We’re coming towards the end of LGBT history month. Society is continually progressing towards equality. And some of the small steps have been recorded along the way. In order to celebrate this month properly, lets recap some shows which dedicated space for LGBT characters. And remind ourselves why representation is so important.
Orange Is The New Black
Orange Is The New Black has one of the most diverse casts. Not only is the main character, Piper, an openly bisexual woman. But the show is filled with fascinatingly complex queer characters. We explore the journeys and hardships of these characters. The show can be commended for casting LGBT actors, such as Laverne Cox, and Lea DeLaria. Two unapologetic and strong women who are rightfully and importantly represented.
American Horror Story
American Horror Story has countless gay characters. Unlike a lot of tv shows, they’re multi-dimensional and essential to plot lines. The entire second season focuses on ‘Lana Winters’ a journalist who’s committed to an asylum and has her sexuality used against her.
Queer characters are integral in American Horror Story, and the show wouldn’t be the same without them.
The L Word
The L Word was groundbreaking and shocking when it first aired. The show follows a group of bisexual and lesbian women in California. The show was extremely important for the depiction of queer women on screen. Instead of casting lesbian and bisexual women as unimportant side characters, the show fully embraced them as the central plot.
Glee
Ryan Murphy’s teen musical-comedy-drama was a big success. The show, aimed at a young audience, was extremely important for LGBT representation. They embraced LGBT plot lines, and tackled relevant subjects such as homophobia and the struggles of coming out.
Friends
Friends has been criticised for underlying homophobia and rigid views on gender. But Carol and Susan’s ceremony was the first LGBT wedding to be televised. Of course at the time it wasn’t legally recognised, but it was an important step towards it holding the same value as heterosexual marriage. The scene was so controversial among a 90’s audience that it was banned. But the attention and press was vital in starting conversations. And the show rightfully won awards for it.
Grace & Frankie
Grace and Frankie is so refreshing as it focuses on older people’s experiences with queer relationships. This demographic is often ignored. However, for struggling LGBT youth, it’s important to see older queer people in happy and functioning relationships.
Ellen
While Ellen isn’t exactly a binge-worthy watch, it’s important to acknowledge groundbreaking and historic events. Ellen became the first lead character to announce that she was gay. The episode had enormous impact on the LGBTQ+ community as well as the rest of society.
Modern Family
Modern Family changed the perception of typical family life by portraying different types of families. One of which is a gay couple raising an adopted child together. The show encourages its audience to think about the different families out there by portraying complex and loveable queer characters.
It’s A Sin
It’s A Sin explores the lives of a group of gay men in the UK. The show focuses on the juxtaposition of queer freedom and the devastating affects of the HIV/Aids epidemic. It importantly represents how the lives of the queer community were forever changed by the virus.
The shows mentioned are just a few of many that have impacted the LGBT community. The representation is important on both a large and small scale. Queer youth can continually identify through these characters. Not to mention how accepted and regressive views can be changed through complex LGBT characters.
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