Hollywood Is Finally Realizing It Can Make Films About Lesbians

The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community has had a tumultuous relationship with Hollywood over the years in its struggle to gain visibility. However, lesbian scholar Lillian Faderman explained to HuffPost Live on Monday that in the past year alone, she's seen remarkable changes for lesbians on the big screen.

Faderman, the author of The Gay Revolution: The Story of the Struggle, explained to host Caroline Modarressy-Tehrani that Hollywood's recent willingness to tell lesbian stories has made a "huge difference."

"What's happening finally in Hollywood -- and, in fact, just this year has made a huge difference -- is that Hollywood is beginning to realize that they can indeed make films about lesbians," Faderman said, citing films like "Grandma," starring Lily Tomlin.

"Now, there are other films coming out that Hollywood has produced that are absolutely groundbreaking in that finally Hollywood is realizing that we have stories to tell," Faderman said. She hailed films like "Carol" and "Freeheld," which feature lesbian characters as "heroes."

"That all of this should happen in one year is really quite extraordinary," Faderman said.

Watch the full segment on Lesbian history: from Sappho to Ellen here.

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