Behind every victory and every step toward making the world a better place, there has been powerful representation in everyday media showing people how to challenge the status quo.
Mainstream media and pop culture remain among the biggest platforms through which people find representation. And these ten LGBTQ+ TV characters have become enduring icons who have transformed queer identity on screen.
10. Eric Effiong in ‘Sex Education’
Mizero Ncuti Gatwa’s portrayal of Eric Effiong in the hit Netflix series ‘Sex Education’ blends queerness with faith, race, joy, and vulnerability. Instead of perpetuating the closeted, fearful gay TV character trope we’ve seen countless times in teen movies and shows, Eric is rounded, dealing with the anxieties of adolescence.
The show’s high school setting not only opens up exploration of the awkward part of developing and facing sexuality during adolescence. It also raises various issues like a lack of sex education in high school across the world, the importance of championing LGBTQ+ amongst teens, and properly managing bullying and abuse in school settings.
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9. Cam in ‘Modern Family’
Erin Stonestreet’s portrayal of Cameron from ‘Modern Family’ instantly became a fan favorite. Initially, it might seem like Cam is actually portraying all the long-standing stereotypes that come with queer representation on TV.
He is expressive, flamboyant, self-indulgent, and theatrical, and the color pink definitely loves him. But now, we have come to realize that there is nothing wrong with embracing traits that are used as cruel stereotypes. In fact, it’s actually refreshing to see a TV character embody these traits unapologetically, with self-love and authenticity.
8. David Rose in ‘Schitt’s Creek’
In ‘Schitt’s Creek’, we got to see one of the most beautiful romantic relationships between David Rose and Patrick Brewer. Portrayed by Dan Levy, the greatest thing about David Rose is that he is authentic and grounded and doesn’t try to be someone he isn’t.
Queer representation has always been plagued by hypersexualized characters that don’t feel like real-life people ever. It always feels like a mockery to cater to society’s stereotypical views. Yet, David Rose stands apart by just being himself.
7. Willow Rosenberg in ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’
The coming-out arc of Willow Rosenberg in the hit supernatural TV show ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ takes up the discussion of queer representation. That too is at the core of a genre that has largely sidelined queer TV characters for a very long time.
The show was already known for exploring teen issues, and one of the most important topics was always sexuality. Willow’s sexual identity and her relationship with Tara Maclay became one of the first positive portrayals of a lesbian relationship in TV history.
6. Brian Kinney in ‘Queer As Folk’
‘Queer as Folk’ is one of the earliest mainstream shows that revolved primarily around queer characters. Amongst them, Brian Kinney always stays memorable for rejecting the trope and making space for a queer character who is messy, sexual, arrogant, and human.
Gale Harold’s portrayal of the free-spirited Brian sparks an important discussion within the LGBTQ+ community. Brian isn’t shy about his identity or his political views, yet he doesn’t let them define him.
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5. Jodie Dallas in ‘Soap’
Appearing in the 1977 sitcom ‘Soap’, the openly gay Jodie Dallas, portrayed by Billy Crystal, has been the subject of numerous controversies. But that is given when you are one of the first gay TV characters seen in America. Yet, Jodie Dallas is surprisingly multifaceted and not a victim of the many cliched tropes forced on queer characters.
He navigates healthy relationships, fathers a child through a one-night stand, and strongly fights back against stereotypes. His role addressed many issues with both humor and seriousness, encouraging people during that era to engage in discussions about the acceptance of queer identity.
4. Blanca Rodriguez-Evangelista in ‘Pose’
‘Pose’ is one of the most groundbreaking shows of all time, taking up the African-American and Latino ballroom culture scene in the 80s and 90s in New York City. The series left its mark on TV with a large ensemble of LGBTQ+ representation, and at its heart was Blanca Rodriguez-Evangelista.
Played by Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Blanca Evangelista took the screen by storm. Instead of becoming a plot device or a supporting TV character, she told her own story and her own dream through her own point of view.
3. Omar Little in ‘The Wire’
‘The Wire’ removed the gay storyline altogether. Instead, they brought a queer TV character who is feared, moral, and complex. This was in sharp contrast to the queer sidekick and comic relief character, which was popular during its time on mainstream media.
Omar Little, played by Michael K. Williams, didn’t let his gay identity become a trope, written with lazy and cruel stereotypes that made him gay first and human second. Instead, his relationships appeared side by side with his life as an outlaw moving through streets and courtrooms.
2. Sophia Burset in ‘Orange Is The New Black’
Along with Sophia Burset being one of the most iconic TV characters of all time, casting an actual transgender actress was one of the biggest steps the industry has taken towards positive representation of the LGBTQ+ community.
Sophia Burset, portrayed by Laverne Cox, forced the mainstream audience to confront the brutality of healthcare, police abuse, and prison life faced by trans people. It rightfully catapulted Cox into the spotlight, achieving milestones that will forever remain etched in history.
1. Captain Raymond Holt in ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’
Andre Braugher portrayed Captain Raymond Holt in the hit show ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine‘, which addressed issues of queer identity and race through a modern lens. The popular TV character, Holt, was among the first to draw attention to the career barriers people often face because of their gender and racial identity, especially in a demanding profession like police work.
Holt never hides the fact that he is gay. Instead, he proudly displays pride flags in his office, and his love story with his husband, Kevin, remains one of the show’s most memorable relationships. Yet, he never lets his sexuality solely define him. He is proud of who he is and expresses it confidently on his own terms.
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