Top 10 Most Romantic LGBTQ+ Moments on TV
#10: Willow Rosenberg & Tara Maclay Kiss “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997-2003)
When Buffy premiered on The WB in 1997, it quickly became a hit. Fan-favorite, Willow (who is a witch), served as a major milestone in representation when she came out as a lesbian in Season 4. In this scene with her girlfriend, Tara, Willow is panicking over what to wear in order to support a grieving Buffy. Right as she’s about to lose it, Tara comes over to her and holds her. In a time when most same-sex embraces were either quick pecks or hugs, their kiss was passionate and revealed how caring and supportive their relationship was.
#9: Cameron Tucker & Mitchell Pritchett Get Married “Modern Family” (2009-20)
Though Cam and Mitch were together for years before the start of “Modern Family,” it still took another 5 seasons before we finally saw them tie the knot. By the time they actually walk down the aisle, the grooms-to-be had to contend with multiple obstacles. This included their adoptive daughter Lily triggering a closed dry cleaner’s security alarm and a wildfire threatening to derail the entire affair. Following Sal’s water breaking, several venue changes and Mitch almost cancelling the wedding entirely, Jay ultimately saves the day thanks to the country club. Mitch and Cam are subsequently married in a touching ceremony that sees Phil taking over as celebrant, Claire giving a speech in voice-over and the two men taking each other as husbands and becoming “spouses for life.”
#8: Amanita “Neets” Caplan Rescues Nomi Marks “Sense8” (2015-18)
Nomi Marks is one of eight individuals called “sensates” who are connected via an emotional and mental tether. She is in a relationship with Amanita throughout this Netflix show’s 2 season stint. Nomi is one of the first hunted sensates and she gets trapped in a hospital by her transphobic mother and a doctor who is determined to lobotomize her. In this scene, Amanita - who already proved her awesomeness as a partner when she sticks up for Nomi against transphobic women at Pride - comes to Nomi’s rescue after tracking her down. There is so much loyalty present within this queer relationship, and this moment of rescue had us on the edge of our seats and swooning.
#7: Zoë Rivas Asks Rasha Zuabi to Prom “Degrassi: Next Class” (2016-17)
Top 10 Most Romantic LGBTQ+ Moments in Cartoons
The fifth installment of the “Degrassi” franchise introduced a storyline that mirrored real-world events involving Syrian refugees being accepted into various countries. Rasha Zuabi, who is a closeted lesbian, enters the school after it opens its doors to refugees and quickly develops feelings for Zoë, also a closeted lesbian. The two eventually start dating and end up going to prom together. It’s always heartwarming to see two LGBTQ+ characters attending something as normal as prom, and this scene didn’t disappoint. But it was the way that Zoe asked Rasha to the event 2 episodes earlier that makes our list: creatively and originally sticking up multiple Post-It notes featuring relationship memories and the future ‘memory’ of their dancing at prom together.
#6: Ian Gallagher Proposes to Mikhailo "Mickey" Aleksandr Milkovich “Shameless” (2011-21)
Top 10 Best Ian & Mickey Moments on Shameless
The Gallagher family and its various members are complex. Ian Gallagher is gay and bipolar, and his trajectory throughout the show is an emotional one. He develops a relationship with Mickey Milkovich in Season 1, and the two separate and get back together multiple times throughout the series. In Season 10, they eventually get married. In a uniquely Gallagher move, Ian proposes to Mickey in the midst of a bar brawl. While on crutches. Unlike other pretty stereotypical proposals, this one was simultaneously absurd and perfect.
#5: Kelly Booth & Yorkie at the Beach House “Black Mirror” (2011-19)
Black Mirror’s Season 3 episode San Junipero has been widely lauded as one of the best of the series. Kelly and Yorkie meet in San Junipero, a mind space in the Cloud created for aging adults to visit as well as to transition into after death. The two fall in love and start meeting one another every week. While visiting Yorkie in real life, Kelly finds out that she is about to pass on and permanently transition to living in San Junipero. She quickly enters San Junipero in order to propose to Yorkie so that Kelly can be the one to authorize Yorkie’s passing. Kelly’s determination to give Yorkie an honorable passage surrounded by those who love her shows just how deep her feelings go. Plus, they’re on a beach!
#4: Patrick "Pat" Brewer Sings to David Rose “Schitt’s Creek” (2015-20)
Top 10 Best David & Patrick Moments on Schitt’s Creek
If you couldn’t already tell, we’re big fans of Schitt’s Creek here at MsMojo. Patrick and David started going out in Season 3. In addition to being the grounded compliment to David’s more ethereal energy, Patrick is also a wonderful singer. In the next season, he serenades David during an open mic at Rose’s Apothecary in front of what appears to be almost the whole town. The boldness of Patrick singing in front of so many people, the maintained eye-contact between the two, and David’s failed attempts at hiding his joy, make this moment full of charm and delight. These two are “simply the best”.
#3: Callie Torres & Arizona Robbins Say “I Love You” “Grey’s Anatomy” (2005-)
Callie Torres was introduced to the Grey’s Anatomy cast in Season 2. After initially dating men, she discovered that she was also interested in women. She and Arizona started seeing one another and their feelings developed quickly. They eventually get married, but before that they had to say “I love you” for the first time. In this scene, Callie tries to stay up late for Arizona's birthday but falls asleep on the couch before Arizona comes home. When she does and sees how much care and effort Callie has put into the night, Arizona confesses that she loves Callie. Callie trying to stay up for Arizona is incredibly cute, and Arizona looking at Callie with such love and affection makes this scene irresistible.
#2: Magnus Bane & Alec Lightwood’s Marriage “Shadowhunters” (2016-19)
A warlock and a Shadowhunter in love! Magnus and Alec get married in the series finale of this sci-fi show, after a passionate, whirlwind romance. We mean, remember their first kiss?? Their wedding is beautiful, from the flower petals raining down and the sultry, color-coordinated decorations, to the beaming smiles on the faces of the grooms. It’s a perfect full-circle from the stopped wedding between Alec and Lydia of Season 1. With their friends and family watching, the two deliver their eternal vows and seal their marriage with a kiss. And it’s perfect: full of magic and Malec goodness. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Casey Gardner Kisses Izzie “Atypical” (2017-) Montage of Danielle "Dani" Clayton & Jamie Taylor Living Life “The Haunting of Bly Manor” (2020) Toni Topaz Rescues Cheryl Blossom “Riverdale” (2017-) Angel Evangelista & Esteban "Lil Papi" Martinez-Evangelista Get Engaged “Pose” (2018-)
#1: Brittany Pierce & Santana Lopez’s First Real Kiss “Glee” (2009-15)
It was a hard choice to pick between popular Glee couples Kurt and Blaine (xref) or Brittany and Santana, as well as whether to combine the two with their group wedding. (xref) But we ultimately went with solo Brittana. With a more-than-friends relationship first hinted at during season 1, Brittany and Santana spent the rest of the series falling more and more in love with one another. Our pick for their most romantic moment is their first real kiss on Valentine’s Day. Towards the end of a song sung by the God Squad that Santana dedicated to Brittany, the two start to slow-dance with another. Santana kisses Brittany, and after a moment, Brittany throws her arms around Santana, pulling her closer. Their love was front and center and (finally) given space to flourish.
