Hi guys, do you know any shows with relevant lesbian or bisexual characters that are either really good, or just older than 10 years… (The show, not the characters) Alternately, just some shows which are a little more LGBT focused than the “Standart”?
The Legend of Korra.
I wouldn’t call it ‘LGBT focused,’ but it paved the way for LGBTQ in all of western animation. It’s not too anime in spite of its style, and the lead character is bi. And awesome, and hilarious:
It’s a bit much to call the longing gaze at the end of the last episode of season 4 evidence that Korra is bi. The comics confirm it, but the show itself doesn’t. And wow, legend of Korra is over 10 years old? I must be old
It’s more than a gaze. One of them invites the other to go somewhere with them, they agree, interlock hands and go on their way.
I believe it was originally supposed to be a kiss that ended the show, but they didn’t get their way.
It’s a bit much to call the longing gaze at the end of the last episode of season 4 evidence that Korra is bi.
Yeah. The showrunners had to push hard just to get that though; its kinda a piece of history (alongside Steven Universe) that allowed stuff like Hazbin, Harley Quinn or She-Ra to even exist.
And at least there was some chemistry.
And wow, legend of Korra is over 10 years old? I must be old
Yeah…
Station 19 started in 2018, almost old enough, I thought it was really good, of you like fire fighter procedural dramas. Had strong gay, lesbian and bisexual characters. Kind of a spin off of greys anatomy.
911 Lone Star, came out in 2020, three gay men and a trans man, I don’t think there were any lesbians, also a fire fighter drama.
Greys Anatomy, 20 years old and still going, one lesbian and one bisexual main character (I’m only at season 10, can’t speak to it past that).
Madam Secretary, came out in 2014, had one lesbian character- not really a main character though.
Adding to add:
Star Trek: Discovery is not old, but has great LGBTQ representation.
Take My Wife (2016) “A show about lesbians who are married, staying actual lesbians who are married, and no one gets breast cancer!” They have since divorced. Both main characters are stand up comics irl.
And speaking of stand up comics starting semi autobiographical sitcoms, One Mississippi (2015) is very good. 💖 Tig Notaro.
Speaking of Tig, the Handsome podcast with Fortune Fiemster and Mae Martin is great.
Speaking of Mae, Feel Good is not old, and we’ll not make you feel good, but it’s a semi autobiographical drama series about a bisexual comedian.
Watching Star Trek: Discovery is a waste of time though
All tv is a waste of time, that’s kind of the point. But congrats on your super hot take.
Discovery is a waste of time in the sense that it’s not entertaining.
The ending wasn’t great, I’ll give you that. But people who can’t scroll past the word discovery without shitting on it nearly always have let’s say, more demographically related reasons for their opinions. 😣
I notice you contributed nothing to this conversation. Did you come here specifically looking for DISCO to share your enlightening opinions?
not one I’ve seen myself yet but Wynonna Earp has been recommended to me. It hasn’t quite hit the 10 year mark though it started airing in 2016
It’s a wild and ridiculous show. Lots of fun to watch. It’s one of those rare shows that’s led almost entirely by women, and has incredibly raunchy humor.
I will always treasure the episode where the someone is explaining how their life was ruined by finding their prom date having sex with someone else during the party, and Wynonna realizing the someone else was with her.
Lost Girl was pretty decent. The main character is bi.
A couple of years short of your timeline, but Riverdale had a couple on the show.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer… eventually. Can’t really think of any other good shows that old with lasting positive representation.
Ive watched the show 3 times already, and I’m planning on watching it a fourth time soon! I’m glad there’s other enjoyers out there.
Been rewatching it lately with my trans teen daughter. She’s been loving it. Showed it to my wife about 5 years ago as well as she’s never seen it.
The Wire. Don’t want to spoil it by saying which one, but a key character turns out to be a lesbian.
I hate the notion that The Wire counts as an old show! 😁
Isn’t it made clear from nearly the beginning that this certain person is openly lesbian?
Overall, I really like how the show deals with it’s LGBT characters. It’s just matter of fact. Even the one little reveal of a certain secondary character is just there and gone, just a little detail on them not necessarily a defining part of their persona within the confines of the story.
Is it as early as that? I could have sworn it was at least 3 or 4 episodes in. Been a while since I watched it though… [tingles with anticipation] 😁
FWIW, Cheryl appears in episode 1. I haven’t watched the first season in a couple years so can’t remember if it’s made explicit or left to the audience to fill in the blanks.
Yeah, you’re quite right, not sure why I thought it was later on.
Thank you!
's all in the game, yo.
Who cares about spoilers, it’s Idris Elba’s character.
I’m Idris Elba, actor, director, producer, dj, lesbian
He is aware of the effect he has on women.
Oh God, I can’t believe I forgot this one.
All in the family in 1977 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cousin_Liz
The Simpsons is the oldest running show I know of that had a lesbian character. Patty or Selma. Always forget which is which, tho. And the thing with the episode where they came out always stuck with me more due to the fact that Marge became almost a totally different character who abhorred the idea that her sister was gay.
And also maybe Mimi from The Drew Carrey Show. She married Drew’s brother, who was possibly trans (they were at the very least a transvestite/crossdresser who did drag shows). I could imagine the character would have been unambiguously trans if the show aired today, making them a lesbian couple.
Orange is the New Black.
Old? 😭
Yep. Premiered in 2013, so it meets the OP’s requirements.
Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s time for my fiber supplement, and Matlock will be on the television box soon, so I’d better go.
My TV Guide doesn’t have Matlock on today. Damn TV Guide!
Roseanne had a lesbian couple in it.
Xena
Unfortunately most lesbian/bisexual women in older TV shows weren’t about representation, but more geared towards either the male fantasy, or to make jokes off of/out of them.
Well, wasn’t old lesbian lady/aunt kind of a thing way back?
Yeah, and gym teachers, but it was always just a side character with no depth.
Cousin Liz from All in the Family, aired 1977.
ER was the first one that came to mind.
The way you phrased that means Friends counts.
Carol, Ross’ lesbian ex-wife, is surprisingly important to the show. Her divorcing him because she realizes she’s a lesbian is the first actual plot point established in the show about 2 minutes into the pilot, and her name is spoken before any of the six main characters’ names, and even before Rachel appears on screen. Sets up years of plot lines about Ross’ character, being divorced, the emotional fallout, raising a child in a broken home, and it sets up Ross and Rachel as a whole thing.
Relevant lesbian character in a show that is really good or older than 10 years. Carol from Friends.
