It has been several years since Out released its once-annual roundup of Most Eligible Bachelors. As a list of the “most dateable queer men on the planet,” this feature is an opportunity to platform the Hollywood movers and shakers we've admired for, yes, their looks, but also the work they do to make the culture a better place. Ahead, read messages of admiration from Out's editors to them.
This article is part of the Out July/August issue, out July 4 on newsstands. Support queer media and subscribe -- or download the issue through Amazon, Kindle, Nook, or Apple News.
Laith Ashley
Transmasculine representation is still sorely lacking in the entertainment industry. But Laith Ashley, you've been at the vanguard of change. Ever since your underwear pics went viral in 2015 — thanks in part to a repost from Laverne Cox — you've become a vital force in the fashion industry.
You were the first trans male model to shoot for a Diesel campaign and, later, to pose for the epitome of sexy briefs, Calvin Klein. Your beauty is undeniable — and thankfully, it's not only skin deep. Your outspokenness about trans issues and the care you feel about representing the LGBTQ+ community are sincere and swoon-worthy.
It’s been thrilling to see you make waves outside of ad campaigns by appearing in seminal reality productions furthering trans representation like I Am Cait and Strut. And werk, you broke barriers as the first out trans Pit Crew member on RuPaul’s Drag Race.
You’re even taking over Hollywood as an actor; Angelica Ross couldn’t resist you in Pose, and you lit up the screen at Outfest last year in a peek at your upcoming queer comedy Unconventional. You’ve even become the muse of none other than Taylor Swift, appearing as a lover in the music video “Lavender Haze.” When she touched your back, the universe lit up — what a metaphor! And how lucky the universe is to have your light.
Omar Ayuso
If there’s one thing you’re going to do, Omar Ayuso, it’s steal the show. And considering that said show is as crazy Netflix’s Élite, that’s a truly impressive feat.
Though the popular Spanish teen drama series is known for wild (oftentimes deadly) plotlines and spicy, übersexy moments, one of the most memorable parts of the show, Omar, is the relationship between your character (also named Omar!) and Ander (Arón Piper). Affectionately dubbed “Omander” by the fans, Omar and Ander had chemistry that was off the charts whenever they were on-screen (there’s a reason they’re a fan favorite). Whether it was their first kiss or their many different declarations of their love for each other (oh, young love!), Omander definitely had us kicking our feet in the air or going giddy with the giggles. Who wouldn’t have a crush on you after that? You truly bring passion to the part — as well as the most gorgeous eyebrows in existence.
Although the character of Omar is quieter and more reserved in the series, IRL, you’re a fireball who is not afraid of a social media tease or a fun, flirty thirst trap — and for that, we’re eternally grateful.
After taking a step back for season 6, Omar will be making his triumphant Élite comeback for season 7 to show us who the real king of the Las Encinas school is, and although he will be noticeably without Ander, we can’t wait to see what antics he gets into — and how many more hearts he’ll steal — when he’s back.
Dan Levy
When we first stumbled upon Schitt’s Creek, little did we know how deeply in love we’d fall — not only with the series as a whole, but particularly with your writing and performance as David Rose. After binging through Schitt’s Creek a few dozens of times, we knew that we were hooked and would follow you wherever you went. Not in a stalkery way, of course, but as fans and admirers.
We got very excited about your occasional Schitt’s Creek reunions with Catherine O’Hara, Annie Murphy, and Noah Reid, and our love grew even deeper as we saw you in wonderful projects like The Great Canadian Baking Show, Happiest Season, and The Big Brunch. We eagerly keep up with the new fashions of DL Eyewear, and we look forward to every new update regarding your upcoming feature directorial debut, Good Grief.
You have a way of putting love, kindness, and truth in everything you do, which makes us so excited to follow along your journey and career. We also love seeing your photo shoots, selfies, and captions on social media…and we definitely have zero complaints about the tank top pics you’ve been posting of late. Like, none at all. Whenever you feel like sharing a new one, we’ll be there to double tap.
For bringing authentic LGBTQ+ storylines to mainstream audiences, being such a wonderful person on and off the screen, and always sharing exciting moments with your fans, this love letter is also a thank-you note. Thank you, Dan Levy, for being yourself and inspiring us to do the same. We love you.
Dexter Mayfield
You’re a triple threat, Dexter Mayfield: a singer, a dancer, and a model who is lighting the runway and the world on fire. We remember when you became a judge on CBS’s Come Dance With Me reality competition; how ecstatic we felt that the a national audience would experience your dazzling smile, laughter, and energy.
However, a judge is really the wrong word for you. Your mission is anti-judgment. Your blazing beauty as a proud queer Black femme plus-size man is smashing the outmoded boxes erected by mainstream culture. You’re building a new era of inclusivity, and we’re so thrilled to be living in it.
The world’s most famous female artists also see your power. You’ve performed with Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez, and Katy Perry, and they’ve blasted your talent across the planet. We’d buy anything from Savage X Fenty because, well, it’s from Rihanna, but also because she had the good sense to hire you as a model.
You’ve even helped Out be a better publication, gracing a recreated cover of our Swimsuit issue, which left us and our readers thirsty for more Dexter. Lucky for us, there’s so much more Dexter Mayfield has to offer the world. Remember to save us a dance down the line.
Ian McKellen
You’re a legend, Sir Ian McKellen. (And we love that we can call you “sir.”) There are few out actors who can light up the big screen in a blockbuster like you. You enchanted us as Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies and magnetized us as Magneto in the X-Men films. These are big franchises with equally big parts, yet you steal the show in every scene you’re in.
Early in your career, you had us shook in your Shakespeare plays, playing ye olde daddies King Lear and Richard III and Macbeth. And baby, can we talk about Broadway? Tony loved you as Salieri in Amadeus and so did we. It’s no wonder you were knighted for your services to the performing arts in 1991.
But you’re so much more than your dramatic abilities, Sir Ian. You’re an advocate too and proud of it. On your personal website, you list your “most urgent concern” as “legal and social equality for gay people worldwide.” What could be hotter? Since you came out as gay in 1988, risking your livelihood in the process, you’ve lived your life with the purpose of making the world better for us. Fast-forward to age 84, and you’ve never fallen silent on the issue of LGBTQ+ rights.
Sir Ian McKellen, you are one of the most beloved gay bachelors on the planet. We don’t mind the competition. Our tickets are preordered, and we’ll be there front and center for whatever you do next.
Lil Nas X
You have that special something, Lil Nas X. Since the release of your massively successful debut single, “Old Town Road,” in late 2018, you’ve established that you’re no one-hit wonder. You drop hit after hit after hit: “Panini,” “Holiday,” “Montero (Call Me by Your Name),” and “Industry Baby” among them. Few artists working today have your gift for writing catchy hooks and vocal melodies. It’s no wonder so many of his tracks have gone viral across TikTok and other social media platforms. We keep listening to them.
Beyond your songwriting abilities, you exude star power and breathtaking beauty in everything you do. At this year’s Met Gala, you turned heads (and made headlines) with your bejeweled body-paint-plus-thong getup. But nearly nude looks are only one of your many dazzling displays of self-love. Onstage, on-screen, and online, your unabashed embrace of your sexuality makes you a true boundary breaker.
From kissing a male backup dancer during a BET Awards performance to appearing naked in the music video for “Industry Baby,” you’re no stranger to pushing limits. Famously funny on Twitter, you love reposting memes from fans and playing up your “twink” status for your followers, us included. You don’t just thrive in the spotlight – you’ve earned your spot there.
And there’s a point to all the flourish. In your 2021 cover story with us, you talked about how you’ve changed since your early days trying to make it as a rapper. “I was looking to blend in when I first started. … But now I have even more of a purpose: to continue to find myself and, by doing so, help others find themselves,” you told us. Thank you, Lil Nas X, for helping us find ourselves too.
Elliot Page
Elliot Page, you are a class act, and we would love to be swept off our feet by you! Ever since seeing you play Humphrey Bogart’s role in a live reading of Casablanca years ago, we haven’t been able to see you as anything other than a dashing and suave romantic leading man.
Honestly, nothing is sexier than watching a person feel comfortable in their own skin, and every time we’ve seen you since you came out as trans, you look more and more comfortable, and therefore more and more hot! You look more present and at home in your body than you’ve ever looked before, and that is a terrific present for all of us who get to see your selfies. I mean, come on, that jawline? Those arms? That chest? Thank you, please!
Also, can we talk about your social and political work? Because that is some sexy advocacy and activism. We want a partner who cares about the world and the people in it, and who isn’t afraid to fight for those who are under attack, and that’s you.
We love that you’re not afraid to speak your mind and use your platform for good. We love how you fight against oil drilling and attacks on drag queens. We love that you stand up for trans youth. We’re especially all excited to read your memoir, Pageboy, so that we can learn even more about you and fall even deeper in love. If emotional intimacy is hot (and it is), writing a memoir is lava!
Elliot Page, thank you for sharing your life and truest self with us, we love you for it.
Zane Phillips
There’s a new heartthrob on the scene, and his name is Zane Phillips. Zane, you’ve been around for a hot minute now, first making a name for yourself in the CW’s Vampire Diaries spin-off series, Legacies, where you played one-half of the fan-favorite queer couple, Ben and Jed. But we really started to swoon for you in 2022, when you costarred in Joel Kim Booster’s beloved gay rom-com film, Fire Island.
Your Fire Island character, Dex, may have been a not-so-good attention-seeker, but honey, you got our attention! We’re not sure if it’s your dreamy blue eyes, your dirty-blond hair, your charming, boyish smile, or the fact that you are literally built like one of those Greek gods you see immortalized in marble at some of the finest classical art museums (literally, your arms stole the show in Fire Island), but whatever it is, it’s working because we’re crushing…and crushing hard!
After a recurring role in Netflix’s Partner Track, you are now also set to steal our hearts (and our eyes) yet again in the streamer’s new series Glamorous, where you’ll be starring alongside Sex and the City icon Kim Cattrall as her son Chad (though I think we’ll be more inclined to call him “Daddy”).
With Zane around to give the gays the much-needed hunky, himbo representation they want to see on their screens, we know the future is bright for Mr. Phillips. And with the talent (and muscle) to back it all up, we can’t wait to see what roles you embrace next, especially since you more than qualify to be leading-man material.
Johnny Sibilly
Confession: We’ve been stalking you for a long time. On social media, we mean! You’ve been consistently funny, sexy, and smart on Instagram and Twitter for years, and we’ve been there the whole time with our likes and shares and fire emojis.
Whether you’re showing off that handsome beard, amazing smile, and great beach body or keeping us informed about politics and queer representation, you can be sure we have had our notifications on for you.
We also, of course, are huge fans of your hosting and acting. We loved you on Pose and Logo Live, and we’d definitely play Sip or Spill with you anytime! Ugh, and then with your recent roles on Hacks and Queer as Folk we’ve gotten to see a lot more of you lately, and we are loving what we’re seeing. You can bring the drama, you can bring the heart, you can bring the laughs, you can do it all. And we love watching all that you do. Please, Hollywood, cast Johnny in more things!
We’ve also heard you’re a very attentive partner, and as you’ve said multiple times, you’re the Perfect Third, so even those of us already in a relationship can still daydream about you.
Thank you, Johnny Sibilly. You make us swoon, you make us laugh, you make us think, and for all of that (plus that great chest hair!), we love you.
Rafael Silva
Your 9-1-1: Lone Star character, Carlos Reyes, may have just gotten hitched to the love of his life, T.K. Strand, on the small screen, but IRL, you are the adorable, charismatic bachelor this generation of gay TV fans needs!
After four seasons of watching you and your Lone Star costar Ronen Rubinstein show the world the type of romantic queer love that is out there in the world, it’s hard not to want something like that for ourselves, and in a world full of cynics, it’s always nice to see queer people express their passion — and we sure are passionate about you!
As you’re tall, tan, young, and handsome, there’s no denying that you bring “the look” to Carlos that can make even the coldest of hearts melt, but that’s all secondary to the sheer charisma and kindheartedness you exude out of character as well. There’s a reason Tarlos became an international sensation, and we’d gladly bet our last dollar it has a lot to do with the way you love on and interact with the 9-1-1 fandom when out meeting them. (And, as Rubinstein’s T.K. can probably attest to, who wouldn’t be a sucker for some deep, pretty brown eyes?)
While Lone Star is still a force to be reckoned with and we’re just starting to get to see the beginnings of the Tarlos journey (Could they go down in history as one of TV’s best gay couples? We think so!), there’s a lot more Rafa that the world needs to be introduced to, and we can’t wait to see how far your star — and more importantly, your heart — goes!
Bowen Yang
The wonderful, gorgeous, brilliant, and hilarious Bowen Yang as an Eligible Bachelor? We do think so, honey!
We love when you make us look for a thesaurus after using a big word in your podcast, Las Culturistas, when you bring us together to laugh on Saturday Night Live with “monoculture” pop icons like the iceberg that hit the Titanic or Disney’s Jafar, when you absolutely steal the scene in movies like Fire Island and Bros. We followed along as you named yourself Faye Dunaway on Instagram and became obsessed with BeReal for a period of time. We are continuously inspired by your friendship with Matt Rogers as you experienced a bicoastal move, a Survivor lockdown obsession, and a few personal heartbreaks along the way. As readers, we rebranded our entire personalities when you renamed us Kayteighs — fully embracing our new identities. And when you declared that we were “finalists,” we believed you too.
In fact, every time you made lists like Forbes 30 Under 30, the Out100, People’s Sexiest Man Alive, and the Time 100, all we could bring ourselves to say each time was, “We do think so, honey!” We still don’t even really understand who Pfannee is supposed to be, but you better believe that we will be seated to watch you in Wicked.
Through it all, thank you for filling our days with so much wit, laughter, and the occasional sexy thirst trap on social media. Our love for you, Bowen Yang, is unconditional. To end this love letter with a song, we dedicate “Because You Loved Me” by Céline Dion to you.
