Homosexuality is making huge waves in Hollywood. Yes, American Idol finalist Clay Aiken is gay. So is Lindsay Lohan. Today, celebrities are coming out of the closet left and right, following the footsteps of Ellen DeGeneres, Elton John, Ian McKellen, et al.

Thus it is hardly surprising that more and more movies that portray homosexuals are produced every year. While many of these movies are accepted by the general public, some spark heated debates. Here are some of the 10 of the most notable Hollywood gay films.

1. Philadelphia (1993)

Philadelphia revolves around homosexuality, HIV/AIDS, and the prevailing attitudes about gays and homophobia. The film was inspired by the story of an attorney who sued a law firm in 1987 for unfair dismissal. Directed by Jonathan Demme, it stars Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, and Antonio Banderas.

2. Brokeback Mountain (2006)

One of the most controversial Hollywood films in recent years, Brokeback Mountain is a raw and powerful story of a secretive relationship and forbidden love between two cowboys in the American West and their lives from 1963 to 1983. The film was based on Annie Proulx's short story of the same title.

3. My Own Private Idaho (1991)

Loosely based on William Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part 1, this film follows Mike and Scott as they set out on a journey of personal discovery. The trip that takes them to Idaho and then to Italy, searching for Mike's mother.

4. Love! Valor! Compassion! (1997)

This film is an adaptation by Terrence McNally of his play of the same title. It revolves around eight homosexual men who gather for three weekends in a sylvan lake. They compare lesions and talk in witty, but depressing terms about their difficulties, problems, and their AIDS medication regimens.

5. To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar (1995)

This film starring Patrick Swayze, John Leguizamo, and Wesley Snipes is about three New York drag queens on a road trip. The title of the film refers to an autographed photo of Julie Newmar that they carry with them on their journey.

6. The Birdcage (1996)

What if your parents are both gay and you have to introduce them to your fiancé's ultramoralist parents? In The Birdcage, the gay parents put up a false straight to meet the family of their son's fiancé. Directed by Mike Nichols, it stars Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, Gene Hackman, Dianne Wiest, and Calista Flockhart.

7. Parting Glances (1986)

The film is about a gay couple in their late 20s who live in New York City. An ex-boyfriend has AIDS. Its realistic take at the urban gay life in the 1980s makes it one of the most important films in the Hollywood gay cinema's history.

8. Shortbus (2006)

Shortbus takes an intimate look at a group of emotionally and sexually challenged individuals who are desperately trying to connect with people around them. The characters converge weekly on a Brooklyn artistic/sexual/bohemian bar partly inspired by many underground New York City gatherings that took place in the early 2000s.

9. Latter Days (2003)

This film is a romantic drama that tells the story of a relationship between an openly gay man and his closeted Mormon missionary neighbor. Latter Days was written and directed by Jay Cox.

10. Eating Out (2004)

After getting dumped by his kinky girlfriend Tiffani, Caleb falls in love with Gwen. But thanks to Kyle, Caleb's roommate, Gwen thinks he is gay. She then sets Caleb up with her roommate, Marc, who eventually falls in love with Kyle. The film's tagline is: "The fastest way to a girl's heart is through her gay best friend."