Queer Characters You Need to Remember This Pride Month
This Pride Month, let’s celebrate the screen icons who’ve shown us that queer identity is powerful, diverse, and unstoppable. From TV shows to web series, these characters challenge stereotypes, embrace authenticity, and remind us that love, courage, and self-expression come in all forms.
Representation matters and for the LGBTQ+ community in India and worldwide, seeing characters reflect real queer lives is transformative. In 2025, queer visibility in media is more than a trend; it’s a movement. These characters normalize LGBTQ+ experiences, provide role models for youth, and create safe spaces in pop culture for conversation, empathy, and joy.
Iconic Queer Characters to Celebrate
- Rosa Diaz – Brooklyn Nine
Rosa is one of the first bisexual characters on mainstream TV who came out confidently, proving that bisexuality is valid and visible.
- Raymond Holt – Brooklyn Nine
Holt came out as gay in the 1980s and now serves as a commanding figure who never shies away from his identity representation of power and pride.
- Theo – The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
A trans male character navigating life and love, Theo embodies self-confidence and queer authenticity.
- Lionel Dear – White People
An African American gay teen, Lionel’s story explores identity, choices, and personal growth, highlighting intersectionality in queer narratives.
- Moira & Emily – The Handmaid’s Tale
This lesbian couple refuses to be crushed by societal norms, showing resilience and the strength of queer love against adversity.
- Villanelle – Killing Eve
A casually bisexual assassin, Villanelle normalizes fluid sexuality without sensationalism, proving queer characters can be complex and fearless.
- Toni Topaz & Cheryl Blossom – Riverdale
This couple is the queer equivalent of Romeo and Juliet, showing love, rebellion, and courage in a teen drama context.
- Eric Effiong – Sex Education
A black gay teen navigating bullying and self-expression, Eric becomes a proud, unapologetic voice for his community.
- Lily Iglehart – Sex Education
A nerdy theatre lover exploring her omnisexuality, Lily demonstrates that sexual exploration and creativity can coexist.
- Simon – Love, Simon
Simon’s journey of self-acceptance and love reflects the universal challenges of coming out, relatable for queer youth in India and beyond.
- Mitchell & Cameron – Modern Family
This iconic couple redefines what a gay family looks like, making LGBTQ+ relationships mainstream and relatable.
- Nomi Marks – Sense8
A trans woman, hacker, and activist, Nomi is empowered, visible, and unapologetically herself.
- Dreamer – Supergirl
As the first openly trans superhero on TV, Dreamer represents queer resilience and heroism, even in extraordinary circumstances.
- Sophia Burset – Orange is the New Black
One of the first mainstream trans characters to discuss gender affirming surgery, Sophia breaks barriers in representation.
- Cuckoo – Sacred Games
The first trans character in an Indian web series, Cuckoo represents queer visibility in Indian media, paving the way for authentic storytelling.
Practical Takeaways
- Celebrate diversity: Watch shows with queer characters to normalize varied LGBTQ+ experiences.
- Support inclusive media: Stream, share, and amplify queer content from India and globally.
- Create safe spaces: Discuss these characters with friends and family to build understanding.
- Engage with Pride events: Connect with local and online communities celebrating queer culture.
From bisexual detectives to trans superheroes, queer characters inspire, empower, and challenge the status quo. This Pride Month, let’s honour their stories, celebrate their visibility, and continue to demand inclusive representation in Indian media and beyond. Every character is a reminder that queer lives are vibrant, complex, and unstoppable.
