The Walking Dead (2010) is a story about people. Knowing this, it would be inauthentic for the writers to not incorporate characters from all walks of life. They craft characters with complicated emotions, and sexual subtext has infiltrated a number of character representations throughout the course of the show. The show does this with great tolerance, as character sexualities impact their behaviors only to the extent of how it connects them with their partners.

The first openly homosexual character introduced was Tara (Alanna Masterson), and her sexuality has little bearing on her overall character as it pertains to her role in the group. Second was Aaron (Ross Marquand), and his homosexuality bears the same result. This is generally regarded as positive, as the show is acknowledging the sexual preference of a person isn’t the defining characteristic about them. They don’t try and remind the audience “that’s the gay character.”

Many obvious relationships, such as Shane-Lori, Rick-Lori, Rick-Jessie, Dale-Andrea, Andrea-Governor, Andrea-Michonne have added great depth to their characters. Daryl (Norman Reedus) has been linked with emotional ties to both Carol (Melissa McBride) and Beth (Emily Kinney), while also being speculated as gay. These relationships have all helped to forge certain unique bonds between individuals, but don’t serve to define any character completely.