BY: Georgia Davis

Happy Pride! Throughout the month of June, we are amping up our love for the LGBTQ community. In our mind, Pride is every month, but we have to celebrate somehow. That’s why we’re bringing you PROVOKR’s picks for our favorite LGBTQ characters to grace the small screen. Check it out:

KATHERINE MOENNIG IN THE L WORD AND RAY DONOVAN

Katherine Moennig is fierce, and so are her characters Lena on Ray Donovan and Shane on The L Word. The latter was a pioneering series about lesbians and bisexuals in LA, which is set to get a reboot later this year. We are beyond excited to see our favorite characters back at it again. Meanwhile, catch the original on Netflix.

VILLANELLE ON KILLING EVE

Villanelle (played by Jodie Comer) is one of those characters that is just attracted to who she’s attracted to, which is a very modern look at LGBTQ individuals. Her primary obsession, though, is Eve, and there is enough tension between the two to last a lifetime. The first season is available on Hulu.

SAMIRA WILEY IN ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK AND THE HANDMAID’S TALE

Samira Wiley has given us two of our favorite characters: Poussey on Netflix’s Orange is the New Black and Moira in Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale. Wiley’s characters are always keeping-it-real kind of people, and that’s what’s so fantastic about them.

IAN GALLAGHER ON SHAMELESS

From the get-go, we saw Ian Gallagher step into the role of a gay boy embracing his sexuality. That was evident throughout any struggles he faced. Cameron Monaghan took a brief hiatus from the show at the beginning of season nine just to return at the end. We are so thankful he’s back. You can watch Shameless on Showtime or Netflix.

TAYLOR MASON ON BILLIONS

Asia Kate Dillon’s Taylor Mason is the first non-binary character to grace North American TVs. Dillon is also non-binary in real life, which they said helped inform their own gender. Showtime has always been at the forefront of inclusivity, and we love it.

LIONEL HIGGINS ON DEAR WHITE PEOPLE

There are varying experiences for LGBTQ people, and that’s what Lionel Higgins shows in Netflix’s Dear White People. Higgins (played by DeRon Horton) is a gay, black teenager facing a variety of tormentors, but his perserverance is his best characteristic.

CLARKE GRIFFIN ON THE 100

There are not many LGBTQ characters in sci-fi shows, let alone a bisexual character. Clexa fans were happy when Clarke and Lexa finally hooked up in season three of The CW’s The 100, and we love the representation.

ANGEL EVANGELISTA ON POSE

Pose is an LGBTQ staple, so of course we couldn’t leave it off our list. We are particularly in love with the feisty Angel Evangelista, who is played by the gorgeous Indya Moore. We cannot get enough of them, which is good because Pose returns June 9. You can catch up or rewatch it on Netflix.

JUSTIN AND BRIAN ON QUEER AS FOLK

You can’t have one without the other, right? Brian and Justin (or as shippers call them, Britin) may not have been an obvious couple at the beginning, but oh do we love them. They are the OG relationship goals. Again, Showtime is always ahead of the game.

JENNY SCHECTER ON THE L WORD

Mia Kirshner’s character Jenny Schecter was always up to something on The L Word, but that doesn’t mean we didn’t love her. Jenny was there from the very beginning, and, let’s just say, she had a lot to do with the last season.

EMILY FIELDS ON PRETTY LITTLE LIARS

Freeform (formerly ABCFamily) has always been progressive when choosing its characters. Shay Mitchell played Emily Fields, who always had feelings for her best (and missing) friend Alison. Early on in the series, she falls in love with Maya. Emily’s sweet demeanor and caring attitude is why we can’t get enough of her — and also why it’s a permanent part of our Netflix watchlist.