This Pride Month, let’s take a look at some of the fictional characters that have represented the community in recent years.
In GLAAD’s latest Where We Are on TV report, the organization found that there has been a drop in regular and recurring LGBTQ+ characters on television series from 2023 to 2024.
Since 1985, GLAAD has focused on LGBTQ+ advocacy and cultural change, working to ensure fair, accurate, and inclusive representation.
The report analyzes programs on eight major streaming platforms. From last year’s count of 596, there are now only 468. Thirty-six percent of them will not be returning due to the series ending or cancellations.
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This drop could be partially attributed to the recent actors and writers strikes in Hollywood as well as layoffs across the industry.
Nevertheless, here are some of the LGBTQ+ characters that have made a memorable mark on television these past few years.
Rosa Diaz in Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Rosa Diaz, portrayed by Stephanie Beatriz, is one of the main characters of the cop comedy series Brooklyn Nine-Nine. An intimidating, smart, secretive, but deeply caring detective, Rosa is a complex character right off the bat.
In the ninth episode of season five, titled “99,” Rosa came out as bisexual to her fellow detective and close friend Charles Boyle. She tells the rest of the squad and her traditional Latino parents in the next episode.
The character’s arc was developed by Beatriz herself, who is herself bisexual. Early on in the series, she had already felt that Rosa was queer in some way. “It was absolutely joyous for me because I never could have dreamed that someday I would be on a set filming that story—a main character getting to tell that story,” she told Entertainment Weekly about filming her coming out episode.
Rue and Jules in Euphoria
In some cases, LGBTQ+ characters don’t need to announce their identity, they just let their actions speak for themselves. This is how it is with Zendaya’s Rue Bennett in Euphoria. When she falls in love with Jules Vaughn, played by Hunter Schafer, there’s no fanfare about her sexuality from her or other characters. She just loves who she loves and openly talks about Jules with her family.
Jules herself feels so authentic especially because Schafer herself is a trans woman and has that lived experience. In the first season, she’s seen sleeping with random adult men. She says that “I feel like if I conquer men, I conquer femininity.”
As the series develops, she realizes that she doesn’t need to do this to confirm her womanhood. In Jules’ special episode, she explains that she’s actually no longer interested in men.
Creator Sam Levinson and Schafer co-wrote the episode together. In an interview with GQ, he said this came about during a conversation with the actress. Schafer brought up a poem she wrote as a teenager about “the ocean and its femininity and strength” which Levinson thought should be part of the dialogue.
Eric Effiong in Sex Education
Eric Effiong, portrayed by Ncuti Gatwa, is one of the few gay students at his school in the first season. Even though he and his best friend Otis Milburn are pretty much at the bottom of the social ladder, he remains carefree, expressing himself through makeup and fashion.
In the first few seasons, he starts developing feelings for his bully, Adam, who turns out to be a closeted gay man himself. They eventually start dating but Eric struggles with having to hide part of his identity during their relationship.
Eric goes on a journey to discover himself throughout the series. This serves as a sort of awakening for him, as he learns how to embrace all the intersecting parts of his sexual identity, his culture, and his religion.
Banner image via Instagram @euphoria.
