01/21/2013 6:30 am
With society’s increasing acceptance of LGBT members we are beginning to see more and more lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender characters in our media. Here Bryan E. and I bring you our favorite LGBTQ couples on television; ones that we believe offer viewers a glimpse at healthy, realistic LGBT relationships.
1. Spencer and Ashley- South of Nowhere
Spencer and Ashley had a sweet yet tumultuous relationship that survived Spencer’s coming out, a school shooting, and Ashley’s sudden fame. Their relationship was completely realistic and relatable and both characters grew together.
2. Kurt and Blaine – Glee
Kurt and Blaine is the shining beacon of light on Glee. Glee does a lot of things wrong, but one thing they did right was creating a realistic and healthy gay relationship with two teen boys.
3. Emily and Naomi – Skins UK
Skins UK has always showcased some great gay teen characters, but it was the relationship between Emily and Naomi that really added a lot of humanity to the show. Their relationship was sweet…and to watch them progress and learn as a couple was beautiful.
4. Carmen and Shane- The L Word
If you spoke to any fan of The L Word, chances are they’d say they wished Carmen and Shane had worked out. The relationship felt real and passionate and when Shane left Carmen at the alter you could hear the fans’ hearts breaking.
5. Michael and Ben – Queer as Folk US
QAF, a show I am not really a fan of did one thing incredibly right…and that was the relationship between Michael and Ben. They were two regular guys who fell in love and got married, and one had AIDS. The man with AIDS was shown in a good light, and the relationship was treated as a healthy one.
6. Agron and Nasir – Spartacus
Agron and Nasir’s relationship is sweet and loving, which stands out all the more against the violent and gruff world of Spartacus. This couple is proof that you can have two masculine men together, something stereotypes often overlook. The best thing about it is how accepting everyone was about it back then.
7. Willow and Tara – Buffy the Vampire Slayer
While I loved the character of Oz, it was the relationship between Willow and Tara that I remember more. Their relationship was unique (they were both witches) and they truly helped one another grow up and become better people. Even after Tara was sadly killed off, you could still feel the good that she brought to Willow’s life.
8. Bette and Tina – The L Word
Bette and Tina’s relationship had its ups and downs throughout the series but their love for each other eventually ran out. The portrayal of their family (including daughter Angelica) shows how a gay family is just like a straight one.
9. Christian and Olli – Forbidden Love
An under seen German soap opera, that I used to watch on YouTube with subtitles, had a relationship between Christian and Olli. The soap showed their fear and courage, as they became an openly gay couple.
10. Becky and Adam – Degrassi
Becky and Adam’s relationship is important for two main reasons. First, Adam is transgender, something not usually addressed on television (especially on a show aimed at teenagers). Second, we witnessed Becky struggle with her religion before accepting Adam and her love for him.
11. Luke and Noah – As the World Turns
ATWT is known for the love story between Luke and Noah, and I remember watching this soap opera just for their relationship. To see both men come out and finally reveal their love for one another was just amazing…and the lead up to the first kiss has to be one of the best lead ups to a kiss in television history.
12. Callie and Arizona – Grey’s Anatomy
Callie and Arizona have gone through some major storylines on Grey’s Anatomy including deaths, plane crashes, and amputations. In the end we see a loving, successful couple with a beautiful daughter that can work through their issues.
13. Captain Jack Harkness and Ianto – Torchwood
Captain Jack is one of the first gay lead men in science fiction, already giving him a unique beginning, and add to that the adorable love interest in Ianto…and the show was a winner in this area. Both men were shown to be realistic, vulnerable, but tough guys and their relationship added heart to the show.
14. Alice and Tasha – The L Word
Alice and Tasha are a perfect example of how opposites attract. Despite their political and social differences, the passion and love between these two is evident and Tasha’s storyline involving Don’t Ask Don’t Tell was heartbreaking.
15. Bryan and David – The New Normal
Another show I’m not a fan of that has a great gay couple (a motif I’m noticing)…but the difference here is that the gay couple is THE central relationship and the core characters. Bryan and David are a healthy couple looking to start a family of their own. What makes them work is that they are treated as an ordinary couple, no different from anyone else…too bad they are held back by Ryan Murphy’s bad writing.
16. Mitchell and Cameron – Modern Family
Mitchell and Cameron’s relationship may have shocked some when Modern Family first began airing but it has become a staple of Wednesday night television. Despite the comedic antics the couple gets into they are another example of a loving gay family.
17. Lafayette and Jesus – True Blood
True Blood is a show I once adored, and one I still enjoy; it mixes horror, fantasy, romance, and many other genres into a good campy fun mix. While Sookie, Bill, and Eric are the core love triangle, it’s the relationship between feisty Lafayette and cool Jesus that added true depth. Their relationship didn’t seem corny or unreal, but instead felt like an actual relationship.
18. Emily and Maya – Pretty Little Liars
Emily’s coming out story on Pretty Little Liars was poignant and realistic and her blossoming love with Maya made it even more so. Unfortunately for Maya, she did not survive the danger of Rosewood but their relationship was one the viewers won’t forget.
19. Brian and Justin – Queer as Folk US
Honestly I wasn’t going to originally list this couple…but the more I thought about it, they really did do a lot for the faces of gay men. While I have my personal issues with QAF not being a very good representation of the gay community, I will say that Justin and Brian’s relationship is one to be remembered.
20. Dana and Alice – The L Word
Dana and Alice was one of the show’s strongest couples. They began as best friends and soon realized their love for each other. Despite breaking up it was Alice who was with Dana at the very end when she passed away from breast cancer.
Posted by Jamie Z.
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Agron and Nasir are in my meaningless opinion the most influence Gay couple I’ve ever seen in almost any medium. Too often is there a stigma out there about gay and bisexual males being feminine and if they’re ever portrayed in mainstream media it’s usually in that light. Instead with Spartacus you get one of the most intimidating, bad-ass warriors in the rebellion that can go head to head with anyone and his sexuality is a non-issue. That in itself makes it one of the more influential and refreshing portrayals of that lifestyle that I’ve seen and it goes with the mantra of the show that anyone regardless of age, sex or appearance can fight for what they believe in.
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By Paul C. on 01/21/2013 at 6:50 am
Beautifully said!
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By Jamie Z. on 01/21/2013 at 6:53 am
I’d add Santana and Brittany from Glee. I like the fact that Brittany is a bi-character because bisexuality in modern TV shows is still pretty rare.
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By bearnerdette on 01/21/2013 at 7:05 am
We debated putting them on there but weren’t sure if they’re relationship was healthy enough. Regardless, they are certainly an influential couple, especially for bisexual representation!
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By Jamie Z. on 01/21/2013 at 9:07 am
They’re not less healthy than Klaine, with the whole “Blaine ignoring Kurt telling him to stop 9 times,” the cheating, etc.
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By Don on 01/21/2013 at 12:12 pm
Then why is Klaine there?
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By Yana on 01/22/2013 at 8:06 am
Yet KLAINE is up there… Klaine, with the attempted drunken date rape, the shaming, the constant emotional abuse from Blaine to Kurt, Blaine cheating on Kurt for asinine reasons and BLAMING KURT FOR IT, the manipulating of Kurt’s ailing father in order to try to convince Kurt into taking him back just because… and you call BRITTANA unhealthy.
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By Marco on 01/22/2013 at 9:54 pm
One correction: Captain Jack was never gay. He was omnisexual. He was from a future in which the gender or even species of your sex partners didn’t matter. His primary relationship on the show was with Ianto, but he’d flirt with anything and he was shown to have had female lovers, even a wife, in his past. John Barrowman, who played him, is gay, but the character wasn’t.
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By ksheasley on 01/21/2013 at 9:22 am
The “LGBT” label was meant to be all-inclusive Guess we should have called it “LGBTO” lol
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By Jamie Z. on 01/21/2013 at 9:25 am
No, that’s not a problem. The first sentence, though–“Captain Jack is one of the first gay lead men in science fiction”–that’s not quite right.
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By ksheasley on 01/21/2013 at 9:27 am
[…] With society’s increasing acceptance of LGBT members we are beginning to see more and more lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender characters in our media. Here House of Geekery brings you our favorite LGBTQ couples on television; ones that we believe offer viewers a glimpse at healthy, realistic LGBT relationships. 1. Spencer and Ashley- South of Nowhere Spencer and Ashley had a sweet yet tumultuous relationship that survived Spencer’s coming out, a school shooting, and Ashley’s sudden fame. Their relationship was completely realistic and relatable and both characters grew together. 2. Kurt and Blaine – Glee Kurt and Blaine is the shining beacon of light on Glee. Glee does a lot of things wrong, but one thing they did right was creating a realistic and healthy gay relationship with two teen boys. 3. Emily and Naomi – Skins UK Skins UK has always showcased some great gay teen characters, but it was the relationship between Emily and Naomi that really added a lot of humanity to the show. Their relationship was sweet…and to watch them progress and learn as a couple was beautiful 4. Carmen and Shane- The L Word If you spoke to any fan of The L Word, chances are they’d say they wished Carmen and Shane had worked out. The relationship felt real and passionate and when Shane left Carmen at the alter you could hear the fans’ hearts breaking.5-20 at the Source 2 […]
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By 20 Favorite LGBT Television Couples | GLAACE on 01/21/2013 at 9:50 am
That picture of Chris Colfer & Darren Criss is a manip, plus its not the actors in character as Kurt & Blaine.
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By M on 01/21/2013 at 9:51 am
My bad I didn’t know. I’m sorry it bothers you so much.
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By Jamie Z. on 01/21/2013 at 9:51 am
No need to get so butt-hurt over a trivial issue.
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By gfunk101 on 01/21/2013 at 5:48 pm
I have to say, I wish David and Keith from HBO’s “Six Feet Under” had made the list. Not only do we not see interracial gay male couples very often, but both characters were three-dimensional, each with his own set of flaws. Their relationship was not perfect, they even broke up a couple of times, but in the end you could see how they fit together and relied on each other. They even got a happy ending.
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By Toni on 01/21/2013 at 10:13 am
I’ll definitely check them out now, thanks!
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By Jamie Z. on 01/21/2013 at 11:07 am
It is well worth watching. Expect much emotion.
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By gfunk101 on 01/21/2013 at 11:04 am
No Will & Sonny?!
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By mooshki on 01/21/2013 at 11:58 am
We LOVE the L Word!!!! Alice and Dana were an epic couple. 🙂 Carmen and Shane were just hot! This makes me wanna bust out the L Word and some popcorn…just sayin. 🙂
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By thruslife on 01/21/2013 at 11:59 am
yeah I agree basically ALL couples on the L word, each appealing to different audience members… 🙂
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By kranARI on 01/23/2013 at 2:59 am
lol klaine as healthy? if you define attempted date rape, emotional manipulation and cheating after 2 months of being “ignored” a healthy relationship, then fine. rme
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By NOYB on 01/21/2013 at 12:03 pm
Klaine? Seriously? Blaine bullies Kurt into sex, shames him publicly for texting with someone, CHEATS on him after two weeks apart, blames him for it, goes one having other crushes and that’s a healthy relationship? OK.
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By Maria on 01/21/2013 at 12:18 pm
Sis, what show are you watching? Blaine never bullied Kurt into anything. And just because you have a crush while you and you’re partner are not together is unhealthy? lol okay i don’t want to know what your definition of a healthy relationship is then.
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By ames on 01/22/2013 at 1:03 am
What show are you watching lol?? Blaine tried to daterape Kurt in a car when he was drunk and then got pissed off when Kurt pushed him away.
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By Janice on 01/22/2013 at 3:22 am
Lord honey, Blaine never thinks of anyone but himself and what he wants and what his needs are. Kurt is expected too worship at his feet 24/7 and God help him if he doesn’t!
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By Bee on 01/22/2013 at 3:34 am
Blaine cheated, good sir. Then, as he goes on to say that Kurt is the love of his life, his teenage dream and whatnot, he crushes on anyone with a pulse. But, hey, you like him, he’s all yours (and anyone else’s apparently). I wouldn’t trust him as far as I could thow him.
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By Maria on 01/22/2013 at 8:36 am
I’m so glad that Spashley are in the 1st place. Considering how many years passed since SoN ended, it’s really good to see them. Nobody seems to remember about them anymore
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By Alex on 01/21/2013 at 12:28 pm
David and Keith from Six Feet Under and Scotty and Kevin from Brothers and Sisters.
Also Xena/Gabrielle! Not 100% canon, I know, but undeniable.
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By Maria on 01/21/2013 at 12:37 pm
First of all Ben did not have AIDS, he was HIV+, there is an enormous difference between the two (altough I admit the Ben/Michael relationship is one of the greatest). And I would’t call the Klaine relationship healthy, they had their cute moments I admit, but there is still cheating, attempted date rape, victim blaming and a few other nasty things.
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By fuuloveq on 01/21/2013 at 12:37 pm
In what universe is Klaine a “healthy” relationship? I could list all the unhealthy aspects of their relationship but I would be here all day. Spencer/Ashley and Willow/Tara are really the only ones that belong on this list, from what I’ve seen of these couples.
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By Dee on 01/21/2013 at 12:54 pm
That’s a really interesting list, although most of them came from The L Word. Maybe a follow up post about characters in movies too? Just for greater variety?
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By Drew on 01/21/2013 at 1:27 pm
I wouldn’t call 4 out of 20 “most” but the show was almost exclusively lesbian couples while other shows usually only have 1 LGBT couple on them so it stands to reason there might be multiple entries on this list from that show.
And yes we decided to separate movies and TV.
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By Jamie Z. on 01/21/2013 at 1:30 pm
What constitutes a “healthy” relationship exactly? I always see people saying [insert pairing] are not a healthy couple. I know all relationships have their faults, so what does it take to be considered a healthy couple?
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By k on 01/21/2013 at 5:01 pm
I have always hated the way the showrunners killed Ianto. It was a senseless death. Oh well. Great list.
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By VictorsMovieReviews on 01/21/2013 at 9:25 pm
How on earth was Xena/Gabrielle left off of the list? It was that couple in the 90s that paved the way for the others!
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By Shannon on 01/21/2013 at 11:47 pm
I love the idea but unfortunately they were never actually a couple.
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By Jamie Z. on 01/22/2013 at 12:01 am
They kissed and said ‘I love you’ more than once. In my book, that counts.
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By Rosa on 01/22/2013 at 11:19 am
[…] HouseofGeekery.com made a list of their favorite LGBT couples in television history and Spashley comes in at number one. Naomily are at number three. Speaking of the Skins duo, here’s Kathryn Prescott‘s top five moments from the show. […]
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By Morning Brew – Mon. Jan. 20: Jennifer Lawrence goes bi on “SNL,” “The New York Times” profiles Jenna Lyons | johalputt on 01/21/2013 at 11:55 pm
Where the heck are Will and Sonny from Days Of Our Lives?!?! I’ve seen more same sex loving from these two than most on this list.
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By Larry on 01/22/2013 at 3:08 am
Where are Fimogen (Fiona/Imogen) from Degrassi?? Their relationship is healthier than half of the couples on this list.
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By Janice on 01/22/2013 at 3:24 am
Aside from “I don’t know how the hell Klaine is a good example of any kind of relationship” I need to add that that’s a manip and not an actual klaine picture. Chris, not Kurt, is actually kissing Amber in the original.
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By Yana on 01/22/2013 at 8:03 am
This has already been commented on.
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By gfunk101 on 01/22/2013 at 8:16 am
Captain Jack Harkness was omnisexual, technically. He went for boys, girls, aliens, just about anything sentient.
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By Rosa on 01/22/2013 at 11:19 am
Oh man! No LOST GIRL representation! Bo & Lauren are a great example of a sweet, sexy and intelligent couple. xx well written though 🙂 nice to see
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By kranARI on 01/23/2013 at 3:00 am
Reblogged this on The Stoic Squirm.
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By thestoicsquirm on 01/24/2013 at 7:18 pm
love this list! i just wanted to add that “transgender” is not a noun, it’s an adjective. I know it sounds trivial, but it’s a distinction that often means a lot to trans people who are treated as “things”, so it’d mean a lot if you changed the wording on Adam and Becky’s section. Thank you! 🙂
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By sarah on 01/29/2013 at 11:05 pm
No problem!
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By Jamie Z. on 01/29/2013 at 11:51 pm