rights
Gay 1920s-era Hollywood star to be honored in Staunton, Va.
Summary by LGBTQ News Editorial Desk Lou Chibbaro Jr. , as published by Washington Blade
· June 11, 2026
· 1 min read
Photo: Washington Blade · view original
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by LGBTQ News Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Byline on source page Lou Chibbaro Jr., as published by Washington Blade Original story Read at the source Source published Jun 11, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
Every story comes with a passport. How we work · Corrections log
Key takeaway Haines' acting career came to an end around 1934 due to his refusal to hide his sexual orientation.
A project is underway in Staunton to recognize a notable figure from the city's past. William 'Billy' Haines, a Hollywood movie star, was born and raised in Staunton. He gained fame in the 1920s and early 1930s as an openly gay actor.
Haines' acting career came to an end around 1934 due to his refusal to hide his sexual orientation. For more information on the project to honor Haines, readers can refer to the Washington Blade. Further details about the project and its goals are available from the source, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the effort to acknowledge Haines' legacy in Staunton.
Why this matters
Local news anchors readers in their community — the people, places, and decisions that shape day-to-day life. LGBTQ News covers these stories because national outlets often won't.
About this story
As published by Washington Blade . LGBTQ News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Washington Blade . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: rights Published: June 11, 2026 Source: Washington Blade Reading time: 1 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A project is underway in Staunton to recognize a notable figure from the city's past. William 'Billy' Haines, a Hollywood movie star, was born and raised in Staunton. He gained fame in the 1920s and…
When was this published? This article was first published on June 11, 2026 by Washington Blade and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Lou Chibbaro Jr. at Washington Blade. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
