15 lesbian TV and movie tropes we're completely tired of seeing

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15 lesbian TV and movie tropes we're completely tired of seeing

We're so tired of these clichés

Pop TV/Sony Pictures/Nickelodeon

If you've ever wondered why lesbian representation on TV may feel a little off, it's because it's mostly all written by men who have no idea what they're even talking about. Plus, there's just an overall lack of creativity in queer representation as a whole, but sometimes lesbians come up short.

Here are 15 lesbian tropes we're tired of seeing.

1. All lesbians are butch

Nickelodeon

We'll also talk about lipstick lesbians a bit later, but it's overdone to assume or display that every lesbian woman is butch or masculine. Just as with everybody else, there are a wide variety of lesbian women out there, and not all of them subscribe to being "butch."

2. Lesbians are always grouchy

Pop TV

Lesbian women are often portrayed as being sarcastic or grouchy. Think about Susan from Friends, or Ronnie from Schitt's Creek. These characters have so much more to offer than just being the always-annoyed side character, and seeing this type of trope gets tiring.

3. All lesbians want kids

ABC

There's nothing wrong with wanting a family, but it does come across that most, if not all, lesbian women want kids. The trope started to gain some traction with Melanie and Lindsay on Queer as Folk, then Bette and Tina on The L Word, then Stef and Lena on The Fosters, and of course Callie and Arizona on Grey's Anatomy. Maybe sometimes lesbian women want to enjoy being in a couple on their own without growing the family.

4. Girl-on-girl action that's for the male audience

Sarah Michelle Gellar and Selma Blair Kiss

Sony Pictures

So, yes, the kiss between Sarah Michelle Gellar and Selma Blair in Cruel Intentions is one of the most iconic kisses in film, but girl-on-girl action too often has an edge toward the male viewers. This trope was a huge staple of the '90s with other films like Wild Things, but thankfully, it seems lesbian relationships are being taken more seriously these days.

5. All lesbians are sporty

Prime Video

And vice versa, it's just as bad when they make straight women out to be lesbians just for being sporty, as well. Even though movies (and now a TV show) like A League of Their Own are fair in their depictions, other movies like Kiss Mee and Maggie and Annie explore the trope in a little more depth.

6. Dead lesbian syndrome

The CW

Sure, sometimes characters should die. But when it seems like every lesbian on TV or in movies is dead by the end of the film or the third season, it feels a little personal. So why did Dead Lesbian Syndrome start? It could’ve been to evade U.S. censorship laws. Through the early and mid twentieth century, censorship laws made getting distribution for a film with any LGBT characters that lived happily ever after nearly impossible. But those days are over, and lesbian characters are still dying all over the place. Fortunately, there are some movies that subvert this trope.

7. Sweeps week lesbians

Fox

When sweeps week rolls around and ratings are down, what could be better than some lesbian kisses? Of course, they’re not actual lesbians. Men are great, and that’s who these characters end up with. (If viewers are lucky, maybe they’ll even call themselves bisexual for a few episodes.) But, gosh, women just smell so good and have such soft lips. If a couple of straight male characters want to watch, what’s the issue with that?

8. Lesbians don't have sex

Fox

Didn’t you know that lesbian sex is just longing glances, soft kisses, and maybe a back massage if things get really wild? What are you doing, real life lesbians? Clearly you need some pointers from TV and movies.

9. Schoolgirl lesbians

Crunchyroll

More representation of out girls in high school? Right on. Oh, wait. Their entire storyline seems to be about prancing around in uniforms for the male characters and kissing in front of boys. What’s that all about? Or hey, maybe they’re at an all girls' school. You know, where girls try out a little lesbian stuff until they meet boys.

10. Lesbians who never say they're lesbians

Renaissance Pictures

Oh, you know, they’re just gal pals. Just doing gal pal things. Like staring deeply into each other’s eyes, or holding hands, or kissing sometimes. Things that everyone does with their girl friends. Not girlfriends. Girl friends. Because they’re definitely not lesbians.

11. Lesbians who decide they're actually into men

BBC/Hartswood Films

So, she tried the whole lesbian thing. Sometimes for a few episodes. Sometimes for almost an entire film. Sometimes for a decade or two. But, hey, it didn’t work out. The allure of men is just so powerful. Bonus points if she refuses to call herself bisexual. Extra bonus points if she continues to identify as a lesbian for “political reasons” (looking at you Tina of The L Word).

12. Lesbianism drives one mad

20th Century Studios

If there’s a lesbian character that decides she’s not into men, she might just go completely mad out of nowhere. No history of mental illness? No problem. Sometimes that dark and twisted forbidden lesbian love is enough to do the trick. Maybe she can even kidnap the straight woman she’s into, stalk her a little, or kill her boyfriend. Because, you know, that’s totally what lesbians do when they have an unrequited crush. Bonus if she eventually ends up institutionalized, or commits suicide (making the character two tropes in one).

13. It doesn't count as lesbian if she's an alien

BBC

Their alien understanding of gender is different from human gender, so it totally doesn’t count as gay. Also, maybe she used some alien mind control to steal some lesbian kisses for some nefarious alien purpose, that way the human woman can go back to human men in the next episode.

14. All lesbians are lipstick lesbians

Universal Pictures

A lot of lesbians do like traditionally “feminine” dress and activities. But definitely not all of them. It’s hard to find a butch lesbian on TV. It’s even hard to find a lesbian on TV who doesn’t wear pumps and a full face. Bonus points if she reveals that she’s a lesbian and a straight male character makes a confused face, or asks, “Really? You?”

15. Lesbians are sexual predators

CJ Entertainment

Sad as it is to see, lesbian women, especially butch ones, are often portrayed as sexually predatory, aggressive, or violent. Also, they’re always mechanics or truck drivers, and they only date high femmes. It’s almost like straight men who write or direct media about butch lesbians don’t really understand that there are many ways to express masculinity.

| 09/26/23