Lesbian characters on television, in movies, and in other forms of media are constantly being killed for the sake of motivating another character’s story arc, regardless of how strong the lesbian character was to begin with. This is inconsiderate, unrealistic and, most of all, just an example of lazy writing. A character’s motivation does not have to be another character’s death. At this point, if a lesbian character is introduced, it is entirely reasonable to believe that character will be killed sooner rather than later. This is even if the writers are courteous, and their ultimate demise takes a few seasons or acts.
Imagine this: a world in which a little girl can watch some dumb CW show and enjoy it to her heart’s content, and that show features a lesbian character who doesn't die. That kid doesn’t know she’s gay yet. She has no idea. And it’s not important yet, but it will be. And seeing, from a young age, that these people exist can honestly make all the difference. Seeing that these characters can exist without being promptly dying would mean a lot, too.
And, in case you didn’t believe me that this is a constant trope that won’t escape my waking life as well as my nightmares, here is a very brief list of television shows that have killed off at least one lesbian character.
I won’t list the characters’ names, but still spoilers, obviously.
Shows that have killed a lesbian:
"Buffy the Vampire Slayer"
"The Wire"
"The O.C."
"The L Word" (lesbians can’t even survive on a show called "The L Word," and the L Word is "lesbians")
"Battlestar Galactica"
"Supernatural"
"Sons of Anarchy"
"True Blood"
"Boardwalk Empire"
"American Horror Story"
"Pretty Little Liars"
"The Walking Dead"
"Teen Wolf"
"Under the Dome"
"Orange is the New Black"
"Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D"
"The Vampire Diaries"
"Chicago Fire"
"Arrow"
"House of Cards"
"Jane the Virgin"
"The 100"
Now, it should certainly be noted that in some of these shows everyone dies, not just the lesbians, but it really is fascinating/depressing how often their deaths happen just to continue someone else’s plot point, or give them that last bit of motivation they needed. This is lazy, as opposed to exploring that character, or finding a more organic means of motivating a main character.
So, please, stop killing the lesbians, or else the lesbians will kill you.
Look at those cute gays. Look at how not dead they are.
It may be illegal in other countries for you to be in a lesbian relationship, but in America it's illegal for you to be in a lesbian relationship if at least one of you isn't named Ellen.
