It was also important to the "Pretty Little Liars" staff that Emily didn't have "any stereotypical look or vibe for a gay woman," creator Marlene King said. "She's a pretty little liar just like any other pretty little liar on the show."
Veering away from stereotypes, several of these shows boast LGBT jocks — along with "Liars'" Emily, there's "90210's" Teddy and "Degrassi's" Riley. Said "Degrassi" co-creator Linda Schuyler, "That whole jock mentality in the locker room — the male bonding — that's a really tough environment for a gay guy."
Although homosexual characters continue to proliferate, one of the biggest hurdles on shows geared toward adults is showing them kissing on screen as their heterosexual counterparts would. Teen shows don't seem to have the same problem. Gay TV youths have been kissing since the days of "Dawson's Creek" and " Buffy" — and King estimated that on "Pretty Little Liars," Emily has kissed more people on the show (including love interest Maya) than any other pretty little liar. "Gossip Girl," "90210," "Degrassi," "Skins," and "Greek" haven't shied away from the subject either.
"Who's in a relationship with someone, man or woman, and doesn't kiss them?" asked Trevor Donovan, who plays Teddy on "90210." "It's real."
whitney.friedlander@latimes.com
