Shonda Rhimes clearly makes an effort to include representation in all of the shows she produces, giving a voice for people of color and the LGBTQ+ community. She writes the world as it is, and this representation is more important now than ever.
In Grey's Anatomy, there are many powerful episodes showing a realistic look at how people of the LGBTQ+ community are treated, opening up many viewers' eyes to the subject. There are also heartwarming moments throughout the show that provide the message that everyone should be treated as a human being, no matter their sexual identity.
"Where The Boys Are" (Season 3, Episode 7)
Meredith assists Mark Sloan in a gender-affirming surgery, but things come to a halt when Sloan discovers in pre-labs that his patient has breast cancer. Donna (Alexandra Billings) is heartbroken upon realizing her dream to fully relieve her gender dysphoria may end up killing her.
This is the first time a transgender patient was introduced to Grey's Anatomy, and the way she was treated by Mark Sloan was exquisite, correcting Meredith when she originally struggled with misgendering. The importance of how people in the transgender community should be treated by doctors is a prominent theme throughout, and the fact that Alexandra Billings is transgender herself adds an authenticity to the role that is powerful.
"The Becoming" (Season 4, Episode 14)
Meredith and Derek are in the midst of their clinical trial and their next patient is a soldier named Darren. The emotions are rampant in this heartbreaking Grey's episode, as Darren's boyfriend, Todd, comes to the hospital to see him before surgery and they share an intimate kiss before yanking apart when Darren's father walks in.
Meredith talks to the patient about the age-old "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" rule in the military and she expresses her feelings that it's unfair to have to follow such traditions and hide who you love. It's rare to see a gay relationship between men shown on a television show of Grey's caliber, and the normalcy and emotions showing the two's love for one another are refreshing.
"Life During Wartime" (Season 5, Episode 6)
Erica Hahn says one of the most memorable quotes in Grey's Anatomy when she shares with Callie the realization that she's a lesbian is like seeing with glasses for the first time. The renowned cardiothoracic surgeon and Torres developed a brief relationship with each other before Erica abruptly leaves the show, leaving a lot of fans disappointed in the short-lived romance.
Her realization isn't aligned with what Callie experiences and it leads to opening the door for her character to explore her sexuality. This leads to another episode, later on, where Callie declares that she is bisexual, a huge landmark for television and bi-erasure, as many shows tend to show sexuality on a black and white scale rather than a spectrum.
"Invasion" (Season 6, Episode 5)
Callie Torres' father comes to Seattle Grace with the pastor of their church and a plan to convince his daughter she isn't gay in this emotional episode that shows a real look at how people of the LGBTQ+ community can be treated by their own loved ones. He begins quoting bible entries to her, and she becomes rightfully upset at how he's struggling to accept her sexual identity.
After she shouts at her father that he can't "pray away the gay," Callie tells Arizona she doesn't need a family who's not going to accept her for who she is. Arizona provides some clarity to Callie's father about how she expected the same behavior from her own dad when he learned she was a lesbian, and instead, he asked if she was still who he raised her to be, knowing that who she loves didn't change who she is as a human being.
"The Face Of Change" (Season 9, Episode 14)
Brian and Jess provide a powerful message to transgender teens everywhere when Brian comes to the hospital for top surgery. Brian's father, Mr. Weston, arrives and starts spreading negativity when he talks about how Brian is just going through a phase, which prompts Jess to speak up and talk about how he didn't understand what it felt like to be living in a body that doesn't feel like yours.
Jess later talks to Mr. Weston about how Brian looks up to his father and wants to grow up to be a man like him, and just needs his father to love him.
"Start Me Up" (Season 7, Episode 12)
A romantic gesture goes awry when a patient is trampled by a horse-drawn carriage on the way to file papers for a "domestic partnership." Kyle explains to Callie how all he wanted was to make the day feel special, as the state of Washington didn't recognize gay marriage as a real marriage.
The speech he gives is heartbreaking when he talks of how people of the same sex don't get the same recognition that straight couples get. Gay marriage finally became legal just 10 years ago in Washington, in 2012, one year after this episode aired.
"White Wedding" (Season 7, Episode 20)
It's Arizona and Callie's wedding day, and viewers see firsthand how hard of a time one of the best relationships on Grey's Anatomy had just to celebrate their love for one another. The two face many obstacles between unaccepting parents and ministers unwilling to marry them.
Bailey tells Callie how the church and her mother haven't caught up with God yet and that that shouldn't stop her from getting married to the woman she loves. The stark contrast of Meredith and Derek taking a quick trip to the courthouse to be officially married adds to the privilege straight couples have.
"Sledgehammer"(Season 12, Episode 1)
Two teenage girls jumped in front of a train because it was the only way they thought they could be together when Jess' parents announced she was being sent to a conversion camp. Callie becomes personally attached to Jess when she hears her story, and wants to help, telling everyone her opinion about conversion therapy being equal to child abuse.
Jess' mother becomes offended, saying the doctor had no right to stick her nose in personal matters, which leads to Maggie punching the mom in the face. While Maggie may have been fired in the real world, the moment was a win for viewers who felt the same amount of anger towards the situation, and it ended on a promising note when Jess' dad stands up to his wife.
"1-800-799-7233" (Season 14, Episode 9)
Bailey approached Dr. Parker after he used a defibrillator to short circuit the power to access the blood bank after a hacker infiltrated the hospital. Instead of reprimanding him for destroying property, she asks him what else he's able to do and he reveals he was convicted of hacking a federal server.
Bailey asks him to help hack the system back, and when he's successful her curiosity gets the best of her and she asks why he hacked the DMV all those years ago. With shoulders held high Parker tells Bailey how his old ID identified him as female, and that he was a proud trans man and wanted people to get to know him before knowing his past.
"Some Kind Of Tomorrow" (Season 18, Episode 2)
Meredith and Amelia are offered millions of dollars to help find a cure for Parkinson's. While touring the facility, the two meet Dr. Kai Bartley, an impressive neuroscientist best known for their cell research, and the first non-binary character introduced to the show.
There's a parallel with Leo, who is shown wearing an Elsa costume, opening up the possibility that Teddy is raising her child to choose what they want to wear and not giving into social norms. This current season shows promise for even more LGBTQ+ representation and the possibilities of what the show will bring for the community in the future.