11 On-Screen LGBTQ+ Relationships We’re Still in Love With

These queer relationships from our fave movies and TV shows always give us hope!

Relationships are hard, no matter where your sexual orientation lands. Sometimes, LGBTQ+ characters are left on the sidelines, or never get to explore the same type of love stories we see in straight relationships.

Some movies and TV shows, however, explore the full range of relationships and include people who fall somewhere on the LGBTQ+ spectrum. While some of these are healthy, happy relationships, others depict the brutal reality we still fight in regard to stigma and hatred.

Here's a look at some of our favorite on-screen LGBTQ+ couples, from the movies and our television sets. As always, some minor spoilers ahead, so proceed with caution.

1. Willow and Tara - 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'

It’s hard to think about Buffy the Vampire Slayer without thinking about the iconic duo that was Willow and Tara. This beautiful, haunting, and heart-wrenching relationship faced stigma, addiction, and death, and it will forever be cemented as one of the greatest on-screen LGBTQ+ relationships, especially from its time. We just won’t talk about Kennedy, because… no.

2. Ennis and Jack - 'Brokeback Mountain'

​Even though there’s an ongoing debate as to whether straight actors should play gay characters or not, there’s no denying that it was mega hot to watch some guy-on-guy action between actors Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger in Brokeback Mountain. Gyllenhaal may have found the scenes “uncomfortable,” but this Oscar-winning film genuinely helped move the LGBTQ+ conversation forward, controversies and all.

3. David and Patrick - 'Schitt's Creek'

If you could imagine an almost perfect relationship, regardless of sexual orientation, you could look no further than David and Patrick from Schitt’s Creek. Who didn’t cry the first time Patrick sang that little acoustic song to David from across the room? These two set the standard for what it means to be in love, how to communicate with your partner, and how to treat each other with respect. Plus, David definitely learned from his parents, who emulate very much the same.

4. Brittany and Santana - 'Glee'

Brittany and Santana off of Glee were a great friends-to-lovers relationship that was cute, healthy, and full of song. These brides ultimately end up together in the end, and their relationship was also inspired by the genuine friendship shared by actresses Heather Morris and Naya Rivera. While the world, unfortunately, lost Rivera in a tragic accident, these two lovers will always remain in our hearts.

5. Uranus and Neptune - 'Sailor Moon'

Haruka Tenoh and Michiru Kaioh, also known as Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune, are among the most popular LGBTQ+ couples — if not couples in general — within the anime universe. They were together canonically in the mangas, which translated into the television show, and they provided a lot of children with their first look into what a healthy LGBTQ+ relationship should look like.

6. Korra and Asami - 'The Legend of Korra'

Most of the narrative in The Legend of Korra revolves around the relationship that continues to evolve between Korra and Asami, who becomes Korra’s love interest. Their relationship varies from rivals to lovers and follows them throughout the series. The two learn a lot from each other and captures the essence of what happens when you simply grow to love each other.

7. Ian and Mickey - 'Shameless'

On the one hand, Ian and Mickey from Shameless was totally unexpected, but on the other hand, it makes total sense. To call this relationship “tumultuous” would be an understatement, but the show isn’t exactly known for its happy storylines or endings. Despite anything they go through, from prison reunions to saying goodbye to each other at the border of Mexico, these two will always share the love.

8. Omar and Johnny - 'My Beautiful Launderette'

We’re taking it back to the ’80s with this one, but the relationship between Omar and Johnny in My Beautiful Launderette was poignant, timely, and necessary. The two of them are surrounded by violence and prejudice and face cultural divides, which continued into the real world after the film’s release. The Pakistani Action Committee called the film “the product of a vile and perverted mind,” echoing some of the views displayed in the film.

9. Justin and Brian - 'Queer as Folk'

Justin and Brian started as a controversial couple in Queer as Folk, with Justin being only 17 when he started fooling around with the well-experienced Brian, who became his first everything in the gay world. Their relationship, tumultuous as it was, lasted throughout the entire series on and off, and gave us some really memorable sexual interactions.

10. Chiron and Kevin - 'Moonlight'

First of all, Moonlight is just an incredible film through and through. It follows the life of Chiron, a young Black man, and is broken up in the chapters of his life. His relationship with his childhood friend, Kevin, evolves throughout the film, and after spending some years apart, they come back together and help explore the importance of personal connections in how they shape someone’s life.

11. Elio and Oliver - 'Call Me by Your Name'

Call Me by Your Name, which is inspired by the book of the same name, follows 17-year-old Elio Perlman and his relationship with 24-year-old Oliver in 1980s Italy. The connection between the two develops into a passionate love affair, and although they don’t end up together, the story hones in one the fleeting nature of a summer romance, with the subsequent pain and longing that follows.