Black gay love is revolutionary.
And when it's shown on TV, revolutionary things can happen. When two Black men love each other on screen, it shows others what is possible, and it shows that you can be who you are and still find love.
So we want to take a look back at some of the Black gay couples that we've seen on TV who have inspired viewers and changed media as we know it. These couples show something that's rare on TV, and we are thankful for them for doing so.
The couples in this list are not ranked and are listed in no particular order. Unfortunately, these couples aren't as numerous as they should be, but as more Black queer creatives get chances to tell stories, we can only imagine what the future of Black gay representation looks like. Until then, here's to these couples who have changed lives -- and changed TV history!
Omar Little and Dante in 'The Wire'
The iconic Michael K. Williams played the iconic Omar Little in The Wire, and for seasons 2 and 3, Ernest Waddell played Dante, his boyfriend and a member of Omar's stick-up crew.
Noah and Wade in 'Noah's Arc'
Darryl Stephens played Noah, a young Black screenwriter in Hollywood, in this groundbreaking series from Logo. Wade, played by Jensen Atwood, was a fellow screenwriter and the two wrote together before getting into a relationship in the first season. Throughout the series they dance around each other, getting back together and eventually getting married.
Noah and Malik in 'Noah's Arc'
In the second season, Noah and Wade break up after Wade catches Noah him kissing Malik (James Mathis III) at the end of season one. However, Noah then breaks up with Malik when he realizes he's not over Wade.
Wade and Dre in 'Noah's Arc'
When Wade and Noah are broken up in season two, Wade starts dating Dre, a barista at a club (played by Merwin Mondesir). Dre eventually caught Wade and Noah having an affair, and he got into a car crash and then they broke up.
Alex and Tre in 'Noah's Arc'
Alex, played by Rodney Chester, is a HIV counselor and another main character, and Trey is his long-term partner. Played by Gregory Kieth, Trey is an anesthesiologist and a firefighter. Eventually, the two adopt a baby named Ojemodupe.
Chance and Eddie in 'Noah's Arc'
Chance, played by Doug Spearman, is another one of Noah's Arc's main characters and an economics professor. He and his love interest Eddie (played by Jonathan Julian) got married at the end of season one.
Lionel Higgins and Michael in 'Dear White People'
DeRon Horton plays the nerdy writer Lionel in the Netflix show based on the movie of the same name, and in season three, he starts dating Michael, a fellow student played by Wade F. Wilson.
Montrose Freeman and Sammy in 'Lovecraft Country'
Montrose, played by Michael K. Williams, is Atticus' hard-headed and secretive father, and Sammy, played by Jon Hudson Odom, is a bar owner and Montrose's secret lover.
Ricky and Damon in 'Pose'
Ricky (Dyllon Burnside) and Damon (Ryan Jamaal Swain) were an on-again-off-again couple early in Pose shortly after they both became members of New York's ballroom scene and joined the House of Evangelista.
Ricky and Pray Tell in 'Pose'
Later in the series, Ricky starts dating Pray Tell (Billy Porter), the older emcee of New York's ball scene. Pray and Ricky start dating in season two after Ricky learns he is diagnosed with HIV.
Carlton Cruise and Reggie in 'Greenleaf'
Carlton, played by Parnell Damone Marcano, is the out-and-proud music director of fictional Memphis megachurch Calvary until he gets fired for marrying his partner, Reggie, played by Terrence C. Carson.
George and Lance in 'She-ra and The Princesses of Power'
Bow's two dads, George and Lance, voiced by Chris Jai Alex and Regi Davis respectively, only appear in one episode of this animated show, but they left an impact on audiences (and there were plenty of dad jokes to go around too!).
Jamal Lyon and Ryan Morgan in 'Empire'
Jamal Lyon, played by Jussie Smollett, is one of Lucious and Cookie's sons who dates filmmaker Ryan Morgan, played by Eka Darvilole. The two break up after season one.
Jamal Lyon and Kai Givins in 'Empire'
In season five, Jamal is with Kai, played by Toby Onwumere. The two get married in a ceremony where Chaka Khan performs.
