February marks LGBTQ+ history month, so in celebration we are looking at some of the most iconic and most influential characters we have seen in both TV and film throughout time.
Tara Maclay and Willow Roseberg on Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Image credit: Pinterest
The relationship between Tara and Willow on the 90s classic Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The pair first met after the Gentlemen invaded Sunnydale. Their first kiss came in 2005, an episode that involved heights of emotion as Tara tried to calm Willow down.
The pair remain an iconic duo as they were the first depiction of a lesbian couple on a primetime network TV series in the United States.
Adele and Emma in Blue is the Warmest Colour
The 2013 romantic drama Blue is the Warmest Colour tells the story of French Teen Adele who begins to form both a sexual relationship with older student Emma, but also a deeply emotional connection – whom she met in a lesbian bar.
Although criticism arose from the film, it has still been praised for its authenticity, truth and most importantly realism.
Kurt Hummel, Santana Lopez and Brittany S. Pierce on Glee
Image credit: The Glee Equality Project- Tumblr
Glee was a show known for challenging the boundaries of societal norms, and its representation of LGBTQ+ characters did exactly this. Memorable characters include Coach Beiste, Blaine Anderson and the struggle of Dave Karofsky realising his sexuality. However, standout characters include Kurt, Santana and Brittany.
Kurt was the first openly gay character and was known to challenge the boundaries. A key moment that sticks out to fans is when he performed the dance to Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” and went on to kick a field goal in the school’s football game.
Then we have Santana and Brittany. The pair became lesbian icons to viewers of the show and remain to this day.
Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist in Brokeback Mountain
The 2005 film Brokeback Mountain – starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger brought the LGBTQ+ genre into the millennial mainstream. Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) falls head over heels for Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) over a long winter.
The film received positive reviews as it provides an emotional viewing and exposes the deep love these two feel for each other.
Captain Raymond Holt and Rosa Diaz on Brooklyn 99
Image credit: Geek Girl Authority
In Brooklyn 99, Raymond Holt came out as gay in the 1980s, and through his police career he not only struggled with homophobia but also discrimination whilst in his time at the NYPD. However, he defeated the odds and became a captain, defeating the traditional norms.
Then we have Rosa Diaz. It wasn’t until the fifth season that Rosa came out as bisexual, and it was focussed on well over two thoughtful episodes. Stephanie Beatriz – who plays Rosa – is openly bisexual, so it involved multiple rewrites for it to be satisfactory for her character.
Chiron in Moonlight
The 2016 Oscar winner Moonlight tells the story of a young African American boy called Chiron. He finds guidance in drug dealer Juan who teaches him to carve his own path in life. After growing up in Miami, it is Juan’s guidance that leaves an influential impression on him.
The film explores masculinity and sexual identity through the main character.
Sophia Burset and Nicky Nichols on Orange is the New Black
Image credit: LGBT Fans Deserve Better
From the very first episode of Orange is the New Black, the Netflix original features a diverse cast of LGBTQ+ characters. A viewer favourite is Nicky Nichols due to her confidence and self-attitude.
Another fan favourite is Sophia Burset – played by Laverne Cox. Within the show, flashbacks show how Sophia grapples with the affects of her transition, and then flashing back to present day dealing with discrimination within the prison. Sophia’s story shone a light on transphobia and the systemic challenges trans women face.
Celie in The Color Purple
Based on the 1982 novel, the Spielberg directed film tells the story of Celie (Whoopie Goldberg in her film debut), an African American woman in the early 20th century. Celie fights her way through the oppression and abuse she faces from society, but along the way she experiences an unexpected love interest.
The film received positive criticism, being described as “a sublime portrayal of lesbianism ahead of its time.”
Dreamer in Supergirl
Image credit: Gay Times
In the CW’s Supergirl, Nia Nal – who also portrays superheimro Dreamer – is played by Trans actress Nicole Maines. When speaking to USA Today, executive producer Jessica Queller said the characters identity as a transexual woman is connected to “why and how she’s inherited her powers.”
The show has been positively praised as the writers take top priority in respectfully Dreamer’s character, as well as “truthfully and authentically”.
Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch
The cult musical was brought to the silver screen in 2001 in Hedwig and the Angry Inch. It tells the story of a German emigrant who is stuck living in a Kansas trailer after a sex-change operation that went wrong. It is the story of an “internationally ignored” rock singer, as she searches for stardom – and even love.
The musical adaptation received successful reviews as it was deemed to be successful in topping the one man/woman show and remained original and entertaining.
Eric Effiong in Sex Education
Sex Education features several LGBTQ+ characters, but Eric stands out as a fan favourite. Although Otis and Eric are main characters within the show, Eric is not portrayed as the typical “gay best friend”.
The show has seen him struggle with not only his sexuality but his religion, his parents and heritage. What Sex Education does well is how Eric is shown to accept all those things abut himself because that is what makes him unique.
There are so many more characters in both TV and film that standout as key figures in the LGBTQ+ community, but these are just some that remain fan favourites.
By Katie Green
Feature image: theBuzz