Buffy turns 25: The gayt episos of the inic fantasy drama

Contents:

• BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER TURNS 25: THE GAYT EPISOS OF THE INIC FANTASY DRAMA
• WHAT MAK "BUFFY" A GAY IN?{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY STEVEN FRANKAPRIL 11, 2007/4:16 PMBY STEVEN FRANKAPRIL 11, 2007 / 4:16 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"WHAT MAK \"BUFFY\" A GAY IN?","DATEPUBLISHED":"2007-04-11T20:16:36.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2007-04-11T20:16:36.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"STEVEN FRANK","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUFFY SUMMERS, THE BLOND, VAMP-KICKG FIGHTER WHO MANAGED TO RISE OM THE AD TWICE ON THE BELOVED 1997–2003 TV SERI IS BACK SLAYG AGA. SORT OF. A NEW IC BOOK SERI OM DARK HORSE TLED BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER SEASON 8 — WH AN IAL STORY ARC BY BUFFY CREATOR JOSS WHEDON — OFFERS THE SHOW'S VOTED CULT FOLLOWG A RARE OPPORTUNY TO SEE WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN IF THE SHOW HAD NTUED TO AIR. THE PUBLITN OF THE NEW IC BOOK SERI CIS WH THE 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE SHOW'S PREMIERE, A TONE THAT, FOR BUFFY'S MANY GAY FANBOYS, V REFLECTN ON THE SHOW'S PLACE THE NON OF GAY-THEMED TV — AND ANTICIPATN OF WHERE S RE CHARACTERS (GAY AND STRAIGHT, LIVG AND UNAD) ARE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FOR GAY MEN — ALWAYS DRAWN TO EMPOWERED WOMEN WH A SENSE OF STYLE (SEE XENA) — BUFFY, AS IMMORTALIZED BY SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR, WAS MORE THAN AN IN; SHE WAS THE TEENAGE GIRL THEY WISH THEY ULD HAVE BEEN HIGH SCHOOL. FEARLSLY NAVIGATG THE LIVG HELL OF SUNNYDALE HIGH, SHE PULVERIZED MONIC BULLI WH HER FISTS AND CLIQU OF MEAN GIRLS WH TTY ONE-LERS THAT PACKED JT AS MUCH OF A {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I WOULD SAY THE HIGH SCHOOL SETTG ACUNTS PART FOR THE SHOW'S APPEAL TO A GAY DIENCE — THE SCENE OF THE TRMA, SO TO SPEAK," SAID WILL MCCORMACK, A WRG STCTOR AT NEW YORK UNIVERSY. "THE SHOW WAS GOOD AT EXTERNALIZG TERNAL STAT; WHEN I WAS HIGH SCHOOL, I THK I WAS RATHER SHUT DOWN EMOTNALLY AND WAS GENERALLY PERCEIVED AS BOOKISH AND GEEKY. THE SHOW FOUND A WAY TO ENNOBLE A SIAR SET OF CHARACTERS."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SELF-SCRIBED BUFFY ADDICT STEVEN LAWRENCE ELABORATED: "THE SHOW MA THE OUTSIRS THE MOST ATTRACTIVE AND APPEALG CHARACTERS. THE POPULAR STUNTS WERE JT SNACK FOOD FOR GHOULS. THEY LACKED TERT OR DISTCTN. THE OUTSIRS HAD THE POWER."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}INTENSIFYG HER SENSE OF HERSELF AS AN OUTSIR, BUFFY'S STAT AS A VAMPIRE SLAYER — A SECRET SHE HAD TO KEEP OM ALMOST EVERYONE HER LIFE, CLUDG HER MOTHER FOR SEVERAL YEARS — FORCED HER TO GRAPPLE WH AN ISOLATG LONELS THAT ULD EASILY BE A METAPHOR FOR THE TRMAS OF THE CLOSET, PARTICULARLY FOR GAY YOUTH. THIS SUBTEXT PRETTY MUCH BEME THE SHOW'S TEXT THE SEASON 2 FALE WHEN BUFFY OUT ABOUT HER SECRET TO HER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HER MOTHER'S NAïVE RPONS, CLUDG, " IT'S BEE YOU DIDN'T HAVE A STRONG FATHER FIGURE, ISN'T ?" AND "HAVE YOU EVER TRIED NOT BEG A VAMPIRE SLAYER?" ARE MET BY A HEARTBREAKGLY EMOTNAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"NO, DON'T STOP," SHE SAYS. "IT NEVER STOPS. DO YOU THK I CHOSE TO BE LIKE THIS? DO YOU HAVE ANY IA HOW LONELY IS? "{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS BUFFY FAN LAWRENCE OBSERVED: " THE TERTG THG ABOUT BUFFY WAS SHE ME OM AN EXPERIENCE OF BEG VERY POPULAR BUT THEN FOUND OUT SOMETHG ABOUT HERSELF THAT SHE FELT ULDN'T BE KNOWN BY OTHERS. SHE ME TO THIS NEW HIGH SCHOOL RRYG THAT KNOWLEDGE BUT MANAGED TO BUILD A CIRCLE OF TSTED IENDS SHE ULD NFI . THAT DIRECTLY TIED TO MY OWN EXPERIENCE G OUT, AND THAT OF MANY OTHER GAY AND LBIAN PEOPLE I KNOW."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE SHOW COM OUT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LIKE BUFFY HERSELF, THE SHOW SEEMED TO E OUT AFTER THOSE HIGH SCHOOL SEASONS, MORE EXPLICLY ALG WH GAY CHARACTERS AND HERG A MORE OVERT QUEER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ONCE THE GANG STARTED LLEGE, BUFFY'S BT IEND, WILLOW (ALYSON HANNIGAN), WHO HAD PREVLY LOCKED LIPS WH BOY CSH OZ (SETH GREEN) AND XANR (NICHOLAS BRENDON), FELL LOVE WH TARA (AMBER BENSON). THIS WAS NO MERE "VERY SPECIAL SWEEPS MONTH" STUNT, BUT A SER, LONG-TERM, VERY LOVG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}A 2003 ARTICLE OBSERVED: "WILLOW'S RELATNSHIP WH TARA WAS (AND STILL IS) THE LONGT-NNG LBIAN RELATNSHIP ON WORK TELEVISN (2.5 SEASONS), AND THE PAIR VELOPED A DITED FOLLOWG AMONG LBIAN AND BISEXUAL FANS WHO FELT OVERJOYED TO FALLY SEE ASPECTS OF THEIR LIV AND THEIR RELATNSHIPS REFLECTED BACK."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}GAY BOYS WERE NO LS OVERJOYED. LAWRENCE REMEMBERED: "WHAT WAS IMPORTANT ABOUT THAT RELATNSHIP WAS SEEG A SAME-GENR RELATNSHIP BEG REPRENTED WH SUCH TENRNS AND PASSN. AS A GAY MAN, I TAKE POSIVE REPRENTATNS WHERE I N GET THEM. ANY TIME A SAME-GENR RELATNSHIP IS PORTRAYED A POSIVE BUT VERY REAL LIGHT BENEFS ALL."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TARA AND WILLOW'S RELATNSHIP WAS AT S MOST HEART-SWOONGLY ROMANTIC THE SEASON 6 EPISO "ONCE MORE WH FEELG." NOT ONLY DID TARA SERENA WILLOW WH A BETIFUL, SHAWN COLV-QUE BALLAD, "I'M UNR YOUR SPELL," WILLOW APPARENTLY PLEASURED TARA BED SO SKILLFULLY THAT TARA LERALLY FLOATED ABOVE THE BED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BEYOND THE HOT AND HEAVY (FOR WORK TV ANYWAY) SAME-SEX ACTN, THAT EPISO MIGHT BE NSIRED BUFFY AT S GAYT FOR ANOTHER REASON: IT WAS A SGG, DANCG, VERY KNOWG AND VERY LOVG TREATMENT OF THE MIL FORMAT, WH NODS TO EVERYTHG OM SONDHEIM TO L MISéRABL. AS LAWRENCE SAID, "I'M A GAY MAN … I LOVE A GOOD MIL. … BUFFY AS A MIL … DON'T GET BETTER THAN THAT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JT HEARG THAT BUFFY WAS DOG A MIL WAS ENOUGH TO MAKE NORMAN CHEBO, AN AVID BROADWAY THEATERGOER, WATCH THE SHOW, EVEN THOUGH HE'D NEVER SEEN BEFORE. "I LOVED ," HE SAID. "IT SHOWED A TE UNRSTANDG OF MILS AND WAS A GREAT WAY TO SHOWSE A LOT OF DIFFERENT TYP OF MIC. … NOW I LISTEN TO THE CD ALL THE TIME AND KNOW ALL THE LYRICS."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BEYOND THE TV SHOW {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE'S NOT THE ONLY ONE. THE MIL EPISO HAS SPAWNED ROCKY HORROR-LIKE MIDNIGHT SCREENGS BOSTON, NEW YORK, CHIGO, TUCSON, PTSBURGH AND OTHER CI ACROSS THE UNTRY, WHERE DIENCE MEMBERS SG ALONG AND ACT OUT THE PARTS. THIS MEANS THAT ON ANY GIVEN NIGHT, THERE JT MIGHT BE DOZENS OF SPIKE WANNAB THSTG THEIR PELVIS PUBLIC — SOMETHG ELSE GAY FANBOYS N THANK BUFFY FOR. THE BUFFY SG-A-LONG IS JT ONE EXAMPLE OF HOW THE BUFFY UNIVERSE HAS TAKEN ON A GAY-IENDLY LIFE OF S OWN BEYOND THE ORIGAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ANOTHER EXAMPLE IS THE PREDOMANCE OF BUFFY SLASH FAN FICTN ON THE WEB. CHECK ALMOST ANY FAN FICTN SE, AND YOU'LL SEE ANGEL/SPIKE PAIRGS THAT EQUAL, IF NOT SURPASS, KIRK/SPOCK — AND 'S NO WONR. HERE WERE TWO STUDLY GUYS WH A THG FOR LEATHER, WHO SEEMED TO SPEND ALL THEIR NIGHTS PROWLG UNRGROUND CLUBS AND ULDN'T KEEP THEIR FISTS OFF ONE ANOTHER. EVEN WHEDON, ON HIS DVD MENTARY FOR BUFFY SP-OFF ANGEL, ACKNOWLEDGED: "SPIKE AND ANGEL, THEY WERE HANGG OUT FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS. … ARE PEOPLE THKG THEY NEVER —? COME ON, PEOPLE! THEY'RE OPEN-MD GUYS!"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUFFY MAY HAVE GENERATED ENOUGH HOMOEROTIC IMAGERY TO FUEL UNTLS GAY FANTASI AND FAN S, BUT FOR SUCH A GAY-IENDLY SHOW, WAS SORELY LACKG S PICTN OF ACTUAL GAY MALE CHARACTERS. LAWRENCE DO REMEMBER ONE PARTICULARLY TERTG, STEREOTYPE-BTG CHARACTER WHO APPEARED EARLY ON THE SERI: A HIGH SCHOOL JOCK NAMED LARRY WHO MERCILSLY BULLIED XANR BEFORE G OUT TO HIM (AND THEN G ON TO HIM). LARRY SHOWED UP AGA A FEW EPISOS LATER, NOW SO FORTABLE WH HIS SEXUALY THAT HE PROCLAIMED, "I'M SO OUT, I GOT MY GRANDMA FIXG ME UP WH GUYS."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUFFY DIDN'T GET ALL RIGHT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FAR MORE PROBLEMATIC WAS ANDREW WELLS, ONE OF A TR OF GEEK VILLAS TRODUCED SEASON 6. ONE OF ANDREW'S CRIM WAS UNLEASHG FLYG MONKEYS TO ATTACK THE SCHOOL PLAY, AND NOTHG SAYS "FRIEND OF DOROTHY" LIKE A WIZARD OF OZ REFERENCE. EVERYTHG ABOUT ANDREW SCREAMED GAY, OM HIS GHG OVER ALMOST EVERY GUY ON THE SHOW TO SOME OF HIS SOPHOMORIC DIALOGUE. (LOOKG FOR HIDN TRANSISTORS, HE TELLS FELLOW VILLA JONATHAN, "I'LL FD IF I HAVE TO CHECK EVERY HOLE MY BODY — AND YOURS!"){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT THE CHARACTER NEVER MONSTRATED ANY KD OF SELF-AWARENS ABOUT HIS SEXUALY. ANDREW REMAED A LONG-NNG VARIATN ON WHAT HAS BEE A MADNG TELEVISN CLICHé: THE GIRLIE GUY EVERYONE BUT HIM KNOWS IS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT IS TELLG, HOWEVER, THAT WHILE MA CHARACTERS AND FAN FAVOR ANGEL AND SPIKE ARE NOT EVEN MENTNED THE FIRST TWO ISSU OF THE NEW IC SERI (ALTHOUGH BOTH WILL LIKELY APPEAR FUTURE ISSU), ANDREW HAS A KEY ROLE TO PLAY, OVERSEEG AND TRAG SLAYERS UNR BUFFY'S MAND. HE'S STILL D AS GAY, OBSSG OVER STAR WARS TRIVIA AND FASHN (BEMOANG "THE PE AND THE LTLE BELL-BOTTOMS" THAT LANDO CALRISSIAN SPORTS RETURN OF THE JEDI) BUT THEN IMMEDIATELY LNCH TO A SER LECTURE ABOUT WEAPONS AND HEAD {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT'S AS IF WHEDON HIMSELF IS ACKNOWLEDGG THERE'S MORE TO TELL ABOUT THE CHARACTER THAN PREV TV SEASONS ALLOWED. PERHAPS THE APPARENT MATURATN OF ANDREW'S CHARACTER PROMIS SIAR PROGRS THE TREATMENT OF HIS SEXUALY; WILL CERTALY BE TERTG TO SEE HOW WHEDON HIMSELF HANDL THIS TOUCHY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SEEG WHAT BUFFY, XANR, WILLOW AND THE GANG ARE UP TO NOW, AS WELL AS HOW THEIR CREATOR PERSONALLY ENVISNED THEIR FUTUR, IS WHAT WILL NO DOUBT DRIVE MANY FANS TO IC BOOK STOR THE G {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE PLOT, SO FAR, SEEMS TO BE ALG WH HOW BUFFY'S ARMY OF SLAYERETT IS BEG TARGETED BY THE U.S. ERNMENT AS POTENTIAL TERRORISTS. IT'S THE KD OF TIMELY, POLILLY CHARGED STORYTELLG ONE EXPECTS OM BATTLTAR GALACTI, BUT LACKS THE THEMATIC RICHNS, EMOTNAL ANGST AND PERSONAL RELEVANCE THAT GAY FANS OF BUFFY WERE IALLY DRAWN TO. WHAT LACKS PLOT, THOUGH, MAK UP FOR THE PROMISE OF PELLG VELOPMENTS FOR S RE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OF PARTICULAR TERT TO GAY FANS IS WILLOW, WHOSE NAME UP A NTEXT THAT IS TRIGUG. BUFFY'S YOUNGER SISTER DAWN HAS APPARENTLY HAD A BAD-BOYIEND EXPERIENCE ALL HER OWN (WH AMGLY EXTREME SUPERNATURAL REPERCSNS), BUT THE ONLY ONE DAWN IS WILLG TO DISCS HER PROBLEMS WH IS WILLOW, WHICH LEADS BUFFY TO SAY SARSTILLY, " WILLOW'S THE EXPERT ON BOYS SCE WHEN NOW?" IT'S AN UNCHARACTERISTILLY MEAN-SPIRED REMARK OM BUFFY — SHOCKG, EVEN, TO HEAR HER REFERENCE HER BT IEND'S SEXUALY THE FORM OF A {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT THE FACT THAT SHE SAYS THIS HTS AT WHY DAWN MIGHT NOT WANT TO TALK TO HER THE FIRST PLACE. BUFFY, FOR ALL HER STELLAR QUALI, WAS NEVER VERY SELF-AWARE, PECIALLY TERMS OF HER EFFECT ON OTHER PEOPLE. SHE DON'T SEE THAT ISN'T WHAT WILLOW DON'T KNOW ABOUT BOYS THAT MATTERS TO DAWN; 'S WHAT WILLOW DO KNOW ABOUT RELATNSHIPS THAT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}UNLIKE BUFFY, WHOSE RELATNSHIPS HAVE UALLY END TEARS OR STAK THROUGH THE HEART, WILLOW HAS BEEN RELATNSHIPS WHICH SHE EXPERIENCED TE LOVE — NOT TO MENTN MUTUAL RPECT — SERVG AS A MUCH MORE POSIVE ROLE MOL FOR DAWN. IT'S ALSO WORTH REMEMBERG THAT WAS WILLOW AND TARA WHO SERVED AS SURROGATE PARENTS TO DAWN WHEN BUFFY WAS AD AND BURIED AND THAT, EVEN NOW, DAWN LOOKS TO WILLOW FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT WILL BE TERTG TO SEE HOW THE WILLOW-DAWN-BUFFY DYNAMIC PLAYS OUT THE 25–30 PROMISED ISSU TO E, AS WELL AS WHETHER OR NOT WILLOW IS STILL WH KENNEDY, HER LOVER POST-TARA. HOPEFULLY WE'LL GET MORE FACE TIME FOR WILLOW, MORE SIGHT TO ANDREW, AND MAYBE EVEN A NEW OUT AND PROUD GAY MALE CHARACTER. MAYBE WE'LL GET TWO AND N EVEN SEE THEM GETTG SOME FLOATG-ABOVE-THE-BED-'S-SO-SO-CREDIBLE ACTN. NOW THAT WOULD BE SOMETHG GAY FANBOYS ULD SG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• WHAT MAK "BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER" A GAY IN?SHE ME TO SLAY, {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY STEVEN FRANKMARCH 10, 2007/12:14 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}THE CWBY STEVEN FRANKMARCH 10, 2007 / 12:14 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"WHAT MAK \"BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER\" A GAY IN?","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2007-03-10T17:14:18.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2007-03-10T17:14:18.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"STEVEN FRANK","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUFFY SUMMERS WAS THE BLOND, BLOODSUCKER-KILLG BADASS AT THE HEART OF BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER. JOSS WHEDON'S INIC SERI RAN ON THE CW AND UPN OM 1997 TO 2003, FUELG VIO GAM, IC BOOKS, AND AN ENTIRE FANDOM THAT'S STILL THRIVG TWENTY (Y, TWENTY) YEARS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FOR A LOT OF GAY MEN, BUFFY, AS IMMORTALIZED BY SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR, WAS MORE THAN AN GREAT CHARACTER: SHE WAS THE TEENAGER WE WISHED WE ULD HAVE BEEN HIGH SCHOOL. FEARLSLY NAVIGATG THE LIVG HELL OF ADOLCENCE, PULVERIZG BULLI, SDG OM GEO HUNK TO GEO HUNK, AND SERVG UP ONE-LERS THAT OUT-MEAT GIRLS MEAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“I WOULD SAY THE HIGH SCHOOL SETTG ACUNTS PART FOR THE SHOW’S APPEAL TO A GAY DIENCE — THE SCENE OF THE TRMA, SO TO SPEAK,” SAYS WRG STCTOR WILL MCCORMACK. “THE SHOW WAS GOOD AT EXTERNALIZG TERNAL STAT; WHEN I WAS HIGH SCHOOL, I THK I WAS RATHER SHUT DOWN EMOTNALLY AND WAS GENERALLY PERCEIVED AS BOOKISH AND GEEKY. THE SHOW FOUND A WAY TO ENNOBLE A SIAR SET OF CHARACTERS.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FOR BUFFY SUPER-FAN STEVEN LAWRENCE ABOUT WAS MAKG THE OUTSIR THE HERO: "THE POPULAR STUNTS WERE JT SNACK FOOD FOR GHOULS. THEY LACKED TERT OR DISTCTN. THE OUTSIRS HAD THE POWER.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUFFY’S STAT AS A SLAYER—A SECRET SHE HAD TO KEEP OM ALMOST EVERYONE—FORCED HER TO GRAPPLE WH AN ISOLATG LONELS THAT ULD EASILY BE A METAPHOR FOR THE TRMAS OF THE CLOSET. THAT SUBTEXT PRETTY MUCH BEME THE SHOW’S TEXT THE SEASON 2 FALE, WHEN BUFFY OUT TO HER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"IT’S BEE YOU DIDN’T HAVE A STRONG FATHER FIGURE, ISN’T ?” JOYCE SISTS, LATER ASKG, “HAVE YOU EVER TRIED NOT BEG A VAMPIRE SLAYER?" THE WORDS ECHO FOR SO MANY QUEER KIDS, AS DO BUFFY'S RPONSE: "DO YOU THK I CHOSE TO BE LIKE THIS? DO YOU HAVE ANY IA HOW LONELY IS?"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THE TERTG THG ABOUT BUFFY WAS SHE ME OM AN EXPERIENCE OF BEG VERY POPULAR, BUT THEN FOUND OUT SOMETHG ABOUT HERSELF THAT SHE FELT ULDN’T BE KNOWN BY OTHERS," SAYS LAWRENCE. "SHE ME TO THIS NEW HIGH SCHOOL RRYG THAT KNOWLEDGE BUT MANAGG TO BUILD A CIRCLE OF TSTED IENDS. THAT DIRECTLY TIED TO MY OWN EXPERIENCE G OUT, AND THAT OF MANY OTHER GAYS AND LBIANS."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE SHOW COM {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUFFY ALT WH MORE EXPLICLY LGBT CHARACTERS AND THEM ONCE THE MYSTERY GANG GRADUATED OM HIGH SCHOOL. WILLOW (ALYSON HANNIGAN), WHO HAD PREVLY BEEN PAIRED WH OZ (SETH GREEN) AND XANR (NICHOLAS BRENDON), FELL LOVE WH TARA (AMBER BENSON). THIS WAS NO MERE SWEEPS MONTH STUNT, BUT A NUANCED LONG-TERM {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AT THE TIME, WILLOW AND TARA WERE THE LONGT-NNG LBIAN RELATNSHIP ON WORK TELEVISN, AND THE PAIR VELOPED A DITED FOLLOWG OM QUEER WOMEN OVERJOYED TO FALLY SEE A GLIMPSE OF THEMSELV ON THE SMALL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT GAY BOYS WERE OVERJOYED, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“JT SEEG A SAME-SEX RELATNSHIP BEG REPRENTED WH SUCH TENRNS AND PASSN WAS IMPORTANT," LAWRENCE SISTS. "AS A GAY MAN, I TAKE POSIVE REPRENTATNS WHERE I N GET THEM. ANY TIME A SAME-GENR RELATNSHIP IS PORTRAYED A POSIVE, BUT VERY REAL, LIGHT BENEFS ALL.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TARA AND WILLOW’S RELATNSHIP WAS AT S MOST HEART-SWOONG THE SEASON 6 EPISO “ONCE MORE WH FEELG.” NOT ONLY DID TARA SERENA WILLOW WH THE BETIFUL, SHAWN COLV-QUE BALLAD, “I’M UNR YOUR SPELL,” WILLOW APPARENTLY PLEASURED TARA SO SKILLFULLY THAT SHE LERALLY FLOATED ABOVE THE BED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BEYOND THE HOT AND HEAVY (FOR WORK TV ANYWAY) SAME-SEX ACTN, THAT EPISO MIGHT BE NSIRED BUFFY AT S GAYT FOR ANOTHER REASON: IT WAS A SGG, DANCG, VERY KNOWG AND VERY LOVG TREATMENT OF THE MIL FORMAT, WH NODS TO EVERYTHG OM SONDHEIM TO L {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I’M A GAY MAN—I LOVE A GOOD MIL," LAWRENCE SAYS. "BUFFY AS A MIL? IT DON’T GET BETTER THAN THAT.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"ONCE MORE WH FEELG" EVEN PULLED NON-BUFFY AFICNADOS TO THE SHOW, LIKE AVID BROADWAY THEATERGOER NORMAN CHEBO. “I LOVED ,” HE RELLS. “IT SHOWED A TE UNRSTANDG OF MILS AND WAS A GREAT WAY TO SHOWSE A LOT OF DIFFERENT TYP OF MIC. NOW I LISTEN TO THE CD ALL THE TIME AND KNOW ALL THE LYRICS.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SG OUT, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CHEBO’S NOT THE ONLY ONE: THE MIL EPISO HAS SPAWNED MIDNIGHT SCREENGS WHERE FANS ACT OUT PARTS, ROCKY HORROR-STYLE, AS WELL AS MIL EPISOS ON SHOWS LIKE GREY'S ANATOMY, COMMUNY, AND PRETTY SOON THE FLASH. (IT ALSO OPENED THE DOOR FOR MIL SHOWS LIKE GLEE AND SMASH.){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THIS MEANS THAT ON ANY GIVEN NIGHT, THERE JT MIGHT BE DOZENS OF SPIKE WANNAB THSTG THEIR PELVIS PUBLIC — SOMETHG ELSE GAY FANBOYS N THANK BUFFY FOR. THE BUFFY SG-A-LONG IS JT ONE EXAMPLE OF HOW THE BUFFY UNIVERSE HAS TAKEN ON A GAY-IENDLY LIFE OF S OWN BEYOND THE ORIGAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUFFY ALSO AIRED AT THE DAWN OF INTER SLASH FICTN, ALLOWG FANS OF EVERY ORIENTATN TO MIX AND MATCH CHARACTERS EROTIC (AND SOMETIM EXPLIC) ENUNTERS. CHECK ALMOST ANY SHIPPG SE, AND YOU’LL SEE ANGEL/SPIKE PAIRGS THAT EQUAL, IF NOT SURPASS, KIRK/SPOCK. EVEN WHEDON, ON THE DVD MENTARY FOR ANGEL, ACKNOWLEDGED "THEY WERE HANGG OUT FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS—DO PEOPLE THK THEY NEVER...? COME ON, THEY’RE OPEN-MD GUYS!” (AND THAT'S NOT EVEN UNTG THE XANR/OZ/GIL/RILEY SHIPS.){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUFFY DIDN’T GET EVERYTHING {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DPE THE HOMOEROTIC IMAGERY, BUFFY WAS SORELY LACKG PICTN OF ACTUAL GAY MEN: LAWRENCE DO REMEMBER ONE STEREOTYPE-BTG CHARACTER WHO APPEARED EARLY THE SHOW'S N: LARRY, A JOCK WHO MERCILSLY BULLIED XANR BEFORE G OUT TO HIM (AND THEN G ON TO HIM).{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LARRY SHOWED UP AGA A FEW EPISOS LATER, SO FORTABLE WH HIS SEXUALY THAT HE PROCLAIMED, “I’M SO OUT, I GOT MY GRANDMA FIXG ME UP WH GUYS.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FAR MORE PROBLEMATIC WAS ANDREW WELLS, ONE OF A TR OF GEEK VILLAS TRODUCED SEASON 6. ONE OF ANDREW’S CRIM WAS UNLEASHG FLYG MONKEYS TO ATTACK THE SCHOOL PLAY. (NOTHG SAYS GAY LIKE A WIZARD OF OZ REFERENCE.) EVERYTHG ABOUT ANDREW SCREAMED QUEER, OM HIS GHG OVER ALMOST EVERY GUY ON THE SHOW, TO HIS SOPHOMORIC DIALOGUE: LOOKG FOR HIDN TRANSISTORS, HE TELLS FELLOW VILLA JONATHAN, “I’LL FD IF I HAVE TO CHECK EVERY HOLE MY BODY — AND YOURS!”){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}EMBLEMATIC OF THE TIM, ANDREW NEVER MONSTRATED ANY KD OF SELF-AWARENS ABOUT HIS SEXUALY. HE REMAED A LONG-NNG VARIATN ON WHAT HAS BEE A MADNG TELEVISN CLICHé: THE GIRLIE GUY EVERYONE BUT KNOWS IS GAY BUT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IF HE WERE TO GET HIS OWN SPOFF TODAY (AND WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE TOM LENK THAT), ANDREW WOULD BE OUT, PROUD AND HAVE A BOYIEND. THEY'D PROBABLY STILL BE PLOTTG MURRO PLOTS, BUT, Y'KNOW, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• 'BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER' COMIC SERI TO INTRODUCE FIRST GAY CHARACTER BILLY
• TOM LENK ON QUEER INS, AXE MURR AND WHETHER HIS BUFFY CHARACTER WAS GAY

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER TURNS 25: THE GAYT EPISOS OF THE INIC FANTASY DRAMA

Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 2 featured s first gay mor character Larry (Larry Bagby III) and troduced s first lbian relatnship season 4 when Willow and Tara beme a uple. This ia is herently harmful to the bisexual muny, as they often receive cricism for "not beg gay enough" or "not beg straight enough" which is why tly posive bisexual reprentatn is hard to fd on televisn.

Sce the WB work was so hant at portrayg gay relatnships on televisn the '90s, much of Willow and Tara's romance was portrayed through magil metaphors season 4 up until their relatnship stat was nfirmed Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 4, episo 19, "New Moon Risg".

The trope "Bury Your Gays" refers to when an LGBTQ+ character is killed off eher to further the story or simply as the end of their narrative, a trend that harkens back s to a time when LGBTQ+ were not allowed to have any sort of happy endg. In Buffy seasons 6 and 7 Andrew was d wh several gay stereotyp (mostly his unspoken csh directed at the villao Warren Mears), and his subtextually hidn sexualy was often played for lghs. Although the actor Tom Lenk's real-life advocy for LGBTQ+ rights and reprentatn (and imprsive performance as Andrew) is still mendable, Andrew's sexualy on Buffy the Vampire Slayer was ultimately unveloped and relied too heavily on stereotyp surroundg closeted gay men.

WHAT MAK "BUFFY" A GAY IN?{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY STEVEN FRANKAPRIL 11, 2007/4:16 PMBY STEVEN FRANKAPRIL 11, 2007 / 4:16 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"WHAT MAK \"BUFFY\" A GAY IN?","DATEPUBLISHED":"2007-04-11T20:16:36.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2007-04-11T20:16:36.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"STEVEN FRANK","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUFFY SUMMERS, THE BLOND, VAMP-KICKG FIGHTER WHO MANAGED TO RISE OM THE AD TWICE ON THE BELOVED 1997–2003 TV SERI IS BACK SLAYG AGA. SORT OF. A NEW IC BOOK SERI OM DARK HORSE TLED BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER SEASON 8 — WH AN IAL STORY ARC BY BUFFY CREATOR JOSS WHEDON — OFFERS THE SHOW'S VOTED CULT FOLLOWG A RARE OPPORTUNY TO SEE WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN IF THE SHOW HAD NTUED TO AIR. THE PUBLITN OF THE NEW IC BOOK SERI CIS WH THE 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE SHOW'S PREMIERE, A TONE THAT, FOR BUFFY'S MANY GAY FANBOYS, V REFLECTN ON THE SHOW'S PLACE THE NON OF GAY-THEMED TV — AND ANTICIPATN OF WHERE S RE CHARACTERS (GAY AND STRAIGHT, LIVG AND UNAD) ARE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FOR GAY MEN — ALWAYS DRAWN TO EMPOWERED WOMEN WH A SENSE OF STYLE (SEE XENA) — BUFFY, AS IMMORTALIZED BY SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR, WAS MORE THAN AN IN; SHE WAS THE TEENAGE GIRL THEY WISH THEY ULD HAVE BEEN HIGH SCHOOL. FEARLSLY NAVIGATG THE LIVG HELL OF SUNNYDALE HIGH, SHE PULVERIZED MONIC BULLI WH HER FISTS AND CLIQU OF MEAN GIRLS WH TTY ONE-LERS THAT PACKED JT AS MUCH OF A {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I WOULD SAY THE HIGH SCHOOL SETTG ACUNTS PART FOR THE SHOW'S APPEAL TO A GAY DIENCE — THE SCENE OF THE TRMA, SO TO SPEAK," SAID WILL MCCORMACK, A WRG STCTOR AT NEW YORK UNIVERSY. "THE SHOW WAS GOOD AT EXTERNALIZG TERNAL STAT; WHEN I WAS HIGH SCHOOL, I THK I WAS RATHER SHUT DOWN EMOTNALLY AND WAS GENERALLY PERCEIVED AS BOOKISH AND GEEKY. THE SHOW FOUND A WAY TO ENNOBLE A SIAR SET OF CHARACTERS."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SELF-SCRIBED BUFFY ADDICT STEVEN LAWRENCE ELABORATED: "THE SHOW MA THE OUTSIRS THE MOST ATTRACTIVE AND APPEALG CHARACTERS. THE POPULAR STUNTS WERE JT SNACK FOOD FOR GHOULS. THEY LACKED TERT OR DISTCTN. THE OUTSIRS HAD THE POWER."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}INTENSIFYG HER SENSE OF HERSELF AS AN OUTSIR, BUFFY'S STAT AS A VAMPIRE SLAYER — A SECRET SHE HAD TO KEEP OM ALMOST EVERYONE HER LIFE, CLUDG HER MOTHER FOR SEVERAL YEARS — FORCED HER TO GRAPPLE WH AN ISOLATG LONELS THAT ULD EASILY BE A METAPHOR FOR THE TRMAS OF THE CLOSET, PARTICULARLY FOR GAY YOUTH. THIS SUBTEXT PRETTY MUCH BEME THE SHOW'S TEXT THE SEASON 2 FALE WHEN BUFFY OUT ABOUT HER SECRET TO HER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HER MOTHER'S NAïVE RPONS, CLUDG, " IT'S BEE YOU DIDN'T HAVE A STRONG FATHER FIGURE, ISN'T ?" AND "HAVE YOU EVER TRIED NOT BEG A VAMPIRE SLAYER?" ARE MET BY A HEARTBREAKGLY EMOTNAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"NO, DON'T STOP," SHE SAYS. "IT NEVER STOPS. DO YOU THK I CHOSE TO BE LIKE THIS? DO YOU HAVE ANY IA HOW LONELY IS? "{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS BUFFY FAN LAWRENCE OBSERVED: " THE TERTG THG ABOUT BUFFY WAS SHE ME OM AN EXPERIENCE OF BEG VERY POPULAR BUT THEN FOUND OUT SOMETHG ABOUT HERSELF THAT SHE FELT ULDN'T BE KNOWN BY OTHERS. SHE ME TO THIS NEW HIGH SCHOOL RRYG THAT KNOWLEDGE BUT MANAGED TO BUILD A CIRCLE OF TSTED IENDS SHE ULD NFI . THAT DIRECTLY TIED TO MY OWN EXPERIENCE G OUT, AND THAT OF MANY OTHER GAY AND LBIAN PEOPLE I KNOW."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE SHOW COM OUT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LIKE BUFFY HERSELF, THE SHOW SEEMED TO E OUT AFTER THOSE HIGH SCHOOL SEASONS, MORE EXPLICLY ALG WH GAY CHARACTERS AND HERG A MORE OVERT QUEER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ONCE THE GANG STARTED LLEGE, BUFFY'S BT IEND, WILLOW (ALYSON HANNIGAN), WHO HAD PREVLY LOCKED LIPS WH BOY CSH OZ (SETH GREEN) AND XANR (NICHOLAS BRENDON), FELL LOVE WH TARA (AMBER BENSON). THIS WAS NO MERE "VERY SPECIAL SWEEPS MONTH" STUNT, BUT A SER, LONG-TERM, VERY LOVG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}A 2003 ARTICLE OBSERVED: "WILLOW'S RELATNSHIP WH TARA WAS (AND STILL IS) THE LONGT-NNG LBIAN RELATNSHIP ON WORK TELEVISN (2.5 SEASONS), AND THE PAIR VELOPED A DITED FOLLOWG AMONG LBIAN AND BISEXUAL FANS WHO FELT OVERJOYED TO FALLY SEE ASPECTS OF THEIR LIV AND THEIR RELATNSHIPS REFLECTED BACK."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}GAY BOYS WERE NO LS OVERJOYED. LAWRENCE REMEMBERED: "WHAT WAS IMPORTANT ABOUT THAT RELATNSHIP WAS SEEG A SAME-GENR RELATNSHIP BEG REPRENTED WH SUCH TENRNS AND PASSN. AS A GAY MAN, I TAKE POSIVE REPRENTATNS WHERE I N GET THEM. ANY TIME A SAME-GENR RELATNSHIP IS PORTRAYED A POSIVE BUT VERY REAL LIGHT BENEFS ALL."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TARA AND WILLOW'S RELATNSHIP WAS AT S MOST HEART-SWOONGLY ROMANTIC THE SEASON 6 EPISO "ONCE MORE WH FEELG." NOT ONLY DID TARA SERENA WILLOW WH A BETIFUL, SHAWN COLV-QUE BALLAD, "I'M UNR YOUR SPELL," WILLOW APPARENTLY PLEASURED TARA BED SO SKILLFULLY THAT TARA LERALLY FLOATED ABOVE THE BED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BEYOND THE HOT AND HEAVY (FOR WORK TV ANYWAY) SAME-SEX ACTN, THAT EPISO MIGHT BE NSIRED BUFFY AT S GAYT FOR ANOTHER REASON: IT WAS A SGG, DANCG, VERY KNOWG AND VERY LOVG TREATMENT OF THE MIL FORMAT, WH NODS TO EVERYTHG OM SONDHEIM TO L MISéRABL. AS LAWRENCE SAID, "I'M A GAY MAN … I LOVE A GOOD MIL. … BUFFY AS A MIL … DON'T GET BETTER THAN THAT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JT HEARG THAT BUFFY WAS DOG A MIL WAS ENOUGH TO MAKE NORMAN CHEBO, AN AVID BROADWAY THEATERGOER, WATCH THE SHOW, EVEN THOUGH HE'D NEVER SEEN BEFORE. "I LOVED ," HE SAID. "IT SHOWED A TE UNRSTANDG OF MILS AND WAS A GREAT WAY TO SHOWSE A LOT OF DIFFERENT TYP OF MIC. … NOW I LISTEN TO THE CD ALL THE TIME AND KNOW ALL THE LYRICS."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BEYOND THE TV SHOW {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE'S NOT THE ONLY ONE. THE MIL EPISO HAS SPAWNED ROCKY HORROR-LIKE MIDNIGHT SCREENGS BOSTON, NEW YORK, CHIGO, TUCSON, PTSBURGH AND OTHER CI ACROSS THE UNTRY, WHERE DIENCE MEMBERS SG ALONG AND ACT OUT THE PARTS. THIS MEANS THAT ON ANY GIVEN NIGHT, THERE JT MIGHT BE DOZENS OF SPIKE WANNAB THSTG THEIR PELVIS PUBLIC — SOMETHG ELSE GAY FANBOYS N THANK BUFFY FOR. THE BUFFY SG-A-LONG IS JT ONE EXAMPLE OF HOW THE BUFFY UNIVERSE HAS TAKEN ON A GAY-IENDLY LIFE OF S OWN BEYOND THE ORIGAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ANOTHER EXAMPLE IS THE PREDOMANCE OF BUFFY SLASH FAN FICTN ON THE WEB. CHECK ALMOST ANY FAN FICTN SE, AND YOU'LL SEE ANGEL/SPIKE PAIRGS THAT EQUAL, IF NOT SURPASS, KIRK/SPOCK — AND 'S NO WONR. HERE WERE TWO STUDLY GUYS WH A THG FOR LEATHER, WHO SEEMED TO SPEND ALL THEIR NIGHTS PROWLG UNRGROUND CLUBS AND ULDN'T KEEP THEIR FISTS OFF ONE ANOTHER. EVEN WHEDON, ON HIS DVD MENTARY FOR BUFFY SP-OFF ANGEL, ACKNOWLEDGED: "SPIKE AND ANGEL, THEY WERE HANGG OUT FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS. … ARE PEOPLE THKG THEY NEVER —? COME ON, PEOPLE! THEY'RE OPEN-MD GUYS!"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUFFY MAY HAVE GENERATED ENOUGH HOMOEROTIC IMAGERY TO FUEL UNTLS GAY FANTASI AND FAN S, BUT FOR SUCH A GAY-IENDLY SHOW, WAS SORELY LACKG S PICTN OF ACTUAL GAY MALE CHARACTERS. LAWRENCE DO REMEMBER ONE PARTICULARLY TERTG, STEREOTYPE-BTG CHARACTER WHO APPEARED EARLY ON THE SERI: A HIGH SCHOOL JOCK NAMED LARRY WHO MERCILSLY BULLIED XANR BEFORE G OUT TO HIM (AND THEN G ON TO HIM). LARRY SHOWED UP AGA A FEW EPISOS LATER, NOW SO FORTABLE WH HIS SEXUALY THAT HE PROCLAIMED, "I'M SO OUT, I GOT MY GRANDMA FIXG ME UP WH GUYS."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUFFY DIDN'T GET ALL RIGHT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FAR MORE PROBLEMATIC WAS ANDREW WELLS, ONE OF A TR OF GEEK VILLAS TRODUCED SEASON 6. ONE OF ANDREW'S CRIM WAS UNLEASHG FLYG MONKEYS TO ATTACK THE SCHOOL PLAY, AND NOTHG SAYS "FRIEND OF DOROTHY" LIKE A WIZARD OF OZ REFERENCE. EVERYTHG ABOUT ANDREW SCREAMED GAY, OM HIS GHG OVER ALMOST EVERY GUY ON THE SHOW TO SOME OF HIS SOPHOMORIC DIALOGUE. (LOOKG FOR HIDN TRANSISTORS, HE TELLS FELLOW VILLA JONATHAN, "I'LL FD IF I HAVE TO CHECK EVERY HOLE MY BODY — AND YOURS!"){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT THE CHARACTER NEVER MONSTRATED ANY KD OF SELF-AWARENS ABOUT HIS SEXUALY. ANDREW REMAED A LONG-NNG VARIATN ON WHAT HAS BEE A MADNG TELEVISN CLICHé: THE GIRLIE GUY EVERYONE BUT HIM KNOWS IS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT IS TELLG, HOWEVER, THAT WHILE MA CHARACTERS AND FAN FAVOR ANGEL AND SPIKE ARE NOT EVEN MENTNED THE FIRST TWO ISSU OF THE NEW IC SERI (ALTHOUGH BOTH WILL LIKELY APPEAR FUTURE ISSU), ANDREW HAS A KEY ROLE TO PLAY, OVERSEEG AND TRAG SLAYERS UNR BUFFY'S MAND. HE'S STILL D AS GAY, OBSSG OVER STAR WARS TRIVIA AND FASHN (BEMOANG "THE PE AND THE LTLE BELL-BOTTOMS" THAT LANDO CALRISSIAN SPORTS RETURN OF THE JEDI) BUT THEN IMMEDIATELY LNCH TO A SER LECTURE ABOUT WEAPONS AND HEAD {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT'S AS IF WHEDON HIMSELF IS ACKNOWLEDGG THERE'S MORE TO TELL ABOUT THE CHARACTER THAN PREV TV SEASONS ALLOWED. PERHAPS THE APPARENT MATURATN OF ANDREW'S CHARACTER PROMIS SIAR PROGRS THE TREATMENT OF HIS SEXUALY; WILL CERTALY BE TERTG TO SEE HOW WHEDON HIMSELF HANDL THIS TOUCHY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SEEG WHAT BUFFY, XANR, WILLOW AND THE GANG ARE UP TO NOW, AS WELL AS HOW THEIR CREATOR PERSONALLY ENVISNED THEIR FUTUR, IS WHAT WILL NO DOUBT DRIVE MANY FANS TO IC BOOK STOR THE G {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE PLOT, SO FAR, SEEMS TO BE ALG WH HOW BUFFY'S ARMY OF SLAYERETT IS BEG TARGETED BY THE U.S. ERNMENT AS POTENTIAL TERRORISTS. IT'S THE KD OF TIMELY, POLILLY CHARGED STORYTELLG ONE EXPECTS OM BATTLTAR GALACTI, BUT LACKS THE THEMATIC RICHNS, EMOTNAL ANGST AND PERSONAL RELEVANCE THAT GAY FANS OF BUFFY WERE IALLY DRAWN TO. WHAT LACKS PLOT, THOUGH, MAK UP FOR THE PROMISE OF PELLG VELOPMENTS FOR S RE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OF PARTICULAR TERT TO GAY FANS IS WILLOW, WHOSE NAME UP A NTEXT THAT IS TRIGUG. BUFFY'S YOUNGER SISTER DAWN HAS APPARENTLY HAD A BAD-BOYIEND EXPERIENCE ALL HER OWN (WH AMGLY EXTREME SUPERNATURAL REPERCSNS), BUT THE ONLY ONE DAWN IS WILLG TO DISCS HER PROBLEMS WH IS WILLOW, WHICH LEADS BUFFY TO SAY SARSTILLY, " WILLOW'S THE EXPERT ON BOYS SCE WHEN NOW?" IT'S AN UNCHARACTERISTILLY MEAN-SPIRED REMARK OM BUFFY — SHOCKG, EVEN, TO HEAR HER REFERENCE HER BT IEND'S SEXUALY THE FORM OF A {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT THE FACT THAT SHE SAYS THIS HTS AT WHY DAWN MIGHT NOT WANT TO TALK TO HER THE FIRST PLACE. BUFFY, FOR ALL HER STELLAR QUALI, WAS NEVER VERY SELF-AWARE, PECIALLY TERMS OF HER EFFECT ON OTHER PEOPLE. SHE DON'T SEE THAT ISN'T WHAT WILLOW DON'T KNOW ABOUT BOYS THAT MATTERS TO DAWN; 'S WHAT WILLOW DO KNOW ABOUT RELATNSHIPS THAT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}UNLIKE BUFFY, WHOSE RELATNSHIPS HAVE UALLY END TEARS OR STAK THROUGH THE HEART, WILLOW HAS BEEN RELATNSHIPS WHICH SHE EXPERIENCED TE LOVE — NOT TO MENTN MUTUAL RPECT — SERVG AS A MUCH MORE POSIVE ROLE MOL FOR DAWN. IT'S ALSO WORTH REMEMBERG THAT WAS WILLOW AND TARA WHO SERVED AS SURROGATE PARENTS TO DAWN WHEN BUFFY WAS AD AND BURIED AND THAT, EVEN NOW, DAWN LOOKS TO WILLOW FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT WILL BE TERTG TO SEE HOW THE WILLOW-DAWN-BUFFY DYNAMIC PLAYS OUT THE 25–30 PROMISED ISSU TO E, AS WELL AS WHETHER OR NOT WILLOW IS STILL WH KENNEDY, HER LOVER POST-TARA. HOPEFULLY WE'LL GET MORE FACE TIME FOR WILLOW, MORE SIGHT TO ANDREW, AND MAYBE EVEN A NEW OUT AND PROUD GAY MALE CHARACTER. MAYBE WE'LL GET TWO AND N EVEN SEE THEM GETTG SOME FLOATG-ABOVE-THE-BED-'S-SO-SO-CREDIBLE ACTN. NOW THAT WOULD BE SOMETHG GAY FANBOYS ULD SG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

Has Star Trek's Sulu Always Been Gay? 20th Century StudsIn a ls nuanced way, the school's bully, Larry (Larry Bagby), me out as gay season two. And even though the producers of Buffy's sp-off show Angel opted to rebrand Andrew (Tom Lenk) as some sort of Hugh Hefner knockoff, his prr persona on Buffy was clearly headg towards the ex of the even openly gay characters asi, there is a eper reason for Buffy's populary among LGBTQ+ muny.

Jt ask your gay iends about their first Grdr date. To mark the 25th anniversary of Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s premiere on The WB – and bee the show is still spirg a whole new generatn of queer youth around the world – we took a look back at some of the show’s gayt moments, om Beg to Doppelgangland and Storyteller. We know this was the 90s, but c’mon… very gay.

Tara’s fay threateng to take her away to “fix” her monic si (even though there was absolutely nothg wrong wh her), screams metaphor for gay nversn ‘therapy’. Plot: Gay in Andrew shoots a hilar vio documentary lled Buffy, Slayer of the Vampyrs. Unfortunately, Tara’s ath Season 6 is also an famo example of the “Bury Your Gays” trope, which queer characters are disproportnately murred on Lynskey didn’t need Buffy to cement her posn as an honorary gay in.

WHAT MAK "BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER" A GAY IN?SHE ME TO SLAY, {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY STEVEN FRANKMARCH 10, 2007/12:14 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}THE CWBY STEVEN FRANKMARCH 10, 2007 / 12:14 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"WHAT MAK \"BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER\" A GAY IN?","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2007-03-10T17:14:18.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2007-03-10T17:14:18.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"STEVEN FRANK","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUFFY SUMMERS WAS THE BLOND, BLOODSUCKER-KILLG BADASS AT THE HEART OF BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER. JOSS WHEDON'S INIC SERI RAN ON THE CW AND UPN OM 1997 TO 2003, FUELG VIO GAM, IC BOOKS, AND AN ENTIRE FANDOM THAT'S STILL THRIVG TWENTY (Y, TWENTY) YEARS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FOR A LOT OF GAY MEN, BUFFY, AS IMMORTALIZED BY SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR, WAS MORE THAN AN GREAT CHARACTER: SHE WAS THE TEENAGER WE WISHED WE ULD HAVE BEEN HIGH SCHOOL. FEARLSLY NAVIGATG THE LIVG HELL OF ADOLCENCE, PULVERIZG BULLI, SDG OM GEO HUNK TO GEO HUNK, AND SERVG UP ONE-LERS THAT OUT-MEAT GIRLS MEAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“I WOULD SAY THE HIGH SCHOOL SETTG ACUNTS PART FOR THE SHOW’S APPEAL TO A GAY DIENCE — THE SCENE OF THE TRMA, SO TO SPEAK,” SAYS WRG STCTOR WILL MCCORMACK. “THE SHOW WAS GOOD AT EXTERNALIZG TERNAL STAT; WHEN I WAS HIGH SCHOOL, I THK I WAS RATHER SHUT DOWN EMOTNALLY AND WAS GENERALLY PERCEIVED AS BOOKISH AND GEEKY. THE SHOW FOUND A WAY TO ENNOBLE A SIAR SET OF CHARACTERS.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FOR BUFFY SUPER-FAN STEVEN LAWRENCE ABOUT WAS MAKG THE OUTSIR THE HERO: "THE POPULAR STUNTS WERE JT SNACK FOOD FOR GHOULS. THEY LACKED TERT OR DISTCTN. THE OUTSIRS HAD THE POWER.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUFFY’S STAT AS A SLAYER—A SECRET SHE HAD TO KEEP OM ALMOST EVERYONE—FORCED HER TO GRAPPLE WH AN ISOLATG LONELS THAT ULD EASILY BE A METAPHOR FOR THE TRMAS OF THE CLOSET. THAT SUBTEXT PRETTY MUCH BEME THE SHOW’S TEXT THE SEASON 2 FALE, WHEN BUFFY OUT TO HER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"IT’S BEE YOU DIDN’T HAVE A STRONG FATHER FIGURE, ISN’T ?” JOYCE SISTS, LATER ASKG, “HAVE YOU EVER TRIED NOT BEG A VAMPIRE SLAYER?" THE WORDS ECHO FOR SO MANY QUEER KIDS, AS DO BUFFY'S RPONSE: "DO YOU THK I CHOSE TO BE LIKE THIS? DO YOU HAVE ANY IA HOW LONELY IS?"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THE TERTG THG ABOUT BUFFY WAS SHE ME OM AN EXPERIENCE OF BEG VERY POPULAR, BUT THEN FOUND OUT SOMETHG ABOUT HERSELF THAT SHE FELT ULDN’T BE KNOWN BY OTHERS," SAYS LAWRENCE. "SHE ME TO THIS NEW HIGH SCHOOL RRYG THAT KNOWLEDGE BUT MANAGG TO BUILD A CIRCLE OF TSTED IENDS. THAT DIRECTLY TIED TO MY OWN EXPERIENCE G OUT, AND THAT OF MANY OTHER GAYS AND LBIANS."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE SHOW COM {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUFFY ALT WH MORE EXPLICLY LGBT CHARACTERS AND THEM ONCE THE MYSTERY GANG GRADUATED OM HIGH SCHOOL. WILLOW (ALYSON HANNIGAN), WHO HAD PREVLY BEEN PAIRED WH OZ (SETH GREEN) AND XANR (NICHOLAS BRENDON), FELL LOVE WH TARA (AMBER BENSON). THIS WAS NO MERE SWEEPS MONTH STUNT, BUT A NUANCED LONG-TERM {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AT THE TIME, WILLOW AND TARA WERE THE LONGT-NNG LBIAN RELATNSHIP ON WORK TELEVISN, AND THE PAIR VELOPED A DITED FOLLOWG OM QUEER WOMEN OVERJOYED TO FALLY SEE A GLIMPSE OF THEMSELV ON THE SMALL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT GAY BOYS WERE OVERJOYED, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“JT SEEG A SAME-SEX RELATNSHIP BEG REPRENTED WH SUCH TENRNS AND PASSN WAS IMPORTANT," LAWRENCE SISTS. "AS A GAY MAN, I TAKE POSIVE REPRENTATNS WHERE I N GET THEM. ANY TIME A SAME-GENR RELATNSHIP IS PORTRAYED A POSIVE, BUT VERY REAL, LIGHT BENEFS ALL.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TARA AND WILLOW’S RELATNSHIP WAS AT S MOST HEART-SWOONG THE SEASON 6 EPISO “ONCE MORE WH FEELG.” NOT ONLY DID TARA SERENA WILLOW WH THE BETIFUL, SHAWN COLV-QUE BALLAD, “I’M UNR YOUR SPELL,” WILLOW APPARENTLY PLEASURED TARA SO SKILLFULLY THAT SHE LERALLY FLOATED ABOVE THE BED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BEYOND THE HOT AND HEAVY (FOR WORK TV ANYWAY) SAME-SEX ACTN, THAT EPISO MIGHT BE NSIRED BUFFY AT S GAYT FOR ANOTHER REASON: IT WAS A SGG, DANCG, VERY KNOWG AND VERY LOVG TREATMENT OF THE MIL FORMAT, WH NODS TO EVERYTHG OM SONDHEIM TO L {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I’M A GAY MAN—I LOVE A GOOD MIL," LAWRENCE SAYS. "BUFFY AS A MIL? IT DON’T GET BETTER THAN THAT.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"ONCE MORE WH FEELG" EVEN PULLED NON-BUFFY AFICNADOS TO THE SHOW, LIKE AVID BROADWAY THEATERGOER NORMAN CHEBO. “I LOVED ,” HE RELLS. “IT SHOWED A TE UNRSTANDG OF MILS AND WAS A GREAT WAY TO SHOWSE A LOT OF DIFFERENT TYP OF MIC. NOW I LISTEN TO THE CD ALL THE TIME AND KNOW ALL THE LYRICS.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SG OUT, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CHEBO’S NOT THE ONLY ONE: THE MIL EPISO HAS SPAWNED MIDNIGHT SCREENGS WHERE FANS ACT OUT PARTS, ROCKY HORROR-STYLE, AS WELL AS MIL EPISOS ON SHOWS LIKE GREY'S ANATOMY, COMMUNY, AND PRETTY SOON THE FLASH. (IT ALSO OPENED THE DOOR FOR MIL SHOWS LIKE GLEE AND SMASH.){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THIS MEANS THAT ON ANY GIVEN NIGHT, THERE JT MIGHT BE DOZENS OF SPIKE WANNAB THSTG THEIR PELVIS PUBLIC — SOMETHG ELSE GAY FANBOYS N THANK BUFFY FOR. THE BUFFY SG-A-LONG IS JT ONE EXAMPLE OF HOW THE BUFFY UNIVERSE HAS TAKEN ON A GAY-IENDLY LIFE OF S OWN BEYOND THE ORIGAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUFFY ALSO AIRED AT THE DAWN OF INTER SLASH FICTN, ALLOWG FANS OF EVERY ORIENTATN TO MIX AND MATCH CHARACTERS EROTIC (AND SOMETIM EXPLIC) ENUNTERS. CHECK ALMOST ANY SHIPPG SE, AND YOU’LL SEE ANGEL/SPIKE PAIRGS THAT EQUAL, IF NOT SURPASS, KIRK/SPOCK. EVEN WHEDON, ON THE DVD MENTARY FOR ANGEL, ACKNOWLEDGED "THEY WERE HANGG OUT FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS—DO PEOPLE THK THEY NEVER...? COME ON, THEY’RE OPEN-MD GUYS!” (AND THAT'S NOT EVEN UNTG THE XANR/OZ/GIL/RILEY SHIPS.){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUFFY DIDN’T GET EVERYTHING {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DPE THE HOMOEROTIC IMAGERY, BUFFY WAS SORELY LACKG PICTN OF ACTUAL GAY MEN: LAWRENCE DO REMEMBER ONE STEREOTYPE-BTG CHARACTER WHO APPEARED EARLY THE SHOW'S N: LARRY, A JOCK WHO MERCILSLY BULLIED XANR BEFORE G OUT TO HIM (AND THEN G ON TO HIM).{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LARRY SHOWED UP AGA A FEW EPISOS LATER, SO FORTABLE WH HIS SEXUALY THAT HE PROCLAIMED, “I’M SO OUT, I GOT MY GRANDMA FIXG ME UP WH GUYS.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FAR MORE PROBLEMATIC WAS ANDREW WELLS, ONE OF A TR OF GEEK VILLAS TRODUCED SEASON 6. ONE OF ANDREW’S CRIM WAS UNLEASHG FLYG MONKEYS TO ATTACK THE SCHOOL PLAY. (NOTHG SAYS GAY LIKE A WIZARD OF OZ REFERENCE.) EVERYTHG ABOUT ANDREW SCREAMED QUEER, OM HIS GHG OVER ALMOST EVERY GUY ON THE SHOW, TO HIS SOPHOMORIC DIALOGUE: LOOKG FOR HIDN TRANSISTORS, HE TELLS FELLOW VILLA JONATHAN, “I’LL FD IF I HAVE TO CHECK EVERY HOLE MY BODY — AND YOURS!”){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}EMBLEMATIC OF THE TIM, ANDREW NEVER MONSTRATED ANY KD OF SELF-AWARENS ABOUT HIS SEXUALY. HE REMAED A LONG-NNG VARIATN ON WHAT HAS BEE A MADNG TELEVISN CLICHé: THE GIRLIE GUY EVERYONE BUT KNOWS IS GAY BUT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IF HE WERE TO GET HIS OWN SPOFF TODAY (AND WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE TOM LENK THAT), ANDREW WOULD BE OUT, PROUD AND HAVE A BOYIEND. THEY'D PROBABLY STILL BE PLOTTG MURRO PLOTS, BUT, Y'KNOW, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

That kd of taste is for the girls and the gays. The publitn of the new ic book seri cis wh the 10-year anniversary of the show's premiere, a tone that, for Buffy's many gay fanboys, v reflectn on the show's place the non of gay-themed TV — and anticipatn of where s re characters (gay and straight, livg and unad) are gay men — always drawn to empowered women wh a sense of style (see Xena) — Buffy, as immortalized by Sarah Michelle Gellar, was more than an in; she was the teenage girl they wish they uld have been high school.

"I would say the high school settg acunts part for the show's appeal to a gay dience — the scene of the trma, so to speak, " said Will McCormack, a wrg stctor at New York Universy. "Intensifyg her sense of herself as an outsir, Buffy's stat as a vampire slayer — a secret she had to keep om almost everyone her life, cludg her mother for several years — forced her to grapple wh an isolatg lonels that uld easily be a metaphor for the trmas of the closet, particularly for gay youth. That directly tied to my own experience g out, and that of many other gay and lbian people I know.

"The Show Com Out Like Buffy herself, the show seemed to e out after those high school seasons, more explicly alg wh gay characters and herg a more overt queer the gang started llege, Buffy's bt iend, Willow (Alyson Hannigan), who had prevly locked lips wh boy csh Oz (Seth Green) and Xanr (Nicholas Brendon), fell love wh Tara (Amber Benson). "Gay boys were no ls overjoyed. As a gay man, I take posive reprentatns where I n get them.

'BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER' COMIC SERI TO INTRODUCE FIRST GAY CHARACTER BILLY

" Not only did Tara serena Willow wh a betiful, Shawn Colv-que ballad, "I'm Unr Your Spell, " Willow apparently pleasured Tara bed so skillfully that Tara lerally floated above the bed the hot and heavy (for work TV anyway) same-sex actn, that episo might be nsired Buffy at s gayt for another reason: It was a sgg, dancg, very knowg and very lovg treatment of the mil format, wh nods to everythg om Sondheim to L Misérabl. As Lawrence said, "I'm a gay man … I love a good mil.

TOM LENK ON QUEER INS, AXE MURR AND WHETHER HIS BUFFY CHARACTER WAS GAY

This means that on any given night, there jt might be dozens of Spike wannab thstg their pelvis public — somethg else gay fanboys n thank Buffy for. The Buffy Sg-A-Long is jt one example of how the Buffy universe has taken on a gay-iendly life of s own beyond the origal seri.

"Buffy may have generated enough homoerotic imagery to fuel untls gay fantasi and fan s, but for such a gay-iendly show, was sorely lackg s pictn of actual gay male characters. Everythg about Andrew screamed gay, om his ghg over almost every guy on the show to some of his sophomoric dialogue.