Lesbian News’ best 2016 LGBTQ TV shows that came out
LGBTQ TV shows fortunately have become more common in recent years. Which is why when we were deciding the best 2016 LGBTQ TV shows, we had a lot to choose from.
Of course, when we say LGBTQ TV shows, we mean TV shows with both LGBTQ characters populating the cast and also some respectful consideration for the LGBQT audience.
This is a completely different scenario from the past when LGBTQ characters were just wishful thinking on TV.
With 2016 ready to switch over to 2017, here’s our list of the best LGBTQ TV shows this year that we saw on mainstream and cable TV.
2016 LGBTQ TV shows #1: Sense8
From the same creators who gave birth to the movie Bound, the Wachowski sisters made another milestone by coming up with the Netflix Original TV series Sense8.
The show is about eight people from all over the world who’re connected mentally and emotionally. They find out they’re what is known as “sensates.”
Pride described the show, Sense8, as unlike anything else on TV right now. We like it because it casts a real-life trans woman in the person of Jamie Clayton.
2016 LGBTQ TV shows #2: Supergirl
Supergirl premiered last year but we’re not cheating. In the second season two this TV series, there was some focus on the adopted older sister of Kara Danvers a.k.a. Supergirl (as played by Melissa Benoist).
To be specific, Supergirl’s sister, Alex Danvers (Chyler Leigh), had trouble feeling any tenderness for men. This was because– you guessed it– Alex is a lesbian.
Likewise, a major part of the series was Alex’s coming out journey and her feelings for the detective Maggie Sawyer (Floriana Lima).
“It’s going to be everything that any relationship that you see on TV, no matter what the gender, should and will be,” said the show’s executive producer, Andrew Kreisberg.
2016 LGBTQ TV shows #3: Wynonna Earp
Like the Girl of Steel above, it does seem like TV shows with strong women characters can’t do without a lesbian in their cast, as is the case of the Canadian TV show Wynonna Earp.
This supernatural Western is based on a comic of the same name, with the main character, Wynonna Earp (played by Melanie Scrofano), descended from the legendary gunslinger Wyatt Earp.
However, the TV show has Waverly Earp (Wynonna’s sister, played by Dominique Provost-Chalkley) and Deputy Sheriff Nicole Haught (Katherine Barrell) falling for each other.
Because of this, the #WayHaught fandom was born. Hopefully, they won’t kill off the lesbian characters in this show.
2016 LGBTQ TV shows #4: You Me Her
Just reading the premise of You Me Her got us hooked even before we watched the first episode. Why shouldn’t it when it’s the first polyromantic series on TV?
The sexually-frustrated husband, Jack Travarsky (Greg Poehler), hires an escort Izzy (Priscilla Faia). Guilt-ridden, he confesses to his wife, Emma (Rachel Blanchard).
Rather than leaving him and filing for a divorce, Emma has an affair of her own– with Izzy.
What begis as a tale of sexual frustration eventually becomes a story of the complexities of love. Not bad, huh?
2016 LGBTQ TV shows #5: Star
Star is about three women who’re on a journey to seek musical success. One of the character is a trans woman, played by transgender actress Amiyah Scott.
Scott– as the trans stripper Cotton Brown– helps in launching the trio’s musical career. And it has a lot of singing, so what’s not to like?
With these exciting series, we’re so looking forward to 2017. How about you, what were the TV shows you enjoyed this year?