The Evolution of Gay TV Characters

Kurt Hummel (Chris Colfer), "Glee" (2009)

Chris Colfer originally auditioned for the role of Artie on Ryan Murphy's show choir series, "Glee." He didn't get the part, but Murphy was so taken with Colfer that he scrapped the planned character of Rajish and created Kurt Hummel for the unknown actor.

The result is one of TV's newest iconic characters -- a gay teen who's learned to walk comfortably in his designer shoes and release his inner diva. ... more 

Kurt Hummel (Chris Colfer), "Glee" (2009)

Chris Colfer originally auditioned for the role of Artie on Ryan Murphy's show choir series, "Glee." He didn't get the part, but Murphy was so taken with Colfer that he scrapped the planned character of Rajish and created Kurt Hummel for the unknown actor.

The result is one of TV's newest iconic characters -- a gay teen who's learned to walk comfortably in his designer shoes and release his inner diva. Hummel has struggled: He came out to his single father and dealt with a school bully.

But he's also had some big payoffs, not the least of which is his dreamy first love, Blaine Anderson, a fellow member of Dalton Academy's Warblers and, eventually, of McKinley High's New Directions. The pair seemed born to sing together. Only graduation from school could tear them apart.

Now Kurt's moved to the Big Apple to pursue his dreams of registering at NYADA and ultimately starring on Broadway. While he interns at Vogue.com, time will tell if Blurt (or is it Kurtaine) will be a lasting couple or not. Offscreen, Chris Colfer is openly gay, but he isn't attached to anyone special. Last year he told USA Weekend that his dating life is "a short, short conversation." less