Openly Gay Billy Eichner Says He Was Once Blind to Homophobia - Who's His Partner?

Billy Eichner is a role model to the LGBTQ+ community, channeling his real self in every interview and inspiring people worldwide to accept themselves. He claims to be on terms with his orientation from a young age.

Admittedly, Eichner knew he differed from others and found nothing wrong with that. But as a kid with a unique inclination, he was still blind to homophobia.

As he grew up in New York, went to Stuyvesant High School, and lived life on his terms, he didn't know that people with different orientations could suffer from prejudice and resentment.

The Billy on the Street host gushed about his opinion on homophobia during an interview with PBS in 2016. Stating he was blind to such topics in his childhood, he maintained being gay was not that big of a deal for him.

He also shared that people asking him if coming out of the closet was a conscious choice was like asking him if being white was his choice. 

Now that Eichner knows homophobia exists, he uses social media to raise his voice against it. And the New York native also fights against all sorts of social issues like racism and misogyny. 

On Playing Gay Characters 

As an actor, Eichner has portrayed gay characters on screen. 

He played Billy Epstein in Hulu's series Difficult People from 2015 to 2017. His character and Todd, played by John Cho, had sizzling on-screen chemistry in the drama. 

The next project where he will portray a gay role is in the upcoming show, Bros. Directed by Nicholas Stoller, Bros is the first drama of Universal Studios to feature gay romance. Its release on the scheduled date of August 12, 2022, will make Eichner the first gay man to co-write and star in a major studio film. 

The Difficult People actor took to Twitter and Instagram to announce the movie's release date on March 5, 2021. He then mocked homophobia present in Hollywood and wrote that it took only "100 years" to release a typical romance-defying movie. 

Eichner has always been vocal about homophobia persisting in Hollywood. "I hear people talking about diversity and inclusion, but I often see gay people left out of those conversations," he told Variety in 2019. 

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Is Billy Eichner Dating? 

Eichner seems to be single as of now. His social media accounts, filled with his work updates, are void of any hints at his relationship status.

That being said, the 42-year-old was previously linked with his college roommate Robin Taylor.

Eichner and Taylor met in the Sophomore year at Northwestern University and became inseparable. From going to the mall, shopping, watching movies, to hitting gay bars together, they enjoyed each other's company. 

They even stayed together after graduation and started a comedy talk show, Creation Nation. Robin was the man behind the camera of Eichner's first videos of Billy on the Street. 

Because of their friendship and the fact that they are gay, many speculated if they were dating. However, far from being romantic partners, they are only friends.