LGBT Role Models in Popular Culture tagged posts

Previously we have gone through characters in television shows, celebrities who are homosexual or bisexual role models and writers. Now we will be exploring the different couples in television shows which show homosexual relationships as being perfectly normal, as well as exploring some homosexual relationships in real life.

Willow and Tara, Buffy the Vampire Slayer

One thing which makes this relationship special was the way the show never made a point to focus on or highlight the fact that it was two women in love, but instead that it was two people who loved each other. The show had some issues at first due to censors which did not allow for certain things to be shown on TV. It was not until late in season five that they shared their first on-screen kiss in ‘The Body’.

Spencer an...

Over the centuries, no world has been more accepting of the LGBT community than the creative one. Some of the greatest writers of all time have been a part of the community…

Allen Ginsberg himself.

He unapologetically wrote one of the most controversial poems ever (Howl), resulting in an obscenity trial that changed the publishing industry – and the world – forever. He was gay, he didn’t hide that he was, but it was not the focus of his life or his work.  It was, however, a huge influence on it and is part of what made it so great.  Not only that, but he was with his partner, Peter Orlovsky, for over forty years.

In my previous article I listed celebrities who are homosexual or bisexual role models, and now it is time to explore the world of television.

Willow Rosenburg, Buffy the Vampire Slayer

You could say that Willow started out as a stereotypical nerd in high school. But as the show progressed she grew as a character, and in season four discovered her attraction to women. What makes this show so special is it never focussed on what Willow’s sexuality was, but more on the fact that Willow had fallen in love with Tara. It did not matter that it was a woman. Other than the show at first was not allowed to display any physical interactions to prove that these two were in love, their relationship was not treated any differently to the other relationships on the show...

In a world where being a homosexual or bisexual can be seen as wrong, there are still examples out there which show a different view and cast us in a better light. It is these people who are good role models, helping to make our world a better place, and which help to make us not feel alone just because we are different.

Ellen DeGeneres

In 1997 Ellen DeGeneres came out as a lesbian to the world on the Oprah Winfrey show, as well as in her television show at the time Ellen. On her television show she went on to explore different LGBT issues in the final season. Many people have informed Ellen of how they sat down with their family when her coming out episode of Ellen aired hoping that it would provide a window where they could open up and come out themselves...