Some days it feels like we've moved beyond a National Coming Out Day, like it's is a thing of the pat – a relic from the late 80’s. But the news cycle of this past month, which includes antigay rhetoric from politicians and so many suicides among young gay people that could have been prevented, has illuminated the need for continued visibility.
Since we like to marry pop culture with the news of the day we at SheWired scoured the Web for iconic television and movie scenes in which lesbian characters ostensibly come out. We found 10 scenes of lesbians coming out, whether in the Ellen vein of a declarative “I’m gay" statement, an admission of forbidden love in The Children's Hour, an argument with a parent as with Bianca and Erica Kane on All My Children and Callie and to her dad on Grey’s, or by bold action like in Saving Face or Imagine Me and You.
This is by no means a comprehensive list, so please tell us your favorite coming out scenes!
The Ellen Show: "Susan, I'm gay."
It was the coming out heard round the world, and at a faux LAX. Ellen Degeneres and her character Ellen Morgan came out on season 4 of The Ellen Show.
South of Nowhere: Spencer's Morning After
The final episode of South of Nowhere's first season had Spencer (Gaby Christian), and Ashley (Mandy Musgrave), finally hooking up after a school year's worth of back and forth flirting. Ashley had been around the girl block before but it was the first time for Spencer. Here is their morning after from which she never looks back.
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Grey's Anatomy: Erica Hahn's 'Glasses' Speech
While Sara Ramirez's Callie remained fairly undecided about the permanency of her lesbian tendencies, her first female partner Erica Hahn (Brooke Smith), woke up one morning with a brand new outlook on her life. Here is her now famous 'glasses' speech.
The Incredibly True Adventures of Two Girls in Love: 'Unshelter Me'
The L Word's Laurel Holloman starred as baby butch Randy Dean to Nicole Parker's Evie in Maria Maggenti's The Incredibly True Adventures of Two Girls in Love (1995). Here's Evie asking Randy to 'unshelter' her while holding hands in public.
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Pretty Little Liars: Emily and Maya Fall in Love
Pretty Little Liars had a sizzling first season this summer, due in no small part to its adorable lesbian couple Emily and Maya, played by Shay Mitchell and Bianca Lawson. Here's a brief history of their relationship.
The L Word: Phyllis Has an Extra Spring in Her Step
The L Word season 4 featured the iconic actress Cybill Shepherd as Bette's boss Phyllis Kroll, a woman who comes out later in life after an evening of mindblowing sex with Leisha Hailey's Alice. It's the morning after and Phyllis has an extra spring in her step -- coming out as she warns Bette she doesn't want to end up on Alice's OurChart.
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The Children's Hour: Shirley MacLaine's Martha Dobie's Big Admission
Not all coming out stories end with everlasting true love, or even a happy ending. Shirley MacLaine's devastating portrayal of Martha Dobie, a woman in love with her best friend and business partner Karen Wright (Audrey Hepburn) in the 1961 film version of Lilian Hellman's The Children's Hour resonates today. Here is her painful admission of love for Karen.
Grey's Anatomy: Callie Won't Be Judged!
Sara Ramirez's Callie may have walked away from Erica Hahn's intense admission of being gay but here she is facing off with her dad (Hector Elizondo) over homosexuality, and coming out in a big, defiant way!
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Imagine Me and You: Piper Perabo Finds True Her True Love in Traffic
In grand romantic comedy style, Piper Perabo's Rachel tosses caution to the wind and finds her true love Luce (Lena Headey) in bumber-to-bumper traffic in this heartwarming love story.
All My Children: Bianca v. Erica
It was nothing short of groundbreaking when, in 2001, Erica Kane's (Susan Lucci) daughter Bianca came out as a lesbian. Here Bianca faces off with her mother over coming out as a lesbian.
Saving Face: Wil Dances With Viv
The charming romantic comedy Saving Face pits homosexuality against a conservative culture. Lynn Chen's Wil is deeply in love with Viv (Michelle Krusiec) but loses her rather than shame her mother (Joan Chen). Here Wil opts for love and tries to win Viv back although it means a public outing.
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