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Out & proud TV characters to love
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It’s Gay Pride Weekend in San Francisco, which culminates into a massive celebration Sunday for the out and proud and the supporters who love them.
No doubt the gay community has had a rough year, particularly Californians, but if there’s anything worth celebrating, it’s the turning tide of support the movement is gaining. Say what you will about Proposition 8, but the issue has put a real face on gay rights and that kind of spotlight is key in changing minds and making a difference for a group that’s too often been expected to go unseen.
But it isn’t just politics providing a platform for the issue. Thanks to the entertainment industry, gay characters across the big and small screens have also played their parts in making a difference for the better. And that’s not just confined to Logo or Showtime. These are the kinds of characters that were more than “token gays,” but actual people. The medium of television in particular has allowed such storylines to evolve over time, painting some truly enriching characters throughout the years.
And so, here’s a small list of some of TV’s most noteworthy portrayals who pushed the envelope right out of the closet, but are more than a stereotype.
Ellen Morgan (Ellen DeGeneres), Ellen: But of course Ellen makes the list. Not only was her coming-out one of television’s biggest moments, but having the comedienne out herself in reality was a turning point for the gay movement nationally. Before Ellen, gays were relegated to “special episodes” and afterschool specials. Ellen was the first to put a gay character in a lead role of a primetime series, which was simply monumental.
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Alyson Hannigan
Kevin Walker (Matthew Rhys), Brothers & Sisters: ABC is by far one of the most gay-friendly networks out there right now, and Brothers & Sisters is a part of that movement. The great thing about Kevin is that he was out at the show’s start, veering away from the usual “coming-out” storyline, and just plopping him right in with the rest of the Walkers. That has allowed his character to function as a real gay adult and not a gimmicky story arc. He even gets a gay wedding, making him timely and realistic!
Willow Rosenberg (Alyson Hannigan), Buffy the Vampire Slayer: If your plan is to unveil a coming out tale, then you want someone like Joss Whedon spinning the yarn. Our beloved Willow began as the nerdy sidekick to her superpal Buffy Summers and held a flame for her best friend Xander, but she soon grew out of that phase in college when our budding witch meets fellow wiccan Tara. In the fourth season, Whedon took a chance on Willow’s storyline and fans were treated to a relationship that slowly blossomed into love in an organic way. It allowed skeptical fans to better understand Willow’s interest in Tara and her natural discovery of figuring out who she ultimately was.
David Fisher (Michael C. Hall), Six Feet Under: Initially we saw David struggle with his sexuality as he tried to come to terms with it and how best to tell his family. But the Fisher clan turned out to be an open-minded one and though he had his rough patches, he ultimately settled down with his partner Keith and started the family he always dreamed of. Watching David and Keith grapple with typical family woes offered a genuine portrait of any average couple just trying to function as a unit.
Rickie Vasquez (Wilson Cruz), My So-Called Life: The great thing about Rickie is that he never shied away from who he was, and how difficult is that to do in high school? It was refreshing to see a gay character in a teen show destined for a cool cult status, but it was important that other gay teenagers perhaps dealing with their own turmoil got a chance to see someone like Rickie in a mainstream program.
Dr. Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez), Grey’s Anatomy: Let’s be honest, Callie really wouldn’t really exist without so many opening the closet door before her (again, see the above). Still, featuring a gay character among one of the most popular nighttime soaps currently on air is a win and a great platform. Unfortunately, the writers haven’t handled Callie’s arc with proper care it deserves (see the firing of Brooke Smith), but Callie is worth noting for her sheer prominence.
Oscar Martinez (Oscar Nunez), The Office: Though boss Michael Scott never ceases to put his foot in his mouth around his gay employee, the great thing is that’s par for the course in the offices of Dunder Mifflin. Oscar is just another co-worker to everyone else, which is just how it should be.
This is just a slice, people. Of course Queer As Folk and The L Word should be noted, but those shows were all about the LGBT community whereas these other shows wove gay characters into their stories in way that exposed them to the masses, not just a niche audience. There are also plenty of daytime soaps doing the same these days and should also be commended. Again, this clearly not being comprehensive, why not tell me whom I’m missing below!
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