List RulesVote up the best shows with LGBTQ+ characters that are currently airing new episodes on TV or a streaming service.
Gay characters on TV shows have come a long way since the days of All in the Family when a character named Steve shocked the nation by becoming the first openly gay character on a sitcom. Since then, gay TV shows like Will and Grace and Glee have blazed trails for LGBTQ+ characters. Now, scores of shows feature gay characters, sometimes in leading roles and other times as members of the supporting cast. Which gay TV series currently on air are the best?
Unlike in the past, series like Batwoman, Wynonna Earp, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and plenty of others now feature gay and lesbian characters without focusing overtly on their sexuality. In the past, most gay characters' predominant trait was the fact that they were gay. Now, we have LGBTQ+ TV shows with gay characters who are defined by their other traits as well, and they just happen to be gay.
Many people relate the growing presence and positive portrayal of the LGBTQ+ community in television to the gradually changing ideals of America. Many television writers have attempted to tackle the issue of gay rights and in doing so, they have helped to change the national narrative.
Thanks to that, we now have gay shows featuring gay characters who are everything from superheroes to prisoners to stay at home dads. Check out this list of gay and lesbian TV shows and vote up the series you think are the best current TV shows with gay characters.
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114168Scream
Audrey Jenson, Rachel MurrayScream (MTV, 2015) is an American anthology slasher television series developed by Jill... more27
2638Stumptown
Dexedrine "Dex" Parios (Lead)Actors: Cobie Smulders, Jake Johnson, Tantoo Cardinal
Premiered: 2019
Genres (Tv): Crime drama
Stumptown (ABC, 2019) is an American crime drama television series created by Jason Richman,... more28
2748Gael Martinez
Alice Kwan
Jazmin Martinez29
2655NCIS: New Orleans
Tammy GregorioActors: Scott Bakula, Lucas Black, Zoe McLellan
Premiered: 2014
Genres (Tv): Drama, Crime Fiction
NCIS: New Orleans is an American television series combining elements of the military drama... more30
80150MateoSuperstore (NBC, 2015) is an American single-camera sitcom television series created by Justin... more31
83159Chicago Fire
Kelly Severide, Matthew CaseyActors: Jesse Spencer, Taylor Kinney, Monica Raymund
Premiered: 2012
Genres (Tv): Drama
Leslie Shay, Clarice CarthageChicago Fire is an American television drama series that airs on NBC and was created by... more32
101192South Park
Eric Cartman, Kenny McCormickActors: Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Mary Kay Bergman, Isaac Hayes, Eliza Schneider
Premiered: 1997
Genres (Tv): Animation, Comedy, Sitcom, Satire
Mr. Slave, Mr. Garrison, Tweek Tweak, Craig Tucker, Ms. Cartman,Big Gay Al, Sparky the Dog
South Park (Comedy Central, 1997) is an American adult animated sitcom created by Trey Parker... more33
59138The Good Fight
The Good Fight (CBS All Access, 2017) is a legal and political drama television series, a... more34
78185Mort/Maura Pfefferman, Sarah Pfefferman, Tammy Cashman, Syd FeldmanTransparent (Amazon Video, 2014) is an American comedy-drama television series created by Jill... more35
49153Tara MohrBillions (Showtime, 2016) is an American television drama series created by Brian Koppelman,... more36
40142Younger
Diana, LizaActors: Sutton Foster, Debi Mazar, Miriam Shor
Premiered: 2015
Genres (Tv): Comedy-drama, Romantic comedy
Younger (TV Land, 2015) is an American comedy-drama television series created by Darren Star,... more37
Work in Progress (Showtime, 2019) is an American comedy television series co-created by Abby... more38
937Andres
Los Espookys (HBO, 2019) is an American comedy television series. The show follows a group of... more39
414Kissing Game (Netflix, 2020) is a Brazilian mystery thriller television series created by... more40
215Twenties (BET, 2020) is a comedy television series created by Lena Waithe. The show follows... more41
After Forever (Amazon, 2018) is an American drama series. Brian and Jason had it all and... more42
Someone Has to Die (Netflix, 2020) is a Spanish crime thriller television drama created by... more