LGBTQ+ representation on TV has historically been an uphill battle. Since progress has been slow, it can sometimes feel like it’s not progressing fast enough. In some says, that’s true. However, on a more optimistic note, a recent GLAAD study reports that we have, in recent years, reached a record-high number of LGBTQ+ characters on the small screen. It’s a major improvement on how, historically, LGBTQ+ characters were reduced to stereotypes or given little character development in the past.

Obviously, one of the most important aspects of LGBTQ+ representation is the romantic relationships the characters on-screen become involved in. At one point in TV history — not too long ago, in fact — LGBTQ+ kisses on-screen were taboo, so when TV shows did choose to break the mold, it was a big deal for queer audiences alike to see these moments broadcast on air. Thankfully, we’ve come a long way since. To celebrate Pride Month, we look back at the LGBTQ+ kisses that broke ground in TV history.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

8 The Real World: San Francisco

     MTV

In 1994, The Real World: San Francisco broke barriers when gay couple Sean Sasser and Pedro Zamora held a commitment ceremony to each other live on-air. Tragically, Zamora died from complications of HIV/AIDS just eight days after the episode aired, but chose to appear on the show to raise awareness. The moment serves as an important part of representation of LGBTQ+ existence on mainstream TV.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

7 Relativity

     20th Century Fox Television

In 1997, Relativity depicted a kiss between Rhonda Roth (Lisa Edelstein) and Suzanne (Kristen Dattilo). The kiss is the first between two lesbian characters, as opposed to either a lesbian and bisexual character or heterosexual woman character, and there is no sensualization of the kiss as a gimmick. It was, for its time, one of the most daring and honest portrayals of two women in love.

6 Dawson’s Creek

     The WB

Dawson’s Creek was monumental for depicting a kiss that actually meant something. The kiss between Jack and Tobey was passionate and felt more real than other kisses that had come before it. Jack had already shared a kiss on-screen before with his partner, Ethan, however, the passion of this kiss felt bolder and held more gravity. The length and passion of this kiss represented a shift in how LGBTQ+ people had been portrayed on screen. In an interview with Too Fab, 20 years after, Kerr Smith, who played Jack, remarked upon the responsibility he felt in bringing queerness to the screen during a time when it was otherwise frowned upon.

5 Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Undeniably, one of the most iconic and groundbreaking queer relationships to play out on-screen was that between Willow and Tara in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The relationship was extremely formative for a lot of young people who were fans of the show. It began timidly in the show’s fourth season, eventually resulting in an emotional on-screen kiss in the show’s fifth season. Buffy was important for its portrayal of a queer relationship that felt raw and real, and, more significantly, reached such a wide audience, allowing many to feel seen.

4 Will and Grace

     NBC

Will and Grace is now a part of LGBTQ+ TV history, and an important episode took place in the second season, called “Acting Out.” The episode features a kiss between Will and Jack, which was one of the first in NBC’s network history. More political than romantic, the kiss occurs after Jack marches down to a TV network’s headquarters to protest their decision to pan away from a gay kiss in his favorite soap opera. In a way, Jack’s protestations mirrored a lot of conversations happening at that time between LGBTQ+ representation and network television, marking it as a pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ cinema history.

3 Glee

     Fox

Ryan Murphy’s Glee ran from 2009-2015 and depicted various queer relationships through its characters on screen. In season two, Kurt finds a love interest in Blaine, and they share a first kiss, which is more intense than those that came before it in terms of passion and length. The series also featured a long-term relationship between Santana, a lesbian character, and Brittany, a bisexual character. Their relationship featured an intense on-screen kiss, which pushed the boundaries of Glee and, by extension, television in the late-2000s and early-2010s.

2 Modern Family

     ABC

Modern Family was a hugely successful TV sitcom and features the beloved long-time couple Cameron (Eric Stonestreet) and Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson). They spent several seasons with very minimal PDA, and eventually married in the season finale of season five. Airing alongside Glee, Cameron and Mitchell’s relationship was an important complement. It may not feel like it now, but LGBTQ+ representation in the early-2010s was still finding its footing on primetime network television.

1 Sense8

     Netflix

Netflix’s Sense8 featured a predominantly-LGBTQ+ ensemble cast, which felt naturally diverse and representative. The series featured long-term same-sex couples, including Nomi (Jamie Clayton) and Amanita (Freema Agyeman), who had several moving intimate scenes. In season 2, their dual proposal was very moving. However, sadly, the series was cut short after the second season when it was not renewed on Netflix. Even still, the Wachowski siblings gifted us with the ultimate queer fantasy series that embraced love, unity, and connection above all.