10 Interracial LGBTQ+ Love Stories That Changed Film and TV
| 02/14/19
10 Interracial LGBTQ+ Couples That Changed Film and TV
Representation of LGBTQ+ romance in mainstream media still isn't as common or diverse as we'd like. However, there have been pioneering characters in television and film whose memorable, sexy, and heartbreaking stories have helped move the needle toward change. From classics like The L Word to new favorites like Pose, here are some of the greatest LGBTQ+ interracial romances we loved to watch.
1. Titus and Mikey in 'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt'
It was a classic example of flamboyant narcissist meets butch construction worker, when Titus Andromedon met Mikey on Netflix's Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. These two show that opposites really do attract and can even trigger a Lemonade-style revenge sequence. While Mikey may not have always understood Titus -- and vice versa -- the cute chemistry between the two left fans rooting for the couple and vying for another glass of Pinot Noir right up until the series' end earlier this year.
2. Angel and Stan in 'Pose'
For a pioneering but more problematic example of a romance shared between transgender and cisgender characters, look no further than Angel (Indya Moore) and Stan (Evan Peters) of FX's Pose. This coupling of a ballroom legend and Trump-like businessman had us running up a hill to tell the beautiful Angel, "You deserve better!" Despite their flaws, the fictional pair still made for a revolutionary representation of a trans character seeking love on network TV, and Angel's pursuit of Stan illuminates the many historic struggles transgender people, especially trans women, encounter concerning matters of the heart.
3. Nomi and Amanita in 'Sense8'
Created by transgender siblings Lilly and Lana Wachowski, the short-lived Netflix series Sense8 was a landmark television show for queer representation. While the series made the case for a universal human connection, it was the romantic connection shared between Nomi (played by trans actress Jamie Clayton) and Amanita (Freema Agyeman) that was responsible for a palpable amount of the psychic drama's emotional weight. Amanita's commitment to Nomi was a heartwarming example of a trans character receiving the love and support she deserves from a partner. And it ended in wedding bells!
4. Eve Polastri and Villanelle in 'Killing Eve'
The sexual tension between MI6 agent Eve Polastri (Sandra Oh) and serial killer-assassin Villanelle (Jodie Comer) definitely helped propel Killing Eve to the attention of viewers when the BBC America series debuted last year and probably had a hand in Oh taking home a Golden Globe. The pair's intense chemistry, spurred by Villanelle's appreciation of Eve's beautiful hair (can you blame her?!), fueled many to ship this pairing of dangerous females. While we're not always sure whether the two are pursuing each other as love interests or as potential targets, we stan these two powerful queer women nonetheless.
5. Angel and Tom Collins in 'Rent'
While there are other interracial couplings in Rent with more screentime, the relationship between Angel and Tom Collins stands out. Angel, a Latinx drag queen with fluid gender identity, carries the heart of the show. So when Angel falls hard for black academic Tom, the audience can't help but root for the pairing. Not to mention that the relationship shows that being HIV-positive should not be a deciding factor in matters of the heart. Whether the musical is seen on-screen or onstage, live or, uh, not so live, we will always be invested in Angel and Tom's tragic love story.
6. Callie and Arizona in 'Grey’s Anatomy'
The Shondaland saga of Callie and Arizona's courtship and eventual relationship was a revolutionary depiction of two women in love on broadcast TV. Callie was the longest-running LGBTQ character in television history, but her romantic storylines are still some of the very few visible representations of the difficulties of dating as a bisexual. After the two first kissed, Arizona initially turned Callie down as she deemed Callie too inexperienced with women. The doctors could not stay apart for long, though, and eventually had a child, got married, and survived a car crash, a plane crash, a musical episode, and infidelity before finally divorcing (and possibly reconnecting as of the close of last season). Hey, no one said love was easy. With both characters written off the show -- which is in its 16th season -- we can still dream of an off-screen reunion.
7. Bette and Tina in 'The L Word'
The pairing of biracial power lesbian Bette (Jennifer Beals) and bisexual film executive Tina (Laurel Holloman) gave The L Word plenty of material over the course of its six seasons. While their relationship appeared strong when the series first took off in 2004, its cracks quickly became known. However, through breakups and childbirths, infidelity, and murder investigations, there were always some signs these two would find their way back together. With Jennifer Beals set to reprise her role as Bette in the recently announced reboot, perhaps audiences will finally get some closure on Bette and Tina's rocky romance.
8. Cheryl and Diana in 'The Watermelon Woman'
Iconic lesbian filmmaker Cheryl Dunye's first feature, The Watermelon Woman, has the Liberian-born director playing herself as she researches a (fictional) black 1930s actress known as "the Watermelon Woman." The film is a compelling mix of documentary and fictional narrative, drawing parallels between Dunye's budding romance with a white woman and the interracial relationship she discovers took place between the Watermelon Woman and Martha Page, one of Hollywood's few female directors at the time. The film expertly showcases Dunye's keen eye for storytelling, pulling viewers in so that we are just as shocked by her discoveries as her characters are.
9. Patrick and Richie in 'Looking'
Although many have forgotten about HBO's subtle two-season dramedy Looking, our eyes are still peeled! Jonathan Groff's Patrick made some infuriating decisions throughout the series, but his pursuit of the mustached stud Richie, played by Raul Castillo, needs no defense. Their episode-long date through San Francisco in "Looking for the Future" still ranks as one of the greatest queer moments on-screen, and Richie provides an excellent example of a queer character who is proud of his Mexican heritage.
10. Simon and Abraham (a.k.a Blue) in 'Love, Simon'
Spoiler alert! When Simon's mysterious digital love interest, Blue, is revealed to be Abraham -- a.k.a young Obama -- it's safe to say audiences around the world were collectively wowed. Seeing a young queer romance play out on the big screen felt like a big moment for queer culture as LGBTQ romantic stories become more and more accessible to mainstream audiences. Simon and Abraham's digital love story conjured up the feels as it brought many back their own stories of first love and coming out. Also, Keiynan Lonsdale *heart-eyes emoji* -- need we say more?
