Readers' Choice: The Top 25 Gay TV Characters Revealed!

Will & Grace may have been a landmark gay show, but it received some criticism from the LGBT community because of lead character Will’s relative lack of a sex life compared to Grace. But what Will’s romantic life lacked in quantity, it may have made up for in quality. The evidence? Will’s most substantial love interest actually made it onto our top-25 list based on reader votes.

Vince D’Angelo, played by Bobby Cannavale, was introduced on the 6^th season of Will & Grace. Vince was an Italian-American New York City Police Department officer, and his blue-collar roots made his pairing with effete, white-collar Will comical and yet still endearing.

Vince and Will’s relationship lasted until the spring of 2005 when Vince lost his job and the two mutually agreed to "take a break." Will would go on to have other relationships (among them one with “James,” a character played by Taye Diggs), but of all Will’s love interests Vince made the most lasting impression. In the series finale Will is even shown in a flash-forward reunited with Vince.

Cannavale's portrayal was popular both with fans and with critics. He won an Emmy for the role in 2005 - for outstanding guest actor in a comedy series. This makes him one of only three actors represented in our top-25 list to win an Emmy for their role.

Marco del Rossi was first introduced in 2002 during the second season of Degrassi: The Next Generation. For those who don’t watch the show, it follows the trials and tribulations of a bunch of high schoolers. Think Beverly Hills 90210 – only set in Canada.

Initially, it wasn’t clear what his sexuality was. His dark good looks and winning smile attracted the attention of a female character named Ellie. The two began publicly dating, but Ellie was frustrated when Marco seemed to have no interest in making their relationship more physical. Eventually he admitted to her that he was confused about his sexuality. Over several seasons Marco would come out to other friends and family. He also has had a tempestuous relationship with Dylan, an older boy who would later cheat on him.

The clip below shows Marco torn between his nice guy boyfriend, Tim and his continuing feelings for bad boy Dylan.

Adamo Ruggiero was a 2003 nominee of a Young Artist Award for Best Ensemble in a TV Series for Degrassi and in 2005 was nominated for Best Performance in a TV series — Leading Young Actor. The young performer takes seriously the fact that gay teens strongly identify with the character he plays. Ruggiero has even lent his name to The Trevor Project, an organization that helps gay and questioning youth.