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Is Andrew Garfield Gay or Straight? Spider-Man's Sexuality
Cinema 5 min read

Andrew Garfield Clarifies His Sexuality and His Vision for a Queer Spider-Man

Anup Pandey
Published Aug 29, 2026
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Andrew Garfield has long faced speculation about his sexuality, fueled by his willingness to play complex queer roles and a few memorable public comments. The British-American actor, best known for The Social Network, the Amazing Spider-Man films, and stage work like Angels in America, has addressed the topic directly more than once. His clearest statements leave little ambiguity about how he identifies.

In a 2018 interview with Out magazine while promoting his role as Prior Walter in Angels in America, Garfield said: “Up until this point, I’ve only been sexually attracted to women.” He added that he approaches life with openness—“I have an openness to any impulses that may arise within me at any time”—but concluded, “if I were to identify, I would identify as heterosexual.”

Earlier remarks in 2017, when he described feeling like “a gay man right now, just without the physical act” while immersed in the play and watching RuPaul’s Drag Race, drew criticism and were later clarified by Garfield as taken out of context. He has consistently pointed back to heterosexual identification while expressing respect for fluid experiences and LGBTQ stories.

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Public Comments and Personal Life

Andrew Garfield’s known relationships align with his stated orientation. He dated his Amazing Spider-Man co-star Emma Stone from roughly 2011 to 2015. In recent years, he has been linked to actress Monica Barbaro; the pair have been photographed holding hands, sharing affectionate moments at events including Wimbledon and in Rome, and spending time together since early 2025.

Garfield remains highly private about his romantic life, repeatedly saying he will neither confirm nor deny details, though he has left open the distant possibility of speaking more freely if settled with a long-term partner and children. No public evidence shows him dating men. Rumors have occasionally flared from photos, playful red-carpet kisses with male co-stars, or his immersion in queer material for roles, but these have not overridden his own words.

The Spider-Man Suggestion

During promotion for The Amazing Spider-Man 2 in 2013, Garfield floated an idea in an Entertainment Weekly interview: “What if MJ is a dude? Why can’t we discover that Peter is exploring his sexuality? … So why can’t he be gay? Why can’t he be into boys?” He even mentioned Michael B. Jordan as a potential co-star for an interracial bisexual storyline. He later described the comment as partly philosophical and tongue-in-cheek, and noted studio pressure to walk it back.

In 2015, he expressed excitement about eventually seeing a pansexual Spider-Man, arguing the character’s masked nature invites broad identification. The idea never advanced in the films; Peter Parker remained written as straight. Garfield has framed the suggestion as a desire for greater representation and less rigid norms rather than a personal projection.

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In short, Andrew Garfield identifies as straight, has spoken of openness without claiming bisexuality or gay identity, and once publicly wondered whether Spider-Man could explore same-sex attraction on screen. His comments reflect curiosity about storytelling and empathy more than any shift in how he describes himself.

Anup Pandey

Anup Pandey is the Founder and CTO of Selectiveyes Group Private Limited, leveraging his expertise in SEO, WordPress, and Python to drive innovation. An entrepreneur at heart, he thrives on solving challenges and seizing opportunities. In his spare time, Anup explores his passion for cinema, sharing insights on the latest trends and developments. Follow his journey for expert commentary and captivating storytelling.

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