James Franco graces Candy magazine cover in drag

The 32-year-old multi-talented actor, who has been battling gay rumors for years, is currently starring in 'Howl,' which opened summer 2010 at Outfest Film Festival.

Speculation about his own sexual orientation
James is known for his high-profile gay roles, including Sean Penn's gay lover in ‘Milk’ and legendary gay poet Allen Ginsberg in ‘Howl.’

The actor has taken on gay roles onscreen and championed LGBT causes off-screen, which led many to speculate about his sexual orientation.

The photo is taken by celebrity photographer Terry Richardson for Candy Magazine, “the first transversal style magazine.”

James appears like beauty queen on Candy mag cover
Now giving people one more reason to think “is he or isn’t he?,” James is gracing the cover of transgender magazine Candy this month, donning the drag, according to New York Daily News.

On the mag’s cover, James appears in a woman’s black tuxedo jacket, with shiny black gloves and a cigarette clutched between two fingers. His hair is slicked back, and his eyes are slathered with bright blue eyeshadow & mascara; and big, black eyelashes. His lips are smothered with cherry red lipstick, and his cheeks have a rosy hue.

Some seriously gaudy heart earrings dangle from his ears and a gold choker hugs his neck.

The photo is taken by celebrity photographer Terry Richardson for Candy Magazine, “the first transversal style magazine.”

Candy’s second edition
The magazine’s cover reads "Viva Franco," touting work done by Richardson.

The latest issue, which also will feature models impersonating Lady Gaga, Amy Winehouse, Barbra Streisand, won’t be out until Oct. 24, and there are only 1,000 copies.

This would be Candy's second issue. The first edition came out last year with a limited run of 1,000 copies.

On its Facebook page, the magazine describes itself as “the first fashion magazine ever completely dedicated to celebrating transvestism, transexuality, cross dressing and androgyny, in all its manifestations.”

About the multi-talented star
James Edward Franco (born April 19, 1978) is an American actor, director, screenwriter, film producer, and artist. He began acting during the late 1990s, appearing on the short-lived television series Freaks and Geeks and starring in several teen films.

In 2001, he played the title role in Mark Rydell's television biographical film James Dean, which earned him a Golden Globe for Best Actor.

James has appeared in mostly serious films like 'Annapolis,' 'Sonny,' 'City by the Sea,' 'Flyboys,' 'The Dead Girl' and 'Tristan and Isolde' in recent years.

James has reportedly been quietly dating actress Ahna O'Reilly for five years.