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The year is 2007.
But its the mid-aughts and the only queer reality-TV starlet is afake bisexual/actual Nazi.
Fifteen years after that frustrating evening,reality TV is in the midst of a full sapphic revolution.
Its worth examining how we got here.
Just their presence was shown to be a corrupting force.
Take Kim Stolz, a contestant onAmericas Next Top Modelin 2005.
One of the shows first out lesbians, Stolz joked about converting the women she was competing against.
Its a relatable scene or as relatable as that famously deranged show could get.
Most queer women have at least a story or two about playing along with a straight friends joking flirtation.
The implication of these narratives was clear: Queer women are predatory, or at the very least untrustworthy.
In 2019, a glimmer of change appeared on the horizon.
Then, in 2023, cameJenna Fucking Lyons.
Now, lesbian rumors are still a staple ofReal Housewives, but they take on a different tenor.
Again, Chrishells sexuality isnt presented as scandalous or deviant.
But lesbians werent just given fairy-tale endings in 2023.
Happy, fulfilled people dont typically make for the most compelling viewing.
The joys of reality television are always rooted in mess and queer women love mess.
at stirring up complex and captivating drama.
