Archive

“Relativity” and the First Lesbian Kiss on Primetime Television

Many people remember the LA Law kiss in 1992 between bisexual attorney C.J. Lamb and her bi-curious colleague, and the Roseanne-Mariel Hemingway kiss on Roseanne in 1994 (which was actually shown from the back to block the actual kiss). But few remember that the first real lesbian kiss (i.e. a kiss between two lesbian or bisexual women) on television occurred in the short-lived drama Relativity on January 11, 1997 – the series that also offered the first recurring lesbian character who was a central part of the cast.

The ABC series was produced by thirtysomething masterminds Zwick and Herskovitz (who also produced Once and Again and My So-Called Life, two other shows with pioneering gay characters.) The story follows a twenty-something heterosexual couple, Isabelle (played by Kimberly Williams of Father of the Bride and now According to Jim) and Leo (played by David Conrad), and the lives and loves of their assorted friends and adult siblings, including Leo’s longtime friend Doug (played by the always excellent Adam Goldberg).

Although Leo’s lesbian sister Rhonda was introduced in the beginning of the series, her sexuality was not featured in any of the early episodes except one, in which Isabelle and Rhonda commiserate with each other over their recent respective breakups. Rhonda is played by Lisa Edelstein, who has starred or guest-starred in several television shows and movies, most recently Leap of Faith and Felicity and movies like Keeping the Faith and What Women Want. Rhonda’s love interest is Suzanne, played by Kristin Dattilo who currently stars in Showtime’s The Chris Isaak Show (and was Janie in the Aerosmith video for “Janie’s Got a Gun”).

The kiss didn’t happen until the 13th episode, named “The Day the Earth Moved” because the theme of the episode revolves around earthquakes, sex, and life-changing decisions. The episode weaves several threads involving multiple characters in and out of each other in a humorous and thoughtful way, and a storyline which follows Rhonda and Suzanne’s introduction, their first date (albeit an unusual one), and their first kiss.

For those who haven’t seen the episode, I’ve provided an episode recap on the next page.

Relativity was ground-breaking not only because of the kiss, but for the natural and almost casual way it portrayed the lesbian characters and their relationship with each other, as well as their relationships with other characters on the show. At the time, it was one of the first shows ever to treat its lesbian characters just like the other (heterosexual) characters on the show, with no attempt to sensationalize their relationship or the kiss. The lesbian characters are very likable, and they are treated with affection and supported by the other characters – for once, no one has any “issues” with their sexuality (besides Isabelle’s initial surprise at her friend’s sexual orientation, since Isabelle had only known her to date men previously).

Also unusual was the show’s casual use of the words “lesbian” and “dyke” (in a positive way) in conversation among the characters – another television first (and unfortunately still not that common today).

This episode, like the series, was also a consistent mix of funny, sweet, and serious, with complex characters and an entertaining and realistic storyline.

The series only lasted a few more episodes after this one before being cancelled by ABC due to low ratings-despite considerable critical acclaim – bringing the final total to 17 episodes. None of the subsequent episodes featured the relationship between two women except the last one, in which Leo and Rhonda’s grandfather has a heart-attack, and Suzanne accompanies Rhonda to the hospital, where she is introduced by Rhonda to the doctor as “my lover.”

Conservative Christians and other critics were up in arms when this episode debuted. Tim Wildmon, Vice-President of the American Family Association (AFA) issued a press release at the time denouncing the kiss on Relativity and criticizing the series for taking television “where it has never gone before” by showing “caressing, nuzzling and passionate, open-mouthed kissing” between two women. It went on to say:

The television industry continues to push the homosexual agenda with increasing fervency, with regular homosexual characters, same-sex marriages, and now passionate lesbian kissing scenes. And they won’t stop their assault on morality until American society cries ‘Uncle!’ and fully accepts the homosexual lifestyle as legitimate.

Little did they know that things were about to get much worse, for only five months later Ellen Degeneres and her eponymous sitcom character would come out with a bang (along with Jorja Fox’s character on ER around the same time, and a few other characters on other shows within the same year) and not only would Ellen kiss a woman on television (more than once), but she would raise the level of public awareness around the issue of how lesbians were, or were not, represented on television.

Almost five years later, the number of lesbian and bisexual television characters has significantly increased – current examples include Willow on Buffy, Dr. Weaver and firefighter Sandy Lopez on ER, the lesbian couple on Queer as Folk, Detective Greggs on The Wire, various women on MTV’s The Real World, the upcoming series The L Word, and more one-episode guest-star lesbian plots than anyone can count, including Denise Richards on Spin City and Winona Ryder on Friends.

Lesbian kissing is still not de rigueur on television, however – and although several shows have depicted women in bed together, that’s not a frequent occurrence yet either.

But both events are common enough that they no longer make any media headlines when they happen, and they don’t generally impact advertising support in a negative way – developments for which we have shows early shows like Relativity to thank.

RELATIVITY EPISODE RECAP: Episode 13 “The Day the Earth Moved”

After an opening sequence involving Isabelle and Leo, the episode shows Rhonda on a blind dinner date with a Martina fan from hell, then another date with the woman who can’t stop asking everyone she meets “Do I know you? You look so familiar!”

Afterwards, Rhonda goes back to Isabelle and Leo’s apartment where Isabelle and Doug are chatting with Isabelle’s old college friend, Suzanne, a seismologist. Rhonda mentions her “aborted date from hell” in which “I think I heard about every dyke social event from the last three years–none of which, by the way, I was invited to.” Isabelle introduces Suzanne and mentions that she’s there to check out their apartment for earthquake preparedness.

Rhonda: Okay, ‘earthquake hysteria!’ I really can’t listen to that stuff and live in Los Angeles simultaneously. Okay, I’m not even kidding.

Suzanne: Denial is really important to you.

Rhonda: it’s my essence.

Doug: Suzanne, you have to understand that the lesbian people are very sensitive when in comes to earthquakes.We don’t know the reason why.

Suzanne: I didn’t realize that.

Doug: Yes. Studies have been done.

Suzanne. Ah.

Doug: Oh yeah.

Rhonda: if you guys are going to stand here and talk about earthquakes then, uh, I’m going to go get a beer.

Isabelle: (motioning to Rhonda’s retreating back) Leo’s sister.

Doug proceeds to flirt blatantly with Suzanne after Rhonda leaves, and later asks Isabelle for her phone number. When Isabelle has lunch with Suzanne a few days later, she asks Suzanne if she should give Doug her number. Suzanne gives a noncommittal answer, and Isabelle asks her who’s she’s dating as they sit down to eat.

Isabelle: Are you still seeing that guy Brian?

Suzanne: No, not for awhile, actually.

Isabelle: Anyone?

Suzanne: No, not exactly…why do I do that? is it too embarrassing to just say “no, I’m not.”

Isabelle: Really? That’s so surprising. You’re so gorgeous and successful, you’re going to find someone. I mean, should I give Doug your number?

Suzanne. Yeah…actually, Isabelle, I was thinking…could I have Rhonda’s number?

Isabelle: (looking surprised but smiling) Um…

The scene cuts to Suzanne calling Rhonda. They chat on the phone for a minute about earthquakes and Isabelle, and then Suzanne gets to the point.

Suzanne: Isabelle mentioned that you were wanting to get out a little bit more in terms of dating–

Rhonda: Oh no, don’t tell me, is this about a blind date thing?

Suzanne: Well, no–

Rhonda: Because I’m sorry, I barely know you and I don’t want to seem rude, but I’m really not interested in meeting anyone ever again that I haven’t already met – which I realize limits my life in some capacity, but in this other way, it just really makes the outlook for the rest of my life much more peaceful and soothing.

Suzanne: (slowly) Okay…right…You know, actually, Rhonda, the person I’m thinking of you’ve actually already met.

Rhonda: I have?

Suzanne: Yeah, you have. (embarrassing silence as Rhonda starts to understand)

Suzanne: Um, have you had your place checked for earthquakes? (grimaces at what she said and hides her face in a pillow)

Rhonda: (slowly, still not sure if she’s reading this right) No…

The scene cuts to Suzanne arriving at Rhonda’s house and giving her earthquake survival tips. While they’re sitting under the dining room table (pretending there’s an earthquake) Rhonda’s teenage brother walks in, sees them, and just mutters “um, I gotta…” and then walks out again. After discovering who he is and then looking embarrassed, Suzanne challenges Rhonda to visit the earthquake simulator with Suzanne to get over her fear of earthquakes.

Later, throwing frisbees in the park with Rhonda and Isabelle, Doug tells Leo that he hopes Isabelle “makes it happen” with him and Suzanne, and Leo breaks the bad news: “I think she’s more interested in Rhonda’s number.” He’s shocked, but a few minutes later, goes over to Rhonda and teases her about it.

Doug: So I hear that you and Suzanne are topping the ol’ Lesbian Charts?

Rhonda: You know, it’s like I’m going to knowingly go into an earthquake simulator with her? Who is she to tell me I have to face my fears? It’s completely arrogant.

The scene cuts to the next day, where Suzanne is showing Rhonda around the earthquake simulator and telling her that she began having earthquake dreams in college when “I started to come out, so I think that’s what the dreams were about.” Rhonda sees the mannequins sitting in the simulator and asks “Are these other dates you’ve brought here before?” Suzanne repeats back “dates,” obviously pleased that Rhonda thinks of this as a “date;” Rhonda quickly realizes what she has said and changes the subject, asking Suzanne what she needs to do. Suzanne directs her to sit on the sofa in the fake living room, and then steps out of the room to turn on the simulator. She turns it on low at first, then asks “Are you ready for a bigger jolt?”

Rhonda: Wait, can I get some company in here? You’re not going to stand out there, are you?

Suzanne: No (coming in to sit on the sofa next to Rhonda)

Rhonda: Because I’m not a crash dummy

Suzanne: (smiling) I know that. You’re pretty fragile.

Rhonda: (laughing) This is so idiotic…You think I’m going to be able to tell my grand kids about this?

Suzanne: (seriously) If you want to.

Rhonda takes Suzanne’s hand as the simulator begins, and as the room rocks back and forth in the face earthquake, Rhonda says “Okay, I’m scared. I’m really really scared.” After a few seconds the motion stops, and Suzanne asks “are you?” Rhonda smiles and replies “yes.” There is a long pause as the two women look at each other, only a few inches apart, and then Suzanne says seriously “I am too.” She puts her hands in Rhonda’s hair and leans in to kiss her. After a long kiss (by television standards) of ten seconds, Suzanne pulls back and says quietly, “Rhonda, you’ve just survived the destruction of Los Angeles.” Rhonda smiles, clearly relieved and ecstatic to have finally met someone like Suzanne, and closes her eyes as Suzanne kisses her neck.

A few minutes later, the scene cuts back to a restaurant booth where Rhonda is holding Suzanne in her arms and stroking her hair. Suzanne says half-jokingly, “I know I know you from somewhere” (in reference to Rhonda’s previous blind-date) and Rhonda, kissing the top of her head, says seriously, “You do.” The episode concludes with a montage of various couples in the series, including a shot of Rhonda and Suzanne holding hands, laughing, and talking in the booth.

Lesbian Apparel and Accessories Gay All Day sweatshirt -- AE exclusive

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Back to top button