Mary’s 15 Most Influential LGBTQ+ TV Characters

Every June since I was 20 and really started to question my sexuality, I have paid close attention to all the LGBTQ+ voices being highlighted. It wasn’t until 2018 that I really felt proud enough to actually celebrate my label under the LGBTQ+ umbrella — Asexual.

However, I have noticed and clung to LGBTQ+ characters since as early as my childhood, even if I didn’t understand why. In the last 20 years, I have allowed TV to shape, mold, and guide me through the murky waters of my identity crisis.

There are many LGBTQ+ characters I have come across on my journey, but only 15 have really left an impact on who I am today.

So, as part of our Critics’ Picks series this month, here is my list of 15 Most Influential LGBTQ+ Characters.

1. Paige Michalchuk (Degrassi: The Next Generation)

One of the first characters I remember gravitating towards on TV was Paige Michalchuk. This strong, independent female was a force to be reckoned with even before she revealed herself to be bisexual.

Her relationship with Alex is one of my favorite TV relationships of all time. To be quite honest, Paige was probably my first ever major crush — despite only being a preteen and not understanding the feelings.

She never apologized for who she was or how she felt. Something about this empowered me as a young girl to never apologize for who I am, even if it makes people uncomfortable.

Even now, almost two decades later, the character of Paige stands out as one of the youngest bisexual voices on TV. She normalized dating both men and women in a time where it was still a bit unheard of.

2. Patrick Brewer (Schitt’s Creek)

In the last couple of years, one character’s journey has mirrored mine almost completely. Patrick Brewer from Schitt’s Creek is an older LGBTQ+ character on a journey of discovery.

I didn’t figure out my own personal identity until I was 27 years old, so to see a character go through those same anxieties really drew me in and made me feel seen and comforted. In fact, Schitt’s Creek Season 5 Episode 11, “Meet the Parents,” where Patrick comes out to his family, is my most-watched episode of TV ever.

Watching Patrick come out to his parents gives us hope that we’ll find a loving partner someday who sees all of us and accepts it. Patrick is one of the first characters to start his LGBTQ+ journey a little bit later in life which speaks to others like him.

3. Florence (Sex Education)

Being someone who identifies as asexual makes it really hard to find true representation on television. So, in Sex Education Season 2, when they introduced a character thinking she is broken because she has no feelings about sex, I got very excited.

Her explanation of her feelings about sex being very much like attending a feast while not hungry is one of the best asexual analogies I have yet to find. It’s a wonderful learning tool for everyone who isn’t sure exactly what asexual means.

For the first time ever, I saw myself reflected. It’s great that TV is moving toward showing a wider range of identities so that maybe younger individuals won’t spend as many years as I did floundering, thinking they are broken or invalid.

4. Annalise Keating (How To Get Away With Murder)

Who comes to mind when I say: strong, opinionated, fierce, bisexual Black woman? There are probably a few characters that fit that bill, but for me, it is Annalise Keating.

Annalise drew me into her web the moment I met her. She not only introduced me to a powerful career-driven female character who was fluid in her love choices but also someone of the black community.

It really gives us an idea of some of the struggles she had to overcome just to get to where she is in her career and how people still discredit her. In today’s climate, her words of strength and encouragement about being a woman in the professional world are not to be counted out.

Loving and being influenced by this character is less about her sexuality and more about who she is as a woman. She made me see just how easy it was/is to manipulate the justice system.

5. Paul Strickland (9-1-1: Lone Star)

Paul from 9-1-1: Lone Star isn’t the first trans man I have seen on TV, but he is the first gay one of color.

By watching him live his truth unapologetically on our TV screens, we are influenced to learn more about the struggles of trans individuals of color. It’s even better that Paul is one of the first trans characters on a TV show that is actually played by a trans man.

Because of that, and some influence from my trans friends, I have found myself pushing for more authentic representation across the board. It shouldn’t be so monumental that Paul is a character who just exists in this universe with no fanfare about his identity, and yet here we are.

6. Mo (Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist)

On a show where individuality is a dime a dozen, Mo still manages to stand out as probably the most unique. Mo is Zoey’s sidekick neighbor — which I totally believe they deserve a higher rank — that knows all there is to know about life, love, and music.

As Mo advises Zoey on what she should do with her life struggles I found myself listening up and taking notes. Even though I am now comfortable in my own skin and with my sexuality, Mo makes me feel empowered!

There is just something about their “no f*cks to give” attitude that makes everyone sit down and pay attention. More TV shows need a character like Mo.

With a song and a heart-to-heart, they have worked their way into my life as one of my all-time favorite TV characters. I know the show is all about Zoey, but I’m honestly more invested in Mo.

7. Blanca Evangelista (Pose)

There is something to be said about a strong, proud woman of color. There is, even more, to be said for a woman who never backs down from a fight for equality not only for herself but for her “family” as well.

Blanca from Pose reminds me that even when I feel comfortable with my rights as a queer woman I must never forget that the fight is far from over. We must never become complacent in our comfortability and Blanca fiercely leads that charge.

No matter what words or force gets thrown at Blanca, she always leads with love. Blanca is a trans woman of power and our world needs so much more of that.  

8. Magnus Bane (Shadowhunters)

Even before Shadowhunters aired, I was in love with the character Magnus Bane. However, Harry Shum Jr.’s portrayal of the out and proud bisexual warlock increased my love and admiration of the character ten-fold.

Never discredit how unapologetic Magnus is as he walks through life. He never lets one thing define him and he guards his heart with a strong wall.

However, his relationship with Alec reawakens in him the ability to accept and give love. It’s inspiring to even this cold, cynical, mistrustful person.

Magnus makes me believe that love is possible even in the most unlikely of places or forms. The world deserves more characters like Magnus — whether they are male or female.

9. Henrietta Wilson (9-1-1)

From the moment I met her, I fell in love with Henrietta (Hen) Wilson. She loves her job and her family with a strength that not many people can say they have.

Hen never lets anyone tell her that she can’t. If she is told she can’t do something she will stop at nothing to prove them wrong and then some.

She leads her job with her heart and compassion. When something happens on the job she feels it with her whole soul.

Hen never takes for granted just how blessed she is to lead the life she does with all the love and acceptance that she has. She uses her platform to teach love, acceptance, tolerance, and compassion. Hen is the woman we deserve about ten of in each of our lives.

10. Kat Edison (The Bold Type)

The Bold Type’s Kat is what everyone wants in a strong feminist. She never backs down from a fight and lets her morals and beliefs lead her — she doesn’t lead them. The part about Kat that really drew me to her is her passion — she never questioned who she is until she meets Adena.

Her journey of discovery and questioning her sexual identification is very relatable to me. There’s a battle between what she knows in her heart and what her logical brain says is ok. It’s not entirely easy for everyone under the LGBTQ+ umbrella — Kat is a perfect example of that struggle.

Her whole being and sense of self are called into question by the feelings she has for Adena. For some, the show of turmoil and struggle of self on TV helps because we have gone on that journey.

11. Amanita Caplan (Sense 8)

One of the first times we ever see Amanita, she is fighting to get to her wife’s bedside after a health scare. She doesn’t let anyone stand in her way of that — not her wife’s family or the medical staff.

This is a perfect example of how strongly she loves Nomi and it gives us an idea just what we will be able to expect from her. Much like everyone else on this list she inspires me to be more adamant and unwavering about the things that matter most to me.

Because of her, we learn to be more focused and vocal about equality for all. Amanita’s strength of character has made others more aware and open about how much they want more for those like them in the world.

12. Oliver Hampton (How To Get Away With Murder)

While there are quite a few representations of queer characters on How To Get Away With Murder, the best male character is Oliver Hampton. He has never been afraid to show the world exactly who he is.

And while his moral high ground slowly sinks lower and lower the longer he is with Connor, he never once betrays anyone. He is one of the few “good” characters on this show.

He may lie and cheat his way into valuable information but he never does it to intentionally hurt someone. And if he does hurt someone he has a guilty conscience big enough to try and make amends for that.

He will go to the end fighting for those he loves and trusts — none more so than Connor. Oliver also normalizes what it means to be HIV positive in a loving, committed relationship and all the conflict that can create.

Ultimately the thing to learn and take away from Oliver is his fierce loyalty and love. He gives up his whole heart for both which gravitates everyone to him. He is just sweet, wonderful Oli.

13. Veronica Fisher (Shameless)

On a show that isn’t afraid to go there, it’s sad to see that there are very limited queer characters and even more limited queer characters of color. Especially considering the show is set in Chicago.

However, that means Ms. Veronica Fisher gets to stand out that much more because she is the only character like her. From early on, she normalizes the female archetype of “don’t take shit from no one.”

She is in a strong, sex-positive relationship with her white boyfriend, and he’s always been supportive of her fluidity when it comes to sex. In fact, he’s more than happy to enter into a healthy, positive throuple with Veronica and Svetlana.

It’s inspiring to see a show that chooses to have no qualms about showing all aspects of sexuality and not just the common forms of it. Veronica empowers those around her to be more vocal about the issues that matter to them — which in turn empowers viewers.

14. Lena Adams-Foster (The Fosters)

When The Fosters first aired, I was immediately drawn to it because it was showing my own family dynamic. I was adopted by a lesbian couple and raised in a family of foster and adopted children.

However, the character that kept me drawn to the show is Lena. She is the compassionate, gentle but fair half of the lesbian mothers, and she is an educator. From a young age, I knew I wanted to be a teacher.

As I was first realizing that I wasn’t exactly straight, TV came out with this female educator who openly loves her wife and is able to have a family with her. It was groundbreaking back then and remains so to this day because normalizing an LGBTQ+ family dynamic still isn’t mainstream. 

Lena gave me comfort on those long nights that I sat up worried I was seeking a degree for a career that wouldn’t happen for me — that I’d be denied if they ever knew who I really was. She is proof positive that anything good in this world is possible if you just go out there and fight for it.

15. Callie Torres (Grey’s Anatomy)

Grey’s Anatomy’s Callie Torres is another one of those bisexual characters that changed the game of representation for me. Seeing her go from one relationship to the next without any fanfare whether she was with a guy or a girl really gave me the strength to be okay with the fact that gender didn’t matter to me.

She showed that it is okay to date either gender and still be “normal.” When she had to go up against her father and his faith during her wedding storyline, I paid even closer attention to her.

Her voice lends itself to all those who have religious parents or family members who might be struggling to find the right words to say.  

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Who are your most influential LGBTQ+ characters? Share them with me in the comments below!

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