Front and center: Famous gay couples share their love

'Star Trek' actor George Takei and Brad Altman were the first same-sex couple to apply for a marriage license in West Hollywood. After 21 years together, the two were married in an elaborate ceremony in 2008 that included a Japanese tea ceremony, a bagpipe procession and Buddhist priest to perform the ceremony. While California then overturned Proposition 8, Takei and Altman's union was not affected. 'Glee' star Jane Lynch met Lara Embry, a clinical psychologist, at a fundraiser in 2009. The attraction between them was immediate and they say the difference in their professions and personalities takes work and compromise but the couple remains happy.They are married and raising Embry's daughter, Haden.Actors Neil Partrick Harris and David Burtka are engaged.After speculation that David Burtka received his role on 'How I Met Your Mother' because of a romance with Neil Patrick Harris, the latter came out publicly. The couple then attended the Emmy awards in 2007 together and openly acknowledged their relationship. They have adopted twins.View the list »
Tila Tequila shares a kiss with Johnson & Johnson heiress Casey Johnson.Though the two initially hated each other because of rumors and gossip, they quickly fell in love and became engaged. Unfortunately, Johnson died of natural causes in 2010. After her untimely passing, Tila said she was just, "trying to remember what's good."

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The list: Front and center: Famous gay couples share their love

You may be able to name some notable gay figures in the public eye, but can you identify their significant others?

More and more, big names are stepping out of the closet -- and it’s not just Hollywood screen stars; Musicians, journalists and politicians are going public with their sexual orientation and introducing their partners to the public at large.

With the increasing support of the LGBT community from American citizens and politicians, this should come as no surprise.

Gay rights activists across the country celebrated the many victories achieved during the 2012 elections. Voters in Maine, Maryland, Minnesota and Washington approved same-sex marriage rights for its citizens. Tammy Baldwin made headlines as the first openly gay U.S. senator. Additionally, President Obama, the first president to publicly support gay marriage rights, was re-elected for a second term.

As we see more and more public acceptance of the LBGT community, can we expect to see more famous gay couples?

View the list
  • Tila Tequila shares a kiss with Johnson & Johnson heiress Casey Johnson.Though the two initially hated each other because of rumors and gossip, they quickly fell in love and became engaged. Unfortunately, Johnson died of natural causes in 2010. After her untimely passing, Tila said she was just, "trying to remember what's good."
  • Actors Neil Partrick Harris and David Burtka are engaged.After speculation that David Burtka received his role on 'How I Met Your Mother' because of a romance with Neil Patrick Harris, the latter came out publicly. The couple then attended the Emmy awards in 2007 together and openly acknowledged their relationship. They have adopted twins.
  • 'Glee' star Jane Lynch met Lara Embry, a clinical psychologist, at a fundraiser in 2009. The attraction between them was immediate and they say the difference in their professions and personalities takes work and compromise but the couple remains happy.They are married and raising Embry's daughter, Haden.
  • 'Star Trek' actor George Takei and Brad Altman were the first same-sex couple to apply for a marriage license in West Hollywood. After 21 years together, the two were married in an elaborate ceremony in 2008 that included a Japanese tea ceremony, a bagpipe procession and Buddhist priest to perform the ceremony. While California then overturned Proposition 8, Takei and Altman's union was not affected. 
  • Ellen DeGeneres and Portia del Rossi are one of the most high-profile gay couples.The two met backstage at an awards show and became engaged when Ellen proposed with a 3-carrot diamond ring. They were married at their Beverly Hills home in 2010.
  • Elton John and David Furnish are one of the most recognizable openly gay couples.They met in 1993 and entered a civil partnership in 2005 with a lavish party at their Berkshire mansion. The couple also recently added a new addition to their family with a second child, saying they didn't want their previous son to grow up an only child. 
  • Rosie O'Donnell and Michelle Rounds began dating in 2011 and Rosie announced their engagement to her studio audience. They were married in a private ceremony in June of 2011.The pair announced via Twitter that they have adopted a baby girl named Dakota. 
  • Massachusetts congressman Barney Frank publicly came out in 1987, before he announced his bid for the state's seat. He was one of the first openly gay members to serve in the House.During a gay political fundraiser Frank met and fell in love with Jim Ready. The two were married in 2012, making Frank the first politician to marry someone of the same sex. 
  • Former 'American Idol' runner-up Adam Lambert is in a relationship with Sauli Koskinen, winner of the Finnish version of 'Big Brother.' The two met at a club in Finland after Lambert performed in the country.The couple tries to keep a low profile, but were arrested in 2011 after a drunken altercation at a bar. While the cause of the fight was never released, Lambert did state that is was private matter between the two men. 
  • Lindsay Lohan made waves when she started openly dating Samantha Ronson.While they have since broken up, their relationship was full of screaming matches, drama and jealousy. Lohan later explained their breakup by saying, "I needed to love myself first before I could be with anyone. And I was going through a lot. Two toxic people cannot be together. End of story." She also said, however, that they are still friends and keep in touch.
  • 'Modern Family' actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson is engaged to Justin Mikita. In September 2012, Ferguson announced his engagement to lawyer Justin Mikita, his boyfriend of nearly two years
  • On April 15, 2010, rocker Melissa Etheridge and Tammy Lynn Michaels publicly ended their nearly 9-year relationship.Back in April 2006, Etheridge and Michaels announced that Michaels was pregnant with twins via an anonymous sperm donor. Michaels gave birth to a daughter, Johnnie Rose, and a son, Miller Steven, in October 2006.                                                       
  • 'Glee' creator Ryan Murphy announced he's been with David Miller for 15 years and they are married.On December 24, 2012, Murphy and Miller had their first child, a son named Logan Phineas, through a surrogate.                                                                                         
  • After three years of being engaged, 'Sex and the City' star Cynthia Nixon wed Christine Marinoni.      Nixon on her sexuality: "I don't really feel I've changed. I'd been with men all my life, and I'd never fallen in love with a woman. But when I did, it didn't seem so strange. I'm just a woman in love with another woman."                                                                                       
  • Fashion designer Michael Kors and TV personality Lance LePere were married in 2011. The two were married in the Southhampton, New York and the ceremony was performed by the towns mayor.                                                                                                           
View the list

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