Eleven guys who deserve to be bigger sex symbols

While we certainly don't overlook the sex symbols accepted within the mainstream of pop culture, gay men also like to take a look forward and pay notice to the hunks on the rise, the sex symbols who haven't been given the recognition they deserve. Thus, we thought it might be fun to put together a list of sexy men who deserve to be better recognized for their sexiness, including plenty of men AfterElton.com readers have recognized in the Hot 100 List.

Charlie Hunnam

Producers haven't underestimated the appeal of handsome and charismatic British actor who first got noticed as the young Nathan on the original Queer as Folk; he's been cast in a number of series that played off of his charm and good looks since QaF ... though all of those series are, at best, as a "Brilliant but Canceled" series (if not just plain canceled). Perhaps that will start to change with his upcoming fx series Sons of Anarchy where he plays a new father who joins a biker gang. If not, we'll always have Hunnam's memorable scenes with Aidan Gillen.

Cristiano Ronaldo

If there was more of an audience for soccer in the states, Ronaldo probably wouldn't belong on this list; whenever he's on the field it's hard not to be transfixed by the 23 year-old Portuguese footballer (except for when he's playing for Portugal for the Euro Cup and he has to compete for attention with Deco) but here the mainstream is only just noticing David Beckham's good looks. In the meantime, however, he's certainly gotten noticed by the gay blogosphere, including AfterElton readers who voted him twice into the AfterElton Hot 100.

James Purefoy

Gay audiences probably first noticed Purefoy in Bedrooms and Hallways, where Purefoy made time in the sauna a very uncomfortable situation for a gay man played by Kevin McKidd. Purefoy certainly has been busy (including a role on HBO's Rome as legendary lover Mark Anthony) but for some reason that one role that makes everyone remember all his other sexy performances hasn't happened yet.

Taye Diggs

This fall it looked like the talented Taye Diggs would finally get some due recognition for his sexiness and talent. After all, he had a role in the Grey's Anatomy spin-off Private Practice, and look at what Grey's did for Patrick Dempsey. Unfortunately, the WGA Strike wrapped up the season early, leaving some much-due buzz delayed for another season.

Paul Rudd

Rudd's sexiness has probably gone underappreciated because of the roles he's taken. He may have first caught our attention as Alicia Silverstone's dreamy stepbrother in Clueless but lately his biggest hits have been in comedies that call for him to underplay his looks like Anchorman and The 40-Year Old Virgin. Still, having been voted into the AfterElton Hot 100 twice, it's not going completely unnoticed.

Matt Keeslar

Yes, I know, I talk about Keeslar a lot but not only is he someone who is hard not to stare at, but Keeslar also can be relied upon for a memorable performance whether that be as an immature rocker in Splendor or dropping deadpan one-liners in ABC Family's The Middleman. It takes a lot to wear "Hitler's smoking jacket" and still look good.

Daniel Dae Kim

For a little while, it looked like Kim would finally get some due recognition for his good looks thanks to the high-profile Lost. Not only was he voted into our first Hot 100 list, he was included in People magazine's "Sexiest Men Alive" issue. Alas, this year he fell off the Hot 100; perhaps that might have something to do with the reason I gave up Lost last season, namely a lack of screen time starting in the second season?

Cheyenne Jackson

The sexy triple-threat performer seems to be getting noticed, having placed in the top five of this year's AfterElton Hot 100, amid plenty of blogosphere buzz for his performance in Xanadu and for his ability to make fun of himself in a variety of viral videos. Hopefully, that's just the beginning for Jackson.

Tyron Leitso

Now that Lee Pace is finally getting recognized for his sexiness thanks to a role in Pushing Daisies, isn't it time we got Wonderfalls' other hottie back in the spotlight? I mean aside from being in Uwe Boll movies...

Joel McHale

It's fairly well-recognized that Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert are pin-ups for those who like their guy funny and smart, and The Soup's Joel McHale appeals to the same group. Who else could pull newsman Keith Olbermann and Simon Pegg into the same sketch and make it totally work?

Brad Rowe

He first captured our attention in Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss and it seemed like he would break through in the Kevin Smith-created Wasteland. Unfortunately, Wasteland was short-lived. Rowe has captivated gay audiences once more in Shelter ... will we be seeing him pop up on the RADAR once more?

Of course, it's impossible to put together a comprehensive list of sexy performers who aren't fully recognized. Who would you add to the list?