6 Groundbreaking and Inspirational LGBTQ+ Television Characters
Breaking stereotypes and advocating for broader representation of marginalized groups
LGBTQ+ people have been subjected to prejudice, discrimination, violence, and unequal treatment due to their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. While progress has been made in some regions to reduce this marginalization through advocacy, policy changes, and increased representation, challenges and disparities still exist for many LGBTQ+ individuals globally.
Representation in media has been essential for minorities and diverse communities. For example, this includes representation of non-white backgrounds and LGBTQ+ representation. Specifically, inspirational LGBTQ+ characters in movies or TV shows helped break the stigma and taboos around what love “should be.”
As a screenwriter based in Los Angeles, I have written and directed a romance LGBTQ+ web series with my writing partner and producer from Lisseda Productions.
I’ve always advocated for underrepresented groups and people who have been ignored, but directing diverse actors for this show has made me realize how important it is for people to find representation in shows, games, and movies.
Many people refuse to watch content featuring LGBTQ+ characters as the lead. On the other hand, I observe strict religious people who end up adoring a loveable LGBTQ+ side character, and I’ve seen people’s perceptions shift about the LGBTQ+ community. So, there is magic in movies and TV shows that can change our perceptions of the world.
In this short story, I want to introduce and emphasize some of the groundbreaking and inspirational characters that I personally love in TV shows with inspirational quotes about them. I want to mainly focus on the shows that were not exclusively LGBTQ+ but had an inspirational character and interesting representation of the community.
1. MODERN FAMILY
Mitchell and Cameron were the first gay couple I’ve ever seen on TV. And remember, I was in Türkiye until six years ago. Even though my amazing college in Istanbul had an LGBTQ+ community at the center of student clubs, it was still not common to see gay couples.
Mitchell and Cameron’s relationship and love have been groundbreaking for many people. They were able to normalize gay relationships for straight people. The show’s creator has a great quote that explains it all.
“I think once people watch the show, those are two characters who are very, very hard not to like and I think that has probably diffused any of the negative energy that people were feeling.”
2. SCHITT’S CREEK
David has been an inspirational character for the audience. His relationship with Patrick has been revolutionary. But before that, he was a complicated character, which made him very real and relatable.
David‘s insecurity, general distaste for other people, and highly phobic nature, including phobia for bugs, disorganization, germs, and heights, made him a funny yet familiar character.
David’s scene, in which he comes out using the wine analogy, is very iconic.
“I like the wine, not the label.”
3. STRANGER THINGS
I’m going to be honest… I did not watch Season 4 of Stranger Things, but I watched all the other seasons. This might be an unpopular opinion, but I honestly got tired of the same concept over and over again.
But I’ve heard of Will Byers and how he represented the struggles of a gay teenager in the 1980s. He apparently always gave off the vibe of not being able to come out and struggle with his uncommon feelings. A quote from Will explains it all.
“Sometimes, I think it’s just scary to open up like that… to say how you really feel, especially to people you care about the most. Because what if… what if they don’t like the truth?”
4. BROOKLYN NINE-NINE
Captain Raymond Holt has been an iconic character in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, one of my favorite shows. He’s such a real character, with his strict nature and unique dynamic with Jake Peralta.
Raymond Holt, as a black gay police officer, has faced discrimination, homophobia, profiling, and slander for many years. Despite these challenges, he remained strong and dedicated. He is married to Kevin, a professor. One of his iconic lines is for Rosa when she comes out as bisexual.
“Every time someone steps up and says who they are, the world becomes a better, more interesting place. So, thank you.”
5. REVENGE
Revenge was a TV show that I loved very much. Later, I saw the Turkish version of the show called “Intikam,” starring Beren Saat.
In the American version, the male best friend character Nolan Ross was bisexual, but the Turkish version made him straight. I don’t know why they did this.
I love what the actor Gabriel Mann said about playing this character.
“I kind of thought that was really interesting as a character because we’ve had some really great, interesting gay characters on television, we’ve certainly had a hundred million years of everybody being straight on TV too. I thought that bisexuals weren’t well represented.”
6. EUPHORIA
This was a great show that the majority of the audience loved but found too violent with drugs, violence, and sex. Yet, Euphoria was a real show with real characters and storylines, and it had a representation of a teen queer relationship with Rue and Jules.
Their relationship was not an ideal representation, but it was real and represented the openness of young love. Both characters have been struggling with their inner demons throughout the show. Sometimes, I thought that Rue was very obsessed with Jules, possibly using her as a distraction from her addiction.
One of the quotes in an article hits the mark for queer representation in this show.
What would it look like to live in a world unbound by predetermined notions of what’s “acceptable” romance? Euphoria offers this as an answer — a place where people fall in love with those who make them feel safe, comfortable, and cared for, regardless of gender. — Michael Cuby on Them
Key Takeaways
I wrote this piece because characters in movies and TV shows can change our perceptions of the world and allow us to connect with others more meaningfully and with tolerance.
These groundbreaking LGBTQ+ characters in popular TV shows spread love and awareness for the community. Their presence on screen not only reflects the diversity of the world but also provides representation for many.
Let’s remember that media plays a vital role in facilitating empathy and breaking the barriers of stereotypes. For those outside the LGBTQ+ community, it’s crucial to remember that acceptance and understanding are building blocks of a peaceful environment and society.
Embracing open-mindedness and understanding that what someone does with their body and love life is their own business. Respect for individual autonomy is the most essential thing we can give each other.
Therefore, introducing yourself to LGBTQ+ characters in shows and movies might be a valuable step toward cultivating open-mindedness, empathy, love, and understanding. These small steps can help build a more inclusive, peaceful, and compassionate society for everyone.
Do you know these shows and characters? Did they have an impact on you?
Thank you for stopping by! ❤