Rizzoli & Isles: Come out or go straight

First of all, we would like to thank the creators and writers for bringing two strong, intelligent, driven, and dedicated characters to our screens. Jane Rizzoli and Maura Isles are wonderful role models for women everywhere, and this is important. But Jane and Maura could be so much more than this.

Anyone that is watching the TNT hit show Rizzoli & Isles can't have missed the beautiful relationship between Jane and Maura. Watching their friendship unfold and evolve is surely half the reason most of us enjoy the show. If you don't know, the show has a huge amount of gay fans. Why? Because of what's between Jane and Maura, and what we can read into it if we so please, which we do. Everyone needs a role-model, someone to look up to and inspire them, and these two ladies are that - regardless of the sexual orientation of the characters and the viewers.

Those involved with the show have commented numerous times on their knowledge of the gay subtext between Jane and Maura and their legions of fans who identify as sexualities other than heterosexual. But they continue to insist that Jane and Maura are straight, while at the same time playing up the subtext and the "lesbian" theme in order to gain viewers and generate hype. Frankly, this is disrespectful.

Should this show be brave enough to take the leap into that direction and have Jane and Maura romantically fall for each other - they could and would be getting praise for a long, long time ahead. It's a bold move, but a well needed move and this show has all the elements and all the potential to create something truly groundbreaking.
Two strong, confident, beautiful women that discover that their love is not "a lesbian thing", it's a personality thing. So what if up until this point in their lives they have only been interested in men; is it so terrible to let them realize they have a beautiful person right in front of their eyes?
Being gay is not easy when you are denied rights, when you are poorly represented in media, when presidential campaign runners think there is something wrong with you serving your country - risking your life for your country - all because you think people of the same sex as yourself are beautiful and you just want to love someone and be happy.

More than one teenager has ended their life too early because they were bullied, harassed and abused for being gay, and the first child lost was a loss too much. No one should have to suffer abuse for being someone that in no way is hurting anyone else, for being themselves. But how are children and teenagers supposed to react and think when gay people are denied rights to marry the person they love? It's important that the media, which claims endlessly to be so liberal yet shies away from any serious implication of homosexuality, represent all people-- and Jane and Maura's relationship would be a perfect opportunity for this to happen.

Not only does this show have the potential to be a safe and comforting place for all the gay teenagers that need something to look to and see that it is okay to be gay, but it has within its hands the power right now to send out the most important message of all: Love is beautiful.

Gender doesn't matter. Love is never wrong, and it is time for that message to be said and heard and understood.

The latest episode, "Seventeen Ain't So Sweet," left an acrid aftertaste, because the show contradicted itself terribly. Maura literally walked out of the closet, and then back in, when Casey called Jane, nevermind the fact that he hasn't been mentioned in 10 episodes, and suddenly Jane had butterflies in her stomach. Maura looked less than happy at every single mention of his name. Dr. Isles seems to be in love with the Detective and Jane seems unwilling to admit she has feelings for the quirky but adorable woman. This is not seen by only the gay audience, the latest episode made non-viewers believe Jane and Maura are really together.

As a gay girl myself, I felt offended by the episode. Just because you know you have a huge gay fanbase that you want to please (and because you know two women touching each other make the ratings hit the roof) does not mean you can abuse the subtext.
It's disrespectful to the characters and it's disrespectful to the fans. Either they are straight, which would mean that the subtext needs to stop if the writers are truly committed to this party line, or you take them where they clearly look to be going and let Maura and Jane fall in love.

They have all the chemistry. They're practically living at each others' houses. Jane looked heartbroken when she learned her little brother had tried to kiss her "friend." Jane makes a sour face every time Maura starts talking about intercourse with men. Maura Isles, who used to have a fear of living people, attaches herself to Jane without hesitation when Giovanni wonders if they are still together. And they look perfect together. It's all there already. It's all set up and could go off to be something absolutely remarkable.

Those involved with the show need to stop playing around and commit, either to their assurances that Jane and Maura are straight, and stop with the hints and nudges, or decide to create something between the two women that would change cable television, and, perhaps, countless peoples' lives, for the better.

We will be here to accept it, love it and support it if it comes out
Please sign if you want to see these two beautiful women really find and love each other