#24: Billy Haines’ Courageous Stand on Truth

Billy Haines was Hollywood’s first openly gay leading man, a rare trailblazer in an era of secrecy. His charm and talent made him a star, but when a powerful studio executive demanded he enter a sham marriage to protect his image, he refused.

The decision cost him his film career but not his legacy. Reinventing himself, Haines became one of Hollywood’s most sought-after interior designers, transforming the homes of stars like Joan Crawford and Lucille Ball.