Mothers on ABC Family series ‘The Fosters’ marry

Yesterday, Monday, August 5, the lead characters on ABC Family's primetime drama series The Fosters got married in the season finale of the freshman series. The series, which debuted on ABC Family earlier this summer, focuses on the lives of Stef Foster and Lena Adams, played by Teri Polo and Sherri Saum, and last night, the couple finally tied the knot in California. 

Yesterday Saum spoke about the episode, explaining, "I hope it broadens the definition of family for people. A family does not have to look any certain way."

Gay and lesbian characters on television aren’t new. Since even before Will and Grace debuted, a wide variety of gay and lesbian characters have been portrayed on mainstream TV series - and today, the diversity of LGBT characters on TV is greater than ever, from Renly Baratheon on Game of Thrones to Kurt on Glee to Callie on Grey's Anatomy

These shows - and most recently, The Fosters - are introducing audiences from a diverse cross-section of the United States to realistic portrayals of gay and lesbian people's lives - including their real love and commitment to each other. More and more, TV series like The Fosters are showing audiences same-sex couples who want to marry for the same reasons that many people want to marry: because they love each other, because they want to commit their lives to each other, and because they know that marriage says 'we are family' like no other word can. 

These relationships provide important representations of the love and commitment that everyday same-sex couples share. Millions of viewers - including viewers who may not yet support the freedom to marry for same-sex couples - are watching these TV shows and learning that same-sex couples often want the same thing that different-sex couples want: the freedom to marry the person they love.

We understand that the portrayal of same-sex couples on television is far from perfect - but every time a network television series features a same-sex couple discussing their love, affection, and dedication to each other, it's a step forward in showing that these kinds of relationships don't hurt communities - they strengthen and enrich them.

Learn more about The Fosters' season finale wedding event from our friends at GLAAD HERE