Gay Visibility Rises at Emmy Awards

A TUMULTOUS YEAR FOR HARRIS AND KNIGHT

Last year, both Knight and Harris found themselves embroiled in situations that led to their coming out as gay men. Knight revealed he was gay after an on-set scuffle between Grey's Anatomy co-stars Patrick Dempsey and Isaiah Washington (who has since left the show). Meanwhile, when Harris found his sexual orientation at the center of much speculation online, he also elected to announce that he is gay.

Even though Knight, Harris, and McKellen lost their respective Emmy contests, gay visibility nonetheless won Sunday night. Gay actors have long been fearful that being out might cost them their careers, but simply by being nominated each man proved that need not be case. It's especially noteworthy for Harris and Knight given that both play straight men. Neither are outright romantic leads — a barrier that yet remains to be broken — but Harris plays a womanizing cad while Knight plays an intern romantically involved with one of his co-workers.

The recognition by their peers, as well as the success of their shows (Grey's Anatomy more so than HIMYM which struggled in the ratings last season), are encouraging that both Hollywood and the general public have grown more comfortable with the idea of gay actors playing straight roles that aren't neutered into sexless stereotypes.

Some have speculated whether or not both men's nominations had as much to do with their peers showing support and approval for the two as gay men as it did with their acting skills. In a recent Los Angeles Times article, reporter Scott Collins wrote "Yet it's possible, just possible, that Emmy voters were looking to send a larger message than simply patting Harris on the back for a job well done. His is the latest career swept up in a larger cultural debate about actors' roles and their personal lives and the willingness of the public to distinguish between the two."

Knight's and Harris' nominations as a vote of support is certainly possible, but it's unfortunate that they very good work of both men is tarnished by such questions.

Having three out actors also presented gay fans with the rare opportunity of seeing gay actors attend an award event with their significant others. This week Harris appeared on Ellen Degeneres' daytime talk show and when asked with whom he would attend the event, said it would be his boyfriend (and fellow actor) David Burtka.

In fact, the two did attend together and their subsequent appearance on the red carpet as a couple marks one of the highest moments of visibility for two men involved romantically. For a number of years now, lesbian couples have attended public events together including Ellen and her girlfriend Portia de Rossi, Melissa Etheridge and her partner Tammy Lynn Michaels, and Rosie O'Donnell and her partner Keli Carpenter. To finally see such a high profile gay male couple appear at an event such as the Emmys almost makes up for the fact that Harris, Knight, and McKellen went home empty-handed.

For more Emmy coverage check out our Emmy Award pictures.