Black Gay Roles

Forest Whitaker - Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker, always a willing participant to push the envelope, played a flamingly gay fashion designer in Robert Altman's “Prêt-à-Porter” (1994); he also played a gay character in "The Crying Game" (1993).

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Forest Whitaker - Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker, always a willing participant to push the envelope, played a flamingly gay fashion designer in Robert Altman's “Prêt-à-Porter” (1994); he also played a gay character in "The Crying Game" (1993).

Will Smith - In 1993, Will Smith played the role of Paul in "Six Degrees of Separation," based on the true-life story of David Hampton, a openly gay con man who managed to convince many people he was the son of Sidney Poitier.

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Will Smith - In 1993, Will Smith played the role of Paul in "Six Degrees of Separation," based on the true-life story of David Hampton, a openly gay con man who managed to convince many people he was the son of Sidney Poitier.

Wesley Snipes - Wesley Snipes lampooned his macho image in "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar" (1995), in which he, along with Patrick Swayze and John Leguizamo, play drag queens. Snipes's Noxeema Jackson comes complete with blond wig and red high-heeled shoes. He/she is co-winner of a drag queen beauty pageant and is not afraid of wiggling his hips.

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Wesley Snipes - Wesley Snipes lampooned his macho image in "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar" (1995), in which he, along with Patrick Swayze and John Leguizamo, play drag queens. Snipes's Noxeema Jackson comes complete with blond wig and red high-heeled shoes. He/she is co-winner of a drag queen beauty pageant and is not afraid of wiggling his hips.

Queen Latifah - Queen Latifah first attracted notice for her role portraying Cleo Sims,a tough, lesbian bank robber in the 1996 box-office hit “Set It Off .”

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Queen Latifah - Queen Latifah first attracted notice for her role portraying Cleo Sims,a tough, lesbian bank robber in the 1996 box-office hit “Set It Off .”

Isaiah Washington - In 1996, former “Grey's Anatomy” star Isaiah Washington played half of a gay couple on their way to the 1995 Million Man March in Washington, D.C., in Spike Lee's "Get On The Bus." Played by Harry Lennix and Isaiah Washington, the gay lovers are on the verge of separation. Lennix is light-skinned, openly gay and confrontational; Washington is dark-skinned, less out.

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Isaiah Washington - In 1996, former “Grey's Anatomy” star Isaiah Washington played half of a gay couple on their way to the 1995 Million Man March in Washington, D.C., in Spike Lee's "Get On The Bus." Played by Harry Lennix and Isaiah Washington, the gay lovers are on the verge of separation. Lennix is light-skinned, openly gay and confrontational; Washington is dark-skinned, less out.

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Giancarlo Esposito - Giancarlo Esposito, plays Gloria Matthew's (Loretta Devine), the gay ex-husband, Joseph, in "Waiting To Exhale. He tells Gloria he has been gay all the time.

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Giancarlo Esposito - Giancarlo Esposito, plays Gloria Matthew's (Loretta Devine), the gay ex-husband, Joseph, in "Waiting To Exhale. He tells Gloria he has been gay all the time.

Rockmond Dunbar - Rockmond Dunbar, best known for his leading role as Kenny Chadway on the critically acclaimed television series “Soul Food,” played a gay man in "Punks" (2000) and "Dirty Laundry" (2006), in which his character was a gay magazine editor.

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Rockmond Dunbar - Rockmond Dunbar, best known for his leading role as Kenny Chadway on the critically acclaimed television series “Soul Food,” played a gay man in "Punks" (2000) and "Dirty Laundry" (2006), in which his character was a gay magazine editor.

Taraji P. Henson - In "Smokin' Aces" Taraji P. Henson, plays Sharice Waters, a hard-core lesbian assassin who has a crush on her parter-in-crime Georgia Sykes (Alicia Keys), but it's unrequited.

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Taraji P. Henson - In "Smokin' Aces" Taraji P. Henson, plays Sharice Waters, a hard-core lesbian assassin who has a crush on her parter-in-crime Georgia Sykes (Alicia Keys), but it's unrequited.

Ving Rhames as Holiday Heart - Ving Rhames played Holiday Heart, a lounge-singing drag queen in the 2000 television movie of the same name. The movie was met with mixed reviews, but it was definitely a stretch for Rhames, who is known for his macho roles.

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Ving Rhames - Ving Rhames portrayed a gay drag queen in the television movie “Holiday Heart” (2000) and a gay man in "I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry" (2007).

Taye Diggs - In early 2006, Taye Diggs guest-starred for several episodes as Will Truman's love interest, James, on the final season of “Will & Grace.”

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Taye Diggs - In early 2006, Taye Diggs guest-starred for several episodes as Will Truman's love interest, James, on the final season of “Will & Grace.”

Gabrielle Union - Gabrielle Union added playing a lesbian to her resume in 2006 as Annette Benning’s lover in the 2006 movie “Running with Scissors.”

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Gabrielle Union - Gabrielle Union added playing a lesbian to her resume in 2006 as Annette Benning’s lover in the 2006 movie “Running with Scissors.”