Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett and Jaymes Vaughan are more than just a handsome Hollywood couple—they’re a modern queer love story redefining what it means to build a life together, one joyful tradition at a time.
From Interview to “I Do”
Their journey began in 2016 when Vaughan, then a TV host, interviewed Bennett to promote Halloween Wars.Bennett later revealed that he felt an immediate connection, asking a producer, “Am I about to meet my future husband?”Vaughan, on the other hand, felt a spark during a photo they took together.
The couple got engaged in 2020, with Vaughan composing and performing an original song for the proposal.They married in March 2022 in a beachside ceremony in Mexico, surrounded by 104 friends and family members.
Crafting New Traditions
Bennett and Vaughan have been intentional about creating traditions that reflect their unique bond.They designed custom engagement rings with Kay Jewelers, featuring diamonds that face outward during engagement and inward after marriage, symbolizing their shared journey.
They’re making new memories on trips like they did this Memorial Day weekend to Palm Springs. Jonathan sported a fiery, red speedo and even posted to Instagram, “Got into my husband’s swimsuit drawer.” To which his husband commented, “I zoomed.” Perhaps a new tradition in the making?
Beyond their personal life, the couple co-founded OUTbound, an LGBTQ+ travel company aimed at creating safe and inclusive experiences for queer travelers.Professionally, they’ve collaborated on various projects, including integrating Vaughan’s music into Bennett’s Hallmark films.
Their relationship is grounded in mutual support and authenticity.Bennett has shared that being with Vaughan allows him to be unapologetically himself, a sentiment echoed by those close to them.
A Love Story for the Ages
Jonathan Bennett and Jaymes Vaughan exemplify a partnership built on love, creativity, and shared values.Their story serves as an inspiration, illustrating how love can be both a personal journey and a beacon for broader community representation.
The 36th Annual GLAAD Media Awards celebrated LGBTQ+ representation and achievement across media, with winners announced in 33 categories. Hosted by Michael Urie, the ceremony featured live performances by country artist Tanner Adell and pop visionary Jake Wesley Rogers. Special remarks were made by prominent figures such as Jonathan Bennett, Raquel Chevremont, and Hannah Einbinder, while the evening also honored Cynthia Erivo with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award for her advocacy work in the LGBTQ+ community.
‘Hacks’ winning Outstanding Comedy Series at the 36th GLAAD Media Awards. Photo: Getty Images
Outstanding Music Artist Doechii, for Alligator Bites Never Heal (Top Dawg Entertainment/Capitol Records), won the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Music Artist. The award was presented by Lil Nas X and Maren Morris.
Outstanding Film – Streaming or TV The Groomsmen: Second Chances (Hallmark) took home the award for Outstanding Film – Streaming or TV, presented by Brandon Scott Jones and Nico Santos.
Outstanding Documentary
The GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Documentary was presented to Will & Harper (Netflix), with Jay Shetty and Marissa Bode giving the honor.
Outstanding Reality Program – Competition RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV) won for Outstanding Reality Program – Competition. The award was presented by Dylan Efron.
Outstanding Reality Program The Real Housewives of New York City (Bravo) was recognized with the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Reality Program. The award was also presented by Dylan Efron.
Outstanding New Series Agatha All Along (Disney+) earned the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding New Series. Cooper Koch presented the award.
Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series Baby Reindeer (Netflix) won the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series. Cooper Koch presented the award to the cast.
Outstanding Podcast Baby, This Is Keke Palmer (Wondery) received the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Podcast. The award was presented by Ana Ortiz, Becki Newton, Michael Urie, and Mark Indelicato.
Outstanding Drama Series 9-1-1: Lone Star (Fox) was awarded Outstanding Drama Series. Lisa Ann Walter and William Stanford Davis presented the honor.
Outstanding Comedy Series Hacks (Max) earned the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comedy Series. Joshua Jackson presented the award.
Offstage Video Reel Winners
In addition to the onstage awards, the following winners were announced in an offstage video reel:
Outstanding Film – Wide Theatrical Release My Old Ass (Amazon MGM Studios)
Outstanding Film – Limited Theatrical Release Crossing (MUBI)
Outstanding Children’s Programming The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish (Nickelodeon)
Outstanding Kids & Family Programming or Film – Live Action Heartstopper (Netflix)
Outstanding Kids & Family Programming or Film – Animated Jurassic World: Chaos Theory (Netflix)
Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist
Durand Bernarr (DSing Records)
Outstanding Broadway Production (TIE) Lempicka (book by Carson Kreitzer, music by Matt Gould, lyrics by Carson Kreitzer) Oh, Mary! (by Cole Escola)
Outstanding Video Game Dragon Age: The Veilguard (BioWare / Electronic Arts)
Outstanding Comic Book Suicide Squad: Dream Team by Nicole Maines (DC Comics)
Outstanding Original Graphic Novel/Anthology Becoming Who We Are: Real Stories About Growing Up Trans [anthology] (A Wave Blue World)
Outstanding Variety or Talk Show Episode “Elliot Page Talks Season 4 of ‘The Umbrella Academy,’ Fighting Anti-LGBTQ Legislation” (The View, ABC)
Outstanding TV Journalism Segment “Big Gay Football” (CBS Sports, CBS)
Outstanding TV Journalism – Long-Form “The Life and Death of Blaze Bernstein” (48 Hours, CBS)
Outstanding Live TV Journalism – Segment or Special “Sarah McBride reflects on Becoming First Openly Transgender Person Elected To Congress” (PBS NewsHour, PBS)
Outstanding Print Article
“‘Changing The Narrative’: Advocates Fight HIV Stigma in Dallas’ Latino Community” by Abraham Nudelstejer (The Dallas Morning News)
Outstanding Magazine Overall Coverage The Advocate
Outstanding Online Journalism Article
“Friends Remember Nex Benedict, Oklahoma Student Who Died After School Fight, as ‘Fiery Kid’” by Jo Yurcaba (NBCNews.com)
Outstanding Online Journalism – Video or Multimedia
“Rainbow Girls: 10 Years of Protection and Prejudice” (The Picture Show, NPR.org)
Outstanding Independent Journalism The 19th
Spanish-Language Categories
The following awards were presented in the Spanish-language categories:
Outstanding Scripted Television Series El Secreto del Río (Netflix)
Outstanding TV Journalism “Más Allá de los Pronombres” (Noticias Telemundo Colorado, Telemundo Colorado)
Outstanding Online Journalism Article “Jóvenes latinos gay ven un porcentaje creciente de nuevos casos de VIH en EEUU” by Devna Bose, Laura Bargfeld, Phillip Reese, and Vanessa G. Sánchez (APNews.com, KFFHealthNews.org & Univision.com)
Outstanding Online Journalism – Video or Multimedia “La Investigadora que Buscaba su Identidad” by Natalia Orozco, Cristina Gleinig, and Carlos Delgado (Fuerza Latina – DW Español)
Special Recognition Awards
GLAAD presented Special Recognition awards to the following projects and organizations:
DRAG: The Musical
La Verdrag (Canal Once)
OUTLOUD
Red Ink: A Tribute to Cecilia Gentili
The Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center
The Q Agenda (LatiNation)
WNBA 2024 Champions: The New York Liberty
Barbara Gittings Award for Excellence in LGBTQ Media Q.Digital received the Barbara Gittings Award for its ongoing commitment to LGBTQ+ media excellence.
Streaming Details
The 36th GLAAD Media Awards will stream exclusively on Hulu starting April 12, giving fans the chance to relive the celebration of LGBTQ+ achievement and excellence in media.
For a complete list of winners and nominees, visit the official GLAAD website.
Luke Macfarlane, the Canadian actor best known for his role on Brothers & Sisters and his Hallmark rom-coms, is embracing a new chapter in his career. The 45-year-old star is revealing more about himself—both personally and professionally—as he steps into a new role as host of Home Is Where the Heart Is, a home renovation show that premieres March 20 on Hallmark Plus.
In a recent photo shoot for Out magazine, Macfarlane checked a few personal boxes—literally. The actor wanted to be outdoors, get dirty, and, yes, even submerge himself in a stream. The photo shoot, held on a picturesque day in Malibu, saw him digging, working with a shovel, and embracing nature. Macfarlane says his inspiration for the shoot stemmed from a childhood spent outdoors. “I remember being a kid when you’re by yourself and you just felt a little wild, a little free,” he recalls.
Photo: John Russo for Out
The shoot marked a personal moment for Macfarlane, who typically keeps his physique under wraps in public. “I’m not gonna look this way forever,” he admits. “Why do I go to the gym if I don’t show it?” With a playful push against his friends’ teasing that he’s “sometimes a little bit stiff,” he embraced his “inner hippie” side during the photoshoot. For Macfarlane, it’s all about presenting a more authentic side of himself.
This new openness aligns with his latest venture on Home Is Where the Heart Is. As an executive producer and host, Macfarlane teams up with designer Olivia Westbrooks to help families transform their homes. His love of carpentry, which began in his childhood and was nurtured by his father, takes center stage in the series. Macfarlane reflects on his father’s craftsmanship, describing how his dad “completely rebuilt” their childhood home. “Woodworking was an act of love,” Macfarlane says, and that same sentiment continues to shape his own passion for building and restoring.
Photo: John Russo for Out
On the show, Macfarlane crafts custom wood pieces for each family he works with. In the first episode, he creates a door for a children’s nook under the stairs, a charming gift he presents to the family. “Do you know what they call sawdust? Carpenter fairy dust,” he jokes during one scene, fully embracing his “hands-on” approach to the craft.
For Macfarlane, the show offers a platform to share a more personal side of himself. Despite any public assumptions about his masculinity, particularly regarding his passion for woodworking, he emphasizes that this is no publicity stunt. “This is a very true, authentic piece of myself,” he asserts. “And it comes from a real place.”
The Hallmark Channel has played a significant role in Macfarlane’s career, allowing him to expand beyond the romantic roles he is known for. Since his first Hallmark film, The Memory Book, in 2014, the actor has continued to evolve, even portraying an openly gay character in 2023’s Notes of Autumn. “They’ve let me play an out gay man on their network,” Macfarlane says, acknowledging the channel’s support as he navigates his changing career.
Photo: John Russo for Out
Macfarlane’s latest projects reflect his broadening horizons. He’s slated to star in the young-adult zombie film This Is Not a Test and has returned for the second season of Platonic on Apple TV. Known for his diverse roles, Macfarlane admires actors like Bradley Cooper and Timothée Chalamet for their ability to juggle different genres and artistic pursuits.
Beyond his professional milestones, Macfarlane’s personal life has also undergone a significant transformation. He and his partner, former professional skier Hig Roberts, became parents in June 2023 with the birth of their daughter, Tess. Parenthood has profoundly impacted Macfarlane, nurturing qualities of compassion and patience that have deepened his relationships. “I’m so much more loving and compassionate with other people,” he reflects.
Despite his evolving public persona, Macfarlane remains rooted in his values. He credits his upbringing and faith for grounding him in times of personal and political upheaval. “I just wish people would operate a little bit more from, ‘How was the other person feeling?’” he says, addressing the current political divide. “That’s something that I’ve learned from scripture. It’s not about demanding results; it’s about understanding each other.”
In Home Is Where the Heart Is, Macfarlane seeks to connect with viewers not just through renovation, but through his philosophy on home and family. He believes that a home has a soul and should reflect its history. “We don’t always represent ourselves with the same intentionality in our homes as we do with our clothes,” he says, underscoring his belief in honoring a space’s past while crafting something new.
As he continues to evolve as both a public figure and a father, Macfarlane remains grateful for the community that has supported him throughout his career. “I’m lucky to belong to a community that is interested in how I’m developing,” he says. “And I hope you’re just as interested in my life now as you were when I was 22 years old.”
With his career entering a new phase, Macfarlane is embracing his passions for woodworking, acting, and fatherhood. Whether on screen or at home, he’s proving that it’s never too late to share new sides of yourself—and never too late to get your hands dirty.
As the temperatures begin to drop, (as low as they can get here in LA), it’s time to curl up with a mug of hot cocoa and watch a cheesy Christmas movie. Bonus points if it’s Yuletide-ly gay. No worries if you’re unsure what to watch; we’ve curated the best gay holiday rom-coms for 2023. Let’s dive in!
Friends & Family Christmas
Starring queer actors Humberly González and Ali Liebert, Friends & Family Christmas is another Hallmark original. It’s photographer meets lawyer meets fake dating to get their parents off their back. And we can’t wait!
“Daniella and Amelia agree to pretend they’re dating to appease their respective parents during the holidays. However, as they spend more time together, they start to build a connection that’s deeper than either of them could have hoped for.”
It premieres on Hallmark on December 17.
Hallmark
Christmas on Cherry Lane
Jonathan Bennett is back as the reigning holiday King. In this film, he stars alongside Vincent Rodriguez III as a happy couple who are about to have a baby.
Christmas on Cherry Lane will premiere on Hallmark on December 9.
The Holiday Exchange
Who doesn’t love a queer take on the classic film, The Holiday?
“Wilde (Taylor Frey) must cope with vacationing as a bachelor, so he decides to swap houses on an LGBTQ app with Oliver (Rick Cosnett). In their efforts to escape their woes they end up meeting two locals who set romance on fire from LA to the charming town of Brilfax.”
This film has no release date yet, but we are counting down the days anyway!
A Holiday I Do
Jane (Lindsey Hicks), a frazzled single mom managing her family’s horse farm, finds herself caught in a whirlwind of emotions during the elaborate holiday wedding of her ex-husband. Amidst a raging blizzard and unexpected surprises, Jane navigates an unexpected romance with the wedding planner, Sue (Rivkah Reyes), adding a delightful twist to the festive chaos. As the big day approaches, Jane relies on a touch of Christmas magic to untangle the mess and save her family’s farm.
While the plot of this Hallmark movie enters on a heterosexual romance, queer actor Luke Macfarlane (Bros) is all caught up in Christmas. Literally. He plays Santa Claus’ son, who runs into an aspiring news anchor (Italia Ricci) on his first Christmas mission.
Catch Me If You Claus will premiere on the Hallmark Channel on November 23.
It’s a Wonderful Knife
This one is a wild card. No, it’s not your usual fluffy, feel-good Christmas flick, but it does have a lot of heart! And a wonderful gay romance! And a terrifying serial killer. What more could you ask for?
Read the official movie synopsis below.
“Winnie’s life is less than wonderful one year after saving her town from a psychotic killer on Christmas Eve. When she wishes she was never born, she finds herself magically transported to a nightmarish parallel universe. With the murderous maniac now back, she must team up with a misfit to identify the culprit and get back to her own reality.”
It’s a Wonderful Knife is now playing in theaters.
