what may or may not be hard reality

So lore_85 made a really inspiring list with her favourite lesbian couples, and I just had to make one of my own.



Ellen Morgan, Laurie Manning, Ellen (1994)
One of my very first lesbian couples. Because these things matter. Ellen and Laurie had their ups and down, and the occasional network constraint, but they were warm and solid and real, and I love how they integrated their relationship with Laurie's daughter and Ellen's parents so wonderfully.


Kerry Weaver, Sandy Lopez, ER (1994)
I know I'm in the minority here, but I came into this show at the same time as Sandy, so this is the couple I really felt for. They didn't have a lot of screen time, and I'm not down with outing people, but I did my darndest to love them, and I still do.


Corky, Violet, Bound (1996)
Corky and Violet are jaded and distrusting, but they still take a chance on each other. Up until the end they have no idea if they'll be able to trust the other, but they still do, with a little bit more than dignity and matters of the heart at stake. It's sweet. Also, it's a brilliant movie over-all.


Helena Peabody, Dylan Moreland, The L Word (2004)
I rooted for these two from the beginning, not only because I had crushes on both Rachel Shelley and Alexandra Hedison, but because they had a whole lot of chemistry. Dylan was messed up and Helena was too trusting and they had a bunch of issues, but I refuse to believe they don't make it in the end. Also, *she gave the money back*!


Judy Squires, Frances Turner, Better Than Chocolate (1999)
Such a sweet couple. They have a lot of obstacles to overcome on the way, but they have a solid friendship to build on, and I just adore them together.


Clarissa Vaughan, Sally Lester, The Hours (2002)
Ok, so this one probably is biased because of Meryl Streep and Allison Janney, but OMG I love them so much together. The entire movie is about figuring out when to say stop because you're grasping for the greener grass that will never be green enough, and when you have to break up your current situation because you're miserable even if it will hurt the people around you. And Clarissa chooses Sally in the end, and it's beautiful.


Nikki Beaumont, Nora Delaney, Nikki & Nora (2004)
So they have a lot of things ahead of them, with Nora refusing to come out, and the job, and the families, but I have faith in them, because clearly they love each other very very much, and they're both obstinate enough to push through if they decide it's worth it. And they have really great chemistry, and I love how they balance work and off duty well. Damn network for not picking up this show.


Bette Porter, Tina Kennard, The L Word (2004)
Proving that crushes don't decide OTPs. Because I have a much bigger crush on Marlee Matlin than I do on Laurel Holloman, and yet that scene at the club in season 5 where Bette kisses Tina for the first time since their separation? OMG I squeed and died and went to heaven. Up until that moment I had *no idea* I felt like that about Bette and Tina. It was kinda cool.


Kate Martinelli, Lee Cooper, The Martinelli Books by Laurie R. King
So I think it was supposed to be a movies and TV list, but I had to include Kate and Lee anyway. My favourite books in the whole world, and my second favourite lesbian couple ever. Kate was my first lesbian role model, and their relationship has issues and fights and that almost break-up and a whole lot of love and devotion and reality. I love them so very much.


Xena of Amphipolis, Gabrielle of Potadeia, Xena: Warrior Princess (1995)
So they weren't necessarily out on the show, but Lucy has referred to them as married, and regardless of whatever else, they are definitely the most solid partnership on television. They are all about each other, willing to die, kill, and do whatever it takes for each other. I love them. (If there had been a season 7, Xena and Gabrielle totally would have found a way back together.)

It's sad that none of them are on TV now... or is it just that I'm un-hip and not up on the latest couples? (It takes time to fall in love with a couple...)

Stay tuned for Part 2 - Non-Canon OTPs!