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The Golden Girls
Since LGBTQ representation on TV still has a ways to go, it’s easy to forget just how far we’ve come. Nowadays there are a lot of recent shows with predominantly queer casts, ranging from Pose and Tales of the City to Orange is the New Black and Difficult People. There are gay superheroes (Marvel’s Runaways) and trans superheroes (Supergirl) and non-binary finance wizards (Billions) and queer role models (Queer Eye). Drag queens are winning Emmys and Ellen DeGeneres went from being blacklisted after coming out to being one of the longest-running talk show hosts in the game. There’s still so much ground to cover on network TV (although Modern Family and Will & Grace are still holding it down), but you can see the progress being made.
You can really see the progress the LGBTQ community has made on TV when you go back and study the history of queer representation. We’ve come a long way just in the last 10 years, let alone the last 50. With its extensive library of classic titles, Hulu is a great resource for those who want to binge this progress.
This guide represents many of the major and minor examples of LGBTQ rep stretching all the way back to the early ’70s, when having an explicitly queer character on TV was very much a rarity. Prior to a 1971 episode of All in the Family (“Judging Books by Covers”), members of the LGBTQ community were only seen on TV as scrutinized subjects on sensationalized talk shows and as shocking villains on police procedurals. But following that episode, the portrayal of the community started to shift, taking a few steps forward and many steps back over the years. It all led up to Ellen’s landmark coming out episode in 1997. After 1997, shows like Will & Grace and characters like Willow on Buffy the Vampire Slayer proved that queer rep wasn’t done just because Ellen came out. But having a series lead be out and proud was essentially the queer equivalent of the moon landing. Thanks to Hulu, you can stream a lot of the test missions that made that episode possible.
And of course a warning: some of these episodes have not aged well, so brace yourselves if you sit down to watch some of these–particularly the medical or police procedurals and any episode involving gender identity.
'The Mary Tyler Moore Show'
- “My Brother’s Keeper” (January 13, 1973) – Phyllis’ freaks out when she thinks her brother Ben (Robert Moore) is dating Rhoda, and she’s way less freaked out when she finds out he’s actually gay. Ben is one of the first gay characters played by a gay actor on TV, if not the first. [Stream on Hulu] [Read more]
'M*A*S*H'
- “George” (February 16, 1974) – A soldier (Richard Ely) tells Hawkeye that he was beaten up by his unit after getting too drunk and revealing that he’s gay. Hawkeye and Trapper then fight to keep George from being discharged. [Stream on Hulu]
'The Bob Newhart Show'
- “Some of My Best Friends Are…” (October 9, 1976) – Bob stands up for one of his patients (Howard Hesseman) after he comes out and makes the rest of the therapy group uncomfortable. Mr. Plager is quite possibly the first pre-existing recurring character to come out as gay. [Stream on Hulu] [Read more]
'Hill Street Blues'
- “Trial By Fury” (September 30, 1982) – Detective Belker strikes up an unlikely friendship with a male prostitute named Eddie Gregg (Charles Levin). Levin would appear as Gregg in six episodes (see below). [Stream on Hulu]
- “Phantom of the Hill (December 2, 1982) – Eddie Gregg returns when his lover is caught up in a murder. [Stream on Hulu]
- “Here’s Adventure, Here’s Romance” (October 13, 1983) – A shooting at a gay bar can only be solved if an off-duty cop comes forward as a witness, outing himself in the process. [Stream on Hulu]
- “Look Homeward, Ninja” (March 20, 1986) – Officer Kate McBride (Lindsay Crouse) comes out after she’s accused of sexually harassing a suspect. Crouse appears as McBride in 5 episodes. [Stream on Hulu]
- “Slum Enchanted Evening” (March 27, 1986) – In his final appearance, it’s revealed that Eddie Gregg is dying of AIDS. [Stream on Hulu]
'Cheers'
- “The Boys in the Bar” (January 27, 1983) – Sam’s old teammate comes out as gay during a press conference in Cheers, which leads all the regulars to worry that their spot will become a gay bar. [Stream on Hulu] [Read more]
- “Rebecca’s Lover… Not” (April 23, 1993) – Gay icon Harvey Fierstein guest stars as Rebecca’s old high school crush, and Rebecca still has no idea he’s gay. [Stream on Hulu]
'St. Elsewhere'
- “Release” (February 1, 1983) – Dr. Craig is reunited with his college roommate Bob (Andy Romano) who is St. Eligius for gender reassignment surgery. [Stream on Hulu]
- “AIDS and Comfort” (December 21, 1983) – Boston politician Anthony Gifford (Michael Brandon) is shocked to learn he has AIDS, but later reveals that he does have sex with men. This was the first scripted series to deal with AIDS. [Stream on Hulu]
- “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” (December 28, 1984) – Dr. Annie Cavanero breaks a medical researcher’s (Caroline McWilliams) trust when she outs her to the St. Eligius staff and calls her “unnatural.” [Stream on Hulu]
'The Golden Girls'
- “Pilot” (September 14, 1985) – Golden Girls debuts with a fifth cast member: a gay houseboy named Coco, played by Hill Street Blues alum Charles Levin. Coco was written out of the series after the pilot. [Stream on Hulu] [Read more]
- “Isn’t It Romantic” (November 8, 1986) – Dorothy’s college friend Jean (Lois Nettleton) visits following the death of her longtime partner, and she unexpectedly develops feelings for Rose. [Stream on Hulu] [Read more]
- “Strange Bedfellows” (November 7, 1987) – A local politician lets a rumor that he had an affair with Blanche gain traction to cover up for the fact that he’s actually trans. [Stream on Hulu]
- “Scared Straight” (December 10, 1988) – Blanche’s brother Clayton (Monte Markham) visits and brings a shocking revelation with him: he’s gay. [Stream on Hulu]
- “Sister of the Bride” (January 12, 1991) – Clayton returns to Miami with his partner Doug (Michael Ayr) and announces they’re getting married, and Blanche is not very happy. [Stream on Hulu] [Read more]
'Hunter'
- “The Fifth Victim” (December 9, 1989) – Det. Sgt. Rick Hunter tracks down a serial killer targeting gay men, and his fellow officer Det. Frank Buchanan (Rick Giolito) comes out in the process. This is Buchanan’s only appearance. [Stream on Hulu]
'21 Jump Street'
- “Honor Bound” (November 8, 1987) – The fresh-faced cops go undercover at a military school to find out who is beating up gay men. [Stream on Hulu]
- “A Big Disease with a Little Name” (February 7, 1988) – Officer Tom Hanson goes undercover in a high school to protect a teen being who is being harassed because he has AIDS. [Stream on Hulu]
- “A Change of Heart” (January 15, 1990) – Sgt. Hoffs investigates the murder of a lesbian teacher and finds herself the object of a lesbian student’s affection. [Stream on Hulu]
'Married... with Children'
- “Dance Show” (October 21, 1990) – When Peg hits it off with a suave dude at a club (Sam McMurray), that dude’s husband (Dan Castellaneta) takes out his jealousy on Al Bundy. [Stream on Hulu]
- “Lez Be Friends” (April 28. 1997) – Next door neighbor Marcy’s lesbian cousin Mandy (Amanda Bearse, in a dual role) comes to visit. Bearse, an original Married… with Children cast member, came out as gay publicly in 1993 near the beginning of Season 8. [Stream on Hulu]
'Wings'
- “There’s Always Room for Cello” (December 14, 1990) – Cantankerous Roy’s high school son (Abraham Benrubi) has a big secret: he’s gay. [Stream on Hulu] [Read more]
- “Sons and Lovers” (January 16, 1990) – After years of estrangement, R.J. returns to Nantucket for his father’s birthday, and he brings his partner along for the ride. [Stream on Hulu]
'Star Trek: The Next Generation'
- “The Host” (May 13, 1991) – Dr. Crusher falls head over heels for an alien ambassador, unaware that she’s actually in love with a symbiont attached to a host body. When the symbiote takes on a female host (Nicole Orth-Pallavicini), Crusher faces a big decision. [Stream on Hulu]
- “The Outcast” (March 16, 1992) – Commander Riker has a relationship with Soren (Melina Culea), a genderless alien from a society that celebrates androgyny and views any gender expression or sexuality as perverse. [Stream on Hulu]
'Beverly Hills, 90210'
- “Summer Storm” (July 25, 1991) – Kelly sets her sights on hunky volleyball player Kyle Connors (David Lascher), but her hopes are dashed when she finds out he’s gay. Kyle would appear in 3 episodes total. [Stream on Hulu]
- “Blind Spot” (April 6, 1994) – Steve outs the president of his fraternity (Jack Armstrong) after seeing him inside a gay coffeehouse, and then Steve tries to clean up his mess by defending Mike when the frat tries to kick him out. [Stream on Hulu]
- “Up in Flames” (November 30, 1994) – A fire breaks out at a house party, leaving Kelly trapped in a bathroom with Alison, an out lesbian (Sara Melson). Alison appeared in 4 episodes (see below). [Stream on Hulu]
- “Girls on the Side” (May 3, 1995) – Kelly finds out that Alison, badly burned from the fire, has romantic feelings for her. [Stream on Hulu]
- “P.S. I Love You” (May 24, 1995) – Kelly and Alison talk through their feelings and Steve meets a transwoman named Elle (Monika Schnarre). [Stream on Hulu]
'Seinfeld'
- “The Cheever Letters” (October 28, 1992) – In the remnants of his girlfriend Susan’s burned family cabin, George finds love letters written to Susan’s father (Warren Frost) from novelist John Cheever. Mr. Ross appeared in 4 more episodes, although his sexuality was never mentioned again. [Stream on Hulu]
- “The Outing” (February 11, 1993) – A college journalist mistakes Jerry and George for a gay couple (not that there’s anything wrong with that) and publishes her interview. [Stream on Hulu]
- “The Smelly Car” (April 15, 1993) – George’s ex Susan (Heidi Swedberg) returns, now dating a woman. [Stream on Hulu]
- “The Beard” (February 9, 1995) – Elaine poses as Robert’s (Robert Mailhouse) girlfriend in order to please his homophobic boss, and then she sets out to convert him to being straight. [Stream on Hulu]
'Doogie Howser, M.D.'
- “Spell it M-A-N” (January 6, 1993) – Vinnie does not take the news that his college roommate Mark (Gil Cates Jr.) is gay very well. [Stream on Hulu]
'NYPD Blue'
- “Don We Now Our Gay Apparel” (January 3, 1995) – Detectives Sipowicz and Simone interrogate a drag queen named Candace La Rue about the murder of the owner of a gay bar. [Stream on Hulu]
- “I Love Lucy” (April 22, 1997) – A transwoman seeks the squad’s protection from her boyfriend who wants her to have gender reassignment surgery. [Stream on Hulu]
'Living Single'
- “Woman to Woman” (March 21, 1996) – Maxine finds out that her old college roommate is not only gay, but she also had a crush on her. [Stream on Hulu]
- “Swing Out Sisters” (March 20, 1997) – After realizing that their schedules have kept them apart, the girls plan a night out on the town–and end up at a gay bar. [Stream on Hulu]
'Frasier'
- “The Matchmaker” (October 4, 1994) – Frasier invites his new station manager (Eric Lutes) to dinner, which totally gets misconstrued as a date. [Stream on Hulu]
- “The Impossible Dream” (October 15, 1996) – Frasier worries he might be gay after he has recurring, weirdly sexy dreams about food critic Gil Chesterton (Edward Hibbert). [Stream on Hulu]
'ER'
- “ER Confidential” (November 17, 1994) – Dr. Carter tries to help a suicidal transgender patient. [Stream on Hulu]
- “Whose Appy Now?” (February 6, 1997) – Dr. Maggie Doyle (Jorja Fox) comes out as lesbian to Carter while at a shooting range. Doyle appeared in 33 episodes. [Stream on Hulu]
