As the world broadens its horizons, people from all walks of life are finally seeing themselves on the screen. Shows likePoseandEuphoriaputLGBTQ+ TV charactersin the spotlight, while movies likeBlack PantherandEncantoshow people of different ethnic backgrounds from a gorgeous new perspective. The entertainment industry isn’t without its flaws, but we’re seeing more examples of unity and support through films, shows, and video games that finally feature more diverse casts and stories.
Amidst this new wave of representation and acceptance is a legend in the making:Bros, an upcoming romantic comedywritten by and starring Billy Eichner. The movie is already setting making history, as reported byThe Hollywood Reporter, with an entire cast of LGBTQ+ individuals, and Eichner himself is officially the first openly gay man to write and star in a major motion picture. We have high expectations for the movie, but we’ve still got a while until it releases in September 2022. For now, let’s meet some of the incredible cast members ofBros.
Related:These Are Some of the Most Romantic LGBTQ+ Movies of All Time
Billy Eichner
Already a three-time Emmy nominee,Billy Eichneris no stranger to the screen, big or small. He gained recognition as the creator, executive producer, and star ofBilly on the Street, a Funny or Die game show running from 2011 to 2017. From Craig Middlebrooks onParks and RecreationtoMr. Ambrose onBob’s Burgers,you can find Eichner in a variety of modern films and shows. Politically speaking, he often uses his celebrity status to support democratic efforts and encourage younger people to vote.
Luke Macfarlane
If you frequent the Hallmark Channel, you might recognize Luke Macfarlane from films likeJust Add RomanceandChristmas in My Heart. The actor first established a name for himself as Scotty onBrothers & Sisters, and he went on to join shows likeMercy Streetand the Canadian sitcomSatisfaction. Macfarlane also boasts an impressive theater career, as he’s starred in 17 stage productions since 2003.
Another comedy favorite,Jim Rashis arguably most recognizable as part of the ensemblecast ofCommunity, portraying Dean Craig Pelton. After taking a few smaller roles, he began appearing in larger productions likeSky High,Captain America: Civil War, andRed Shoes and the Seven Dwarfs. Rash has been in a plethora television shows, often lending his voice talent to animated features. Behind the camera, he won no less than ten awards for his work onThe Descendantsand countless nominations for various other projects. In fact, during his Best Adapated Screenplay Oscar acceptance speech forThe Descendants, Rash famously paid tribute toAngelina Jolie’s right leg.
Bowen Yang
Bowen Yang is a favorite for shaking things up and making history. This artist has been co-hosting the acclaimed pop culture podcastLas Culturistaswith Matt Rogers since 2016, and he’s garnered praise for his writing work on 21 episodes ofSaturday Night Livespanning 2018 to 2019. Yang was recently introduced as a regular cast member of the show, bringing further representation to the Chinese-American and LGBTQ+ communities. You can also catch this talented comedian in shows likeAwkwafina Is Nora From QueensandThe Outs.
Guillermo Díaz
After gaining footing on 90s shows likeFreshandStonewall, Guillermo Diaz began landing roles all over film and TV. He portrayed Scarface in the movieHalf Baked, was a series regular onScandal(playing Huck), appeared multiple times onChappelle’s Show, and is a recurring cast member ofLaw & Order: Organized Crime.Out Magazine has offered Diaz ample praise for his forward representation of the LGBTQ+ community and named him one of the top 100 most influential gay men of 2013.
Related:These LGBTQ+ TV Series Were Ahead of Their Time
Ts Madison
Actress, entrepreneur and activist Ts Madison Hinton (or Maddie) first went viral on Vine in 2013. In the following years, she signed a contract with Pink Money Records, began releasing music and collaborated with artists like RuPaul and Todrick Hall. She’s appeared as a guest judge onRuPaul’s Drag Raceseveral times, and she broke ground withThe Ts Madison Experienceon We TV; with its debut, Maddie made history as the first trans black woman to star in and produce her own reality show.
Harvey Fierstein
From theater productions to video games, Harvey Fierstein has worked in nearly every branch of media. He received massive acclaim for his long-running roles as Edna Turnblad inHairsprayand Arnold Beckoff inTorch Song Trilogy(which he also wrote), and he’s taken to the silver screen in movies likeMrs. DoubtfireandMulan. He joined the cast ofThe Dark Crystal: Age of Resistanceas The Gourmand in 2017, and he’s offered his voice to two Disney-based video games andKingdom Hearts II.
This renowned model and drag queen became an icon after winning Season 13 ofRuPaul’s Drag Race, where she was praised for her impressive style and unforgettable drag persona. She’s now a member of the House of Avalon pop culture collective alongside her drag mother Vanderbilt, and she’s made multiple guest appearances on features likeJimmy Kimmel Live!, the 2021 MTV Movie & Music Awards andThe Savage X Fenty Show. Symone was nominated for a People’s Choice Award for her work onRuPaul’s Drag Raceand was a runner-up for the Queerty Award for Drag Royalty in 2022.
