The Incredible Story of William Haines, Hollywood's First Openly Gay Star

Long before Hollywood started discussing representation and diversity, an actor was already facing the film industry's strict rules for refusing to hide who they really were. That man was William Haines. During the 1920s and 1930s, Haines became one of the biggest stars in American cinema. Handsome, charismatic and extremely popular, he regularly appeared among the studios' most profitable actors and was considered one of the main celebrities of the time. However, his path took an unexpected turn when Hollywood executives demanded that he end his relationship with his partner, Jimmy Shields. At that time, the big studios controlled virtually every aspect of their artists' lives. Weddings were organized for public image purposes and scandals were carefully hidden. Haines was given an ultimatum: abandon her relationship or lose her career. His response was historic. Instead of giving up the man he loved, he chose to remain by Shields' side. As a result, his career as a movie star was practically ended by the studios. Despite professional persecution, William Haines never regretted his decision. The couple remained together for decades, becoming one of the longest-lasting relationships in Hollywood history. After leaving the screen, Haines built an extremely successful career as an interior designer, working for some of the biggest stars in the entertainment industry. Today, her story is seen as an extraordinary example of personal courage at a time when publicly admitting one's sexuality could mean the end of one's career.