As the LGBTQ+ community grows more visible in mainstream media, we finally see more lesbian characters on our screens. After years of straight, cisgender characters dominating the landscape, queer people of all stripes finally get some representation.
And while there is still a long way to go regarding LGBTQ+ visibility on television, we are slowly but surely seeing more and more lesbian characters popping up. Here are some of our favorites.
Tara Chambler (Allana Masterson)
Tara, who you may know from The Walking Dead, is one of the few lesbian characters on television who is allowed to be both queer and feminine. She’s a strong fighter and survivor but also kind, caring, and emotional. Tara is a well-rounded character with depth and dimension, and we love her for it.
Tara has not immensely enjoyed same-sex relationships, but that is expected, considering she is held up in a Zombie apocalypse. She loses her first girlfriend, Alisha, during a prison attack spearheaded by The Governor. Her next girlfriend, Denise Cloyd, dies after Dwight shoots her through the eye.
Many people in the LGBTQ+ community can relate to Tara’s bad luck when it comes to love, and we appreciate that she is allowed to be a fully realized character, complete with flaws and baggage.
Yara Greyjoy (Gemma Whelan)
Game of Thrones is the GOAT of TV shows, so it would appear on this list. Yara Greyjoy, played by Gemma Whelan, is one of the main characters on the show. She also appeared in one of the most excellent LGBTQ+ movies and TV shows, Queers as Bobby, which is a must-watch. In season six of Game of Thrones, she also had an iconic scene where she embarked on a queer romance with another woman.
Yara is a strong, independent woman who does not take crap from anyone. She is a fierce warrior and a loyal friend, and we can’t help but root for her.
Ellen Morgan (Ellen DeGeneres)
We cannot talk about lesbian characters on television without mentioning the one and only Ellen DeGeneres. “Yep, I’m gay” were the famous words that came out of Ellen Morgan’s mouth on her self-titled sitcom back in 1997, and it was a groundbreaking moment for LGBTQ+ visibility.
Since coming out, Ellen has gone on to have a hugely successful career as a comedian, talk show host, and actress. She is also one of the most visible lesbians worldwide, and her show is a significant force for good regarding LGBTQ+ representation.
We love Ellen Morgan because she is unapologetically herself. She is funny, intelligent, and kind and has paved the way for so many other queer women to be themselves on television.
Ofglen (Alexis Bledel)
The Handmaid’s Tale was a breakthrough for lesbian visibility on television, and Alexis Bledel’s character Ofglen was a big part of that. Ofglen is a queer woman living in a dystopian society where she is forced to be a handmaid or a breeding vessel for childbearing purposes.
While Ofglen is a victim of her circumstances, she is also a brave rebel willing to fight back against the oppressive regime. She has a complicated relationship with her fellow handmaid, June, and the two women share a few intimate moments throughout the series.
Ofglen is a complex and fascinating character, and we appreciate that she is allowed to be queer and dimensional on a show otherwise quite bleak.
Poussey Washington (Samira Wiley)
Orange is the new Black is the primary reason why many people have Netflix subscriptions. The show is groundbreaking in its own right, but it also features one of the best lesbian characters on television. Poussey Washington, played by the amazing Samira Wiley, is a queer woman of color incarcerated for drug-related offenses.
Poussey is kind and compassionate, but she is fiercely loyal to her friends and willing to fight for what she believes in. She has a complicated relationship with her best friend Taystee, and the two women share some of the most touching scenes in the entire series.
She comes off as a bit of a tomboy but is unashamed of her love for all things girly. Poussey is the perfect example of a well-rounded lesbian character, and we can’t get enough of her.
Karolina Dean (Virginia Gardner)
Runaways is a Marvel Comics adaptation that follows a group of young superheroes who run away from home to stop their parents from sacrificing innocent people to an alien god. Karolina Dean, played by Virginia Gardner, is one of the main characters on the show.
Karolina is a lesbian struggling to come to terms with her sexuality. She is in love with her best friend, Nico Minoru, but she is also attracted to boys. This causes her a lot of confusion, and she often feels like she is not good enough for either Nico or the boys she likes.
Karolina is a compelling character who is just beginning to explore her sexuality. We can’t wait to see where her story goes in future seasons of Runaways.
These are a few of the many lesbian characters on television who are making waves and changing the landscape for LGBTQ+ visibility. We cannot wait to see the future for queer women on television.