Always a Friend

Note: You might be wondering why I'm writing about an old TV show on a book blog. Besides being a bookseller, I'm also a gay man who loves pop culture. Growing up in the 70s, 80's and 90s, I learned about gay culture mostly through TV and movies. This June, for Pride Month, I'll be sharing articles about the LGBTQ+ community through a pop culture lens. You can find my past articles on these topics here.

On this, the first day of Pride Month, let's look back at a truly special moment in TV history.  It was an episode of the popular TV show The Jeffersons called "Once a Friend." and in aired in October 1977. This episode was a big deal because it showed something on American TV that no one had really seen before: a transgender person.

In this episode, George Jefferson, a grumpy but often funny character, meets up with an old navy buddy he remembers as "Eddie." But "Eddie" is now Edie, and she lives as a woman. George is really confused and uncomfortable at first. He can't quite get his head around it. His wife, Louise, who is always more understanding, tries to help him see things differently.

Imagine this: in 1977, most people didn't know much about gender identity or what it meant to be transgender. If it was talked about at all, it was often in a negative or strange way. The Jeffersons was known for talking about tough subjects, but this was especially brave. They decided to show a transgender person as a real human being.

George's first reactions were probably a lot like what many viewers at home were feeling. He said awkward things and struggled to understand. But the amazing thing about the show and the actor, Sherman Hemsley (who was a closeted gay man himself), was that George eventually accepted Edie.

As the episode goes on, George's real friendship with Edie starts to matter more than his confusion. He begins to see her as the same person he knew and liked from before. This change in George's mind was super important. It showed everyone watching that it's possible to understand and accept people, even if you're confused or uncomfortable at first.

Sure, if we watch "Once a Friend" today, some parts might seem a bit old-fashioned or even a little off. But for its time, it was a huge step forward. It started conversations about gender identity and helped people think differently about their own ideas. Most importantly, it showed a transgender character in a kind and normal way, which was unheard of back then.

This episode of The Jeffersons proves how powerful TV can be. It's not just for laughs; it can also teach us and challenge how we think. It was a pioneering moment that helped open the door for more LGBTQ+ characters on TV later on. It showed that even someone like George Jefferson could learn to be accepting. "Once a Friend" truly was a groundbreaking moment for American television.

Carolina Dean
Confirmed Bachelor