Queer as Folk (2000-2005). Photo Credit: Showtime
Represented a variety of gay archetypes
Though Queer as Folk is often criticized for its indulgence in gay stereotypes, especially based on today’s standards, it did try to represent a lot of different gay archetypes. On most mainstream television shows at the time, gay characters were always flouncy and flamboyant gay men or butch lesbian women. They would make sassy quips based on stereotypes and everyone would laugh.
But Queer as Folk set out to do more with their characters. They had a committed, domestic lesbian couple, one of whom was more feminine and the other slightly more “butch”, but both professional and well-mannered. That was counteracted with a rebellious biker “butch” like Leda, Melanie’s ex-girlfriend who makes several appearances on the show.
For the gay men, you have characters who come off as more flamboyant, like Emmett, and the more “professional” gay types, like Ted. Michael is nerdy whereas Brian is fit, shallow, and loves to party. Michael also finds himself being very comfortable in a domestic role, after he and Ben adopt Hunter and have a family of their own. Brian is against this idea, claiming that’s for straight people (even though he eventually warms up to that idea with Justin).
There’s also the range of ages. Justin starts the series as a naive gay teenager, unaware of the real struggles of homosexuality, whereas Vic is a jaded, older gay man who knows exactly what life is capable of. Queer as Folk wasn’t just about one gay experience, it wanted to explore them from the perspective of all types of gay people (though they were definitely lacking in queer people of color, which is still an issue with proper representation today).