Six Feet Under (2001)

Six Feet Under offers a profoundly positive and affirming portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters, primarily through David Fisher and Keith Charles. Their complex, enduring relationship, struggles, and eventual family life are depicted with dignity and empathy, validating queer identity and love as central to the human experience.

Six Feet Under features Celeste, a transsexual woman, portrayed with dignity and complexity. Her identity is handled respectfully, with initial misgendering by Ruth Fisher quickly corrected, leading to an accepting relationship. The narrative avoids harmful stereotypes, presenting Celeste as a multifaceted individual with agency. The overall portrayal is affirming and supportive of transsexual lives.

Buddhism is generally portrayed as a valid and often beneficial spiritual path towards inner peace and self-awareness. While individual practitioners may be flawed, the core tenets are presented respectfully.

The show explores various facets of Christianity with nuance, depicting both the comfort and community it provides, as well as the human struggles, hypocrisy, and rigidity found within its adherents. While critiquing certain manifestations, the narrative often sympathizes with characters seeking meaning and solace through faith.

Jewish traditions and mourning rituals are depicted with respect and as a source of cultural identity and comfort for grieving families. The show portrays these practices as meaningful ways to cope with loss without significant critique.