual character."
BrysenBlack Wings BeatingAlex London2018Brysen is a teenager on a quest to hunt down a giant, monstrous black eagle. Throughout the book, he shows exclusive romantic interest in men.
DavidGiovanni's Room1956David, a protagonist of the book, escapes death from the guillotine since his "homosexual urges were experimental in nature" while the narrator is cited as a gay character as well. Other gay characters include Giovanni, Jacques, and Guillaume.
DinoThe Past and Other Things That Should Stay BuriedShaun David Hutchinson2019Dino is a curmudgeonly and bookish Puerto Rican teenager who discovers that his estranged best friend July has risen from the grave. Dino also has a boyfriend.
Wylan Van EckSix of Crows duology2015–2016Jesper is bisexual, and Wylan is gay; they begin dating each other by the end of the duology, while Nina has also been confirmed to be pansexual.
Alucard EmeryShades of Magic trilogy2015–17Rhy is bisexual while Alucard is gay. They had a fling three years prior the events of the books. Victoria Schwab actually stated multiple times that in her eyes none of the characters are straight, but that is not mentioned in the series.
Jack ForsterWhat Happened to Mr. Forster?1989A sixth-grade teacher who is fired for being gay.
Jack ForsterWhat Happened to Mr. Forster?1995A sixth-grade teacher who is fired for being gay.
Dorian GrayThe Picture of Dorian Gray1890Dorian is ambivalent about his homosexuality, meeting with male prostitutes, and proposes to a woman in an effort to suppress his homosexuality.
Basil HallwardThe Picture of Dorian Gray1890In this novel, Basil has a "repressed homosexuality" while Dorian has his own ambivalence, meeting with male prostitutes, even proposing to Sybil Vane in an attempt to suppress his homosexual feelings.
Basil HendersonInvisible Life1991Basil leaves his fiancée Yancey at the altar and pursues a gay lifestyle.
Basil HendersonJust As I Am1995Basil leaves his fiancée Yancey at the altar and pursues a gay lifestyle.
Basil HendersonAbide With Me1999Basil leaves his fiancée Yancey at the altar and pursues a gay lifestyle.
Basil HendersonAny Way the Wind Blows2001Basil leaves his fiancée Yancey at the altar and pursues a gay lifestyle.
Joel Harrison KnoxOther Voices, Other Rooms1948Joel is an "effeminate adolescent," with the narrative showing him have a desire for his cousin, Randolph.
OshimaKafka on the Shore2002Oshima is a 21-year-old intellectual gay trans man who is a librarian and owner of a cabin in the mountains near Komura Memorial Library. He becomes the mentor of Kafka as he guides him to the answers that he's seeking on his journey.
RafiThe Past and Other Things That Should Stay BuriedShaun David Hutchinson2019Rafi is a kind-hearted and handsome but deeply insecure Pakistani-American teenager. He is also transgender and has a boyfriend.
RandolphOther Voices, Other Rooms1948Randolph is a cousin of Joel, and a person that Joel has romantic feelings for.
RichardThe Hours1998In this novel, which has strong parallels with Virginia Woolf's Mrs Dalloway, Clarissa rejects a relationship with Richard, a gay man, for the love of her life, Sally, who is invigorated by this love. Louis is also Richard's former lover, with Richard later taking his own life, while Clarissa comes to a full realization of her own identity.
LouisThe Hours1998In this novel, which has strong parallels with Virginia Woolf's Mrs Dalloway, Clarissa rejects a relationship with Richard, a gay man, for the love of her life, Sally, who is invigorated by this love. Louis is also Richard's former lover, with Richard later taking his own life, while Clarissa comes to a full realization of her own identity.
Jack Twist "Brokeback Mountain" 1997Jack and Ennis have a long term sexual and romantic relationship despite both being married to women and fathering children. Jack also has sexual relationships with other men and a woman, while Ennis does not. Critics have described both men as gay or variably Jack as bisexual and Ennis as heterosexual.
Ennis del Mar "Brokeback Mountain" 1997Jack and Ennis have a long term sexual and romantic relationship despite both being married to women and fathering children. Jack also has sexual relationships with other men and a woman, while Ennis does not. Critics have described both men as gay or variably Jack as bisexual and Ennis as heterosexual.
VanyelArrows of the Queen1987Lackey, in making this book, took a stand, refusing the demand of an editor that Vanyel be "straight, or single, or not in the story," and, as such, he is a gay character.

Video games

CharactersSeries / TitleYearNotesDeveloper
BarnabyBillie Bust UpUpcomingThe upcoming musical platformer Billie Bust Up features a kooky, ghostly owl named Barnaby. In an official Twitter post for pride month, Barnaby is illustrated with flags that reveal he is gay and on the asexual spectrum.Giddy Goat Games
Damien BloodmarchDream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator2017In this visual novel and dating sim, Damien Bloodmarch is a gay trans man.Game Grumps
BubblesAngry Birds 22015Bubbles is an optimistic young spot-breasted oriole who loves Halloween. Although incredibly small in stature, he has the ability to drastically increase in body size, similar to the defense mechanism of a pufferfish. In the pride-themed "Better Together" microtransaction, the player can buy him an outfit that includes a gay male pride flag balloon.Rovio Entertainment
Gay copThe Longest Journey1999This computer game features Fiona and Mickey, a lesbian landlady and her long-time lover. The game also features and a gay cop, with gay characters seen as normal and well adjusted secondary characters.Funcom
EladusGuild Wars 22012This MMORPG game includes the sylvari race of plant-like humanoids who don't reproduce sexually. As such, they do not base their relationships upon reproduction, but rather love, sensuality, and finding beauty in one another. Eladus and Dagdar are two young male sylvari in a gay relationship. The player is able to encounter and save Eladus and Dagdar from the Knight Bercilak the Green in an optional quest.ArenaNet
DagdarGuild Wars 22012This MMORPG game includes the sylvari race of plant-like humanoids who don't reproduce sexually. As such, they do not base their relationships upon reproduction, but rather love, sensuality, and finding beauty in one another. Eladus and Dagdar are two young male sylvari in a gay relationship. The player is able to encounter and save Eladus and Dagdar from the Knight Bercilak the Green in an optional quest.ArenaNet
SaiedCircuit's Edge1989This DOS Interactive fiction and role-playing game includes a variety of gay and transgender characters, including a trans woman named Yasmin with a gay man named Saied alleged to be Yasmin's former lover.Westwood Studios
Variety of charactersCircuit's Edge1989This DOS Interactive fiction and role-playing game includes a variety of gay and transgender characters, including a trans woman named Yasmin with a gay man named Saied alleged to be Yasmin's former lover.Westwood Studios
PercyBillie Bust UpUpcomingThe upcoming musical platformer Billie Bust Up features a friendly shopkeeper cat named Percy. In an official Twitter post for pride month, he's illustrated waving a gay male pride flag.Giddy Goat Games
TrevorPhantasmagoria 2: A Puzzle of FleshIn this interactive movie, point-and-click adventure, Curtis is the protagonist, who is a close friend with his gay co-worker, Trevor. The two almost kiss later in the game.Sierra On-Line

Webcomics

CharactersName of comicYearsNotes
Eric BittleCheck, Please!2013-presentThis comic by Ngozi Ukazu centers around a gay protagonist on a college hockey team.
Jo's dadsLumberjanes2014–2020Jo is a trans woman of color with two dads and acts as an "expert on what it means to be a Lumberjane" to the fellow campers.
Multiple charactersUnsounded2010–PresentThis webcomic by Ashley Cope features multiple gay characters.
Jeff OlsenKyle's Bed & Breakfast1998-presentThis comic by Greg Fox covers controversial LGBT topics such as marriage equality, HIV/AIDS, body fascism and conversion therapy. This story features various LGBT characters, such as Jeff Olsen, a gay man with HIV, Mark Masterson, a gay scholar, and Kristian Janson, a Jamaican gay man.
Mark MastersonKyle's Bed & Breakfast1998-presentThis comic by Greg Fox covers controversial LGBT topics such as marriage equality, HIV/AIDS, body fascism and conversion therapy. This story features various LGBT characters, such as Jeff Olsen, a gay man with HIV, Mark Masterson, a gay scholar, and Kristian Janson, a Jamaican gay man.
Kristian JansonKyle's Bed & Breakfast1998-presentThis comic by Greg Fox covers controversial LGBT topics such as marriage equality, HIV/AIDS, body fascism and conversion therapy. This story features various LGBT characters, such as Jeff Olsen, a gay man with HIV, Mark Masterson, a gay scholar, and Kristian Janson, a Jamaican gay man.
Other charactersKyle's Bed & Breakfast1998-presentThis comic by Greg Fox covers controversial LGBT topics such as marriage equality, HIV/AIDS, body fascism and conversion therapy. This story features various LGBT characters, such as Jeff Olsen, a gay man with HIV, Mark Masterson, a gay scholar, and Kristian Janson, a Jamaican gay man.
Dirk StriderHomestuck2009-2016In this webcomic by Andrew Hussie, Dirk Strider states he is only attracted to men. He also dates Jake English, a bisexual man, for a couple months.
Rudy StrongwellRain2010-2022This comic by Jocelyn Samara and DiDomenick features a trans girl, Rain, as the main character and other LGBT characters, like a gay man named Rudy Strongwell, and a gay couple.
Trevor KurzRain2010-2022This comic by Jocelyn Samara and DiDomenick features a trans girl, Rain, as the main character and other LGBT characters, like a gay man named Rudy Strongwell, and a gay couple.
Frank JohnsonRain2010-2022This comic by Jocelyn Samara and DiDomenick features a trans girl, Rain, as the main character and other LGBT characters, like a gay man named Rudy Strongwell, and a gay couple.