>>109508806I was generalizing several characters.
But the answer is visibility. The current "progressive" age of pulp writing isn't actually any more inclusive, diverse or progressive than where standards were in the 1970s. Over time the reasonable criticism of hacks essentially writing themselves in 20 outfits instead of writing characters morphed into criticizing the overabundance of characters who share gender and ethnicity of their writer (which further morphs in many cases into "too many white males" because going a step farther and singling out religion would get into antisemitism territory). So instead of taking the point to heart, hacks designate gay/female/transexual/[insert minority] in order to receive effortless praise. Lesbian is the easy go-to because most people have no problem with attractive members of the opposite sex making out, it's just eye candy.
Media's no less bigoted than ever, and honestly tends to actually be even more condescending. Shit writers just choose the adjectives that give them unconditional praise. Why not boast about the thing that will get you free commendation? 90s grrrl power never left and instead grew into a horrible monster where every third black character, fourth woman on screen, and 3/4 of gays come off as a vapid, boring stereotype.
