Fresh Ten Best Parents of Lesbian/Gay People on TV

Coming out to our  parents is one of the hardest things that we ever have to do as gay people. Because what we all watch on television has such an impact on real life, it is important that accepting, tolerant, and loving parents of LGBT individuals be portrayed onscreen. From reality show contestant parents to the moms of some of the most famous gay and lesbian characters ever, here are our Fresh Ten Best Parents of Lesbian/Gay People on TV.

10. Amanda Ireton’s father. OK, this first one might be a little weak, but when Amanda Ireton appeared as a contestant on A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila and had to take Tila home to meet her parents, they were extremely friendly and seemingly very happy about their daughter’s lesbianism. In an interview with Dale Robins on her website, Ireton explains that it wasn’t always so easy with her father, but that he consulted his pastor after Amanda came out and, “she told him the only thing in the bible condemning homosexuality was written by Paul, and he was and asshole, sooo since then he’s been all gay pride. He even has counseled some of my fans on coming out to their families.”

9. Briana Stockton’s mother. When Jackie Warner ambushed her slightly homophobic mother with a weekend full of her girlfriend’s family on Workout it was weird and awkward, to say the least. But, had Briana’s mom not been so warm and friendly it would have been a lot harder to watch.

8. “Jay Pritchett” (Ed O’Neill). On the new hit sitcom Modern Family, Ed O’Neill plays the father of a gay son who is married to another man and has adopted a baby. Although we do get glimpses of Al Bundy every once in a while on the very funny show, “Jay Pritchett” appears to be far more accepting and loving than we can assume Al would have been if Bud had come home with another guy.

7. “Jennifer Taylor” (Sherry Miller). When Brian first came out to his parents on Queer as Folk, both reacted pretty badly. But, in time (and with help from our #1 parent), his mother did come around and even divorced his homophobic father.

6. “Marilyn Truman” (Blythe Danner). Will Truman’s mother on Will and Grace was rude, pretentious, and extremely needy of her gay son’s attention, but she was also accepting and protective of him – even humorously saying “Is that a gay joke? I don’t like that,” whenever Grace and Karen would refer to Will’s sexuality.

5. “Lenore Pieszecki” (Anne Archer). We didn’t get to see too many of the L Word ladies’ mothers on hit lesbian drama, but in season 1 we did meet Lenore Pieszecki as Alice’s mom a few times. Lenore was wild and irresponsible but very much approved of her daughter’s bisexual lifestyle – and was even inspired by it when she got to know Shane… or, we should say, when Shane was “Lenore’d.”

4. Duke Marcoccio. During a 2006 season of CBS’ reality show, The Amazing Race, father/lesbian daughter team Duke and Lauren Marcoccio competed together for the prize. The two signed up for the show in an attempt to strengthen their relationship, which was strained when Lauren came out to him.  It worked.

3. Betty DeGeneres. Watch most episodes of The Ellen DeGeneres Show and you will catch a glimpse of the host’s loving mother Betty sitting in the audience. Betty has also written a book about her relationship with her gay daughter and been an advocate for gay rights for many years (including being the spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign’s National Coming Out Project).

2. “Arthur Carlin” (Rob Moran). Spencer Carlin’s mom waited until the final season to start being nice but the nicest TV dad ever award has to go to her dad, Arthur. His wife was cheating on him, his son was a drug addict, his other son died, and his daughter was  gay but he was consistently the most loving and compassionate dad around.

1. “Debbie Novotny” (Sharon Gless). Obviously. Michael Novotny on Queer as Folk had THE most supportive mother ever – over-the-top supportive. Check out our interview with the woman behind every gay’s favorite TV mom, Sharon Gless, next week on Cherry Grrl.