The subtext paving the way so lesbians and bi women can have a real presence on TV
Although representation has come a long way for lesbians and bisexual women in, we admittedly have a long way to go. Many of the characters we loved and admired as baby and adolescent gays gave off major lesbian vibes. Unfortunately, however, mainstream television didn’t allow the space for the characters to be out and proud.
In recent TV history, a lot of female characters have been written as lesbian-coded. With a little historical distance, it feels extremely difficult to read them any other way. Bisexuality used to be viewed in the popular culture as a trick girls performed at slumber parties. And lesbians had to endure some very ugly stereotypes in those early days. But lucky for us, there are many, many characters that with their subtext paved the way for better representation on television today.
We’ll dub these characters our Sapphic Fairy Godmothers. So we may show appreciation for the work they put in and we can see openly gay and bi women on our TVs every night.
Pussy Galore — Goldfinger
Some of us will be too young to recognize this reference, but Pussy Galore is an extremely important addition to the lesbian cultural canon, and especially to the James Bond franchise. This character first appeared in 1959 in Ian Fleming’s Goldfinger as the head of an organized, lesbian crime ring called the Cement Mixers. She is “cured” of such notions by the end of the novel when she falls in love with James Bond. But for a moment, we had a lesbian in the popular culture of the 1950s.
In the 1964 movie of the same name, the character was played by Honor Blackmon and was almost completely straight-washed. You get a brief glimpse into her sexuality when she tells Bond, “I am immune to your charms.” You can probably guess that Bond got the girl, but it was a nice nod to the origins of the character.
Faith Lehane – Buffy the Vampire Slayer
It seems obvious that Willow would be the token representation in this franchise, and it’s true that she went a long way to move the needle for inclusion. However, it’s Faith Lehane who captured the hearts of so many closeted young women in the early 00s.
Perhaps it was the crackling sexual tension between her and Buffy, and the way she openly objectified her. Or her air of rebellion and subversion, but it’s probably safe to say Faith was the start of many, many sexual awakenings – mine included.
Idgie Threadgoode and Ruth Jamison – Fried Green Tomatoes
I remember watching this movie and becoming acutely aware of the courtship between Idgie and Ruth. I was quickly disappointed at the compulsory heterosexuality forced upon Ruth. Although I didn’t have the language to identify it at the time).
Written as “good friends” the book and the film only offer indirect implications of a sexual relationship. However, these women are so very clearly lesbian characters and their relationship is one that many couples strive for. This movie was so important to burgeoning lesbians and bisexuals of the 90s. It could be, arguable, the most important of that time.
Lisa Simpson – The Simpsons
The FOX series has never come right out and demonstrated Lisa as bisexual, although the subtext is there. In fact, they have written her with a handful of male love interests. Her devotion to Milhouse and her addiction to Corey’s teen hotline is evidence she is interested in boys. However, there are other, more subtle hints that she may be bisexual after all.
In the opening credits of the season 23 holiday episode, Lisa is featured in a photo montage of Christmases’ future. In the scene, she is holding hands with two women, then a different woman, and then a man. The producers of the show envision Lisa as both bisexual and polyamorous and have gone on record stating as much. Lisa has long been the conscience of the show and making her bi feels exceptionally powerful because it doesn’t reduce her to a party trick for the male gaze.
The Entire Cast of The Craft
Historically speaking, the word “witches” conjured up images of rebellious women. These women are labeled “other’ because they shun the norms of the patriarchy, religion, and heteronormativity. This cultural trope often explores the complicated relationships between women. As such, witches in the cultural zeitgeist are often implied to be lesbians and bisexuals. It’s a reductive shortcut, but sadly one that persists even today.
Even though there were no same-sex love scenes, the movie felt like it was plumbing the depths of the female paradigm in ways that bumped right up against the edge of girl-on-girl romance. It was embraced by the lesbian community. It also became a favorite for many women who grew up in the 90s. Most likely because it offered permission to fully embrace feelings for women that transcended platonic notions.
Xena – Xena the Warrior Princess
No list of lesbian-coded characters would be complete without an honorable mention of Xena. Xena the Warrior Princess told the story of a former warlord and her faithful companion. Over the course of six seasons, CBS offered some pretty heavy-handed hints that the two may be soulmates, but stopped short of confirming it. It was the 90s after all.
Even 30 years later, Xena and Gabrielle remain among the most famous lesbian couples on television. Even though the behind-the-scenes homophobia robbed audiences of a satisfying happy ending for the two, it was highly rated. For a show of its time, it pushed the envelope toward an openly gay, female couple to come into our homes weekly. Its popularity also demonstrates the power of representation and how much we need to see ourselves represented on television.
