When you’ve been in the spotlight since you were a literal child, people start to feel like they own a piece of your personal life. Gaten Matarazzo knows this better than most. The Stranger Things star has spent a decade playing Dustin Henderson, the lovable, curly-haired glue of the Hawkins gang, and during that time, the internet has done what it does best: speculated.
One of the most frequent questions popping up in search bars is: is Gaten Matarazzo gay? It's a question that usually comes from a mix of genuine curiosity, a misunderstanding of his close-knit friendships, and his vocal support for the LGBTQ+ community. But if you're looking for a simple "yes" or "no" based on facts, the answer is pretty straightforward. Gaten Matarazzo is not gay. He has been in a high-profile, committed relationship with his girlfriend, Elizabeth "Lizzy" Yu, for nearly eight years.
The Reality of Gaten's Long-Term Relationship
Honestly, it’s kind of wild how long these two have been together. In an industry where "long-term" often means six months, Gaten and Lizzy are the exception. They started dating in March 2018 when they were both just 15 years old.
Think back to what you were doing at 15. Most of us were struggling through algebra, not navigating global fame on a hit Netflix series. Gaten and Lizzy basically grew up together while the world watched.
Lizzy Yu isn't just "the girlfriend," either. She’s a powerhouse in her own right, recently starring as Princess Azula in the live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender and appearing in the critically acclaimed film May December. In November 2025, the couple made headlines again when they walked the red carpet for the Stranger Things 5 premiere in London. They looked solid. Calm. Like a couple that has already survived the hardest parts of being young and famous.
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They live together in New York City with their cats. Gaten often posts about her on Instagram, once captioning an anniversary post with a blunt, "Five years. Holy s---." By 2026, they’ve officially hit the seven-year mark, making them one of the most stable couples in young Hollywood.
Why Do People Keep Asking If He's Gay?
If he’s been with the same woman for almost a decade, why does the "is Gaten Matarazzo gay" rumor persist?
It usually boils down to a few specific things:
- His Professional Roles: Gaten comes from a heavy Broadway background. He’s performed in Les Misérables, Dear Evan Hansen, and Sweeney Todd. There is a tired, old-fashioned stereotype that men in musical theater must be gay. It’s a lazy assumption, but it’s one that sticks to male performers.
- Vocal Allyship: Gaten doesn't just "tolerate" the LGBTQ+ community; he actively champions it. In late 2025, he gave a powerful interview to Attitude magazine. He pushed back against the idea that queer people "didn't exist" in the 1980s (the setting of Stranger Things), famously saying, "It didn't happen to you because nobody felt comfortable telling you." When a straight actor speaks with that much conviction about queer history, people sometimes mistake the passion for personal identity.
- The Noah Schnapp Connection: Gaten’s co-star and close friend Noah Schnapp came out as gay in early 2023. Because the cast is so tight-knit and often appears together in "best friend" style content, some fans projected Noah’s journey onto the rest of the group.
Navigating the "Byler" and Fan Theory Rabbit Hole
If you spend any time on TikTok or Reddit, you’ll see the "Byler" shippers—fans who desperately want Will Byers and Mike Wheeler to end up together. Gaten is often asked about these theories in interviews.
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He’s always been respectful, but he’s also a realist. In early 2026, he mentioned in a GQ interview that while he loves the fan engagement, the show has "so much ground to cover" that not every fan theory can come true.
Some fans interpret his nuanced takes on queer representation as "coded" language about his own life. But Gaten has been very clear. He views himself as an ally. He sees the importance of characters like Robin Buckley (played by Maya Hawke) and the evolution of Steve Harrington as a "safe space" for her. He’s proud of the show’s inclusivity, but he’s never claimed that identity for himself.
Setting the Record Straight (Literally)
It's important to remember that Gaten has dealt with a lot of public scrutiny regarding his physical appearance due to Cleidocranial Dysplasia (CCD), a rare genetic condition. He’s used to people talking about him.
But when it comes to his sexuality, the evidence is all in the public record.
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- He has been dating Elizabeth Yu since 2018.
- They attended junior and senior prom together.
- They currently share a home and life in NYC.
- He has never identified as anything other than heterosexual in any public forum.
The internet is a giant game of telephone. One person asks a question, another person misinterprets an interview, and suddenly a "rumor" becomes a "fact" in the minds of thousands.
What This Means for Fans
So, what should you take away from this?
First, Gaten Matarazzo is a rare example of a child star who seems to have his head on straight. He’s maintained a healthy, long-term relationship while working on one of the biggest shows in history.
Second, being a vocal ally doesn’t change someone’s orientation. Gaten’s defense of the LGBTQ+ community is a sign of his character, not a "hint" about his private life. He's just a guy who cares about his friends and the history of the world he’s portraying on screen.
If you’re following Gaten’s career as Stranger Things wraps up and he moves into more film and theater roles, keep your eyes on his work. Whether he’s singing on Broadway or fighting demogorgons, he’s proven that he’s more interested in the craft than the gossip.
To stay updated on Gaten’s actual life and upcoming projects, you can follow his verified social media accounts or check out the final season of Stranger Things on Netflix. Avoid the tabloid clickbait and stick to his own words—they’re usually a lot more interesting anyway.