Lesbihonest, Female Couples on TV Teach Us a Lot About Romance

After countless headlines, we've recently seen Shonda Rhimes take the heat for the seriously sexual gay scenes in her show How To Get Away With Murder. In return, she tells everyone to stick it where the sun don't shine. As she rightfully should. Because of shows like Orange Is the New Black and entertainment pioneers like Rhimes, LGBT couples on television have finally moved further away from taboo and closer to the norm. At the end of the day, love is love and we're focusing on the lady loves who prove just that.

On TV, there has been a lesbian marriage on Grey's Anatomy (again, thanks to Rhimes), short flings such as on The O.C. and supernatural love back in the day of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. During Buffy's run, Alyson Hannigan said her character's relationship was "[n]ot about being controversial or making a statement. It's about two people who care about each other," which is ultimately all that matters, right? Whether shows were purposefully trying to create change or not, including these female relationships helped teach lessons about love that can be applied to anyone regardless of sexual orientation. Read on for the best of lesbian relationships in TV and the lessons we learned from them.

Sex and the City: It's ok if you can't commit.

Although Samantha (Kim Cattrall) was eventually over the "talk, talk, talk" that replaced the sex in her relationship with Maria (Sonia Braga), you can't deny that seeing her actually open her heart and let someone in was precious. At the end of the day, girl just couldn't commit, regardless of if it was to a man or woman. Can't blame her for trying. Not to mention, when she was out, she was proud: "Yes ladies, I'm a lesbian." But she wouldn't give up who she truly was for anyone, something that anyone in a relationship should take note of.

Grey's Anatomy: When it comes to true love, distance ain't a thang.

Callie (Sara Ramirez) and Arizona (Jessica Capshaw) hit it off, flirted and kissed the first night they met. Eventually, they broke up when Arizona headed to Africa and Callie stayed in Seattle, even though she was supposed to go with her. Ultimately, the distance, time apart, and other people they dated didn't get in the way of ending up together. Although the TV couple is currently in the middle of a rough patch, their wedding in season 7 was pure magic and we love that Callie got hitched even though her mom didn't approve.

Orange Is the New Black: Old habits die hard.

[caption id="attachment_440646" align="alignnone" width="615"] [Photo Credit: giphy][/caption]We all know Alex (Laura Prepon) is a psychopathic lunatic that completely and continuously screws. Piper. over. Sorry, had to get that out there. Even though Piper (Schilling) is smart enough to know this, she still has a weakness for Alex that she feeds into every now and then. The thing is, we can't completely blame her for doing so. You love who you love, right? (Damn it). Right.

The O.C.: Experimenting with someone completely wrong for you can be a good thing.

Although Alex (Olivia Wilde) and Marissa (Mischa Barton) were doomed from the start due to Alex being a carefree bartender and Marissa an entitled brat, it was amazing watching these two get together. Mostly because Olivia Wilde is just badass and made anyone, gay or straight, develop a serious girl crush on her. They ended up moving together (so rebellious, Marissa) which caused constant bickering and eventually, a break up. It was probably the best relationship we saw Marissa in though, because it briefly caused her to actually loosen up and not be such an uptight cry baby.

Desperate Housewives: No one knows what goes on in a relationship besides the people in it.

Katherine (Dana Delany) needed more than a little convincing to give into her romantic desires toward Robin (Julie Benz). Why? Because she was completely terrified of what the perfect, cookie-cutter women of Wisteria Lane would think of her if she did. What she finally realized was that until Robin, Katherine just wasn't happy. Her husband left her and her psycho games and brainwashing didn't work on Mike (James Denton). When she finally stopped giving a f--k after accidentally coming out at a neighborhood party, she didn't look back and left the state with Robin. They didn't end up together, but for some time, Robin made Katherine happy and less insane which is all that matters.

Pretty Little Liars:  You'll always remember your first love.

[caption id="attachment_440645" align="alignnone" width="615"] [Photo Credit: fanpop][/caption]With a boyfriend at the time, Emily (Shay Mitchell) was reluctant to come out of the closet when she fell in love with Maya (Bianca Lawson) until Maya stuck by her side and waited for her to understand what it meant to be openly gay. When Emily finally gave an Eff You to the world and pursued the relationship, her mom disapproved and ended up getting Maya sent to rehab. While Emily dates other girls during Maya's stint, the two wind up back together until Maya tragically dies. Emily grieves through drinking and reminiscing with old photos and items, proving that even if Maya didn't die, the influence she had would change Emily's life forever.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Relationships shouldn't be one-sided.

[caption id="attachment_440643" align="alignnone" width="615"] [Photo Credit: tumblr][/caption]Willow (Alyson Hannigan) and Tara (Amber Benson) had an instant connection even though Willow was just getting over Oz (Seth Green). In the beginning of their friendship, Tara helped Willow move past Oz and become and stronger witch. In turn, Willow helped Tara break out of her shell and grow more confident. When each learned and gained something from the other, their budding relationship grew into a romantic partnership. Although Tara had a lethal fate, their love was eternal.

Skins: Stop being stubborn.

[caption id="attachment_440649" align="alignnone" width="615"] [Photo Credit: wikia][/caption]Naomi (Lily Loveless) tries to convince Emily (Kat Prescott) and herself that she's straight. After they have sex for the first time, Emily makes Naomi realize that she needs to break down her tough exterior and admit the fact that she needs to be loved. They end up having a long relationship, granted it had its share of ups and downs. But if Naomi stopped the nonsense off the bat, let Emily in and followed her heart, they could've gotten into it even sooner.

The L Word: Problems are only temporary.

[caption id="attachment_440644" align="alignnone" width="615"] [Photo Credit: Showtime][/caption]Tina (Laurel Holloman) and Bette (Jennifer Beals) were everyone's favorites on the series for a reason. Even though they had problems with starting a family from the start, Tina referred to Bette as her "first, last and forever" love, which caused us to root for them. After hardships of infertility issues and a miscarriage, tension grew and put walls up between the two. Eventually, they welcomed their daughter Angelica (Olivia Windbiel).

[Photo Credit: Netflix/ABC]