The 2009 AfterElton Hot 100: Out Gay Men

4. Cheyenne Jackson

This might sound a little outlandish, but here at AfterElton.com we think Cheyenne Jackson might actually be a little underappreciated by gay men. After all, the Broadway star was out quite a while before such contemporaries as T.R. Knight, Luke Macfarlane, Lance Bass and others. He also came out without any speculation or pressure; he simply answered a reporter’s question openly and honestly, the same way he lives his life.

Several of us here have actually met the man and while we can officially report he is as every bit as handsome in real life as in his pictures, he’s even nicer than he is hot. And that’s saying something.

5. Matthew Mitcham

Is there anyone out there who doesn’t love this spunky 21-year-old Australian Olympic diver? And what’s not to love? He came out in the months leading up to the Beijing Games last August. And in doing so, he became the only out male athlete at those games. Then, in what can only be described as a fairy tale ending, he snagged the highest diving score ever given during the Olympics on his final dive, to snatch the gold medal from the Chinese.

As if that wasn’t enough, he then climbed into the stands to tearfully hug his partner Lachlan. Frankly, if this happened in a movie, we’d write it off as unbelievably corny. Instead , it’s unbelievably amazing, just like Matthew. Which leads us to wonder, why isn’t he at the top of this list?

6. Robert Gant

7. Chad Allen

8. T.R. Knight

9. Randy Harrison

10. Lance Bass