A History of LGBT+ Representation on Television
This list contains episodes of television shows in the order they aired that touched on LGBT+ topics, had LGBT+ characters, or used LGBT+ tropes/plot devices. This list includes negative*, inaccurate*, positive, and accurate portrayals of LGBT folks.
*Werepenguin Productions is a queer created, queer positive organization and finds many of these portrayals appalling.
*Werepenguin Productions is a queer created, queer positive organization and finds many of these portrayals appalling.
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- StarsLucille BallDesi ArnazVivian VanceThe wife of a band leader constantly tries to become a star - in spite of her having no talent, and gets herself (along with her best friend) into the funniest predicaments.Episode "Lucy Thinks Ricky is Trying to Murder Her"
- StarsSteve AllenDick ShawnArt LinkletterEpisode: A Lady in the Dark
- StarsPaul CoatesJune ForayDel MooreAmerican print and television journalist, Paul Coates, known for his popular daily Mirror newspaper column and as the host of the syndicated tabloid style television series Confidential File, developed and produced by Coates and director Irvin Kirshner. A Report by Paul Coates outlining the dangers that Horror Comic Books can have on children circa 1953. Another on the shocking conditions in U.S. mental hospital's and LSD experiments.Episode: Homosexuals and the Problems They Present
- StarsPaul CoatesJune ForayDel MooreAmerican print and television journalist, Paul Coates, known for his popular daily Mirror newspaper column and as the host of the syndicated tabloid style television series Confidential File, developed and produced by Coates and director Irvin Kirshner. A Report by Paul Coates outlining the dangers that Horror Comic Books can have on children circa 1953. Another on the shocking conditions in U.S. mental hospital's and LSD experiments.Episode: Homosexuals Who Stalk and Molest Our Children
- StarsAlexander HeffnerRichard HeffnerClaire SterlingThe Open Mind is a thoughtful excursion into the world of ideas across politics, media, technology, the arts and all realms of civic life.Episode: Introduction to the Problem of Homosexuality
- StarsAlexander HeffnerRichard HeffnerClaire SterlingThe Open Mind is a thoughtful excursion into the world of ideas across politics, media, technology, the arts and all realms of civic life.Episode: Homosexuality A Psychological Approach
- StarsAlexander HeffnerRichard HeffnerClaire SterlingThe Open Mind is a thoughtful excursion into the world of ideas across politics, media, technology, the arts and all realms of civic life.Episode: Male and Female in American Society
- StarsJack WardenArch JohnsonWilliam SmithCaptain Gus Hornochek and Sergeant Danny Keller are members of a special force dedicated to eliminating criminal elements. Taking place in an unnamed Midwestern city, the two officers report to Commissioner Matt Gower.Episode: The Sniper
- StarsPaul CoatesJune ForayDel MooreAmerican print and television journalist, Paul Coates, known for his popular daily Mirror newspaper column and as the host of the syndicated tabloid style television series Confidential File, developed and produced by Coates and director Irvin Kirshner. A Report by Paul Coates outlining the dangers that Horror Comic Books can have on children circa 1953. Another on the shocking conditions in U.S. mental hospital's and LSD experiments.Episode Content 1962 Daughters of Bilitis
- CreatorHarry Julian FinkStarsJack GingWendell CoreyRalph BellamyCriminal cases where criminals are mentally evaluated, or people in the verge of a nervous breakdown.Episode: What Did She Mean By Good Luck
- StarsHenry JonesJason EversTyler McVeyProfessor Joe Howe is a Korean War veteran who is hired to teach English at Channing College. The dean Fred Baker is his mentor as Howe is writing a novel about his experiences. They are frequently involved in the student's lives.Episode: The Last Testament of Buddy Crown
- StarsLes CraneMarta CurroOrson BeanThe Les Crane Show, was a late-night talk show up against Johnny Carson of The Tonight Show. Les Crane was known as the bad boy of late night, bringing together controversial guests with heated discussions. Airing Monday thru Friday there were also live videotaped remotes featuring top stars.Episode Description: Randy Wicker Interview
- StarsAlfred HitchcockHarry TylerLillian O'MalleySeries of unrelated short stories covering elements of crime, horror, drama, and comedy about people of different backgrounds committing murders, suicides, thefts, and other sorts of crime caused by certain motivations, perceived or not.Episode: An Unlocked Window
- StarsDavid SusskindMel BrooksNorman MailerEpisode: Are Homosexuals
- StarsEric SevareidHarry ReasonerHoward K. SmithA pioneering TV news program that tackled social and political issues through investigative journalism and in-depth reporting.Episode: The Homosexuals
- CreatorArnold PerlDavid SusskindStarsJack WardenRobert HooksFrank ConverseThe three detectives fight every kind of criminal all over New York City. The show featured many actual New York City locations, as well as episodes based on real New York City police cases.Episode: Shakedown
- StarsOtto PremingerJoe PyneRobert VaughnJoe Pyne was a talk-show host with a confrontational style who often had guests on his show with whom he disagreed politically and/or philosophically. If the "discussion" got too heated, Pyne would often throw the guest off the show.Episode Description: Harry Hay and John Burnside Interview
- StarsFred MacMurrayStanley LivingstonDon GradyWidower Steve Douglas raises three sons with the help of his father-in-law, and is later aided by the boys' great-uncle. An adopted son, a stepdaughter, wives, and another generation of sons join the loving family in later seasons.Episode: The Chameleon
- StarsJason WingreenPaulene MyersMildred TraresAn anthology series of well regarded screenplays. Presenting twelve shows over it's run it showcased many up and coming actors and garnered it's share of Emmy nominations.Episode: Secrets
- CreatorPaul MonashStarsCarl BetzStephen YoungWalter BrookeHigh-priced Houston lawyer Clinton Judd and his assistant Ben Caldwell take cases throughout the U.S. The program dealt with then-taboo subjects.Episode: Weep The Hunter Home
- CreatorRoy HugginsStarsBurl IvesJoseph CampanellaJames FarentinoWalter Nichols, an older and experienced lawyer, serves as a mentor to two attorney brothers. Brian is the more cerebral sibling, better at research. The younger Neil is impulsive and prone towards difficult cases.The three men combine their varied talents into creating a successful law firm.Episodes: Shriek of Silence
- CreatorArnold PerlDavid SusskindStarsJack WardenRobert HooksFrank ConverseThe three detectives fight every kind of criminal all over New York City. The show featured many actual New York City locations, as well as episodes based on real New York City police cases.Episode: Everybody Loved Him
- StarsDick CavettBobby RosengardenFred FoyThis particular series combines several "The Dick Cavett Show" on ABC: ABC This Morning/The Dick Cavett Show ABC Daytime March 1968 - January 1969 The Dick Cavett Show ABC Primetime May 1969 - September 1969 The Dick Cavett Show ABC Late Night December 1969 - January 1975 The Dick Cavett Show ABC Late Night September - December 1986Episode: Nov. 26
- CreatorAl C. WardFrank GlicksmanStarsJames DalyChad EverettChris HutsonLocated in the Los Angeles, California area, the Medical Center was an otherwise unnamed hospital complex that was part of a larger university campus.Episode: Undercurrent
- CreatorNorman LearStarsCarroll O'ConnorJean StapletonRob ReinerA working class man constantly squabbles with his family over the important issues of the day.Episode: Judging Books by Covers
- StarsBurt ReynoldsNorman FellRichard AndersonDetective August works the crime beat in his home town, Santa Luisa CA, working with (and against) people with whom he grew up.Episode: Dead Witness to a Killing
- StarsDavid SusskindMel BrooksNorman MailerEpisode: Lesbians and Society
- CreatorJames L. BrooksStarsLloyd HaynesDenise NicholasMichael ConstantineTeacher Pete Dixon tries to teach the students at Walt Whitman High to be tolerant. He's assisted by girlfriend and school counselor, Liz and student teacher (later teacher) Alice. The students love him.Episode: What is a Man?
- StarsRichard WidmarkSkye AubreyTom BosleyGovernment agencies investigate the mysterious disappearance of a powerful Presidential adviser.Part 1 & Part 2
- CreatorAlan KingHerbert SargentStarsShimen RuskinJ.J. BarryBill FioreThe life and times of the patrons of Grants Toomb, a New York tavern owned (first season) by Harry Grant and (second season) by Mae and Frank. Working there are Joe the black cook, Meyer the waiter and Mary Ann the waitress.Multi-episode character Peter Panama
- CreatorSteven BochcoRichard H. LandauPaul MasonStarsDavid HartmanE.G. MarshallJohn SaxonThe cases of well-respected neurosurgeon Dr. David Craig and his two young charges.Episode: Discovery at Fourteen
- CreatorSteven BochcoRichard H. LandauPaul MasonStarsDavid HartmanE.G. MarshallJohn SaxonThe cases of well-respected neurosurgeon Dr. David Craig and his two young charges.Episode: A Very Strange Triangle
- CreatorLeonard FreemanStarsJack LordJames MacArthurKam FongThe investigations of Hawaii Five-0, an elite branch of the Hawaii State Police answerable only to the governor and headed by stalwart Steve McGarrett.Episode: V for Vashon: The Patriarch
- CreatorJerry McNeelyDavid VictorStarsArthur HillJoan DarlingLee MajorsIn a small California town, attorney Owen Marshall, assisted by several different younger lawyers, defends clients with great compassion for the accused.Episode: Words of Summer
- CreatorDavid VictorStarsRobert YoungJames BrolinElena VerdugoDr. Marcus Welby, a general practitioner, and Steven Kiley, Welby's young assistant. The two try to treat people as individuals in an age of specialized medicine and indifferent physicians.Episode: The Other Martin Loring
- CreatorJames L. BrooksAllan BurnsStarsMary Tyler MooreEdward AsnerGavin MacLeodThe lives and trials of a young single woman and her friends, both at work and at home.Episode: My Brother's Keeper
- CreatorAl C. WardFrank GlicksmanStarsJames DalyChad EverettChris HutsonLocated in the Los Angeles, California area, the Medical Center was an otherwise unnamed hospital complex that was part of a larger university campus.Episode: Triangle
- CreatorNorman LearStarsRedd FoxxDemond WilsonLaWanda PageThe misadventures of a cantankerous junk dealer and his frustrated son.Episode: Lamont, is That You?
- CreatorEdward HumeStarsKarl MaldenMichael DouglasReuben CollinsA veteran cop with more than twenty years of experience is teamed with a young Inspector to solve crimes in San Francisco, California.Episode: A Collection of Eagles
- CreatorRichard LevinsonWilliam LinkStarsPeter FalkMike LallyJohn FinneganLos Angeles homicide detective Lieutenant Columbo uses his humble ways and ingenuous demeanor to winkle out even the most well-concealed of crimes.Episode: By Dawn's Early Light
- CreatorHoward RodmanStarsDavid JanssenAnthony ZerbePaul TulleyAfter being shot in the line of duty, Harry Orwell was forced to retire from the San Diego Police Department. To supplement his police pension, Harry runs a private detective agency out of his beach house.Episode: Coinage of the Realm
- CreatorDavid VictorStarsRobert YoungJames BrolinElena VerdugoDr. Marcus Welby, a general practitioner, and Steven Kiley, Welby's young assistant. The two try to treat people as individuals in an age of specialized medicine and indifferent physicians.Episode: The Outrage
- CreatorLarry GelbartStarsAlan AldaWayne RogersLoretta SwitThe staff of an Army hospital in the Korean War find that laughter is the best way to deal with their situation.Episode: George
- CreatorNorman LearStarsBea ArthurBill MacyConrad Bain"All In The Family" spin-off centered around Edith's cousin, Maude Findlay, a liberal, independent woman living in Tuckahoe, New York.Episode: Maude's New Friend
- CreatorE. Jack NeumanJoseph WambaughStarsScott BradyMel ScottDon MeredithDetective Cheng is commissioned by Interpol to destroy the "Empire of Chaiba", a worldwide criminal organization based in Southeast Asia, he initiates an undercover operation to infiltrate the organization.Episode: The Ripper
- CreatorRobert L. CollinsStarsAngie DickinsonEarl HollimanCharles DierkopFollows Sergeant "Pepper" Anderson, LAPD's top undercover cop. A member of the Criminal Conspiracy Unit, Pepper works the wild side of the street, where she poses as everything from a gangster's moll to a streetwalker to a prison inmate.Episode: Flowers of Evil
- CreatorEdward HumeStarsKarl MaldenMichael DouglasReuben CollinsA veteran cop with more than twenty years of experience is teamed with a young Inspector to solve crimes in San Francisco, California.Episode: Mask of Death
- StarsNelson LeighForrest TaylorOnslow StevensLong-running religious series featuring dramatizations of contemporary problems and how they were resolved using a Christian solution.Episodes: The Secret
- CreatorNorman LearStarsCarroll O'ConnorJean StapletonRob ReinerA working class man constantly squabbles with his family over the important issues of the day.Episodes: Archie the Hero
- CreatorDanny ArnoldTheodore J. FlickerStarsHal LindenAbe VigodaMax GailThe Captain of the NYPD 12th Precinct and his staff handle the various local troubles and characters that come into the squad room.Episode: Experience
- CreatorDanny ArnoldTheodore J. FlickerStarsHal LindenAbe VigodaMax GailThe Captain of the NYPD 12th Precinct and his staff handle the various local troubles and characters that come into the squad room.Episode: Discovery
- CreatorJim AllenMartin CohanNorman S. PowellStarsBob CranePatricia HartyJack FletcherBob Wilcox decides to leave his insurance job to enter medical school, needing the support of his family to deal with the curriculum and being older. He must deal with obstacles placed by Dean Ingersoll plus his eccentric landlord Busso.Episode: A Case of Misdiagnosis
- CreatorJames E. MoserJack LairdStarsGeorge PeppardZohra LampertVictor CamposThe cases of Dr. Jake Goodwin, chief surgeon of a Los Angeles hospital.Episode: Watchman Who Will Guard Thy Sleep
- CreatorAl C. WardFrank GlicksmanStarsJames DalyChad EverettChris HutsonLocated in the Los Angeles, California area, the Medical Center was an otherwise unnamed hospital complex that was part of a larger university campus.Episodes: The Fourth Sex Parts 1 & 2
- CreatorRobert GetchellStarsLinda LavinVic TaybackBeth HowlandThe misadventures and trials of an aspiring singer and her co-workers at a greasy-spoon diner.Episode: Alice Gets a Pass
- CreatorNorman LearStarsCarroll O'ConnorJean StapletonRob ReinerA working class man constantly squabbles with his family over the important issues of the day.Episode: Beverly Rides Again
- CreatorDavid DavisLorenzo MusicStarsBob NewhartSuzanne PleshetteBill DailyThe professional and personal misadventures of a psychologist and his family, patients, friends and colleagues.Episode: Some of My Best Friends Are...
- CreatorCarroll O'ConnorEd WatersStarsJack PalanceHenry BeckmanTony KingTough but incorruptible police detective Alex Bronkov is tasked by Mayor Pete Santori with cleaning up crime-ridden Ocean City, California.Episode: A Deadlier Sex
- StarsMitchell RyanStephen ElliottSharon AckerThe machinations of the powerful Cardway Corporation, headed by president Don Walling.Episode: Sounds of Silence
- CreatorJay Presson AllenStarsSada ThompsonJames BroderickGary FrankThe joys and heartaches of the Lawrence family of Pasadena, California.Episodes: Rites of Friendship
- CreatorNorman LearDon NichollMichael RossStarsIsabel SanfordSherman HemsleyRoxie RokerA nouveau riche, African-American family who move into a luxury apartment building develop close, if occasionally fractious, relationships with other tenants.Episode: The Breakup: Part 1
- CreatorJerry AdelmanDaniel Gregory BrowneNorman LearStarsLouise LasserGreg MullaveyMary Kay PlaceA small-town housewife struggles to cope with the increasingly bizarre and violent events unfolding around her.Episode: 126
- CreatorNorman LearStarsBea ArthurBill MacyConrad Bain"All In The Family" spin-off centered around Edith's cousin, Maude Findlay, a liberal, independent woman living in Tuckahoe, New York.Episode: Arthur's Worry
- CreatorStan DanielsEd. WeinbergerStarsCloris LeachmanHenry JonesJane RoseMary Richards' landlady, Phyllis Lindstrom, moves back to her hometown of San Francisco with her teenage daughter Bess following the sudden death of her husband, Lars.Episode: Out of the Closet
- CreatorRobert L. CollinsStarsAngie DickinsonEarl HollimanCharles DierkopFollows Sergeant "Pepper" Anderson, LAPD's top undercover cop. A member of the Criminal Conspiracy Unit, Pepper works the wild side of the street, where she poses as everything from a gangster's moll to a streetwalker to a prison inmate.Episode: Trial by Prejudice
- CreatorNorman LearStarsRedd FoxxDemond WilsonLaWanda PageThe misadventures of a cantankerous junk dealer and his frustrated son.Episode: Stakeout
- StarsMichael ConstantineCynthia HarrisKathleen MillerNight shift Judge Matthew Sirota runs his urban courtroom with humor and common sense. He has a casual romance with his clerk Maureen plus referees between idealistic defender Gail Goodman and zealous prosecutor Bud Nugent.Episode: Court Fear
- CreatorNorman LearStarsCarroll O'ConnorJean StapletonRob ReinerA working class man constantly squabbles with his family over the important issues of the day.Episode: Cousin Liz
- CreatorNorman LearStarsCarroll O'ConnorJean StapletonRob ReinerA working class man constantly squabbles with his family over the important issues of the day.Episodes: Edith's Crisis of Faith Parts 1 & 2
- CreatorDanny ArnoldTheodore J. FlickerStarsHal LindenAbe VigodaMax GailThe Captain of the NYPD 12th Precinct and his staff handle the various local troubles and characters that come into the squad room.Episode: Asylum
- CreatorStephen J. CannellStarsRobert BlakeTom EwellEdward GroverThe cases of maverick undercover New York City detective Tony Baretta (Robert Blake).Episode: The Sky is Falling
- CreatorAaron RubenStarsDon RicklesHarrison PageJeff HollisComic exploits of an acid-tongued chief petty officer in the U.S. Navy.Episode: Sharkey's Big Secret
- CreatorDouglas ArangoPhil DoranBernie OrensteinStarsVictor FrenchKene HolidayGuich KoockThe comic exploits of a redneck sheriff and his educated Black deputy in a small Georgia town.Episode: Out of the Closet
- CreatorJay Presson AllenStarsSada ThompsonJames BroderickGary FrankThe joys and heartaches of the Lawrence family of Pasadena, California.Episode: We Love You, Miss Jessup
- CreatorNorman LearDon NichollMichael RossStarsIsabel SanfordSherman HemsleyRoxie RokerA nouveau riche, African-American family who move into a luxury apartment building develop close, if occasionally fractious, relationships with other tenants.Episode: Once a Friend
- CreatorNorman LearStarsBea ArthurBill MacyConrad Bain"All In The Family" spin-off centered around Edith's cousin, Maude Findlay, a liberal, independent woman living in Tuckahoe, New York.Episode: The Gay Bar
- StarsRichard PryorRobin WilliamsEdie McClurgAn American comedy series hosted by comedian Richard PryorEpisode: 1.3
- CreatorStephen J. CannellRoy HugginsStarsJames GarnerNoah Beery Jr.Joe SantosThe cases of an easy-going ex-convict turned private investigator.Requiem for a Funny Box
- CreatorWilliam BlinnStarsDavid SoulPaul Michael GlaserAntonio FargasTwo streetwise cops bust criminals in their red-and-white Ford Gran Torino, with the help of police snitch, Huggy Bear.Episode: Death in a Different Place
- CreatorEdward HumeStarsKarl MaldenMichael DouglasReuben CollinsA veteran cop with more than twenty years of experience is teamed with a young Inspector to solve crimes in San Francisco, California.Episode: A Good Cop But...
- CreatorEdward HumeStarsKarl MaldenMichael DouglasReuben CollinsA veteran cop with more than twenty years of experience is teamed with a young Inspector to solve crimes in San Francisco, California.Episode: One a Con...
- CreatorDon NichollMichael RossBernard WestStarsJohn RitterJoyce DeWittSuzanne SomersThe misadventures of two women and one man living in one apartment and their neighbors.Episode: Strange Bedfellows
- CreatorBarry OringerStarsJames SloyanLinda CarlsonErnest ThompsonDoctors Lanagan, Cottrell and Parker, along with Carrie the receptionist, open a clinic in Southern California to provide complete care to their patients.Episode: The Mermaid
- CreatorNorman LearStarsCarroll O'ConnorJean StapletonRob ReinerA working class man constantly squabbles with his family over the important issues of the day.Episode: The Commercial
- CreatorStephen J. CannellRoy HugginsStarsJames GarnerNoah Beery Jr.Joe SantosThe cases of an easy-going ex-convict turned private investigator.Episode: The Empty Frame
- CreatorHugh WilsonStarsGary SandyGordon JumpLoni AndersonThe misadventures of the staff of a struggling Top 40 rock radio station in Cincinnati, Ohio.Episode: Les on a Ledge
- CreatorPatt SheaHarriett WeissJoe GannonStarsCarroll O'ConnorDanielle BriseboisAllan MelvinThe further misadventures of Archie Bunker, now the owner of a local pub, and his regulars.Episode: The Cook
- CreatorDanny ArnoldTheodore J. FlickerStarsHal LindenAbe VigodaMax GailThe Captain of the NYPD 12th Precinct and his staff handle the various local troubles and characters that come into the squad room.Episode: Inquisition
- CreatorDavid JacobsStarsLarry HagmanKen KerchevalPatrick DuffyJ.R. Ewing, a Texas oil baron, uses manipulation and blackmail to achieve his ambitions, both business and personal. He often comes into conflict with his brother Bobby, his arch-enemy Cliff Barnes and his long-suffering wife Sue Ellen.Episode: Call Girl
- CreatorDavid JacobsStarsLarry HagmanKen KerchevalPatrick DuffyJ.R. Ewing, a Texas oil baron, uses manipulation and blackmail to achieve his ambitions, both business and personal. He often comes into conflict with his brother Bobby, his arch-enemy Cliff Barnes and his long-suffering wife Sue Ellen.Episode: Royal Marriage
- CreatorDavid JacobsStarsLarry HagmanKen KerchevalPatrick DuffyJ.R. Ewing, a Texas oil baron, uses manipulation and blackmail to achieve his ambitions, both business and personal. He often comes into conflict with his brother Bobby, his arch-enemy Cliff Barnes and his long-suffering wife Sue Ellen.Episode: The Outsiders
- CreatorDick ClairHoward LeedsJerry MayerStarsLisa WhelchelKim FieldsMindy CohnMrs. Edna Garrett, housemother and dietitian at the Eastland School, teaches a group of girls in her charge how to solve those problems that every teenager has to face.Episode: Rough Housing
- CreatorRichard Alan SimmonsStarsKate MulgrewHenry JonesLili HaydnMrs. Kate Columbo, wife of the famous lieutenant, solves crimes as a reporter, while raising her little daughter.Episode: Feelings Can Be Murder
- CreatorJames L. BrooksAllan BurnsGene ReynoldsStarsEdward AsnerRobert WaldenMason AdamsThe trials of a former television station manager, turned newspaper city editor, and his journalist staff.Episode: Cop
- CreatorBruce PaltrowStarsKen HowardKevin HooksByron StewartA white former NBA professional retires from the pro game and gets a job as a basketball coach in a predominantly Black inner-city high school.Episode: One of the Boys
- CreatorJames L. BrooksAllan BurnsGene ReynoldsStarsEdward AsnerRobert WaldenMason AdamsThe trials of a former television station manager, turned newspaper city editor, and his journalist staff.Episode: Cover-Up
- CreatorPatt SheaHarriett WeissJoe GannonStarsCarroll O'ConnorDanielle BriseboisAllan MelvinThe further misadventures of Archie Bunker, now the owner of a local pub, and his regulars.Episode: Archie Fixes Fred Up
- CreatorJames L. BrooksStan DanielsCharlie HauckStarsWilfrid Hyde-WhiteMartin ShortAlley MillsThe working lives of three neophyte lawyers.Episode: The Censors
- CreatorDanny ArnoldTheodore J. FlickerStarsHal LindenAbe VigodaMax GailThe Captain of the NYPD 12th Precinct and his staff handle the various local troubles and characters that come into the squad room.Episode: The Child Stealers
- StarsEric SevareidHarry ReasonerHoward K. SmithA pioneering TV news program that tackled social and political issues through investigative journalism and in-depth reporting.Episode: Gay Power, Gay Politics