In the last 20 years, LGBTQ+ representation has made tremendous strides in reaching audiences of all walks of life. The earliest on air appearance of such representation was in 1971 on the show All in the Family. The surfacing of LGBTQ+ characters has continued to grow over the years. In the late 90s, Dawson’s Creek introduced Jack McPhee who would later come out as the show's leading gay character who would share an extremely passionate and history-making on-air same-sex kiss. It was the first time on television that a kiss of that nature between two people of the same gender had ever premiered.
Shows like The L Word, Will and Grace, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Glee all depicted same-sex storylines in the early to mid-2010s. Although these were great platforms to be introduced to the mainstream media, there were still many hurdles to cross. Queer representation is currently being written by LGBTQ+ writers, or is better researched to make the characters as authentic and well versed as possible. Today, almost every show on TV and major streaming platforms features an LGBTQ+ character. In fact, a recent GLAAD study showed a record-high number of LGBTQ+ characters on TV. These characters are well-researched and written to be dynamic, which helps make them feel more like real people and less like caricatures of outdated stereotypes. Here's a list of our favorite LGBTQ+ TV characters of all time.
6
Callie Torres — Grey's Anatomy
In the world of Grey's Anatomy, a lot of characters come and go in horrific ways. Fans of the long-running series have suffered the loss of many greats, including Meredith's "great love." Back in 2016, the series said its goodbyes to Callie Torres, after she moves to avoid a custody battle with her ex-wife. Callie Torres, portrayed by Sara Ramirez, currently holds the ranking of the longest-running LGBTQ+ character in television history. Torres has dated both men and women on Grey's Anatomy and is presumed to identify as bisexual. The same year as her departure from Grey's Anatomy, Ramirez came out as nonbinary, disclosing that their pronouns would remain she/her but also they/them. Aside from acting, Ramirez is known for her activism within the LGBTQ+ community.
5 Tess Van De Berg — The L Word: Generation Q
Tess Van De Berg was one of the new cast members introduced on the reboot to The L Word: Generation Q. Tess is the love interest and business partner to the show's unobtainable heart-throb, Shane McCutcheon. Before the two get together, she ends up dating one of Shane's exes. Tess is depicted by Jamie Clayton, an American actor who identifies as transgender. It is unclear whether that will be later worked into her storyline, however, she is a phenomenal addition to the cast. After her departure at the end of season two, it is unclear whether she will return to the third season. This being because she is set to play the woman version of Pinhead in the new Hellraiser reboot.
4 Poussey Washington — Orange is the New Black
Poussey Washington made her first appearance in season one of Orange is the New Black and quickly became a fan-favorite after she was made into a main character later in the series. Her laid-back manner and friendship with Taystee Jefferson helped add to her charm and overall charisma. After her romantic interest isn't reciprocated by Taystee, Poussey struggles with depression and alcoholism while incarcerated. Yet, it is not long until she and another inmate, Soso, start their relationship right before Poussey's untimely death. Out of all the inmates' stories on the show, Poussey's is one of the saddest.
Samira Wiley, who portrayed Poussey on the show, was accidentally outed by one of her cast mates during the first season. Through many interviews, she has expressed that it wasn't always easy for her to feel comfortable being who she is, which is something a lot of members of the LGBTQ+ community can definitely relate to. Wiley ended up marrying Orange Is the New Black writer, Lauren Morelli. In an interview with Bustle, she stated, "My wife is actually somebody who helped me be comfortable with who I am, I just thank God so much that she did because it’s so freeing to be comfortable with myself.”
3 Shane McCutcheon — The L Word
The L Word premiered in 2004, and it wasn't long until Shane became one of the most famous, fictional, lesbian characters on television. Ilene Chaiken, the series' showrunner, has said in countless interviews that her inspiration for Shane was someone like Joan Jett. In the first season, Shane definitely encompasses a lot of those characteristics in her clothes and haircut. However, as the show progressed, Shane came into her own. She is a known heartbreaker, but there is something so endearing about her. She never has ill intent, and she always tries to be as upfront and candid as possible. Her dark past looms over her for the majority of the original series, mainly in the relationship department. Shane is depicted by Katherine Moennig, who brings this character to life in ways many others couldn't. Surprisingly enough, Moennig is nothing like her onscreen persona and is happily married. Moennig has a podcast called "Pants" with her co-star and long-standing best friend Leisha Hailey.
2 Rue Bennett — Euphoria
Euphoria, arguably one of the most watched shows on TV, has an abundance of likable characters. Their storylines boast chaos and turmoil, which is something that many can relate to, even if it isn't to the extreme that these characters face. The teens of Euphoria are flawed in ways that cut deeper than the natural flaws that all teenagers have. Rue Bennett, the series' lead played by Zendaya, serves as more than just a magnet to draw the audience into the show. She is a beacon of honesty and what it means to truly know oneself. She is a member of the LGBT+ community and an addict. When the audience first meets her, she makes it very clear that she had no intentions of staying clean, and yet the viewer wants her to so badly. Rue has the desire to change, but the inability to do so, which is something that strikes close to home for so many. Addiction is Rue's true vice, but it isn't always substance abuse that is a bad habit to break. Everyone wants to change at some point or another, and some people just can't.
1 David Rose — Schitt's Creek
Schitt's Creek undeniably changed the modern day sitcom, and introduced a completely new spin on a dysfunctional family dynamic. Every character on the show has a purpose, and that is one of the many reasons that the plot lines run as smoothly as they do. From perfected comedic timing to scenes where facial expressions say a thousand words, Schitt's Creek is guaranteed to make you laugh till you cry — and sometimes just flat out cry. Out of all the quirky members of the Rose family, David is by far one of the best characters to come onto the screen in years. David is a ball of anxiety with high-classed tastes, and quick-witted one-liners. He finds a home in Schitt's Creek and something that he has searched for all of his life: acceptance. Early in the series, David and Stevie are having a conversation about David's sexuality. David, using wine bottles as props states: "Um, I do drink red wine, but I also drink white wine. And I've been known to sample the occasional rosé." The LGBTQ+ representation in Schitt's Creek is both exceptional and honest.
Show creator Dan Levy ,who portrays David Rose on his hit series, holds the show very dear to his heart. During his acceptance speech upon receiving a GLAAD award, Levy mentioned, "When I found myself in a position to tell stories on a global scale, I seized the opportunity to make a television show that might, in its own way, offer some support, encouragement, and love to those who might not have it in their homes or in their schools or in their day-to-day lives." Levy is an activist for the LGBTQ+ community and seeks to create positive change. David Rose, and all the groundbreaking LGBTQ+ characters offer more to the world than just storylines and laughs. They become heroes and friends, beacons to those who have yet to find themselves.