In the early aughts, LGBTQ+ representation on television was still rare, and Queer as Folk and The L Word in particular centered queer characters while allowing them to embody a full range of human emotions and experiences, rather than be relegated to just a tragic side character or quirky best friend. Neither show was perfect-both centered on affluent, white, and thin characters-but they were both revolutionary for their time. In 2000, Showtime premiered Queer as Folk, followed by The L Word in 2004.
