While we all know iconic gay couples like Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, or Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka, we may have forgotten the LGBTQ couples of yore. That’s right — before Elton John and David Furnish, or Sarah Paulson and Holland Taylor — there were the queer couples that didn’t make it. Journey with us to revisit some famous gay couples that broke up that you have forgotten were even together.
Sarah Paulson and Cherry Jones
Currently, actress Sarah Paulson is dating fellow actress Holland Taylor. However, before becoming half of that power couple, Sarah Paulson dated actress Cherry Jones. As you may have noticed, it seems Sarah Paulson has a bit of a thing for older ladies.
This gay couple dated from 2004 to 2009, and had an amicable split. Cherry Jones went on to marry filmmaker Sophie Huber in 2015. Also that year, Sarah Paulson started dating her current partner, Holland Taylor.
Cara Delevingne and Michelle Rodriguez
Some people appear on this list several times, including English supermodel and actress Cara Delevingne. The stunning celeb has dated a host of attractive fellow stars. One of those was American actress Michelle Rodriguez, who is bi.
These two dated back in 2014, and attracted lots of media attention with their public dates. However, this relationship ended because the then 21-year-old Delevingne wanted to party, while 35-year-old Rodriguez wanted to settle down.
Kristen Stewart and Stella Maxwell
Another celeb that appears more than once on this list is actress Kristen Stewart. Likewise, her former girlfriend, model Stella Maxwell, also makes a few appearances. This pair dated from 2016 to 2018, and then again briefly in 2019. Kristen Stewart is bi, while Maxwell identifies as queer.
While speaking about her preferences, Kristen Stewart has commented that being part of the LGBTQ community has affected her career. She shared that she was warned not to be in public with a girlfriend.
Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson
As with most things Lindsay Lohan does, there was a tabloid frenzy when the star started dating English DJ Samantha Ronson. Child star turned party girl Lohan started dating Ronson in 2008, and the pair co-hosted events together.
This relationship didn’t last long, and Lohan has since claimed that she doesn’t identify as bi. On the other hand, Ronson, who was often described in media as a lesbian, is bi. Looking back, the DJ said that the intense paparazzi following affected the pair’s relationship.
Sara Gilbert and Linda Perry
This pair haven’t been separated for long, but many people don’t know that Sara Gilbert and Linda Perry were in a long term relationship. The actress and singer started seeing the 4 Non Blondes frontwoman, Linda Perry, in 2011, following the end of a long term relationship.
Several years later, this couple had tied the knot and were welcoming their son, Rhodes Emilio Gilbert. Sadly, four years after that, Sara Gilbert and Linda Perry filed for a legal separation.
Ellen DeGeneres and Anne Heche
Now known as the other half of one of the most high profile gay couples in the world, Ellen DeGeneres did date before marrying Portia de Rossi. Hard to believe! When Ellen came out as a lesbian in 1997, she faced intense media scrutiny. That same year, she started dating actress Anne Heche.
Anne and Ellen were together for three years, before Anne reportedly left Ellen to marry one of the cameramen from DeGeneres’ comedy tour. Like Lindsay Lohan, Anne Heche didn’t date any other women.
Melissa Etheridge and Tammy Lynn Michaels
Grammy and Oscar Award winner Melissa Etheridge publicly came out as a lesbian in 1993. Shortly after that, she got married and had kids with filmmaker Julie Cypher. Then, some years after that relationship ended, the singer started dating actress Tammy Lynn Michaels.
Melissa and Tammy were together from 2002 to 2010. The couple has twin boys — Johnnie Rose, and Miller Steven. Though they did have a commitment ceremony in 2003, this gay couple broke up before tying the knot.
Ruby Rose and Phoebe Dahl
Actress Ruby Rose came out as gay when she was 12 years old, and now identifies as genderfluid. Back in 2014, the actress revealed that she was engaged to fashion designer Phoebe Dahl. Sadly, within a year, the couple had called the whole thing off.
English designer Phoebe Dahl is the grandchild of author Roald Dahl and American actress Patricia Neal. Since her split from Ruby Rose, she has been in a relationship with DJ and model Tatiana de Leon.
B.D. Wong and Richie Jackson
Tony Award winning actor B.D. Wong is now married to Richert John Frederickson Schnorr, but before that, he dated talent agent Richie Jackson. This gay couple were in a long term relationship, dating from 1988 until 2004. Since splitting, the pair still co-parent their son, Jackson Foo Wong.
Both B.D. Wong and Richie Jackson have since remarried. Richie Jackson married Broadway producer Jordan Roth, and together they have a son. Wong and Jackson’s son, Jackson, came out as gay at 15.
Zachary Quinto and Miles McMillan
The dashing Zachary Quinto publicly came out back in 2011. He started dating model Miles McMillan in 2013, and after a few years, the couple moved in to their own Manhattan apartment — how chic! Of course, the celebs also had a home in Upstate New York.
This relationship came to the end of the road in 2019. Miles McMillan moved on with interior designer Trace Lehnhoff, but Quinto is yet to be spotted with someone new. Somehow, we have no doubt that he’ll find someone.
Teddy Geiger and Emily Hampshire
American singer Teddy Geiger came out as trans in 2017. The star was engaged to Canadian actress Emily Hampshire, but sadly, this LGBTQ pairing just didn’t last. Despite having what looked like a very happy relationship on Instagram, these two called it quits within months of putting a ring on it.
Emily Hampshire is open to dating people of any gender or orientation, though she hasn’t dated any other high profile figures. Likewise, Teddy Geiger hasn’t yet been spotted out and about with anyone else.
Anderson Cooper and Benjamin Maisani
Descendent of the Vanderbilt family, journalist Anderson Cooper came out as gay in 2012. In doing so, he became the most well-known gay journalist on American television. It’s unclear exactly when Anderson Cooper and French nightclub owner Benjamin Maisani started dating, but they called things off in 2018.
Maisani spoke about keeping the relationship private in 2014, saying he never wanted to be a celebrity. However, since Cooper welcomed a son in 2020, Maisani has stepped in to co-parent.
Gus Kenworthy and Matt Wilkas
Our next ill-fated (but very handsome) gay couple is British actor and YouTuber Guy Kenworthy, and American actor Matt Wilkas. Kenworthy — a professional skier — came out in 2015 in an ESPN interview. These two dated for three years, between 2015 and 2019.
Interestingly, when Wilkas kissed his then boyfriend at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, and it was broadcast live, it became a significant moment for LGBTQ athletes. Since their split, neither of these handsome chaps has been linked with anyone else.
Tessa Thompson and Janelle Monáe
Some may have heard the recent speculation about actress Tessa Thompson’s relationships with director Taika Waititi, singer Rita Ora, and model Zac Stenmark, after some interesting pictures emerged online. But before that, all the speculation was on the star’s relationship with singer Janelle Monáe (and Lupita Nyong’o and Brie Larson).
Technically, these two never admitted their relationship, but they didn’t exactly hide it either. Speaking about Monáe, Thompson famously remarked, “We love each other deeply. We’re so close, we vibrate on the same frequency.”
Adam Lambert and Javi Costa Polo
Singer Adam Lambert has been heavily involved in LGBTQ activism throughout his career. While he was formerly in a long term relationship with Finnish TV personality Sauli Koskinen, after that, he briefly dated model Javi Costa Polo.
The cute couple shared lots of selfies on Instagram, but didn’t last longer than a year because Costa Polo had to return to his native Spain. He wrote on Instagram, “I will always have him and he will always have me. Sadly, I’m not a citizen of the United States.”
Ross Mathews and Salvador Camarena
TV personality and reality TV regular Ross Mathews is currently engaged to Dr. Wellington Garcia. However, the openly gay star did have a 10-year relationship prior to that, with stylist Salvador Camarena.
This gay couple dated from 2008 to 2018. The split was pretty was pretty amicable, with Mathews saying, “As we go forward, each of us feels as if he has a cheerleader in our corner — a family member for life. We are happy. Thank you all for your well wishes and love.”
Sam Smith and Brandon Flynn
Multi-award winning English singer songwriter Sam Smith came out as gay in 2014. The “Stay With Me” singer later came out as genderqueer, and then as non-binary in 2017. When he was speaking with Ellen DeGeneres that same year, the star revealed that he was dating openly gay actor Brandon Flynn.
This celebrity gay couple lasted only nine months, breaking up in 2018. After the breakup, like so many of us do, Sam Smith deleted all of his pictures with his ex.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Zachary Quinto
We’ve already taken a look at actor Zachary Quinto’s dating history, but did you know that he also apparently dated actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson? That’s right — though Ferguson is now happily married to lawyer Justin Mikita, it’s rumored that he briefly dated Quinto.
For his part, Jesse Tyler Ferguson has denied the rumors. He has said, “Zachary Quinto and I never dated, but the report makes us happy because we love each other — as friends.” Whatever you say guys!
Megan Rapinoe and Sera Cahoone
US soccer star Megan Rapinoe came out as a lesbian when she was in college. Later, she publicly came out again, revealing her long term relationship with another soccer player. However, after that, the pro athlete was in a relationship with singer-songwriter Sera Cahoone.
This couple was pretty serious and announced that they were engaged in 2015. However, by 2017, the couple confirmed that their wedding plans were on hold. That same year, Rapinoe announced that she was in a relationship with fellow athlete Sue Bird.
Ashley Benson and Cara Delevingne
It’s time to check in with model Cara Delevingne again! So far, we’ve seen the star with actress Michele Rodriguez, but who else has she dated? Well, from 2018 to 2020, the striking star was in a relationship with American actress Ashley Benson.
Speaking about their relationship, Delevingne gushed, “It’s so nice to have someone in my life that supports me so much and loves me.” Since their split, Ashely Benson was in a relationship with American rapper G-Eazy.
Heather Matarazzo and Carolyn Murphy
American actress Heather Matazarro first announced her engagement to musician Carolyn Murphy in 2008. However, several years later it was reported that the couple had called it quits. Sadly, this couple wanted to get married in California, but it wasn’t then legal.
To get around California’s laws, the couple moved to New York, but they unfortunately split before making it up the aisle. Since then, Heather Matarazzo has married comedian and writer Heather Turman.
Antoni Porowski and Joey Krietemeyer
Member of the Fab Five, Antoni Porowski might not have been on your relationship radar for some time. For a while, Porowski and his co-star, Jonathan Van Ness, made out that they were in a relationship, posting romantic pics on their joint Instagram account. However, it turned out that @jvntoni was just for fun. What a shame!
While he’s currently dating businessman Kevin Harrington, Antoni Porowski previously dated businessman Joey Krietemeyer. This relationship lasted seven years, ending in 2018.
T.R. Knight and Mark Cornelsen
The wonderful George O’Malley, otherwise known as actor T. R. Knight, faced some issues when he publicly came out. The actor felt that his decision affected his acting career, and caused friction with some of his colleagues.
Though he’s now married to ballet dancer Patrick B. Leahy, T.R. Knight was in a committed relationship before that. The star was in a relationship with Mark Cornelsen for two years, but they broke up when Knight wanted to adopt a child.
Portia de Rossi and Francesca Gregorini
Though she’s now most associated with her famous wife Ellen DeGeneres, Portia de Rossi did have a love life before tying the knot. The Australian-American actress dated Italian director Francesca Gregorini between 2001 and 2004, though her family and coworkers didn’t know she was a lesbian at the time.
Francesca Gregorini is the daughter of actress Barbara Bach and the step-daughter of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr. This relationship actually fell apart when de Rossi first met Ellen DeGeneres backstage at an awards show.
Ellen DeGeneres and Alexandra Hedison
Around the same time, comedian and actress Ellen DeGeneres was dating photographer Alexandra Hedison. The couple was together between 2000 and 2004, and ended when DeGeneres met her future wife.
As we know, DeGeneres and de Rossi have been happily married for some time now. Meanwhile, Alexandra Hedison started dating actress Jodie Foster in 2013, and the pair tied the knot after just one year. It looks like everyone involved in this lesbian love square came out alright in the end.
Lena Waithe and Alana Mayo
Actress and screenwriter Lena Waithe is a lesbian, though her ex-wife Alana Mayo had only dated men prior to their relationship. Speaking about this, Waithe said, “I’m the first serious, adult relationship she’s ever had. I don’t think it’s about the fact that I’m a woman; it’s about the fact that she and I connect on a deep, human level.”
Sadly, Lena Waithe and Alana Mayo’s marriage only lasted two months. The pair got married in 2019, but announced their split by 2020.
Cara Delevingne and St. Vincent
Perhaps Cara Delevingne’s most well-known relationship is her pairing with American musician St. Vincent. The Grammy Award winner has said that she doesn’t identify as anything, but believes in “gender fluidity.” This stunning pair dated from 2014 until 2016.
During their relationship, this couple was full of praise for each other. St. Vincent commented that Cara was “one of the most naturally talented people I’ve ever met,” saying “I’ll love her for ever and ever.”
Sharon Needles and Alaska
And now for a pair of ill-fated drag queens. Sharon Needles — the stage name of Aaron Coady — dated fellow contestant Alaska, otherwise known as Justin Honard for four years. This couple ended their relationship in 2013, but have stayed friends since.
During their time together, these queens started a band named Haus of Haunt, and now both have music careers. While the power couple didn’t stay in a romantic relationship, they are both still supportive of each other.
Miley Cyrus and Kaitlynn Carter
Teen idol turned rockstar Miley Cyrus has had a colorful dating life. Starting with Nick Jonas and later Liam Hemsworth, the singer has been seen with some seriously high profile other halves. After her split from then-husband Hemsworth, Miley jetted off to Italy with Kaitlynn Carter.
In an article about the relationship, Carter wrote, “This was a profound journey of self-discovery. For the first time, I listened to myself, forgot about the ‘norm,’ and lived.” This relationship lasted a couple of months.
Zachary Quinto and Jonathan Groff
And here he is again! This time we’re taking a look back at actor Zachary Quinto’s relationship with actor and Broadway star Jonathan Groff. These two were an item between 2010 and 2013, but their relationship ended up running its course.
In fact, when the couple split, Jonathan Groff jetted off to console his close friend and co-star Lea Michele following the death of Cory Monteith. Since his split from Zachary Quinto, Jonathan Groff has been dating choreographer Corey Baker.
Luke Evans and Jon Kortajarena
Welsh actor and singer Luke Evans is pretty private about his personal life. The actor has stated that people regularly tell him that they can’t believe he’s gay, though he prefers not to discuss his family life with the media. For that reason, it’s unclear exactly how long his relationship with Spanish model Jon Kortajarena lasted.
In fact, there have been some rumors that this gay celebrity couple have rekindled their romance. The model posted and then deleted some Instagram stories of the couple together in 2019. Interesting!
Amandla Stenberg and King Princess
Actor and LGBTQ activist Amandla Stenberg identifies as non-binary. Though she came out as pansexual at one stage, the star has since come out as gay. In 2018, Stenberg dated Mikaela Mullaney Straus — better known as King Princess.
King Princess is gay and genderqueer, and the couple were seen hanging out together in recording studios. However, this couple didn’t last long, struggling with maintaining their busy schedules. Since then, King Princess has been dating Lizzo’s creative director, Whitney Wilson.
Brad Walsh and Christian Siriano
Our next gay celebrity couple did make it down the aisle, but sadly, their relationship didn’t have lasting power. Singer and producer Brad Walsh is known for his remixes of Britney Spears and Lady Gaga tunes, among others. He married fashion designer Christian Siriano in 2016, after over 10 years together.
Alas, just two years later, the producer revealed that he and husband Siriano had decided to end their relationship. Since then, Christian Siriano has been dating Kyle Smith.
Miley Cyrus and Stella Maxwell
We’re back with Miley, this time to revisit her relationship with Belgian-born Northern Irish-New Zealand model Stella Maxwell. We’ve already seen Stella with actress Kristen Stewart, but she was actually with Miley before that.
Miley Cyrus and Victoria’s Secret angel Stella Maxwell dated briefly in 2015. Apparently, the pair met through mutual friend Cheyne Thomas and hit it off. Stella Maxwell identifies as queer and fluid, and has been linked to Lily-Rose Depp and Bella Hadid.
Rosie O’Donnell and Kelli Carpenter
Outspoken comedian and TV personality Rosie O’Donnell publicly came out in 2002 at a charity comedy event. The star has long been open about her views, particularly in terms of LGBTQ adoption. She adopted her first child while she was single.
Later, Rosie O’Donnell got together with marketing executive Kelli Carpenter. The pair got married in 2004, and Carpenter also adopted her son. Together, this couple have four kids together. Rosie O’Donnell announced the end of her marriage in 2009. She has since remarried.
Ireland Baldwin and Angel Haze
The daughter of actors Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin, Ireland Baldwin has always been in the public eye. The model and actress dated rapper Angel Haze in 2014, and the musician dedicated track “Candlxs” to her then girlfriend. These two met at New York Fashion Week when Baldwin’s cousin introduced them.
American musician Angel Haze — birth name Raykeea Raeen-Roes Wilson — is agender. This relationship didn’t last long, and after Baldwin called it quits, she checked into a recovery center for emotional abuse.
Ricky Martin and Carlos Gonzalez Abella
Now adorably coupled up with Syrian-Swedish painter Jwan Yosef, it’s hard to imagine Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin with anyone else. The celeb came out publicly in 2010, and explained that he previously thought he was bi.
Ricky Martin dated economist Carlos Gonzalez Abella for several years, with the relationship ending officially in 2014. Just two years later, Martin met Yosef, and they were engaged that same year. Now they are married with four children, including Martin’s sons from before the relationship.
Kristen Stewart and Alicia Cargile
Before she dated model Stella Maxwell, actress Kristen Stewart had an on-off relationship with visual effects producer Alicia Cargile. At the time, Stewart was head over heels, saying, “Right now I’m just really in love with my girlfriend.”
This couple stayed together for two years, dating between 2014 and 2016. Kristen Stewart seemed to enjoy this relationship partly because it attracted less attention than her high profile couplings with co-star Robert Pattinson and married director Rupert Sanders.
Ruby Rose and Jessica Origliasso
So far we’ve seen that Australian actress Ruby Rose was engaged to fashion designer Phoebe Dahl. After that relationship ended in 2015, the star started dating one half of musical duo The Veronicas — fellow Australian Jessica Origliasso.
Ruby Rose and Jessica Origliasso dated in 2008, and then got together again between 2016 and 2018. The Veronicas singer is passionate about same-gender marriage, and dislikes being labeled in terms of her orientation. Jessica Origliasso has also dated musicians Billy Corgan and Josh Katz.
Jane Lynch and Lara Embry
Award-winning comedic actress Jane Lynch was in a relationship with clinical psychologist Lara Embry for several years. The couple first met at a fundraiser, and tied the knot the following year. When they got married, Jane Lynch became stepmom to Embry’s daughter, Haden.
Sadly, in 2014, the couple’s divorce was finalized. It was reported that Lara Embry walked away with rather a lot of money. Jane Lynch simply commented that California “is a half and half state, as well as it should be, so that’s fine.”
Colton Haynes and Jeff Leatham
Colton Haynes and Jeff Leatham broke off their six-month marriage in May 2021. There was hubbub going around that the couple had split as Leatham had been unfaithful.
The faith was solidified after Haynes released a track about infidelity close to the split. Appalled by the dirt being thrown on his ex’s name, Haynes popped on to Twitter to clear the confusion where he claimed Leatham could never cheat and that the song was about a past relationship.
Ross Mathews and Salvador Camarena
After about a decade of togetherness, Ross Mathews and Salvador Camarena parted ways in 2018. The couple, who started seeing each other in 2008, successfully sold their first LA home in 2013 before purchasing a contemporary home in Glendale with a mountain and a panoramic valley view.
The judges of RuPaul’s Drag Race have always been open about their sexuality and relationship, which is why their split came as a shock to many.
Luke Evans and Rafa Olarra
2021 began with the sad news that one of the most famed LGBTQIA actors of Hollywood, Luke Evans, had parted ways with his partner, Rafa Olarra. Olarra and Evans started their relationship in 2019 before making it public in 2020.
During the pandemic, they had a brief separation. Despite the pair reconciling, much to the fans’ dismay, they announced the end of their courtship in January 2021. However, Evans surprised everyone by stating that he plans on becoming a single father and starting a family.
Elliot Page and Emma Portner
The split of Elliot Page and Emma Portner left the media and fans stunned. Page met Portner in 2017 and they instantly fell for each other.
This is why they tied the knot shortly six months after coming together. The LGBTQIA couple caused quite a stir after Elliot came out as a trans man in December 2020. Portner supported him publicly and even came to his defense to protect him from transphobic comments. On January 2, however, Page finally decided to sit down and file for separation.
Lambda García and Luja Duhart
Lambda García and Luja Duhart were everyone’s favorite LGBTQIA celebrity couple in 2020. Sadly, a year after their romance bloomed, the couple called it quits.
In February, the actor took to Instagram to reveal that he had decided to amicably part ways from his singer now-ex boyfriend. Although sad about the split, García said that his relationship with Duhart was the best relationship he had ever been in. Fans can only hope the two find happiness in their separate ways.
Dulceida and Alba Paul
A lot of LGBTQIA couples separated in 2021 which makes us believe this was not the year for love. Dulceida and Alba Paul ended their courtship after they realized it was not a good time in their relationship.
A post was made dedicated to the announcement in July, 2021. Paul agreed to a temporary split and claimed that she hoped the relationship would heal. Dulceida came out as bisexual in 2015 through her YouTube channel. After their wedding in 2016, the couple became LGBTQIA icons in Spain.
Ty Herndon and Matt Collum
Country singer Ty Herndon broke up with long-time boyfriend Matt Collum in 2021. He broke the news on an Instagram post on October 27. The post contained a heartfelt message from Herndon who expressed his wish and prayer to stay friends with Collum for a long time.
The couple had been together for five years prior to Herndon coming out as gay in November 2014. This news became a revolution in the world of country music as more LGBTQIA artists started coming out following in his footsteps.
Taryn Manning and Anne Cline
Taryn Manning, 42, and Anne Cline, 28, ended their relationship in late August of this year, just two months after getting engaged. Cline popped the question to the Orange Is the New Black starlet in June in a cozy restaurant in Florida.
The couple was first seen together in March. Their whirlwind romance was surely not working for Manning as a close source of hers told the press that she figured out the relationship wasn’t the right one for her after the engagement.
Carrie Brownstein and St. Vincent
St. Vincent surely has an eye when it comes to women. Her list of girlfriends is quite impressive. One such noteworthy mention is Excuse 17’s, Carrie Brownstein. St. Vincent collaborated with the bisexual Portlandia actress, musician, and comedian in 2017.
Rumors floated around about Carrie dating Broad City’s Abbi and Orange Is the New Black’s Taylor Schilling, none of the other flings were relevant enough to be confirmed. Currently, Brownstein is busy with a series she is doing for Hulu and making new music for Sleater-Kinney.
