31 TV Characters Whose Coming-Out Scenes Are So Good And Prove Why Representation Matters

"Ask me the question again. Ask me if I'm gay."

We recently asked the BuzzFeed Community to tell us which TV characters had the best coming-out moments and why. Here are some of the best responses:

Warning: There are obviously massive spoilers ahead!

1. First, on Brooklyn Nine-Nine, when Rosa came out to her parents during dinner after they thought she was dating Jake.

NBC

"Rosa coming out to her parents is so realistic and so heart-wrenching. Honestly, it's just exactly what I fear coming out as bi to my family will look like. It's such a great episode and just a great arc for a great character."

—carolinelee7185

2. On Shameless, when Mickey revealed that he's gay to a bar filled with his friends and family.

Showtime

"Although 'loud' and 'proud' are not words that would describe his feelings about his sexuality, they are 100% how to describe the fearless way he announced to his violent, homophobic father (and a bar full of Southside drunks) that he is, in fact, a 'big ole 'mo.' As the man he loves watches on with wide, surprised eyes, Mickey has his first loud stomp into the life of freedom he so deserves. You can't help but cry tears of pride for him!"

—itsmejenn

3. On Sex Education, when Eric felt more comfortable with himself and told his dad that he's proud of who he is.

Netflix

"I know we are introduced to him as a gay character so he didn't really 'come out' to the audience. But just to see him learn more about himself and sexuality throughout the show is wonderful."

—maddiel464098730

4. On Stranger Things, when Robin admitted to Steve that she likes Tammy Thompson.

Netflix

"I'll admit, I was rooting for her and Steve to get together. And the show certainly hinted it was going that way, which made her coming-out such a great surprise. Steve's reaction is wonderful and it bonds the two characters even more. It may take place on a dirty bathroom floor, but it is a beautiful scene."

—mollymcduck

5. On Grey's Anatomy, when Casey let Bailey know why he hacked into the DMV when he was younger.

ABC

"Casey Parker has such a beautiful coming-out scene with Chief Bailey. Plus, Alex Blue Davis is a trans actor, which is representation that should be seen more often." 

—kenzieballard

6. On Lucifer, when Maze sang "Wonderwall" to Eve at Lux.

Netflix

"This is a subtle one but it is just a great moment. While we as an audience knew Maze was having feelings for Eve, this is when Lucifer finds out she likes Eve."

—g_bernie

7. On Dawson's Creek, when Jack emotionally told his dad he's gay after he was forced to read his poem at school.

Warner Bros.

"Jack from Dawson’s Creek is the benchmark that all other coming-out stories should be measured by."

—mitchellm8

8. On Teenage Bounty Hunters, when Sterling realized that she ~really~ liked April.

Netflix

"The way she finally figures out her mortal enemy isn't actually her mortal enemy is so sweet. Also, the way she finally shows April how she feels by kissing her is simply amazing."

—finnegangc

9. On Glee, when Santana heartbreakingly told her grandmother how much she liked Brittany.

Fox

"It was gut-wrenching for her to find the courage to come out to her grandmother. To have the courage to do so, most likely knowing what the reaction was going to be, was so brave. A truly defining TV moment."

—justinlanet

10. And on Glee, when Kurt came out to his dad and his dad revealed that he always knew.

Fox

"Kurt's coming out in Season 1 of Glee is, still to this day, the one that makes me cry. It's so well acted and written, and not to forget how important a scene/storyline like that was back in 2009!"

—hollycowley7

11. On Schitt's Creek, when David explained his pansexuality to Stevie with an amazing wine metaphor.

Pop / CBC

"When David explained pansexuality to Stevie with a wine analogy, it was like a lightbulb went off for me. I was like, 'Wow, that was the best explanation for pansexuality that I’ve ever heard.'"

—tracy110302

12. On Wynonna Earp, when Waverly simply asked Wynonna if girls like scars too.

SYFY

"I loved her coming-out story and there are so many great moments. Like, when she casually mentions to Wynonna if chicks dig scars. Also her and Nicole became such a great couple and are so cute together."

—kal63

13. On Buffy the Vampire Slayer, when Willow confided in Buffy that she liked Tara.

Warner Bros.

"What makes her coming-out so good is that it doesn’t just suddenly happen. The idea is hinted at and explored over multiple seasons before she decides that it’s time to embrace it. This is how it often happens in real life. Many people spend years wondering before they will even be open to themselves about gender and sexuality questions. It’s rarely, if ever just, boom, 'I’m gay!'"

—toothlessfeline

14. On Batwoman, when Sophie came out to her mother, who heartbreakingly didn't approve.

The CW

"As a straight man, I’ve probably not seen as many coming-out scenes as others, but the most powerful one I've seen is Sophie coming out to her mom on Batwoman. It broke my heart hearing her mom say how disappointed she is, not just because she is gay but because she is already a Black woman and her mom feels that she is 'adding this on top of it.'"

—josephaloysiusc

15. On BoJack Horseman, when Todd revealed to BoJack that he's asexual.

Netflix

"As an asexual, Todd’s asexuality is represented well and I’m so excited to see an ace character in the media. It even helped me come to terms with my sexuality. Plus, the scene is funny."

—eviolet2

16. On Station 19, when Maya went and told her parents that she's bisexual right before marrying Carina.

ABC

"This is a really recent one but it was so great to see Maya stand up to her dad and profess her love for Carina to him. This character has come so far and watching Maya's growth has been amazing."

—noradominick

17. On Anne With an E, when Cole admitted to Aunt Jo that he's like her and Gertrude.

Netflix

"He is such a cool character from the beginning and while it wasn't super obvious, you kinda knew. There was so much tension and foreshadowing that built up to the party with Aunt Jo and when it came to it, they handled Cole's coming-out in the sweetest way possible. His storyline made me feel comfortable coming out as bi and honestly changed my life and my view of myself."

—ria624

18. On Degrassi, when Marco heartbreakingly came out to Spinner after going on a date with Hazel.

CTV

"Every episode that featured Marco coming out to a different person was so emotional."

—rmadu13

19. On Derry Girls, when Clare confided in Erin that she was the one who wrote the essay about being a lesbian.

Netflix

"It is hilarious — because it's Derry Girls so everything is going to be hilarious — but it's also really sweet how her friends overcame their biases and realize her being a lesbian didn't change her as a person and wouldn't change their friendship."

—anonymous12358

20. On This Is Us, when Tess told Randall and Beth that she "might like girls, not boys."

NBC

"Watching a Black queer kid just basically say, 'I don’t know but I want to explore this,' meant so much to me!"

—khloebare

21. On Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, when Daryl sang "Gettin' Bi" after embracing that he's bisexual.

The CW

"He realizes it and has a moment of hesitation with embracing it. But when he finally does, he is so proud of who he is. I think Daryl inspires everyone to love who they love deeply and be proud of who you are."

—theappledumple

22. On Love, Victor, when Victor opened up to Felix about liking guys.

Hulu

"Victor and Felix's friendship is such a great part of the show, so it's really special to watch Victor come out to Felix first."

—spenceralthouse

23. On The Haunting of Hill House, when Steve and Nell caught Theo after she slept with one of Nell's bridesmaids.

Netflix

"Just the fact that her brother and sister catch her sleeping with a bridesmaid and she's completely unfazed was brilliant. She’s a legend."

—haleyh43c774f12

24. On One Day at a Time, when Elena told Penelope that she felt more when she saw Kristen Stewart than when she kissed a boy.

Netflix

"This moment makes me cry and laugh. It's so well acted and written."

—person192829

25. On The Fosters, when Jude finally said the words "I'm gay" to Connor during the LGBTQ prom.

Freeform

"I love how Jude told Connor and made it clear that he wanted to be with him no matter what."

—opalsocean

26. On Supergirl, when Alex admitted to Kara that she had feelings for Maggie.

The CW

"Alex had the most relatable coming-out in the history of television for me. The fact that she comes out and understands and accepts herself in adulthood is amazing. It shows that there isn't a right time in life to find out about your sexuality and that is okay. I think that it's beautiful."

—laizagrillo01

27. On Good Girls, when Ben told Annie that he is a boy and Annie said she always wanted a son.

NBC

"Annie just helped deliver her ex-husband's child and when she tells Ben, 'It's a boy,' he replies, 'So am I.' It is so simple, but really raw and powerful."

—dawn1094

28. On The Bold Type, when Kat came out to Jane and Sutton as bisexual after having sex with a guy.

Freeform

"When she came out the first time, it was really great; but also when she later came out as bisexual it's amazing. The Bold Type really handles this topic well."

—jaymaccall25

29. On Shadowhunters, when Alec walked back down the aisle at his wedding and kissed Magnus.

Freeform

"When he walks off the altar in the middle of his wedding and into the arms of the man he loves, it's one of the best TV moments ever."

—sandyt4ee2c33d1

30. On Jane the Virgin, when Petra admitted that she liked JR as more than a friend.

The CW

"Petra becomes the best version of herself after this. She stops lying and really tries to be a better person for JR. It's so great and super sweet to see a later-in-life couple like them." 

—baebumblebees

31. And finally, on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, when Mac danced for his dad.

FX

"Mac actually had three great coming-out moments, but the last one with the dance will always have a special place in my heart."

—macdennis

We can't fit everything into one post, so tell me which other TV coming-out scenes you adore in the comments below!

Looking for more ways to get involved? Check out all of BuzzFeed's posts celebrating Pride 2021.

Kevin Valente / BuzzFeed