The Top 15 Favorite Gay Reality Stars

#7 Reichen Lehmkuhl and #8 Chip Arndt
Appeared on: The Amazing Race (2003)

When Reichen Lehmkuhl and Chip Arndt won the fourth season of The Amazing Race, they arguably became the most famous gay couple in America. For thirteen weeks, millions of Americans watched as the two men, who specifically requested the program describe themselves as married, showed that gay couples are pretty much like straight couples – usually loving, sometimes exasperating, but almost always supportive of each other. When the two crossed the final finish line in first place, they had an 83% approval rating among fans of the show.

Unfortunately, Lehmkuhl and Arndt ended their relationship shortly after winning, but both have since gone on to have a great impact on the gay community. Arndt, a successful investment banker, is now a powerful force in the gay community, using his name and organizational skills to work and raise money for various groups.

Lehmkuhl is notable for his work in speaking out against the military’s Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell policy, which affected him for the five years he served in the U.S. Air Force where he attained the rank of Captain. Besides serving as a spokesman for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, Lehmkuhl also wrote about Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell in Here’s What We’ll Say. Additionally, Lehmkuhl is well known for his acting career, including roles on Frasier and Dante’s Cove, as well as his relationship with Lance Bass. The two have since split and Lehmkuhl is now with model Ryan Barry.

Reichen Lehmkuhl

Photo credit: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images

Lehmkuhl’s answers:

What was the best part of your experience? The best part about it was winning the $1M over some really competitive people, for whom I still have so much respect.

How did it change you? Doing The Amazing Race changed my life completely from one of anonymity to having not much of a private life at all. I know what it's like to search for privacy as much as possible now . . . something I never thought about before. I can't imagine how real stars do it since I do it on my own small scale and I don't consider myself famous at all.

What are you doing now? Now I'm running a private company as well as writing another book. I'm touring the country speaking out against the ban on the open service of gays in our U.S. Armed Forces, as well as the way gay people are treated within the ranks when they're rarely allowed to stay. I'm also continuing a modeling career (at 35, who knew?!) and playing "Trevor" on Dante's Cove of the here! Network. I have a jewelry line called "Fly Naked: with Reichen" at LoveandPride.com, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Fred Segal of which I give 10% of the gross proceeds to SLDN.org (Servicemembers Legal Defense Network).

Your reaction to making the list? I'm surprised I made the list because I did The Amazing Race five years ago. But I'm humbled and appreciative, just the same.