50 reasons 2013 will be the Best. Lesbian. Year. Ever.
2012 was such a remarkable year for lesbian and bisexual women that we’re already psyched on 2013. Here are 50 reasons why.
1. Gay weddingsWith marriage equality becoming a reality in more and more states by the minute, it’s going to be a good year for the men-loving-men and women-loving-women who have been waiting to say “I do.” Some of them for their whole lives.
2. Homophobia isn’t profitable anymoreThis fact was learned the hard way by Boy Scouts of America when they lost funding from both the federal government and big businesses because they refused to accept gay scouts and leaders.
3. Kyrsten SinemaThe Arizona Democrat was the first openly bisexual woman to be elected to Congress. She will begin her first term this year.
4. Liz CarmoucheThe first openly lesbian MMA fighter will have her first UFC match this February.
5.The Supreme Court will hear cases on DOMA and Prop. 8Hopefully, we can put this marriage equality question to bed once and for all.
6. Barack ObamaThe president has become an even more vocal proponent of marriage equality since the election, most recently calling on the Illinois state legislature to embrace a bill permitting same-sex marriage.
7. J. Lo’s The Fosters is coming to ABC FamilyThe show about two gay moms who foster troubled kids has already begun filming.
8. Sara GilbertThe openly gay mom and former child star will continue to represent on The Talk.
9. Tammy BaldwinThe first openly lesbian lady to be elected to the U.S. Senate will begin serving her first term in 2013.
10. Kate McKinnonSNL‘s first openly lesbian cast member has taken the show by storm. Expect her to dominate Saturday’s skits and Sunday’s internet chatter.
11. Fortune FeimsterThe openly gay, awesomely hilarious comic will continue to appear on Chelsea Lately while developing her own sitcom for ABC.
12. Rachel MaddowShe’s the most popular, most intelligent, most lesbian pundit in all the lands.
13. Ellen DeGeneresAs her tenth season rolls on, she continues to rule daytime ratings and also our hearts.
14. Malinda Lo’s Adaptation sequel2012’s sci-fi thriller left us slack-jawed. We want to know as much about the bisexual love triangle as we do about the aliens.
15. Anne from Go OnShe’s the funniest, most curmudgeonly character on the show. And oh, so gay.
16. BatwomanShe’s well into her second year of her solo title with no signs of slowing down.
17. Good Bo Gone BadWe don’t know if Lost Girl is setting up Bo to be a baddie this season, and if they are, we have a feeling we’ll be rooting for the Dark Side.
18. Dr. Callie TorresShe went through hell in 2012. How about some cuddles to sooth the scars?
19. Fiona CoyneGay and straight teens alike have embraced her relationship with Imogen on Degrassi.
20. Doccubus SexytimesGulp.
21. Emily FieldsHere’s to not getting drugged, kidnapped, time-traveled, stalked, and almost murdered by your ex-girlfriend’s fake cousin in 2013, Ems.
22. Brittany S. PierceBram shmam. We’re holding out hope that Glee will give us back our Brittany.
23. Kalinda SharmaHer husband’s gone (because maybe she murdered him?), so the second half of this season of The Good Wife is already looking much better.
24. Dr. “Hot Pants” Lauren LewisWe’ve got a feeling Lauren is going full-throttle for the girl this year.
25. A new season of Arrested DevelopmentBring on the hot ham water!
26. A new Melissa Ferrick albumOur ears can hardly wait!
27. The return of NaomilyAll these years we’ve been brave, and wanted them back – and now we’re getting them!
28. Dr. Eleanor O’HaraWe don’t know who loves her more: Jackie or us.
29. Double stuffed gay advertisingHomophobia: Out. Appealing to the masses of gay people who like cookies: In.
30. Paige Motherf–king McCullersWe have it on good authority that Paily is the favorite couple of at least three Pretty Little Liars writers. Maybe that’ll keep Paige alive a little longer.
31. Dr. Arizona Robbins 32. FBI Special Agent Diana BarriganWe love us a badass with a gun.
33. Santana LopezWe hear she’s headed to New York to pursue her dreams. Its about time!
34. Sally KohnThe openly gay Fox News contributor turned a lot of heads in 2012. Expect to see a lot more of her this year.
35. The return of Strangers in ParadiseFrancine and Katchoo together again!
36. Tina KotekShe became the first openly lesbian legislator leader when Oregon Democrats elected her House Speaker.
37. Pam and Tara’s insane chemistryThey answered the will-they/won’t-they with a resounding kiss last year. Here’s to even more leather and making out in 2013.
38. The return of Bomb GirlsIt started out as a Canadian mini-series but blossomed into a full-grown international TV show. More Betty McRae means more swooning from us.
39. Leslie ShayNBC picked up Chicago Fire for a full season, so we’re geared up to see our favorite lesbian EMT save so many lives this year.
40. Calzona sexytimesEpisode 9.10. Callie and Shonda promised.
41. Jane LynchThe ubiquitous Lynch already has four films lined up for 2013!
42. Jasika NicoleFringe may be ending in January, but that just means we’ll get to see Jasika Nicole spread her wings and wow us in another role (hopefully!) very soon.
43. Kirsten VangsnessThe Criminal Minds star never fails to delight us with her street style and her smile.
44. Patty BouvierWe love a grumpy lesbian cartoon character. Just ask Daria.
45. Charlie and NicoleEven in a post-DADT world, we still tear up when we see soldiers falling in love. Show us more, Army Wives!
46. Unique AdamsOne of the only transgender characters on TV, Wade “Unique” Adams is a diva we believe in.
47. Battle MagicIt looks like Rosethorn will be a leading lesbian lady in Tamora Pierce’s third book of the “Circle Reforged” trilogy.
48. The growing trend of lesbian best friendsWe love our main characters, but we’re delighted to see more and more recurring roles for lesbian characters on TV.
49. The sequel to UnspokenUntold, the second book in “The Lynburn Legacy,” will (very likely) feature lesbian character Angela coming out and kicking ass.
50. The courageous women who will come out of the closetEvery year we are inspired by the women who come out as lesbian and bisexual, from the regular folks like me and you to the celebrities who have the eyes of the whole world on them. Who knows who’ll have the courage to come out this year. Whoever you are, wherever you are, we applaud you.