Gay characters
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Captain Holt (Brooklyn Nine-Nine)
As the no-nonsense captain of the 99th precinct, Raymond Holt (Andre Braugher) breaks stereotypes as an openly gay Black man in a position of authority. Rue Bennett (Euphoria)
Played by Zendaya, Rue is a complex and flawed teenager grappling with addiction.
Their love helps them both to grapple with their various struggles, and the show deserves a great deal of credit for exploring some of the more fraught territory associated with queer teenage life.
ABC
Roseannebroke barriers in a number of ways, and it’s worth pointing out that it also featured a senior citizen who also happened to be a lesbian.
Colin’s story is symbolic of the many struggles that LGBTQ+ athletes face as they try to keep their careers while also being honest and authentic with themselves. Her forbidden relationship with the young woman Therese is the heart and soul of the film, and though they have their difficulties, they ultimately manage to find their own form of happiness.
It’s also fitting that the show ends with them getting married and starting their life together.
CBC
Memorably and hilariously portrayed by Daniel Levy, David Rose is one of the primary protagonists of Schitt’s Creek. His storyline in Sense8 is a powerful exploration of love, acceptance, and the importance of living authentically.
Why Representation Matters
Each of these characters contributes to normalizing LGBTQ+ identities in mainstream media.
Lito Rodriguez (Sense8)
Lito is a gay actor navigating life in a world that often demands he hide his true self. In her series Soap, for example, she gave the character Jodie Dallas, one of the most notable gay characters of the 1970s and early 1980s. Here’s a look at ten of the most popular LGBTQ+ fictional characters who have inspired fans around the world.
1.
ABC
The character of Ellen Morgan looms large in the history of LGBTQ+ representation. Ennis remains a groundbreaking queer character in large part because his struggles are so similar to those of other rural LGBTQ+ people, both past and present. His dry humor and unwavering integrity make him a beloved character.
4.
By celebrating diversity, they pave the way for a future where everyone’s story is heard and valued.
The Little Mermaid has its fair share of certified LGBTQ+ icons, from Ursula, who was inspired by drag superstar Divine, to Sebastian, the young mermaid's "gay best friend." But the titular, feisty heroine holds special significance to a particularly marginalized group.
Writing for Marie Claire, Lindsey Romain says Ariel's story is the perfect analogy for the trans experience:
Ariel feels trapped in a body that's foreign to her... She surrounds herself with friends who are also considered outcasts.
Thanks to Ted Lasso’s general optimistic ethos, Colin finally gets his own slice of happiness. This film conveys the powerful message that Cold War LGBTQ+ life wasn’t always miserable and tragic; people found ways of surviving and thriving despite the oppressive culture around them.
Netflix
Heartstopperis in many ways the very definition of a feel-good show, with its sweet depiction of the high school romance of Nick and Charlie.
The character, who was memorably played by Ellen DeGeneres, came out in “The Puppy Episode,” which coincided with DeGeneres’ public coming out as gay.
Focus Features
Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain remains one of the director’s most heartbreaking films, and much of the film’s pathos stems from Heath Ledger’s performance as the tormented Ennis Del Mar.
Unlike Jake Gyllenhaal’s Jack Twist, Ennis struggles throughout the film to reconcile his love for Jack with the expectations their world has of men like him. He doesn’t feel complete until he rejoins the church that he left. Eric McCormack’s Will Truman is one of the most notable gay characters in TV history. Being groundbreaking often comes with a downside, which DeGeneres can attest to.
Early in the show’s run, it’s revealed that he is pansexual and that he is drawn to many types of people, regardless of their gender. Just as importantly, however, the show engages with the complexities of both characters. Her queerness is an integral part of her identity, and her romantic relationship with Jules adds depth and nuance to her story.