We at Queerty can admit to living in our own little gay bubble at times, which is probably why we only ever hear about Yellowstone when it makes headlines for being “the most popular drama on TV.” To which we say, “Wait, really?” Who’s watching that?! Certainly no one we talk to!”
It’s no secret that the Paramount Network series—a melodrama about a powerful ranch family in Montana—is a massive ratings hit, especially in America’s heartland, despite being largely ignored by the “very online” queer audiences who would rather dissect every frame of The White Lotus: Sicily.
In other words, with all of its blue-collar cowboy bravado (and not the homoerotic kind), Yellowstone‘s just not necessarily a show that felt like it was for us, you know?
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But that’s exactly what makes a small, gay moment in the drama’s latest episode so shocking. Yes, in its winter finale, “The Dream Is Not Me,” Yellowstone featured a kiss between two women—a proper lesbian smooch! Blink and you may have missed it, but that doesn’t make the moment any less significant.
For some context, the scene in question occurs when our protagonists, the Dutton family, head to the local fair. John Dutton (Kevin Costner) is now the Governor of Montana, and has to be mindful of what he says and does in public, which is why his fling, Summer (Piper Perabo), brushes him off—what will people say? But, as John reminds her, his own press advisor is sitting right behind them, making out with someone!
Cut to: Gubernatorial assistant Clara (Lilly Kay) locking lips with a butch queen in a flannel button-up and a cowboy hat. Yeehaw!
And that’s it, really. No further comment is made, and—to John Dutton’s point—no one seems to mind that these two ladies are making out in public. It’s just your run-of-the-mill PDA—but make it gay!
Now, Yellowstone is far from the first show to feature a gay kiss, and this is ultimately just a small blip in the growing expanse of LGBTQ+ representation in media. But there’s something to be said about how casually it’s introduced, especially for a show with major viewership in Red States and among conservative audiences. The kiss is no big deal, which is precisely why it could help normalize queer inclusion in the eyes of people who may otherwise by exposed to Fox News’ casual homophobia and other fear-mongering folk out to label queer people as “groomers.”
And who’s to say there won’t be more where that came from? As Jezebel points out, Clara and her mystery lover aren’t even the first women we’ve seen on Yellowstone, though this is the first bit of queer romance shown on the series. And, maybe, when the show returns in 2023, we’ll get to learn even more about Clara, her queerness, and how she manages to get by in this very heteronormative world.
Well, what can we say, Yellowstone. You’ve intrigued us. And maybe now we’ll have to tune in ourselves. (After we finish our re-watch of The White Lotus, of course.)
Related: Howdy, partner: 12 queer cowboy movies that prove Westerns have always been gay AF
Mostlikelytobedownvoted
Seriously? Get help.
skeldare
Since it’s two women they probably won’t care as much.
scooter12
Seriously , get out of your bubble ! Yellowstone is one of the best shows on TV. Whether it has any gay themes or not- the writing, acting, scenery- it’s all brilliant. Todays LGBTQ should be able to recognize quality regardless of content.
RoyM
Taylor Sheridan is a hate driven right-wing extremist from Texas. Yellowstone is little more than porn for hate and greed driven right-wing extremists. Thanks but no thanks. I’ll tune in to something that someone that is not brain dead can watch and learn something from instead of turning into this Trumper soap opera trash.
Mack
One of my favorite shows. And Kevin Costner was a big supporter of Pete Buttigieg run for President in 2020. Cowboys will do it on the range.
CatholicXXX
I KNEW it was going to be two women. Always.
gft77
I heard that there was going to be a gay kiss and when I saw these two I asked my partner if that was two women and he said no. Guess I was right. Though I was hoping for some gay cowboy interaction.
still_onthemark
Whenever I see a promo for this show, Kevin C is always growling “It’s my land!” or “They can’t take my land!” or “IT’S MY LAND!” Apparently their county Hall of Records burned down and all the land title stuff was destroyed. The real estate attorneys apparently have so little to work with, Kevin C has to go around murdering anyone who disagrees with his interpretation of real estate law.
storm45701
True to form, many red state viewers are complaining about “the kiss” on social media. Some want to boycott and many are complaining the series has gone “woke”.
I took joy in letting them know that Costner voted for Obama and Biden and supported Pete Buttigieg in the primaries. He has always said he didn’t care if he lost fans over his politics.
Chrisk
No bigger snowflakes then the Republican Religious Taliban folk.
Also they’ve taken to woke as an insult but the actual meaning means to be awake and to be aware. No wonder they hate it so much.
abfab
Oh and please don’t mention thinking critically to them unless you would like to see their heads explode…which would actually be a good thing.
abfab
A Leslie Gore song comes to mind when they say they’d like to own me….
”Josh Hawley Says You Can Own The Libs By Quitting Porn And Starting A Family
The Republican Missouri senator hammered home his WTF message to Tucker Carlson on Fox News.”
Huff
Zenzuva
“To which we say, ‘Wait, really? Who’s watching that?! Certainly no one we talk to!’ It’s no secret that the Paramount Network series—a melodrama about a powerful ranch family in Montana—is a massive ratings hit, especially in America’s heartland, despite being largely ignored by the ‘very online’ queer audiences who would rather dissect every frame of The White Lotus: Sicily.”
Every single person who writes for this website should be dropped into the middle of a Nebraska cornfield surrounded by nothing but scary straight people for a thousand miles on every side, so they can maybe get over themselves and get a Fing clue.
abfab
A clue about what?
still_onthemark
Queerty deserves to sit in a cornfield but not for the reason you say, just for spoiling the ending to “White Lotus: Sicily” last week!
daniel10x
I’m a gay who left Montana in my 20s. So glad I found a life out in the more diverse world. Almost 30 years later, MT’s a much different place. I no longer feel threatened when I visit. It’s beautiful but OMG the politics.