13 Gay, Female TV Characters that are Great Role Models

Whether you're still staring at the inside of your slightly confined closet, have just stepped out into the rainbow abyss of the world, have been living a proud and gay life for a while, or don't even identify as LGBT but enjoy expanding your knowledge, we have compiled a list of some of the best, gay, female representations on TV.

Sometimes it can be hard to find a new show with some strong gay female characters. So if you're looking for something new with LGBT plotlines, check out some of these shows and find yourself or fall in love with some of these badass women too.

Beware, some of these may be spoilers if you haven't gotten far enough into the shows. But, as they say, a woman's sexuality is fluid so maybe these won't come as a shock.

1. Kate Messner - Everything Sucks

This coming-of-age TV show was cut way too short. Kate Messner was finally in the process of figuring out her sexuality, and she was a nice addition to the collection of newly discovered queer youngins. It's important that TV shows cover this process in a realistic way, and this show did just that in such a sweet way.

2. Elena Alvarez - One Day At A Time

Elena is already an intelligent and strong-willed young woman who fights for so many social justice causes, so it only seemed fitting that she would come out as gay. Being raised in the Latino culture where being gay is not easily accepted, the show depicts the hardships not only for Elena but for her mother as well. It offers an inclusive representation for young Latina girls.

3. Valencia Perez - Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

To long-time Crazy Ex-Girlfriend viewers, I'm sure this came as a major shock. One minute Valencia was dating Josh, the next she was happily involved with Beth no questions asked. This seems to be a growing theme amongst TV writers. No big gay debuts, just simple changes in partnership.

4. Petra Solano - Jane the Virgin

The overwhelming happiness Petra exudes when she's around JR, or the little giggle she lets out when she talks about her is the purest thing. After a complicated marriage with Rafael, it seemed like quite a shock to her when she realized she was having not so PG dreams about JR, but it also didn't seem to phase her. It's a great portrayal of a "later-in-life gay."

5. Maggie Sawyer - Supergirl

Maggie's story of estrangement from her parents after coming out is a sad, but an honest reality for some people. Although, you never would've guessed by her courageous and strong unforgiving lesbian identity. Her badassness as an FBI agent transcends into her badassness as a role model for so many women who may struggle with environmental and internalized acceptance.

6. Maggie Amato - Younger

From the beginning, Maggie was her own character, a bonafide and experienced lesbian who didn't have to go through a period of revelation or come in as a saving grace for a newly questioning gay. She offers a perspective of what life is like when you're beyond all the drama and inner turmoil of the coming out process, and that's a refreshing perspective.

7. Alex Danvers - Supergirl

Alex's evolution from mild internalized homophobia into out and proud is a linear progression any gay person hopes to have. The struggle that comes with upsetting the image your parents hold is a commonality that the show works through nicely. Although her relationship with Maggie ended, there's still hope for a happy and gay ending as Supergirl comes to an end.

8. Stef Foster - The Fosters

Stef's untraditional family offers an inside perspective on how a lesbian family is just like any other traditional family. Although, what is traditional these days? Stef comes from a Catholic upbringing, where being gay is heavily unacceptable. She's a strong role model for those who struggle with religious implications.

9. Emily Fields - Pretty Little Liars

At the beginning of the show, Emily dated men and identified heavily heterosexually. It wasn't until Maya was confidently gay that Emily realized maybe she wasn't as straight as previously assumed. She didn't seem to have any major problems in the process, and she is a nice representation of a femme lesbian. Offering other femme lesbians a place to identify and realize that to be gay you don't have to look like the stereotype.

10. Callie Torres - Grey's Anatomy

Similarly to previously mentioned characters, Callie also comes from a strictly Catholic Latina background. She has a more difficult coming out process as her father first disowns her after hearing the news, but eventually he learns that no amount of praying will pray the gay away. With the help of her girlfriend Arizona, she's able to truly embrace her sexuality and show us that being gay is not simply a choice.

11. Adena El-Amin - The Bold Type

Adena is an incredible role model for young lesbians, as she's an openly gay Muslim woman. Through her character, we're opened up to the oppression women and LGBT people in the Islamic religion. She's among the incredible collection of characters on TV who are openly out and have no problem with their identity. She helped Kat Edison realize her own sexuality, and sometimes it's seeing others have no fear in being entirely themselves that helps us realize suppressions we may not have known we had.

12. Villanelle - Killing Eve

It's unclear how she identifies, but it seems that she sleeps with men for the pleasure and manipulation, but creates true and deep relationships and connections with women. The writers seamlessly added the gay plotline, which is the best part. Is it wrong to think that craziness of Villanelle is certainly hot?

13. Arizona Robbins - Grey's Anatomy

From the very beginning, Arizona has been strong and unapologetically gay. It's important that TV portrays confident gay women as well. And of course, talk about Doctor McDreamy! Those dimples are killer and her smile brightens any dreary day. Although she went through her questionable phase of character, she'll always be remembered as the cheery, roller skate girl from Season 1.