LIBERATE US

There have always been stereotypical gay and bisexual depictions on our screen - but sometimes TV shows have broken the mold, giving us characters who are people first and gay or bi second. Here are our favorites, current and past. CHARACTERS ON AIR NOW Renly Baratheon (HBO's Game of Thrones) the book series hinted that Renly was gay, but in the show he is seen being shaven by shirtless Loras -  who later goes down on him. Though this relationship is still young in its development, it's the medieval times we're talking about. At least we know that any gay character in a medieval production couldn't go around on shopping sprees, being fabulous. That would just be weird. Max (ABC's Happy Endings) Max, played by Adam Pally, is a sloppy individual who is considered a "bro." He's chunky and unambitious - worlds away from the stereotype of a finicky, neat, overly organized gay man. Owen Cavanaugh (CBS' The Good Wife) Alicia's younger brother Owen (Dallas Roberts) is a math professor, not an interior decorator or fashion designer.  While some gay characters don't wind up dating much in their shows, Owen is rumored to be getting a boyfriend in the upcoming fall season. Kalinda Sharma (CBS' The Good Wife) While Kalinda (Archie Panjabi) does fit the bisexual stereotype of promiscuity and turns out to be a bit of a home wrecker, she's also a lot more than that. An intelligent and successful woman, Kalinda's bisexuality isn't what defines her. In a conversation with another character, she notes that she doesn't distinguish between sex with a man and sex with a woman because she doesn't do relationships that involve love or intimacy. Cameron Tucker (ABC's Modern Family) Cam Tucker (Eric Stonestreet) is a hefty, ex-offensive lineman for a university football team and avid sports fan. Yes, he's on the fey side, but he and his partner have an adopted daughter and a stable home life - they're not picking up strangers in a park. [1] John Cooper (TNT's Southland) John (Michael Cudlitz) is a hard-nosed police officer who hangs with the best of 'em on the mean streets of gang-infested South Los Angeles. If someone told you a gay cop was on the way to the rescue, you'd probably assume it was your bachelor party. Dr. Arizona Robbins (ABC's Grey's Anatomy) Jessica Capshaw plays a veteran lesbian who winds up in a relationship with inexperienced Callie. Arizona is a quirky, often ironic pediatric surgeon. Oscar (NBC's The Office) Oscar Nunez plays Oscar Martinez on NBC's The Office - he's a character who had to come out of the closet for anyone to really know he was gay. An accountant who wears a generic suit and tie, Oscar doesn't outwardly exhibit any gay traits at all. He even made reference to dating a woman at one point, and when asked who he'd do, responded "Pam." CHARACTERS THAT ARE NO LONGER ON THE AIR Kevin Walter (ABC's Brothers & Sisters) Kevin (Matthew Rhys) is a lawyer and married. At the start of the show, he was already out to his family and coworkers, allowing him to really blend in with all of the other heterosexuals around him. He was treated like an equal (and his relationship is accepted in his family) and isn't flamboyant. Omar (HBO's The Wire) Omar is a thug. A gangster. He steals drugs. He carries a gun. He wears a trench coat. Homophobia is a misnomer, not because people are afraid of gays, but because they don't accept them. Omar is a gay character others are literally afraid of. How many gay people do you know that you find terrifying? Brian & "Straight" Steve (Comedy Central's Sarah Silverman Program) Brian (played by Brian Posehn) seems to identify as a bear: he is husky and hairy (though he's also generally not well kept). However, he is also nerdy and a metal-head, characteristics which make his gayness anything but obvious. His partner Steve (Steven Agee) is a video game addict. From the outside, they look like two straight dudes who hang out. Caleb Brewer (WB's Melrose Place) Played by Victor Webster, Caleb Brewer is stereotypically Aaron Spelling promiscuous, but he doesn't mess around with HGTV and frou-frou drinks; rather, he is a hunk who enjoys sports, Scotch and cigars. Willow (WB's Buffy the Vampire Slayer) Willow (Alyson Hannigan) is a nerd of sorts, despite her supernatural abilities. She originally has a huge crush on a male character Xander, then Oz, but eventually falls for female Tara. Willow started out as a shy and awkward teenager who developed into a strong, confident leader and replacement for Buffy. Jack McPhee (WB's Dawson Creek) Played by Kerr Smith, Jack was not one to fit into any overtly gay stereotype. He spent a lot of time reflecting upon who he was and coming to terms with being different. He is a jock - and it was nice to see a gay character portrayed like that.   What gay characters on now or in the past do you most like? Kelly Keleman is a writer for TV.com [2]. [1] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/news-eric-stonestreet-modern-family-top.jpg [2] http://www.tv.com/