who is gay in game of thrones

Beyond the Iron Throne: Exploring LGBTQ+ Representation in Game of Thrones

For millions across the globe, the arrival of spring once heralded not just the thawing of winter, but the return to the epic, brutal, and breathtaking world of Westeros. Game of Thrones, a cultural phenomenon, reshaped television landscapes and captured imaginations with its intricate plots, complex characters, and shocking twists. But beyond the dragons and political machinations, how did this universally acclaimed series portray the full spectrum of human sexuality and gender identity? And what lessons, if any, can be drawn from its approach to its queer characters?

Creator George R.R. Martin often spoke of his desire to mirror the full range of humanity found in history within his fictional realms, including diverse sexual preferences. He cited historical figures like Alexander the Great and Edward II, whose documented or rumored same-sex relationships significantly influenced their eras. This intention promised a rich tapestry of representation, yet for many queer fans, the reality on screen often presented a more complex, sometimes disheartening, picture.

Navigating Queer Masculinity in Westeros

While heterosexual relationships often dominated the narrative, Game of Thrones did introduce several prominent male characters who openly expressed same-sex desire. Their stories, however, frequently converged on themes of tragedy, loss, and societal persecution.

Renly Baratheon: A King Cut Short

One of the earliest and most charismatic openly gay characters was Renly Baratheon, younger brother to King Robert Baratheon. Handsome, popular, and possessing a genuine knack for leadership, Renly made a strong bid for the Iron Throne with the support of House Tyrell. His relationship with Loras Tyrell, the "Knight of Flowers," was an open secret in their circles, suggesting a certain level of acceptance, at least within the elite, if not widely. However, Renly's promising reign was brutally cut short, leaving many to wonder about the implications of his early demise.

Loras Tyrell: The Knight of Flowers' Downfall

Loras Tyrell, renowned for his beauty and prowess in jousting, was Renly's lover. The show notably amplified his sexuality, depicting explicit sex scenes that were less ambiguous than their book counterparts. Initially portrayed as confident and adored, Loras's storyline took a dark turn. His imprisonment and torture at the hands of the Faith Militant, explicitly for the "crime of buggery," became a stark depiction of Westeros's deeply ingrained homophobia. His eventual, tragic death served as a brutal consequence of his identity.

Oberyn Martell: The Viper's Unapologetic Bisexuality

The fiery and flamboyant Prince Oberyn Martell of Dorne burst onto the scene with an unapologetic embrace of his bisexuality. He openly shared his bed with both men and women, most notably with his lover, Ellaria Sand, who was also bisexual. Oberyn's character offered a refreshing portrayal of sexual freedom and confidence, unburdened by shame or secrecy. Yet, in true Game of Thrones fashion, his captivating presence was also tragically brief, ending in one of the show's most viscerally shocking deaths.

The collective fates of these compelling male characters sparked considerable discussion among fans and critics, leading to concerns about the "bury your gays" trope - a pattern in fiction where LGBTQ+ characters are disproportionately killed off or suffer unhappy ends, often more so than their heterosexual counterparts. Was Westeros simply a dangerous place for everyone, or was there an underlying narrative bias against queer men?

Unapologetically Queer Women of Westeros

While the male queer characters often met grim ends, the women of Westeros, particularly those who expressed same-sex attraction, fared somewhat differently, though not without peril.

Yara Greyjoy: A Leader's Love, or a Perilous Path?

The fierce and independent Ironborn captain, Yara Greyjoy, was depicted enjoying the company of women. Her storyline focused primarily on her ambition to rule the Iron Islands and her loyalty to her brother Theon. While her sexuality was presented as a natural part of her character, her survival was consistently imperiled by the brutal political landscape, leading to periods of capture and imprisonment. Her ultimate fate, while less tragic than some, still underscored the constant struggle for power and survival.

Ellaria Sand: Passionate and Unbound

As Oberyn Martell's devoted paramour, Ellaria Sand was equally bisexual and fiercely passionate. Her love for Oberyn and her daughters drove her actions, often leading to extreme measures of vengeance. While she survived longer than Oberyn, her story culminated in a harrowing imprisonment and a grim, lingering death, emphasizing the high cost of defying the Lannister regime.

Beyond Sexuality: Female Strength and Gender Subversion

Perhaps one of Game of Thrones' most celebrated aspects was its portrayal of powerful, complex, and often subversive female characters who frequently defied traditional gender expectations. While not all were explicitly queer, their stories challenged norms and offered a different kind of "fluidity" than sexual orientation.

These women, regardless of their sexual preferences, showcased a powerful rejection of typical medieval gender roles, finding strength and agency outside the conventional paths laid out for them. This contrast often highlighted the divergent ways the show handled gender subversion versus explicit sexual diversity.

Adapting Sexuality: Book Nuance vs. Screen Explicit

The adaptation process often saw the show make explicit what was sometimes more ambiguous in Martin's novels. Loras Tyrell, for instance, was depicted as more overtly effeminate and promiscuous in the series than in the books. This choice, while offering clear representation, sometimes drew criticism for leaning into stereotypes. Other characters, like Queen Cersei Lannister, were hinted at having same-sex encounters or a degree of "bi-curiosity" in the books, which were largely downplayed or omitted from the on-screen adaptation, suggesting a selective approach to which queer elements were amplified.

The Homophobia of Westeros: A Harsh Reality

It's crucial to remember that Westeros, by and large, is a deeply conservative society. Open same-sex desire, particularly for men, often came with severe social and religious penalties, mirroring historical prejudices. The show effectively portrayed this oppressive environment, making the bravery of characters like Oberyn and Renly all the more striking. However, this societal backdrop also served as a convenient justification for the tragic fates that befell many queer characters, begging the question: did the show perpetuate the "gay for tragedy" trope, or merely reflect a harsh fictional reality?

A Complex Legacy: Hope and Critique

Game of Thrones holds a complex legacy regarding its LGBTQ+ representation. On one hand, it brought prominent queer characters to a massive global audience, fostering important conversations about sexuality, identity, and prejudice in popular media. It depicted relationships that were tender, passionate, and real, offering glimpses of love and connection that defied norms.

On the other hand, the consistent pattern of tragic ends for many of its queer characters, particularly queer men, left many fans yearning for more enduring, positive depictions. The absence of truly central queer characters whose storylines weren't primarily defined by their sexuality or leading to their demise was a noticeable gap.

Ultimately, Game of Thrones was a monumental step in bringing diverse sexualities to mainstream fantasy. While it provided groundbreaking visibility, it also highlighted the ongoing need for stories where queer characters can thrive, love, and exist without their identity serving as a catalyst for their inevitable suffering. The conversation it started, however, remains invaluable.