While this may seem like a small or unimportant request, I can assure you that many devoted fans (the majority of viewers) would think otherwise. It’s been said that Emily Prentiss was originally written as a lesbian, which means that arc for her was already canon. However, since other networks have not allowed this in previous programming, it has caused the Criminal Minds franchise to miss out and lack acknowledgment on a very important part of today’s society and culture.

The LGBTQA+ community is real, our feelings and hearts are real. We’ve dealt with ridicule, disownment, judgment, and have had trouble finding acceptance in the world because of who we are. For us, being a part of the community isn’t something we can just erase or neglect. We cannot simply “write it out” of our lives. We as fans are more than grateful for the opportunity of a revival, but we in the community would be even more touched if you allowed us the representation we aren’t often gifted with.

By allowing Emily to embrace her sexuality as a lesbian, it shows that a strong and independent woman can be more to the world than just who she chooses to love, and it provides the community with another character they can relate to and look up to. Yes, fans “ship” her with various other main female characters, however, I know we’d all be appreciative if she had a female partner in general, no matter who it may be. We know we can only ask for so much. Thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope you decide to help us make a change!