Does Representation Always Equal Progress?

Queer representation in the media has come a long way. We’ve gone from total invisibility to Pride Month ad campaigns, sapphic main characters, and entire shows centered on LGBTQ+ relationships. But while more visibility is nice, does it actually move the needle for queer communities?

For lesbians and queer women, representation has often felt like a double-edged sword. It’s amazing to see ourselves on screen, but too often, we’re still stuck with outdated tropes, tragic endings, or characters that feel more like a marketing strategy than a real attempt at inclusivity. So, is representation itself enough to create real change, or is it just a shiny distraction from the work that still needs to be done?

The Good: Why Representation Matters

When done right, representation is powerful. It can be affirming, validating, and even life-changing.

• “If you see them, you can be them” – Growing up without queer role models in film and TV can make it hard to imagine a future for yourself. Shows like The L Word, A League of Their Own, and Feel Good have given us moments of real visibility.
• Shifting Public Perception – The more LGBTQ+ stories are normalized, the more they shape cultural attitudes. Just look at how queer storylines in mainstream shows (Euphoria, Sex Education) have contributed to more openness and acceptance.
• Normalizing Self-Refelction – Media has helped so many people figure out their own identities, feel less alone, and see that queerness isn’t something to hide or struggle with forever.

The Bad: Where Representation Falls Short

For every step forward, there are still frustrating patterns that show how far we have to go.

• The “Bury Your Gays” Trope – If there’s a lesbian character in a show, there’s a solid chance she’s going to die. (The 100, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Orange Is the New Black—the list goes on.)
• Oversexualization – Some sapphic stories (looking at you, Blue Is the Warmest Color) feel like they’re more for the male gaze than for actual queer women.
• The Coming Out Obsession – While coming out stories are important, they shouldn’t be the only queer narratives we see. What about happy, well-adjusted lesbians just… existing?
• Butch Erasure – Butch, masc-presenting, and gender-nonconforming lesbians are still underrepresented, reinforcing the idea that queerness is only palatable if it’s “feminine enough.”

So, What Needs to Change?

Representation should be about more than just putting queer faces on screen—it should be about how those stories are told and who gets to tell them.

• More LGBTQ+ Writers & Directors – Authentic representation comes from the people who live these experiences, not just outsiders trying to “get it right.”
• More Joy, More Variety – Let’s have sapphic rom-coms, action movies, fantasy epics—without the heartbreak and tragedy.
• Intersectionality Matters – More stories about Black and brown queer women, disabled LGBTQ+ people, and trans lesbians. More diversity within diversity.

Representation is important, but it’s not the end goal. Seeing more queer women in the media is great, but if they’re always written through a heteronormative lens, if their stories are still full of suffering, or if they’re only there to check a box, then we have to ask—who is this really for?

The best representation isn’t just about visibility. It’s about telling real, nuanced, and meaningful stories. Because queer people deserve to exist in the media the same way we do in real life—fully, freely, and without apology.