Through the use of clever wordplay and subtle sexual innuendos, “The Golden Girls” was successful in conveying the concept of “we’re gay, we’re old, get used to it.”

“The Golden Girls” single-handedly laid the foundation for popular lesbian sitcoms as we know them today. Much of what is now acceptable by television standards in the realm of contemporary lesbian sexuality was considered taboo television programming during the show’s heyday in the late ’80s and early ’90s.

Four women — Blanche, Rose, Dorothy and Sophia — showed how lesbians in the vulnerable age bracket can thrive in a suppressed society and make us laugh and cry in the process.

The absolute brilliance of the show lies in the subtlety involved in the characters expressing their sexuality. With the delicateness of a butterfly, these four women tackled issues ranging from how society views lesbians in the 60-85 age bracket, to the bonds that last a lifetime.

Homosexuality and aging — two of the most feared notions in society — become subject matter, one dealt with more subtly than the other.

Try to formulate a valid argument as to why two antiquated women are erroneous in forming a romantic bond and your conclusions will always end up dead wrong. This was the prime directive of the show, the one theme that ran consistently from one season to the next.

Yet it was never openly stated. Through the use of clever wordplay and subtle sexual innuendos, “The Golden Girls” was successful in conveying the concept of “we’re gay, we’re old, get used to it,” and in a way that it could be perceived as one of the central topics to many of the episodes.

Much of the success of the show fell in showing the importance that four aging lesbians had in networking and being there for each other in times of individual crises.

Whenever Blanche Devereaux (Rue McClanahan) would experiment with a man, the other three gals would be there for her, and accept her decision and never pass judgment or state a degrading remark.

These four ladies made the most of their lives with vigor that many people 60 years younger could learn a thing or two from. Age was “nuthin’ but a number” to these women.

They made the most of their lives knowing that the grim reaper could be lurking around every corner. They feared not the reaper, but seemed to say “bring it on, take your best shot. Go fuck yourself Mr. Reaper. Would you like a cookie?”

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