In a recent interview, Friends actor Jane Sibbett opened up about being part of the “groundbreaking” lesbian storyline in the iconic ‘90 sitcom, revealing that her father refused to watch the show because of it.
With a main cast composed of Jennifer Aniston, Matthew Perry, Courtney Cox and Matt LeBlanc, Friends premiered in 1994, quickly becoming the epitome of the ‘90s sitcom. Being produced during those years, the show wasn’t always on the mark when it came to portraying LGBTQ+ identities. One example of this was Chandler’s trans parent, portrayed by Kathleen Turner, who was often reduced to being the butt of the (transphobic) joke.
However, the sitcom also delivered some much-needed positive LGBTQ+ representation. In 1996, Friends made history with the first-ever televised portrayal of a lesbian wedding. In Episode 11 of Season 2, emblematically titled ‘The One with the Lesbian Wedding’, Carol, played by Jane Sibbett, invites her ex-husband Ross to her wedding with Susan.
season 2 episode 11 tow the lesbian wedding aired in 1996 and it features the first ever lesbian wedding on television. despite the writers efforts the network refused to let susan and carol kiss in the episode expecting backlash which was minimal. happy lesbian visibility week. pic.twitter.com/UX19c1yY5H
— all things friends (@friendscatalog) April 25, 2023
Recalling this historic storyline in an interview with The Sun, Jane Sibbett said: “It was groundbreaking for a lesbian character on TV but also for how Carol and Ross handled divorce and co-parenting without fighting. It was a gift.
“It caused stress in my own family,” Sibbett added. “We had a big situation with my father who wouldn’t watch the show. Thankfully he came around to it in the end.”
The actor explained that, instead of watching the show, her father would hold a bible study group on the nights that the episodes aired to prevent other close friends from seeing her daughter’s series.
“It was heartbreaking that he wouldn’t watch it… It took my godfather writing a letter to him saying how proud he was of me for the wedding scene that cracked it for my father,” the star said.
“It was great for that wound to be healed before my dad passed,” she concluded.
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