20 LGBTQ+ Characters That Are Fantastic Role Models

Representation is so, so important, and that extends to queer people.

Kylin

• Published in Film & TV
• June 29, 2022

While arguably, the accomplishments and contributions made by the members of the LGBTQIA+ community should be recognized, respected, celebrated, acknowledged, and honored every day of the year, there’s a very vocal minority that feels otherwise. Along with those who wish to silence, hurt, or otherwise get rid of us are lawmakers that have been aggressively trying to compromise the legitimacy and safety of the LGBTQIA+ communities, especially recently.

With all of the scary laws being passed and bills being proposed to restrict and remove the rights of trans and queer folks, it really highlights the importance of Pride Month and the celebrations and events that are planned and held during the month of June. And further outside the 30 days each June, we’re slowly broadening the acceptance and understanding, and love for the LGBTQIA+ community through representation in the media.

And while there are several LGBTQIA+ actors and TV personalities (like the Fab 5) that we all love and adore, we really want to focus on a bigger idea: Queer and transgender characters. Representation plays a major part in acceptance, tolerance, and support, and while it’s been a slow and recent change to see LGBTQIA+ characters on screen, there has been a positive change.

We now have several television shows and movies that feature a wonderful, diverse and queer lineup of characters. Kids can see people who are like them, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and more, and they have tangible characters in the media they consume that they can relate to.

Representation matters. It helps people feel seen, helps them feel safe and normal, because being queer, transgender, or any other acronym in the alphabet soup that is LGBTQIA+ is normal.

So today, we’re sharing some of our favorite LGBTQIA+ characters that can be positive and good role models for you or the children in your lives. We have something for everyone, cartoon characters that are effortlessly included in storylines that are for young children, to pre-teen and teen shows depicting the challenge of growing up and growing up LGBTQIA+.

These characters show everyone different types of bravery, truth and normalize the LGBTQIA+ experience for everyone who watches. Keep scrolling to see what we found.

1. Cedric from 'The Bravest Knight'

The Bravest Knight is a Hulu original animated series. The main character, Nia, has two dads for her parents.

Nia was adopted by Prince Andrew and his husband, Cedric. Cedric wasn't born into royalty, he started his life as a pumpkin farmer, and worked hard to reach his goal to become a knight.

Now, he teaches his daughter how she can achieve her own dreams.

2. Mel from 'Charmed'

While fans of the original Charmed series weren't too enthralled with the reboot, it is still going strong after four seasons. The show now follows a family of three Latina sisters who are witches that hold the "power of three," with one of them, Mel, being an open lesbian.

Mel is intelligent, kind, confident, unapologetically gay, and largely the "leader" of the three sisters, and the one who gets her sisters out of almost any situation.

3. Tess from 'This Is Us'

Tess from This Is Us is such an incredible character, and watching her story unfold is such a special treat. Tess is the eldest daughter of Randall and Beth and comes out to her parents in season three.

We get a front-row seat to witness how she grows and explores her identity and how that coincides with her relationships with her family. Her coming-of-age arc is a positive and uplifting example for everyone, whether or not you're gay or straight.

4. Ana from 'Gentefied'

Gentefied is a Netflix original series about a group of second-generation Mexican cousins that is chock full of nontraditional characters and has a wonderful representation of the Latinx community. Ana, the only main character on the show that is female, is an overall fan favorite.

Not only is she openly gay, but Ana is also a very talented artist who uses her work to uplift and honors the LGBTQIA+ community.

5. Will Truman from 'Will & Grace'

An oldie but a goodie, Will & Grace is a hilarious sitcom that would be better suited for an audience that's a little bit older. Will Truman was an early LGBTQIA+ role model, as the show first aired in 1998.

The character Will Truman was a successful lawyer, a devoted friend, and an all-around wonderful person.

6. Victor from 'Love, Victor'

Love, Victor is another Hulu original series, and the titular character, Victor, is impossible not to love. Victor is a gay teen, and we watch as he navigates life and forms relationships at a new high school.

This series is a spin-off of the film Love, Simon, and the characters from the film, Victor and Simon, become supportive friends.

7. Ellie Chu from 'The Half of It'

The Half of It is a Netflix original coming-of-age film that follows Ellie Chu, a very intelligent and determined high schooler who unexpectedly finds herself falling for another girl. This film is one that many teenagers can relate to.

8. America Chavez from 'Marvel Rising'

America Chavez is another badass young Latinx superhero brought to us by Marvel, appearing in many comic books and graphic novels. Most recently, we see her in the animated series Marvel Rising.

She has super speed and super strength and is a lesbian who is not ashamed of her superpowers or her sexual orientation.

9. Jude Adams Foster from 'The Fosters' & 'Good Trouble'

The Fosters and its spin-off show, Good Trouble are Freeform shows that followed an untraditional family. The multi-ethnic family had a mix of foster and biological kids that were being raised by a lesbian couple. 

Naturally, they included a gay child in the series, a sweet and kind boy named Jude who came out at a fairly young age. Throughout the series, we get to see him navigate and learn about his sexuality and varying relationships in a relatable way.

10. Nia Nal from 'Supergirl'

The CW series Supergirl introduced its newest character, Nia Nal, during the first episode of season four. Nia became the first transgender superhero ever to be on American TV.

While Nia is courageous and outgoing, she sometimes struggles with insecurities about whether or not people will accept her and her superpowers. She is a fantastic example for anyone struggling with their gender identity or navigating uncomfortable social issues.

11. Rosa Diaz from 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine'

Brooklyn Nine-Nine's Rosa Diaz is tough-as-nails, smart, and kicks ass. On top of it all, she's openly bisexual.

This awesome character is a great example for kids, no matter if they're LGBTQIA+ or not.

12. Cyrus from 'Andi Mack'

Disney has taken to facing difficult subjects head-on, and the series Andi Mack is no different. In season two we watch as Andi's best friend, Cyrus, comes out as gay to her in order to help her feel supported when she's upset that her crush doesn't seem to reciprocate her feelings.

Cyrus continues to prove that he is an *incredible* friend.

13. David Rose from 'Schitt's Creek'

Schitt's Creek is a pop-culture hit. Dan Levy created the series with his father, Eugene Levy, and plays one of the main characters, David Rose.

David is 100% unapologetically himself, and part of being himself happens to be pansexual. "I like the wine and not the label."

While Schitt's Creek is not appropriate for younger kids, David Rose can be a fantastic role model for straightforwardness, confidence, and self-assuredness that pre-teens and teens can benefit from.

14. Odee Elliot from 'Madagascar: A Little Wild'

Airing on Peacock and Hulu, Madagascar: A Little Wild, is a new animated series from Dreamworks. In it, we're introduced to a sweet non-binary okapi named Odee Elliot, who teaches their friends the importance of being proud of who you are, and that it's not a bad thing to be different.

They want to party at the Animal Pride Parade and have a great little song about Pride, 'Be Proud!" Even better, the character is voiced by transgender actor Ezra Menas.

Watch and listen to the catchy tune below

15. Kurt Hummel from 'Glee'

Glee gave us one of the first openly gay teenagers that we ever had on TV, Kurt Hummel. He was always supportive, honest, and kind to his friends all while staying true to who he is.

16. Cam & Mitchell from 'Modern Family'

ABC's Modern Family hosts everyone's favorite couple, Cam and Mitchell. The two are perfect for each other, and we get to witness their loving and committed relationship flourish and grow throughout the show's 11 seasons.

Seeing gay men depicted as monogamous and devoted is a refreshing and wholesome take, as gay men have been almost exclusively portrayed as promiscuous and frivolous.

17. Betty Deville from 'Rugrats'

Rugrats fans from the 90's likely suspected that Phil and Lil's super-butch mom, Betty, was probably a lesbian. Those in charge of the reboot have confirmed this theory, depicting Betty as a single mom who is openly gay.

The cherry on top is that her character is voiced by Natalie Morales who publicly came out as queer during Pride Month in 2017.

18. Roy & Ray Razzle from 'Chip and Potato'

Netflix released an original animated series aimed at preschoolers called Chip and Potato. This incredibly cute show stars a pug puppy, Chip, and her animal friends.

One of the neighbors in the show is a pair of zebras, Roy and Ray Razzle, who are also a gay couple raising their twins. While they're only secondary characters, their inclusion as regular members of their community helps normalize non-hetero families from a young age.

Many children have same-sex parents. It's important that they and their friends see their families in the media they consume.

19. Joe & Nicky from 'The Old Guard'

The Old Guard is an original Netflix film that is best suited for older teens and adults, as it has an 'R' rating for graphic violence. The film is based on a comic of the same name, and the characters Joe and Nicky unexpectedly stole our hearts.

The two men are a gay couple who are members of a band of immortal crime fighters. Being immortal, they've been together for hundreds of years, and are completely unashamed of their love for each other.

20. Aunt Holiday & Auntie Lofty from 'My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic'

The My Little Pony franchise introduced two new lesbian characters in 2019, Aunt Holiday and Auntie Lofty, in the animated series My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic. The two are in a loving, committed relationship and are raising their adopted niece, Scootaloo.

Happy Pride, y'all

And don't forget: Black Trans Lives Matter. Black Queer Lives Matter. Black Lives Matter.

All day. Every day. Hardstop.

Have you seen any of the shows or movies we mentioned on this list? Did any end up on your watchlist after reading about them?

If not, do yourself a favor and try checking some of them out. Even if you’re not personally part of the LGBTQIA+ community, or think you don’t know anyone who is, it will only benefit and enrich your life to expand your heart and mind to the realities of lives that are different than yours.

Happy watching. 

Kylin