Pride Month: Our Favorite LGBTQ TV Characters
As we wrap up Pride month, we here at The TV Junkies wanted to take a look at our favorite LGBTQ characters, old and new. From the ones who were there at the very beginning, to the ones that are still keeping us on the edge of our seats today, we have come a long way since Ellen bravely said, “I’m gay” to an entire airport. Now we have characters all over, from network to streaming to cable. While we do have some growing to do when it comes to representation, we’ve come such a long way in the past two decades. To celebrate, here are our favorite LGBTQ characters that changed the game for representation on TV.
Of course there are so many LGBTQ characters that we couldn’t include them all. Have a favorite that wasn’t mentioned? Sound off in the comments below!
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About The Author
Megan Haas
Megan's TV addiction began with Gilmore Girls. Television taught her everything, from how to survive on an island to how to get away with murder. She will talk TV all day and every day. Follow on twitter @meggh11
I enjoyed the list overall, but I do have a question, why are Nicole Haught and Waverly Earp and Clarke Griffin and Lexa paired together as a couple while every other list maker is individualized? You have Felix and Cosima both from “Orphan Black” but they aren’t listed together, I know they aren’t a couple so that has a factor but they’re from the same show so why aren’t they combined or Nicole, Waverly, Clarke, and Lexa listed as individuals.
To me they certainly warrant their own pages; they’re great as couples don’t get me wrong, but they’re also individuals who deserve spotlight as well. Nicole for example is great on her own for being more than just Waverly’s girlfriend, yes in the back episodes she’s been more girlfriend than inquisitive cop/Dolls’ and Wynonna’s new BFF but she did get moments where her story was more than just who she was dating and that was great to see. Nicole also feels special when it comes to love interests in that she’s open to Waverly but she’s not going to be pushy about her hooking up with her; not since Holly Stewart have I seen that organic slow build.
Waverly while adorable with Nicole also has her own great drama going on in discovering who she is and how that’s being responded to by various characters. Waverly is also a highly visable queer character on her series which is a plus for her outside of her relationship; like Gail Peck she’s not the lead of the series, but she’s definitely a character who gets more screen time than her peers arguably and that’s a plus for representation.
Clarke is the lead of her series, something which hasn’t been seen since Bo from “Lost Girl” (who should totally be on the list along with Lauren by the way; and Delphine from “Orphan Black” but that’s just me. Also how is Shaw not on this?!); her relationship with Lexa definitely made her a better person but still she’s an interesting character outside of her relationship. Lexa is a teenage leader who successfully brought together 12 different clans, she doesn’t ask anyone to do anything she herself wouldn’t, and while she too was bettered by relationship with Clarke it still isn’t the factor which defines her.
I may be over thinking the coupling choice, but I just found it odd these four characters were paired while others weren’t despite there being two other characters on the list from the same show.
How could you not have Willow from Buffy the Vampire Slayer?! Or Jack from Dawson’s Creek?
Everyone on this list are amazing, but you totally forgot Bo and Lauren from Lost Girl!