Although LGBTQ characters can now be seen on the small screen more often than ever, there was a time when representation was not just rare, but downright unwelcome.
Ellen became one of the most groundbreaking shows in LGBTQ history when the title character — played by Ellen DeGeneres — came out as a lesbian in the episode titled “The Puppy Episode.”
DeGeneres explained that the title actually had a significant meaning on her 2017 talk show.
“The writers told the executives that they wanted me to come out because my character needed to be in a relationship,” she said. “Someone at the studio said, ‘Well, get her a puppy; she’s not coming out,’” she said.
The episode attracted 42 million viewers. However, the episode faced backlash over the pivotal coming out scene. EllenEach episode received a warning to viewers and was cancelled one year later.
Laura DernIn an interview with, he revealed that he guest starred in the role of Susan. VultureShe lost work opportunities and required security protection in 2019, after appearing on the show. But she loved filming the scene alongside DeGeneres. She came out as lesbian only one week before the episode aired.
“What was amazing, which I will never forget, that when she [DeGeneres] looked in my eyes, she said it was the first time she said ‘I’m gay’ out loud,” Dern said at the time. “We didn’t rehearse it, so when she said it to me, and was looking in my eyes and holding my hands and I felt her shaking … the gift — it makes me want to cry — the gift of that, the intimacy of what that means, was such insight for me. And I’ll carry it for the rest of my life.”
Ellen was a pioneer for future LGBTQ characters such as Cyrus Goodman.Joshua Rush) who became the first main character to come out as gay on Disney Channel on Andi MackIn 2019.
Peyton Elizabeth LeeThe title character was portrayed by, who told Variety in 2019 that it was monumental to include an LGBTQ character on a children’s show.
“I think people don’t understand the importance of seeing yourself represented on TV,” Lee said. “Even I don’t think I understood the importance of representation until we started making our show, and I started seeing how kids were responding to it.”
Scroll down to view some of the most iconic LGBTQ TV characters.
