These Hallmark Stars Are Out and Proud
The Hallmark Channel has been boldly committed to LGBTQ+ inclusion and representation of late, and a key part of that has been casting queer talent in leading roles. From the lovely Jonathan Bennett's Christmas movies to queer-inclusive shows like Ride starring Jake Foy, the Channel continues to put their out stars front and center. They've also cast their first nonbinary actor, a move that will hopefully lead to increased diversity across Hallmark's programming.
For this list, we want to put a spotlight on the LGBTQ+ performers who have pushed Hallmark to the forefront of inclusive entertainment. Check out the roster of stars below.
Luke Macfarlane
Bros star Luke Macfarlane has appeared in a host of Hallmark movies, among them The Memory Book, Birthday Wish, and two Christmas dramas. He recently welcomed a daughter with partner Hig Roberts.
Humberly Gonzalez
Half of the star couple in Hallmark's first lesbian holiday rom-com, Friends & Family Christmas, Humberly Gonzalez shines along with fellow queer actor Ali Liebert whose characters both pretend to be in a relationship during the holiday season only to fall in love.
Jake Foy
Canadian actor Jake Foy is making waves for playing the openly gay cowboy Tuff McMurray on Hallmark's newest western series, Ride. Earlier this year, he announced his engagement to longtime boyfriend Nicolas La Traverse.
Jonathan Bennett
Dubbed by The Advocate's sister publication Out as the "gay king of Christmas," Jonathan Bennett has starred in some of the Hallmark Channel's most beloved holiday films. In 2022, he played the lead inThe Holiday Sitter, Hallmark's first LGBTQ-led Christmas movie.
Donia Kash
Donia Kash made television history as the first openly nonbinary actor to star in a Hallmark film, playing Suzette in 2022's The Secrets Of Bella Vista. They are also a director, writer, producer, and trained martial artist.
Brad Harder
Hallmark loves their Canadian men. Alberta native Brad Harder is an out actor known especially for The Christmas House series, in which he and Jonathan Bennett played the first married gay couple in Hallmark history.
Ali Liebert
The multitalented (and proudly out) Ali Liebert has both acted in and directed projects for Hallmark, and she helmed the groundbreaking gay Christmas movie The Holiday Sitter. Most recently, she starred in Three Wise Men and a Baby.
George Krissa
Another Canadian star who appeared in 2022's The Holiday Sitter, George Krissa is a classically trained singer and actor. He made his Hallmark debut that same year in Road Trip Romance.
Juan Pablo Di Pace
In 2019, Argentine actor Juan Pablo Di Pace made headlines for publicly coming out during a TedX talk in the Netherlands. He played Marcelo in Hallmark's Raise a Glass to Love in 2021.
Kyle Dean Massey
Kyle Dean Massey is a decorated Broadway star who brought his magic to Hallmark's A Merry Christmas Match in 2019. He and his actor husband Taylor Frey have starred in several films together.
Victor Rodriguez III stars opposite Jonathan Bennett in Christmas on Cherry Lane. Rodriguez and Bennett play one of three couples on Cherry Lane whose lives are changed by the holidays. Rodriguez and Bennett's characters host two-dozen guests for Christmas dinner despite the fact that their kitchen is being remodeled. Let the mayham begin!
