Pierce had long been reticent about speaking of his personal life. Fred Schruers of US magazine, who interviewed him in 1998, wrote that "if Niles is a gentleman who is really not that comfortable revealing his inner workings, well, . . . there are some similarities the actor just can't mask."

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Rumors of Pierce's homosexuality swirled for years, and as early as 2000, the web site Mr. Showbiz, which no longer exists, named Hargrove as his partner. Pierce deflected questions from the press about any romantic attachments that he might have by saying, "My life is an open book, but don't expect me to read it to you."

The openness of the book is debatable. Pierce surely did not follow the lead of Dan Butler, a supporting actor on Frasier, who came out publicly in 1994 and began speaking out in support of glbtq rights. On the other hand, Pierce was out to many in the entertainment industry, and hosted parties with Hargrove at their home in Los Angeles.

Pierce's first apparent public reference to his relationship with Hargrove came in a May 2007 interview with the Associated Press in which he stated that his move to California in the early 1990s had been prompted by Hargrove's wish to pursue a career in writing for television. Pierce identified Hargrove simply as his "partner," leaving open the possibility of a professional connection between the two men. Pierce's publicist subsequently confirmed that Pierce and Hargrove are a couple.

They had already been treated as such in the mainstream press. In August 2006 correspondent Shelby Hodge of the Houston Chronicle mentioned "a benefit piano recital by Stephen Hough, held in the 1920s Spanish Revival manse of David Hyde Pierce (Niles on 'Frasier') and Brian Hargrove."

Pierce is known for his charitable work, especially in the fight against Alzheimer's Disease, with which his grandfather and father were both afflicted. A national board member of the Alzheimer's Association, he has testified before Congress to urge increased federal spending for research to combat the disease.

He has also participated in fundraising events for AIDS charities, Habitat for Humanity, and for victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

In 2008, after the California Supreme Court ruled in favor of marriage equality, Pierce and Hargrove were married. A generous supporter of the campaign against Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage, Pierce took part in the protests that took place after the Proposition was passed by a slim margin.

In an interview explaining his participation in the protests, Pierce declared, "this is not about being gay. This is about having the basic right of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and having that put up for a vote, not only here in California but across the country, and that is just fundamentally not what this country is about."

American television sitcoms have consistently reflected the presence of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people, often in distorted and stereotyped ways, but occasionally in ways that acknowledge our humanity and complexity.

Although few gay actors have been permitted the luxury of openness, many of them have challenged and helped reconfigure notions of masculinity and, to a lesser extent, of homosexuality.

The musical has been a significant aspect of American gay male culture, manifesting itself both in diva worship and, more recently, in the presentation of openly gay characters and shows written by gay writers primarily for gay audiences.

Gay, lesbian, and bisexual actors and actresses are among the elite of contemporary theater, but only recently have many come out publicly.

Actor Dan Butler, best known for his portrayal of "Bulldog" Briscoe on the television comedy Frasier, not only came out as a gay man, but also authored and starred in the gay-themed play The Only Worse Thing You Could Have Told Me.

American pianist and singer Michael Feinstein has had a lifelong fascination with the popular music of the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s.

One of the most accomplished film actresses of her generation, Jodie Foster has been a glbtq icon for decades, though only recently has she obliquely acknowledged her lesbianism.

Child actor Neil Patrick Harris has made a successful transition to mature roles, showcasing his singing and dancing abilities along the way; he has also spoken out on behalf of glbtq causes.

Composer John Kander and lyricist Fred Ebb are the musical poets of the poymorphous perverse; their works glorify the creativity inherent in sexual ambivalence and celebrate unorthodox forms of political activism.

Best known for his work as a writer and producer for the hit television show Frasier, Joe Keenan is also the author of richly comic gay-themed novels.

As one of the key figures that western civilization has used to define itself, William Shakespeare stands in a complicated, fiercely contested relationship to homosexuality.