B is for beautiful, bewitching, bold and brave.  That’s what all of these TV characters have in common as well as names that begin with the letter B.  Having written about the A listers, we at Gaelick Towers now turn our attention to the babes out there.

Bo (Lost Girl)

I freely admit to being obsessed by Showcase’s Canadian drama Lost Girl.  It actually makes me look forward to Monday’s, who knew that was possible?  The show follows the world of the Fae and our heroin is the charismatic and bisexual succubus, Bo.  She feeds off the sexual energy of humans so of course, the show is as hot as you like.  However, it’s core is the love triangle between Bo, the werewolf detective Dyson and the sexy human doctor Lauren.  The chemistry between Bo and Lauren is just incredible and the looks they throw each other, wow!  This isn’t subtext, it’s centre stage and it’s well written.  Things have been complicated by the reemergence of Lauren’s girlfriend, Nadia, but sure one more lady who loves ladies has to be welcome, just as long as she doesn’t get in the way too long.  Best show on TV by a mile in my humble opinion.  Go on, YouTube them, you know you want to!

Bette (The L Word)

So many women still swoon over the sassy and sexy Bette from The L Word.  Jennifer Beals captured many a heart playing Bette and the love between Bette and Tina was the central story of the much loved show.  Bette wasn’t perfect by any means but you found yourself in her corner most of the time.

Tina and Bette’s family were on TV when lesbian parenting wasn’t on the small scene all that often, they painted the picture of a genuine family that stuck together even though things didn’t always go as planned.  Bette was strong, confident and loyal to her friends.  How many lists of hot lesbians include Bette Porter?  Most I would have thought.  I think she will remain a fixture long into the future too, when you got it, you got it!

Beth (Brookside)

The first lesbian kiss on British TV and over here on the emerald isle I was so thrilled when Beth went for it and kissed her best mate Margaret that I think I walked on air for the week.  Played wonderfully by Anna Friel, Beth was a strong women who took care of her mother in the face of domestic violence and although her end was premature she was the forerunner for so many who followed.

She was part of one of the most gripping and memorable storylines I can remember but it was her love life that caught the eye most of all.  I think she brought the subject matter of sexuality to the table long before any other character on TV and gave many people the chance to talk about the subject with their families for perhaps the first time, as such, Beth will hold a special place in our hearts for some time to come.

Brittany (Glee)

One of the funniest characters on TV today, you never laugh at Brittany, always with her.  Making up half of the much loved Brittana (Brittany & Santana), she is a bisexual high school cheerleader who may lack in the academic field but can dance up a storm.

She has also been at the centre of some of the most moving episodes, who among us didn’t feel for her for the Christmas episode when all she wanted was for Artie to be able to walk and what kind of a heart would you have to have not to well up at her conversation with Santana at the lockers when she said she was staying with Artie?  It’s rare an episode goes by that another classic Brittany quote isn’t added to the ever growing list.

Bianca (All My Children)

The first lesbian lead character on a major daytime drama, Bianca was a genuine groundbreaker in the states.  Of course she had the usual ups and downs that American soap oprah characters have, however, some of her storylines really asked some serious questions.

Her rape was debated widely but was, in my opinion, a great way to illustrate what some lesbians have to suffer through.  Her kiss with Lena was the first in American soap opera history and her relationship with Marissa was heartfelt.  Although her marriage to Reese didn’t last long, it was still amazing to see a same sex wedding on daytime.  My personal favourite was when her baby was taken, this quote by the New York Times sums it up:

As Americans were choosing sides over gay marriage and arguing about campaign references to Vice President Dick Cheney’s openly gay daughter, there was one concern quietly uniting people across the ideological spectrum: Bianca Montgomery deserved to get her baby back.

Binnie (Eastenders)

One of the many LGBT characters on Eastenders, Binnie was out and proud whilst her girlfriend, Della, was more interested in keeping her hidden than showing off their relationship.  In the mid 90′d this was a great way to illustrate some of the practical issues faced by same sex couples.

Binnie remained on the square for almost 10 years, she staunchly defended her sexuality and refused to entertain anyone’s bigotry.  She was one of the first characters I remember being so open and proud on TV.