These shows and movies made a major impact.
One constant in the current landscape is the importance of representation.
Angelica Ross
WhenNoah’s Arcpremiered in 2005, nothing like it existed.
Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images; Logo
It featured four close friends navigating life like many TV shows, but this one centered Black LGBTQ men.
In their stories she saw something that resonated with her.
“Noah’s Arkwalked, soPosecould run,” she says.
Benjo Arwas/Getty Images; Everett Collection
Javicia Leslie
A self-described tomboy,Javicia Lesliefound “the girly version” of herself inClueless.
After watching the film repeatedly, theBatwomanstar found herself talking like the characters and dressing like them.
“You couldn’t tell me I wasn’t Dionne,” she says.
Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images; Brett Roedel/Hulu
She also loved Spike Lee’sShe’s Gotta Have It.
“I grew up in Oregon surrounded by white people.
Sherry Cola
Good Troublestar Sherry Cola says seeingSouth of Nowhere,ignited her queerness.
Cindy Ord/Getty Images; TeenNick
“It really just showed me how love is so powerful,” Cola shares.
Alexandra Billings
“Phil DonahuewasOprah Winfreybefore Oprah Winfrey was Oprah Winfrey,” Alexandra Billings explains.
“Not only did the show change my life, it saved my life.”
Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images; Everett Collection
One explicitly queer storytelling moment where she felt represented happening during the 2015Fun HomeTony Awards performance.
Laci Mosley
SeeingMoeshawas a huge deal forLaci Mosley.
“Moesha is a Black woman who could sing and who was cool and funny,” she says.
Momodu Mansaray/WireImage; Theo Wargo/Getty Images
It was important for Mosley to see an entire story centering a character that looked like her.
The show ran for eight seasons and led to spin-offThe Parkers.
King is happy to see some nuance added to the stories we’re seeing about bisexual representation.
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images; Everett Collection
She singles out characters like Nick fromHeartstopper, Stephanie Beatriz’s character onBrooklyn Nine-Nine, and Nova onQueen Sugar.
She feels honored to be part of that by creating the character AJ in her filmCrush.
Maisie Richardson-Sellers
While early in her journey of coming out,Maisie Richardson-Sellersfound Bette onThe L Word.
Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images; Justin Lubin/Warner Bros./Getty Images
“She’s a beautiful mixed race successful powerhouse lesbian.
It really made me realize that’s possible for us,” she explains.
Another big moment for theLegends of Tomorrowstar was seeingDee Rees’Pariah.
Presley Ann/Getty Images; James Dittiger/Showtime
“It’s so important because it makes you think that your story matters,” she explains.
‘“The L Word: Generation Qshowrunner Marja-Lewis Ryan recalls of seeingThe Rosie O’Donnell Show.
The other person that made her feel that way isQueen Latifah.
David Livingston/Getty Images; Frank Micelotta/Getty Images
As a rapper on a sitcom, Ryan was confused about why she saw herself in Latifah.
“I couldn’t quite put my finger on her, but I know now,” she says.
Schwab
Killing EvemadeFirst Killauthor V.E.
Tor Books; Robert Viglasky/BBCAmerica
Those traits are typically given to straight characters, not queer women in film and television.
