Glee has always been a pretty gay show. A bunch of high school kids from different cliques find common ground when they are recruited to join the Glee Club. They break out into song on the fly. One minute they’re in the rehearsal room in jeans and hoodies, the next they’re on stage with costumes and props. And no genre is neglected. We’ve seen Gleeful covers of top 40 hits both past and present, classic rock gems, Broadway legends, even full episodes dedicated to Madonna, Britney Spears, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. There’s even been mash-up versions of songs. All of this equals gay to the highest power. Adding to the gayness, there is of course the gay character, Kurt (Chris Colfer) With his perfectly coiffed hair, impeccable clothes, and heart breaking story lines, Kurt has served as the main gay character on the show. Until now.
Brittany (Heather Morris) and Santana (Naya Rivera) have long been fan favorites since the show started. Brittany with her clueless random quips such as “did you know dolphins are really just gay sharks?” is the perfect contradiction to Santana’s edgy, bitch persona. Yet they are best friends. Best friends…and then some. According to Wikipedia’s episode guide, the first indication of their physical relationship was the “Sectionals” episode in season one:
- A physical relationship between the two was first alluded to in the season one episode “Sectionals”.[6] Rivera sought clarification on the nature of their relationship from “Sectionals” director Brad Falchuk, who informed her that the two characters had been intimate in the past. Series creator Ryan Murphy told Morris that as Glee is a primetime series, he did not want to show them making out.[7] Interviewed by Brett Berk of Vanity Fair in May 2010, Morris stated that Brittany and Santana were simply best friends, and the show would not be taking them in a “friends with benefits” direction.[8] However, at the Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour in August 2010, Murphy stated that the characters would in fact kiss on screen in an upcoming episode. -
During season one, Brittany and Santana were mostly one liners in the background as Sue Sylvester’s (Jane Lynch) cheerleader minions. Or Cheerios, in Gleespeak. But as season two kicked in, all the characters started to gain more depth and plots were built around each of them little by little. And then the “Duets” episode happened. Our TV screens were graced with the image of Santana and Brittany in a very compromising, more than friends position. As if that wasn’t “OMG” inducing enough, the dialogue that followed made it clear that they’ve been getting their “sweet lady kisses” on for quite some time. However, it seemed like the excitement quickly dissipated when Santana states that she’s only hooking up with Brittany because Puck was in Juvie Hall and she “needs a warm body underneath her”. At first I was annoyed with this development because it seemed to feed the straight male fantasy that women just hook up with each other when they’re not around. But I understood it’s just a TV show and the characters are still kind of coming into their own, so I let it go. It just seemed like they were trying to not overstep too many lines and keep everyone happy. Obviously from the wiki blurb above, there seemed to be some flip-flopping going on.
But if there is one thing lesbians are good at, it’s fan loyalty. Hell hath no fury like a lesbian who’s fave onscreen couple doesn’t happen. So they did what every respectable lesbian in the 21st century would do, they took it to the internet. They posted comments and blogs on all the appropriate sites stating that they wanted Britanna (that is, the pairing of Brittany + Santana) to happen. And even more surprising, both Naya Rivera and Heather Morris wanted it too. (A clip from the PaleyFest 2011: Naya talks about the storyline) As the season went on, there were lots of sweet, though brief, moments between Brittany and Santana. From adoring glances toward each other to pinkie holding, everyone had to know something was up with these two. But we’re reminded that Brittany is dating Artie (Kevin McHale), and Santana has taken up with Sam (Chord Overstreet). So the fans were never sure exactly what was going to happen.
Which brings us to the recent episode “Sexy”. Brittany tells Santana that she’s confused about their relationship and wants to talk about feelings, like she does with Artie. Santana isn’t having any of that, and says she prefers it better when no feelings are involved. Hello, denial alert. But they do have a talk with Holly Holiday (Gwenyth Paltrow), the substitute Health teacher. Holly suggests they find a song that expresses what they feel, and Santana, apparently having had a revelation, is all for it. The three of them perform “Landslide” with a tearful Santana singing harmony and looking over at Brittany with enough heart wrenching emotion to soften even the most bitter person. Brittany is awed by the words of her best friend, and they hug. 
Later on, Santana pours her whole heart out to Brittany. She says finally understands where her anger comes from, it’s because she has feelings for Brittany. Feelings that she has denied out of fear of being made fun of and bullied, just like Kurt was. Brittany assures her that it wouldn’t matter because Santana would just kick their ass. But Santana is obviously still afraid of what she feels. This all fits the denial factor mentioned above too. Many of us have been there, and everyone deals with fear differently. Santana tells Brittany she loves her, and begs “please tell me you love me too”. Brittany says of course she loves her, however, she also loves Artie, and cannot break his heart. Ouch. I mean, OUCH. Santana is a wreck now, rightfully so, and Brittany tries to console her, but Santana is beyond hurt. I know for a fact that these scenes had to have hit close to home for so many people out there. Who hasn’t at least one time put their feelings out there, only to be shot down? It’s not fun. Now add to that the fact that you’re also admitting these same feelings to YOURSELF, and you’re not sure you are okay with that. Doubly not fun. This is exactly what thousands of kids go through every day. There are so many levels of stages of fear that goes along with being gay. This is why we fight for equality and against bullying. Because it should not be like that, no one should be ashamed of what they feel for another person, period. Yet you see it on the news on a daily basis, bullies, gay beatings, suicides. This is why the storyline is so important to play, no matter how many times it has been done before. It will never be enough until the hate is erased. Naya has said that she was so moved by Twitter comments after the “Sexy” episode aired and that she is honored to play this role. She wants to make a difference, and judging by what we’ve seen so far, I have no doubt that she will.
In newest developments, we learned today that Ryan Murphy confirms that Santana is in fact, a lesbian. Thank you, AfterEllen!
So that puts the questions of is she bi or just in love with her best friend to rest. As it says above, Santana is out “internally” but probably not ready to completely deal with it all. Again, this is something that many kids go through. Yes, we have seen this on TV before. But this is Glee and it has its own blend of uniqueness. I think when it comes to gay characters on TV, lesbians tend to be more pliable than their gay male counterparts. Gay males on TV are often just that, gay males. In fact, I can’t think of any time a gay male character was considered bi, or just questioning. But they tend to do it often with women [Disclaimer: I’m not going to pretend that I’m that well versed on every gay character male and female on every show since Ellen first knocked down that wall. So this is just my opinion, as I see it. Moving on…] So I am glad they have decided to make Santana a lesbian and take us on her journey of self discovery. Naya did such an amazing job on the “Sexy” episode, I can only imagine how great the rest will be. I know that it will be written and played equally well. Seeing Santana go from superficial bitch cheerleader to bearing her soul the way she did was the human condition at its best. We all have many layers that get exposed as we go through life. I also know it will make me laugh and cry, probably at the same time. Because at the end of the day, that’s what Glee does best. It brings out the silly, the serious, and the sentiment all in one happy, gay, Gleeful hour.
written by Lorraine Mazza
blog layout by Amanda Vontobel
In case you weren’t aware, TV is moving to your computer screen. In the last year or so, more and more web series have been popping up around the net. The first one that I have watched from the ground up is “We Have To Stop Now”, which stars Cathy DeBuono and Jill Bennett. The series is written by Ann Noble (who also stars as Jill’s sister), directed by Robyn Dettman, and is co-produced by Cathy and Jill. The combined talent of these ladies make up DynaKit Productions, LLC. The strides DynaKit has taken since its inception prove they are a force to be reckoned with. The series has recently kicked off its second season with a bigger cast of characters, on location scenes from the Sweet Cruise Line and soon to come, longer episodes. So, how did it all start? Well, as often is the case, many things led up to how it surfaced. But, for the sake of this blog, I will recount the summary of events as I recall them.
First, let’s start with Cathy and Jill, two openly gay actresses who were frustrated with the lack of lesbian content in mainstream Hollywood. Rather than continue battling the forces against them, they started to seek ways to change the rules. They networked within their community of friends and colleagues with a shared desire to create entertainment utilizing each others talent and resources. Cathy vamped up her website and created an online network that provided a place where her fans could connect. During the 2009 Dinah Shore Weekend, she and Jill aired a bunch of live feed videos 24/7 throughout the weekend. The chat room was full of people at any given time, getting to know each other between live feeds and making friends, that for many would come to surpass the online world. It was that weekend the CDB Crew was born. As the weeks passed, the chat room continued to flourish bringing in more people on a daily basis. When We Have to Stop Now started to air, it became a high point for discussion in the room. Though the episodes were only about 8 minutes long at the time, there was a lot of content packed into those 8 minutes.
Ann Noble’s writing is refreshingly witty. The dialogue she puts forth in every scene is sometimes sparse, but packs an intense punch. This allows the acting skills of Cathy and Jill to really shine, as they deliver each scene with a keen sense of their mannerisms along with the dialogue. I recall several nights hanging out in the CDB room analyzing the brilliance we were all enjoying on our monitors. During live feeds, season 1 played over in a continuous loop before the feed came through, which gave the Crew even more fuel to have fun with. Reciting lines along with the loop (slap, kiss, kick! and Poptarts were big faves) and making up names such as “Cindy No-Pants” all became part of the fun of Cathy’s community. It was sort of our own online Rocky Horror Picture Show. Those are some of my fond memories about the chat room and the show, but let me leave the nostalgia for another time, and get to the show itself.
Season 1 plunges us into the lives of lesbian couple Dyna and Kit, who are both therapists and have written a book called “How To Succeed in Marriage Without Really Trying”. We first see the couple sitting on a couch in therapy bickering at each other, much to the dismay of their therapist Susan (hilariously played by comedian Suzanne Westenhoefer). Dyna and Kit soon learn that their book has hit number one on the best seller list and and a documentary capturing their day to day lives is to begin filming. They decide to stick it out in therapy and see if they can reconcile their relationship. As if this isn’t enough of a stress factor, Kit’s stoner, deadbeat sister Cindy comes to stay with them. Since Cindy thrives on causing trouble, Dyna and Kit are perfect prey for her shenanigans. She even finds a partner in crime with “camera guy Guy”, played by Cathy and Jill’s real life friend, actor John W. McLaughlin. But, Cindy may not be all bad. In one memorable episode, she and Dyna shared a heart to heart chat (while sharing some weed, of course) where she imposes some pretty heavy wisdom on an unknowing Dyna.
As the series continued to unfold, we saw more deeply into the issues that surround Dyna and Kit. We saw their strengths and weaknesses. We saw their obvious love for each other and their impassioned intent to work through their problems. We saw a few scenes that have yet to be clarified, which adds to the element of surprise that Ann seems to enjoy taking her viewers through. Most of all, we saw season 1 lay out the groundwork for this one of a kind series.
With season 2 now in full swing, it certainly is getting more interesting. There are more colorful characters in the mix. We have actress Meredith Baxter on board as a quirky psychiatrist that Dyna and Kit visit for a few sessions. We also have Dyna’s sister Dee Dee (Maryfrances Careccia) come to town, bringing Dyna and Kit on the Sweet Cruise to further promote their book. And if that is not enough siblings in the mix, Guy’s sister, Shauna, played by Shannan Leigh Reeve, tags along on the cruise to document the goings on there while Cindy and Guy are left behind, which I’m sure will lead to some interesting scenarios. There is even a visit from the ladies of Cherry Bomb, which is a popular vlog on Shewired. We still have a bit to go in season 2, and I’m looking forward to seeing how much craziness is in store. Knowing the brilliantly twisted mind of Ann Noble, I know we are in for lots of surprises to come.
On the music front, season 2 has a brand new intro showcasing the bluesy sounds of Karen Dee, an artist that Cathy and Jill inadvertently discovered while vacationing in Tennessee. Corday has signed on as the musical supervisor providing a soundtrack that includes her own tunes as well as contributions from other indie artists.
So it seems with the shared vision, collaborative efforts and dedication of everyone who remotely believed it can be done, the DynaKit ladies have come through with flying (rainbow) colors. So far, season 2 has more than lived up to being bigger and better as they promised. Not only is this great for fans of quality lesbian shows, but it raises the bar in terms of supporting each other as a community.
Subscription information and all other goodies can be found on the website. If you haven’t done so already, do yourself a favor and subscribe now. Be a part of this innovative series that promises to keep growing and making great strides for the community that has too long been pushed aside by its so-called peers in the mainstream.
