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Aug 26, 2024
Ever had a character make you go, “Wait a minute… am I…?”
Let’s take a flirty stroll down memory lane, revisiting those iconic characters and celebrities who sparked our sapphic awakenings. Get ready to relive those heart-fluttering moments and celebrate the women who made us question everything (in the best way possible). 😉
Those piercing blue eyes. That battle-hardened physique. Those thighs that could crush a man’s ego faster than she could crush his skull. ⚔️ Xena was chock-full of kinky imagery (hello, bondage and whips!) and enough queer subtext to make Wonder Woman blush. Xena was the ultimate sapphic awakening for many of us.
“Xena responsible for my gay awakening at age 10”
A Reddit user
Renee Rapp as Regina George? Sapphic. Awakening. Activated.
This performer had me questioning everything from the moment I saw her in “The Sex Lives of College Girls.” But it was her role as Regina George in “Mean Girls” that sealed the deal. Gorgeous, talented, and a total challenge – she’s everything we sapphics love.
Ever had that moment where you realize Regina George was totally flirting with Cady? Turns out, Rapp herself confirmed that she played Regina as a lesbian? Game over. Well, let’s just say my gaydar went off the charts.
“It [Regina being a lesbian] was always my interpretation of it, still is my interpretation of it.”
Reneé Rapp
It’s not just the “Get in loser” scene (though that was hot). It’s Renee’s undeniable charisma, her powerhouse vocals, and her unapologetic queerness.
We’re all a little bit in love with Regina George now, and that’s okay.
Not Our First Crush, But the One That Made Us Say “Yep, Definitely Sapphic” 😉 We’ve all had those early crushes, the ones that made us question things. But Billie? She’s the one who made us go, “Oh, THIS is what they mean by sapphic.”
This musical prodigy has been a sapphic icon since her early teens. Her lyrics, her style, her whole vibe screams queer. The Lunch and Guess music videos fed our souls. Now that she’s openly embraced her own sexuality, she’s become an even bigger inspiration for young sapphics everywhere.
Seeing Billie embrace her queerness so openly was like a collective sigh of relief for all of us who’ve been hiding in the shadows. It was a reminder that we’re not alone, and that it’s okay to be who we are.
Angelina Jolie is enough to make any woman reconsider her life choices, let alone her sexuality. But Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft was the ultimate sapphic fantasy. That tank top, those shorts, that fierce attitude – who wouldn’t want to raid tombs with her? Enough said.
Lara Croft was a fierce, unapologetic treasure hunter who made all women feel empowered, but for many of us, it was a full-blown gay panic moment. It’s no wonder she inspired a generation of sapphic adventurers.
Remember those endless Matilda rewinds? We get it. Turns out, we all had a thing for Miss Honey. That gentle smile, those cozy cardigans… Miss Honey was peak #TeacherGoals.
Whether you dreamed of being her, befriending her, or, well… something more, Miss Honey was a whole mood. And if having a crush on Miss Jennifer Honey is wrong, we don’t wanna be right. 😉 Whether Miss Honey was a sapphic or not is up for debate. But what’s undeniable is her impact on queer youth. So many of us saw ourselves in her: the quiet strength, the love of books, the outsider spirit.
So, to Miss Jennifer Honey (our first sapphic love), wherever you are: thank you. You were our first crush, our queer icon, our reminder that it’s okay to be different. ❤️ You were our lesbian self-discovery.
Okay, hear me out. Bellatrix Lestrange is the ultimate bad girl that everyone hates to love. She is untamed, she has no filter and will show her dark side without any hesitation. And Helena Bonham Carter’s portrayal of her is just so hot.
When you realized Bellatrix Lestrange wasn’t just crazy… she was hot. Like, heart-stoppingly hot. 🥵 And going by the comments, were not alone.
To that end, the comments are how we have an queer awakening journey as one:
To the Bellatrix stans: I love yourself and your tastes. You’re seen. But you are in good company. 😏 P.S. If only Bellatrix could just put a spell on us, we’d be first in line. ✨ (Just sayin’.)
Suddenly, I wasn’t just watching a movie, I was experiencing a moment. That scene where she walks across the rooftop, the moonlight reflecting off her leather is an Instant sapphic panic.
The movie itself may not be a masterpiece, but Halle Berry as Patience Phillips/Catwoman stole the show. Watching her transform from a shy Patience to a sensual, fierce warrior goddess, my gaydar went off like a siren.
It wasn’t just the catsuit (though that definitely didn’t hurt). It was the way she owned her power, her confidence, her unapologetic sexiness. Halle Berry in Catwoman was an awakening.
That moment when you realize you’re crushing on Catwoman harder than Batman ever did.
And if you’re still looking for that perfect Catwoman to ignite your own Sapphic spark, don’t worry – HER is full of them!
That bank heist kiss between Amy and Lucy? Yeah, that did something to us.
The chemistry between Amy and Lucy was undeniable, and their forbidden romance was both thrilling and heartwarming. “D.E.B.S.” taught us that it’s okay to fall in love with the enemy, and that sometimes the best relationships are the ones that break all the rules.
P.S. If you haven’t seen “D.E.B.S.”, drop everything and watch it now. It’s fun and so-gay in a way that 2000’s films could only do. Although it may not quite make oscar nominations, having hot sapphics on our screens at a time where there was next to no representation meant something important. And Jordana, if you’re reading this, thank you. You were a huge part of our sapphic awakenings. We owe you one.
This artist was a role model for many young queer women of color. Lisa Bonet as Denise was a low-key sapphic awakening for many of us. She was independent and not afraid to express herself.
The finger-in-mouth gif still hits differently. It’s the feeling of “Oh, that’s what I’m into.” Lisa Bonet as Denise Huxtable was that kind of subtle, simmering sexuality that made us (again) question everything.
Okay, let’s be real… saying “I’d go gay for Shane” is practically a rite of passage at this point! 🤭 But there’s a reason that phrase became iconic. Kate Moennig as Shane McCutcheon with that signature smirk and effortless swagger, both androgynous and alluring, was some serious sapphic awakening fuel for a whole generation.
Seeing Shane back in Gen Q felt like reuniting with an old flame. 🔥 Kate Moennig just has that magnetic energy, on-screen and off. Don’t even get us started on that steamy Kehlani encounter…
Kate Moennig: the OG Shane, the soft butch icon, and the woman who sparked countless sapphic awakenings. ❤️ She was the epitome of cool, and we all wanted to be her (or be with her).
Jennifer in “Jennifer’s Body” – now THAT’s a bisexual icon. Boys for snacks, girls for smooches? Sounds like the dream,tbh. And that kiss with Amanda Seyfried? A whole generation of us had our sapphic awakening right there in the theater.
Megan Fox herself is Bi queen. She’s living proof that you can be sexy, powerful, AND love whoever the hell you want. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
Sure, ‘Break Free’ was iconic. But let’s not forget the OITNB role that had us all saying ‘Yep, I’m gay’.
😈 Ruby Rose, tattoos and smirk combo, basically invented ‘Sapphic Awakening 101’. Batwoman drama aside, Stella was a cultural reset. Even in prison orange, Ruby stole our hearts (and maybe sparked a few sapphic souls). Bad girl vibes, undeniable chemistry… she was the crush we didn’t know we needed.
Shego has a whole vibe. 💚 The neon green catsuit? Totally queer. That “I’m too cool to care” attitude? Swoon. Her and Kim’s “fights” are more like choreographed flirting with witty banter and just a touch too much hair-pulling. And that cheeky lip bite from Kim? Don’t even try to deny it.
Maybe a little toxic. But who could resist that confident smirk and those killer one-liners? Shego was the blueprint for every “bad girl” crush we’ve ever had. Listen, if you grew up watching Kim Possible and thought Shego was the hottest thing on the Disney Channel, you’re not alone. We saw that rainbow comet too, and it led us straight to the Sapphic side of the street. 🏳️🌈
The signs were all there: 🌈 Shego got her powers from a rainbow comet! 💖 Kim and Shego’s dynamic was groundbreaking for its portrayal of complex female relationships.
Whether she was canonically queer or not, Shego was a sapphic icon for many.
Cue the iconic green code raining down the screen.
Green code, leather jacket, motorcycle, Trinity is the total sapphic crush. She’s got the moves, the brains, and she woke up Neo. Who wouldn’t want a wake-up call like that? 😉
The Wachowskis served us a Dystopia with Trinity as the Manic Pixie Dream Girl inside of it. A total badass – strong, tough and uber skilled. It’s a reminder of the world in its craziness, yet classiest best- The girl power! ✊💖
Stephanie Beatriz, the voice behind the iconic Rosa Diaz? Sapphic lightning bolt, straight to the heart. ⚡ That dry wit, the leather jacket… Rosa was already in a whole mood. Now, Beatriz brings that energy to a new character? Sapphic awakening, part two.
Vibes? Immaculate. Chemistry? Off the charts. Suddenly, you’re questioning everything about your type. 😂
The casting twist we didn’t see coming: Stephanie first auditioned for Amy, not Rosa. Thank the casting gods for Allison Jones, who saw Rosa in Stephanie.
We’re here for it: Strong, witty, a little bit scary… Stephanie/Rosa, we’re handcuffed to your brilliance. We’re here for it! P.S. Catch me rewatching B99 and swooning over both Rosa and Beatriz’s new character.
Buffy was strong, brave, and always fighting for what Buffy knows What You Did Last Summer, and she knows it was Daphne. We’re still not over the iconic Buffy/Faith dance scene. You might have crushed on her hard while she was staking vamps.
Sure, Buffy was always fighting for what’s right, but let’s not forget that kiss in Cruel Intentions. That scene where Kathryn teaches Cecile how to kiss was a masterclass in seduction.🔥 Even Demi Lovato admitted that this scene played a part in her own queer awakening.
“It was definitely when I was young and should not have been watching Cruel Intentions, but I did and it was that scene where they made out on the park lawn. I was just like, ‘Oh, wait a minute, I really like that, I wanna try it.'”
Demi Lovato
Thanks for the sapphic awakening, queen. 👑
Kristen Stewart rocking Joan Jett’s androgynous swagger… swoon. That scene where she digs through the boys’ jackets? Total “I can be whoever I want” energy. Watching her break out of the “Twilight” mold and embrace her own style? It’s like watching a butterfly emerge, beautiful and free.
So, here’s to Kristen Stewart: The ultimate sapphic awakening.
🚨 Faye Supaporn Malisorn is single-handedly causing a mass sapphic awakening with her role in ‘Blank’ across Asia. Faye is a multi-hyphenate goddess: Model, singer, actress, entrepreneur… is there anything this woman can’t do?
Blank is a rollercoaster of emotions with tears, heartbreak, f*ckboy vibes, and enough steamy scenes with Faye as Khun Nueng to leave us all breathless. (Seriously, we need a cold shower.) The chemistry is off the charts, the emotions raw and real.
We’re not sure if we’re in love with Faye or Khun Nueng at this point.
The ice bath scene (Shivers ❄️ )… Hayley Graham was the blueprint, and we’ve been attracted to her ever since. And that running scene? Don’t even get us started. The way she moves, the determination in her eyes… Is it hot in here, or is it just us? 🔥
It’s a full-on sapphic awakening, a memory unlocked moment that has us all collectively swooning.
Seeing a woman like Hayley Graham on screen, unapologetically herself, can spark a “sapphic awakening” in anyone questioning their sexuality. Erica, another TikTok user, hit the nail on the head:
“This movie was everything for me, and I’ve been attracted to her ever since.”
Erica, a TikTok user
We get it, girl. We really get it.
Hayley, another TikToker’s journey, from that first flicker of realization at 18 to full-fledged confirmation at 35, is giving us all the feels. It’s relatable, it’s empowering, and it’s got that irresistible touch of “OMG, me too!” energy.
🧡 Those glasses, orange turtlenecks, the red pleated skirt… Velma was always a lesbian icon in the making, even before she rocked that skin-tight, orange leather jumpsuit in ‘Scooby-Doo: Monsters Unleashed’!
Even Sarah Michelle Gellar and Linda Cardellini hinted at their characters’ chemistry back in the day, remember that infamous “cut kiss scene” interview? And let’s not forget Hayley Kiyoko, who slayed as Velma in those live-action movies. Her tweet about wondering if the producers knew they hired a lesbian to play Velma?🤫
So thank you, Velma. For solving mysteries, and maybe, just maybe, helping a few of us solve the mystery of our own lesbian awakening experiences.
Emily in Paris Season 3 was a rollercoaster, but can we talk about how HOT Camille and Sofia are together?? 🥵 The chemistry! The stolen glances! The undeniable tension! The angst? 🤌 The forbidden love? 😩 Forget Emily and Gabriel’s messy love triangle, this was the sapphic re-awakening we didn’t know we needed.
Remember that scene? Black lingerie, dominant energy, Camille taking charge… Netflix, you’ve outdone yourselves. 🔥
Raise your hand if Fletcher’s energy and charm has sparked your sapphic awakening. Seriously, how adorable was she reacting to that “be my sister’s gay awakening” sign?! She’s a whole mood.
Speaking of awakenings, it turns out even pop royalty like Katy Perry can ignite those flames. Fletcher’s “Girls Girls Girls” is an anthem for anyone who’s ever questioned their sexuality.
“I remember my mum driving me to middle school and [I Kissed A Girl] came on the radio, and she gasped at the lyrics. At the time I was like, ‘Fuck, I think I like girls’…”
Fletcher
Relatable AF. Fletcher, you’re killing us with those on-stage antics. Tone it down a bit, would ya? Our hearts can only take so much. 😉
Zendaya as Rue in Euphoria…she gets it. The struggle with compulsory heterosexuality, the awkward fumbles with boys… we’ve all been there. But then, the realization hits hard: you’re a lesbian.
Rue’s journey is our journey. Her love for Jules, a trans girl, is raw. It’s the kind of love that makes you want to scream from the rooftops, “I’m here, I’m queer, and I’m not going anywhere!”
So many heart-stopping moments in the movie as well. Jules whispering, “You’re the only person in the world I don’t hate.” Rue, blushing and stumbling over an invitation to dinner. Holding hands, forehead kisses, gentle touches… Every stolen glance, every shy smile, every whispered secret. It’s the kind of intimacy that awakens something deep within us.
It’s not just about the grand gestures, though. It’s the little things, too. The way Jules leans on Rue’s legs, the giggles by the lockers, the neck nuzzles… It’s the everyday moments that make you realize, “Oh, this is what love feels like.”
Also let’s not forget those bed scenes. 🔥🔥🔥
Poussey Washington (Samira Wiley) was that character who stole our hearts, and then broke them (thanks for that, OITNB writers). But she’s always there for her friends (especially her bestie/potential bae, Taystee) and sparked a sapphic revolution in many ways: She was us. We felt her feels. Queer love done right. She built a community.
We saw her grapple with her sexuality, battle depression, and mourn the loss of her mom. She was real, relatable, and a shining example of sapphic representation done right (until… well, you know). Cheers to LGBTQ+ self-discovery, to queer love in all its forms, and to the beautiful mess that is being ourselves.
From the moment Cal rolled onto our screens in Season 4, pronouns proudly declared, we knew ‘Sex Education’ was about to get a whole lot more interesting.
They were cool and unapologetically themselves from the get-go, schooling Jackson on pronouns like it was NBD. They remind us that being queer isn’t a one-size-fits-all kinda thing, and that’s HOT. Plus, have you seen them on a skateboard? But seriously, Cal’s story hits home for so many trans who’ve had to fight for their whole damn self.
Jess and Jules, kicking it on the pitch and crushing hard. “Bend It Like Beckham” is a classic sapphic coming-of-age stories which was a low-key ode to that first blush of queer feels. When Jules spots Jess’s mad skills in the park, it was a full-on sapphic awakening. But crushes can mess with friendships, especially when a coach like Joe is involved. A little crush triangle? Sure. But their bond was stronger.
So next time you’re crushing on your teammate, remember, you’re not alone. Just ask Jess and Jules. Sometimes, the most beautiful goals are scored off the field.
Mulan is basically the queerest Disney princess ever, no contest. I mean, she literally disguises herself as a man, muscles her way into the army, and kicks some serious butt while looking damn good doing it.
That scene where she chops off all her hair and rocks that armor better than any dude is 💯 lesbian power move. And let’s be real, who hasn’t belted out “Reflection” in the shower and felt a sudden pang of queer longing? (Don’t lie, we’ve all been there). Mulan made so many of us sapphics realize that, yep, women are definitely the way to go. 💖
Mook's in charge of the media partnerships at HER, where she's all about boosting queer voices. She makes sure every partnership is real and lively. She's also the go-to for projects in Thailand. Mook's got her hands in a bunch of stuff like testing things on the App Store and Play Store, managing guides on Apple Maps, and setting up in-app events. On the practical side, she keeps an eye on results, works on sales case studies, and takes care of stuff on WordPress.
