Straight Celebs Pose as Loving Gay 'Imaginary Couples' to Fight Homophobia

Imaginary Couples by Olivier Ciappa

Photographer Olivier Ciappa started his "Imaginary Couples" photo series several years ago to address homophobia at a time when his native France was plagued by anti-gay protests leading up to the inevitable legalization of marriage equality. He shot straight celebrities including Eva Longoria and singer Lara Fabian, as well as a number of other actors, athletes and entertainers portraying positive images of same-sex couples.

"The celebrities that I shot are heterosexual, but it was essential to me that you would believe these imaginary couples and families they portray were real," Ciappa told The Huffington Post. "If you couldn't identify with their love and feel it was real, then I would have failed. And to show that love is love, no matter who [is involved], the exhibition also features real gay families, straight ones, single parents, disabled, people of different skin colors and origins, different religion, young couples, old ones... All of these pictures, imaginary or real, have the same glamorous and warm monochrome style that makes them look not only appealing but timeless."

Despite being vandalized in Paris, the exhibit proved a big hit, traveling the world over and is tentatively scheduled to make its way to the U.S. this year, possibly Los Angeles. Click through the gallery to see some of the stunning portraits.

All Photos | Olivier Ciappa (via Huffington Post)

Imaginary Couples

Actress Eva Longoria and singer Lara Fabian

Imaginary Couples

Imaginary Couples

The photographer and his partner

Imaginary Couples

Gymnast Samir Ait-Said and paralympic champion Jean-Baptiste Alaize

Imaginary Couples

Actors Francois-Xavier Demaison and Antoine de Caunes

Imaginary Couples

Actors Jean-Paul Rouve and Elie Semoun

Imaginary Couples

Imaginary Couples

Actors Kyan Khojandi and Kheiron

Imaginary Couples

Directors Jean-Marc Vallee (Dallas Buyers Club) and Denis Villeneuve (Sicario)

Imaginary Couples

Singer Jenifer and actress Vahina Giocante

Imaginary Couples

Swimmers and brothers-in-law Florent Manaudou and Frederick Bousquet

Imaginary Couples

Imaginary Couples

Actors Nicolas Duvauchelle et Guillaume Gouix

Imaginary Couples

Imaginary Couples

Actresses Elodie Varlet and Dounia Coesens

Imaginary Couples

Olympic gymnasts Benoit Caranobe and Thomas Bouhail

Imaginary Couples

Feminist activists Thereze Clerc and Monique Issele

Imaginary Couples

Imaginary Couples

Actresses Rebecca Hampton and Nadege Beausson-Diagne