In 2022, queer women were gifted WLW representation on scripted TV and major award shows, and also some new additions to our community. Here are eight of the most epic pop culture moments that delighted queer women this year.
Javicia Leslie and Meagan Tandy as Ryan Wilder and Sophie Moore in Batwoman (CW)
Unfortunately, 2022 brought us the end of Batwoman, but before the show went off the air, Ryan Wilder/Batwoman (Javicia Leslie) found love with Sophie Moore (Meagan Tandy). On portraying this relationship, Leslie told Tagg: “I thought that that was so powerful to see two black women in love. It was really beautiful to see Black skin and Black skin like that. That seems small, but it’s not common for us, especially like major networks.”
Glennon Doyle and Sarah Paulson (CHARLEY GALLAY/GETTY; DANIELE VENTURELLI/WIREIMAGE/GETTY)
When Glennon Doyle announced that Sarah Paulson would be playing her in the television adaptation of her memoir Untamed, my gay heart fluttered into a million pieces. The Internet also freaked out, and someone on Twitter suggested that Gillian Anderson play Doyle’s wife, soccer champion Abby Wambach. Anderson appears to be ready for it, and so am I.
Brandi Carlile with Bonnie Raitt & Joni Mitchell at the 2022 GRAMMYs (via Instagram)
At this year Grammy Awards, Brandi Carlile performed “Right on Time,” and the gays went wild. Introduced by music legends Joni Mitchell and Bonnie Raitt and set against the backdrop of beautiful rainbow lights, this was an ironic queer moment that we could not forget.
Kate McKinnon as Justin Bieber on SNL (Credit: NBC)
After nine Emmy nominations and 10 seasons of skillful political impressions and gay AF sketches, Kate McKinnon departed NBC’s Saturday Night Live in May 2022. But she didn’t leave without giving us some super queer sketches this year, including a sketch with Ariana DeBose on Sappho and a comical tirade against Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
Rebel Wilson and Ramona Agruma (ALEX GOODLETT/GETTY FOR OPERATION SMILE)
In June, actress, writer, and producer Rebel Wilson came out on Instagram with a picture of her and her girlfriend, Ramona Agruma, and caption that read: “I thought I was searching for a Disney Prince… but maybe what I really needed all this time was a Disney Princess.” Last month, Wilson also had her first child via surrogacy.
Chanté Adams and Abbi Jacobson in A League of Their Own (Prime Video)
Almost every queer woman I know watched and loved the explicitly queer television adaptation of the classic sports film, A League of Their Own. Bisexual actress Abbi Jacobson wrote, produced, and starred in the show, alongside an incredible cast including Chanté Adams, D’Arcy Carden, Roberta Colindrez, and Rosie O’Donnell.
Zendaya accepts award at the 74th Emmy Awards (Chris Haston/NBC/Getty Images)
In September, bisexual comedian Hannah Einbinder and acting legend Jean Smart were presenters at the Emmy Awards. When the two walked out, Einbinder hid behind Smart, and when Smart asked Einbinder why she agreed to present if she was so nervous, Einbinder said: “because from the stage I get a better view of Zendaya.” What a relatable gay moment.
Sophie (Rosanny Zayas) and Finley (Jacqueline Toboni) in The L Word: Gen Q (Credit: Showtime)
The third season of The L Word: Generation Q has gotten better each and every week. In episode 2, Bette runs to Tina in the middle of L.A traffic to tell her that she wants to be with her forever, and in episodes 4 and 6, we get surprise appearances from Max Sweeney and Dana Fairbanks. How else is this show going to tug at my heartstrings this season? I’m not ready, but I’m rounding it up in new posts every Monday.
