Only two years after coming out in an interview with The Advocate, Robert Gant became an Out100 star. Known mostly for his work on Queer As Folk as Professor Ben Bruckner, the first gay character to be legally wed on American television.
After the show's end in 2005, Gant went on to tell the stories of gay characters in other major television shows. He portrayed the first gay spy in the film Kiss Me Deadly, made appearances on shows like Friends, Melrose Place, Criminal Minds, Popular, and many many more.
In more recent years, Gant has continued his acting legacy. Playing characters on major series such as Netflix's 13 Reasons Why and The CW's Supergirl. Gant now spends his time writing, acting and coaching, while continuing to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.
In 2002, television saw the debut of several influential shows that featured LGBTQ+ characters and themes. The Wire, an HBO series known for its gritty portrayal of Baltimore's criminal world, included the character Omar Little, a gay stick-up man played by Michael K. Williams. Omar's portrayal challenged stereotypes and became one of the most memorable characters in TV history.
Six Feet Under, another HBO series, continued to push boundaries with its exploration of sexuality, including the character David Fisher, a gay funeral director struggling with his identity and relationships. The show’s approach to LGBTQ+ issues gained critical acclaim and helped to normalize queer characters in TV.
The same year, the talk show world was taken by storm when Rosie O'Donnell came out as a lesbian at an NYC stand-up comedy show. She would later go on to do a one-on-one interview about her coming out with Diane Sawyer.
In film, The Hours featured Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore, and Meryl Streep in a story that intertwines the lives of three women connected by Virginia Woolf's novel "Mrs. Dalloway." The film dealt with themes of sexuality and identity, with Streep's character, Clarissa Vaughan, being a lesbian. The film brought attention to the complex realities of LGBTQ+ lives.
In music, LGBTQ+ artists continued to make waves. Tegan and Sara, an indie rock duo composed of identical twin sisters who are both openly gay, released their album If It Was You. Their music and visibility contributed to the presence of queer voices in the music scene.
2002 was a pivotal year for LGBTQ+ media, characterized by groundbreaking television series, impactful films, and influential music that provided representation and visibility.
