OUT100: Jonathan Van Ness, John Roberts, Josh Thomas & Gabe Liedman

Photography by JUCO | Retouching by Anna Glen at Wet Noodle

The Moment: October 14, 1968: Paul Lynde is made "center square" on Hollywood Squares, which featured other gay comedians like Wayland Flowers (and his puppet sidekick, Madame).

Though voiced by a gay man, Linda Belcher from Fox's Bob's Burgers is probably TV's most accurate current portrayal of a mother -- and it's all thanks to John Roberts's (top right) approximation of his own mom's voice and mannerisms. His show won a 2014 Emmy for Best Animated Series, and his mom, Marge, was by his side at the ceremony. Another Fox comedy, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, can thank writer-actor Gabe Liedman (bottom right) for churning out many of its punch lines, while the indie hit Obvious Child was boosted by his priceless chemistry with star (and his bestie) Jenny Slate. Aussie Josh Thomas (bottom left) has tackled penis size, manscaping, and mental illness on his Pivot series Please Like Me, but the semi-autobiographical show, an off-kilter portrait of millennial awkwardness, is most notable for making its hero's sexual orientation an afterthought. Meanwhile, Jonathan Van Ness (top left) deals in dissection (and hair-flipping) on Gay of Thrones, his weekly Funny or Die recap show on HBO's hottest series. Even George R.R. Martin popped in for a spell.

Photographed at the Forge, Los Angeles on August 18 and 19, 2014

Styling by Kyle Blackmon. Prop stylist: Greg Garry. Groomer: Tara Jean Mann. Suit, shirt, and tie by Topman (Roberts and Madame Puppet). Suit, Shirt, and tie by Topman (Liedman)

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