Obscure ’90s romcoms, speedo-clad hubbies & steamy smut: Gays reveal their all-time favorite love stories
What are your favorite gay love stories?
Mark
From refashioned Greek tragedies to contemporary romcoms, Queerty readers are suckers for a love story.
Once bereft of positive representation, gay people now enjoy romances with happy endings. On this front, Heated Rivalry changed the game. The steamy hockey smut story included lots of hot gay sex and a literal ride into the sunset.
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Along similar lines, the recently released Heartstopper Forever features several sex scenes, even if critics say they’re sanitized for TV.
The most raw feeling known to humankind, love always stirs up strong emotions. This week, we asked Queerty readers about their favorite romantic tearjerkers. Here’s what they had to say…
What’s your all-time favorite love story?
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Achilles and Patroclus from Song of Achilles. — Leslye in Portland, Oregon
Song of Achilles! Heartbreaking, but such a lovely story — Ronald in Brooklyn, New York
Written in 2011 by Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles is a retelling of the Trojan War from the perspective of Patroclus. It follows his relationship with Achilles, with a focus on their burgeoning romance. Unlike in Homer’s telling, Miller’s version depicts Patroclus and Achilles as the same age. Though Miller keeps the tragic ending, Patroclus and Achilles’ love is fully realized.
While the book has received some criticism, it’s sold millions of copies worldwide.
Option 1 Likes: Heated Rivalry (all 6 books)
, Heartstopper
, Red, White & Royal Blue
, Call Me by Your Name, Find Me (sequel to CMBYN that takes place 20+ years later), Moonlight, The Falls Trilogy. Dislikes: Brokeback Mountain, Fellow Travelers and other stories (queer or not) with tragic endings 
— Jonathan in Norfolk, Virginia
While we respect Jonathan’s desire for happy endings, we wouldn’t put Call Me by Your Name or Moonlight in that category. They are amazing films, though.
Latter Days — Joel in Vancouver, Washington
Released in 2003, Latter Days follows the tale of a young Mormon who arrives in Los Angeles, before getting seduced by his gay neighbor.
Erika Eiffel and the Eiffel Tower: A woman with objectum-sexuality—a romantic attraction to inanimate objects—captured global attention when she held a commitment ceremony to legally marry the iconic Paris landmark in 2009. — Stan in Chicago
Yes, the story is true: A woman named “Erika Eiffel” married the Eiffel Tower. She did change her surname. “Her structure is just amazing,” she said of the landmark. “You know, she’s got subtle, subtle curves.”
Marscapone and the sequel Marscapone: Rainbow Cake — Sandy in Fort Lauderdale
This Italian romcom follows the story of a 30-year-old man who must rebuild his life after getting dumped by his husband. Dare we say, the lead actor, Giancarlo Commare, looks super hot with bleached blonde tips.
A Beautiful Thing — Huron in Columbus, Ohio
A Beautiful Thing — David in League City, Texas
The 1996 British gay teen romcom is based on a true story. Jonathan Harvey, who wrote the script, says he drew from his experiences growing up as a gay high school student. Unlike other gay romances of its era, it has a happy-ending, and deals with socioeconomic themes. The two protagonists are working-class. In the end, they dance together in their housing project, as they gain acceptance from their neighbors. Nice call, Huron and David!
All Over the Guy — Mitch in Salem, Massachusetts
Another romcom that was ahead of its time, All Over the Guy follows the pair of an unlikely couple that meets on a blind date at the behest of their best friends. It was released in 2001.
Brian’s Song — Lance in France
Very interesting choice. While not a love story per se, Brian’s Song follows the friendship of real life Bears players Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers. At a time when pro football and the country writ large was still segregated, their relationship crossed racial lines.
Trick. It starts as just a sex comedy as two guys try to find a place to hook up but becomes something much more sweet and meaningful by the end. — Chronomaxx in Albuquerque
Considered one of the best gay romcoms ever, we hope that Trick doesn’t get lost to time!
The Rebuilding Year by Kaje Harper — Michael in Carlsbad, California
This male-for-male romance is about an injured firefighter and divorced groundskeeper who unexpectedly fall in love, facing numerous challenges along the way.
PJ and Thomas — Larry in Las Vegas
Known as the Property Lovers, the two influencers have three kids and perpetuate a wholesome image of family life. But that doesn’t stop them from wearing speedos!
Maurice — Mark in New Jersey
This classic gay novel is set in early 1900s England and was published in 1971. The Edwardian-era tale follows the main character Maurice as he explores a forbidden same-sex relationship.
Brokeback Mountain — Randolph in Springfield, Illinois
Brokeback Mountain — Edward in California
For a generation of gays, Brokeback Mountain will always be special, even if it does have a tragic ending. As Queerty‘s Henry Giardina wrote on its 25-year anniversary: “When homophobia was everywhere and good faith queer representation was almost nowhere, the film gave queer people an earnest, loving portrait of a same-sex relationship, even if it did come to a tragic end for both men.”
While that may seem unremarkable today, it was important back then… especially for a blockbuster hit.
One that comes immediately to mind is an early one from 1971, Sunday Bloody Sunday, about a triangle: a bisexual man is in relationships with a straight woman and a gay man, each of whom knows about the other and they even travel in the same social circle. Unsurprisingly, all three don’t take long to feel frustrated and restricted. The bi guy ends up flying to another country to entertain a business opportunity and it’s uncertain if he’ll return. A powerful and thought-provoking story. — Roger in Palm Springs
Largely overlooked in both hardback and paperback, Pryor Rendering, Gary Reed’s 1996 quiet love story. Two teen boys reared in a rural Oklahoma town. It’s always topped my list of favorite love stories. Now a retired bookseller, over the years I’ve given away dozens of copies to friends and family. — Paul in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania
These both sound like perfect, yet historical beach reads. Thank you, Roger and Paul!
Love, Victor — Kent in North Carolina
Set in the world of Love, Simon, the three-season teen comedy drama may be a bit schmaltzy. But it does star Michael Cimino. That’s good enough for us! Now, if only he looked this bad while filming…
Red, White and Royal Blue — Dean in Nevada
Along similar lines… Taylor Zakhar Perez and Nicholas Galitzine. Say no more! (We also thank the two studs for teaching straight women that gays also have missionary sex.)
Most definitely Heated Rivalry— the intimacy and passion shown on screen were amazing. — Davie in Texas
You can say that again, Davie!
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