As you prepare to marry your partner, you may be thinking about a lot of things. For example, you may be considering how accepting the world has come in regards to the LGBT community. There was once a time when seeing a gay character on television was practically unfathomable. This time, unfortunately, was not too long ago. While the media has come far in recent years in regards to showcasing LGBT representation, it was a long journey to reach this point. Each of these important television moments helped to pave the way for the next.

A History of Representation

The evolution of representation on the small screen is interesting. First, there were no gay characters. Next, there were characters who exhibited stereotypical traits but were never outright referred to as gay. After that, there were characters who were gay, but they were not main characters. Usually they were guest actors playing relatives whose sole purpose was to facilitate an episode about LGBT themes. Highlighting some of the more successful earlier moments of television for LGBT characters helps to show just how important it can be for the media to showcase multiple points of view from people of all walks of life.

“All in the Family”

Many Americans remember Archie Bunker of All in the Family as a character who constantly fought against the progressive ideas of the time. Specifically, his stories seemed to always focus on him having to deal with issues of race or women’s lib. Early on, however, the show aired an episode that dealt entirely with homosexuality. Considering it was 1971, this was an unprecedented move. This was one of the show’s first episodes, and it left audiences conflicted. The show can seem offensive by today’s standards, with all characters dropping stereotypical names for LGBT people, but there’s a positive message.

After an encounter with a flamboyant man, Archie Bunker goes to the bar and makes friends with a large, strapping, football player. They get along great, and it is revealed later that Bunker’s new friend is gay. Not only was it a big deal to have a gay character on screen, but it helped to break stereotypes. They introduced a character who broke the mold of what people thought homosexuals looked like. Of course, due to the time and censors, the word “gay” is never used. All of the dialogue simply implies the subject matter.

“Homer’s Phobia”

In 1997, the long-running cartoon “The Simpsons” aired an episode titled “Homer’s Phobia”. It dealt with Homer Simpson befriending a man and being uncomfortable after finding out his new friend is gay. The episode takes Homer on a journey of acceptance, leading the viewer through a hilarious series of events as Homer works through his prejudice. The episode went on to win an Emmy and a GLAAD award. It is still viewed as an excellent episode of television.

The interesting thing about this episode is that it almost didn’t air. Interviews with the showrunners at the time explain that the network censors did not approve of the LGBT focus and gave a stern warning against producing the episode. Instead, the showrunners decided to ignore the warning and hope for the best. In the end, it was a bold move which introduced a wide audience to an important storyline of acceptance.

“The Puppy Episode”

Also in 1997, ABC aired “The Puppy Episode” of “Ellen,” the sitcom starring the infamous and beloved Ellen DeGeneres. The episode marks a monumental moment for television, with Ellen’s character coming out to her friends and the audience. This was followed by DeGeneres coming out herself to the world. While it is considered one of the most iconic moments of television in regards to LGBT representation, it also produced something of a backlash. The show was cancelled after another season, advertisers pulled their ads from the network, and performers who appeared in the episode had a hard time finding work.

There are many instances nowadays of gay and lesbian characters appearing on television series, or even being the prime focus. While it is important to appreciate this fact, it’s more important to look back and remember how difficult of a struggle it was to achieve this goal.