Thought this was worthy of a thread of its own, mods can feel free to repost if it isn't. Link courtesy of the brilliant Slayage:
www.365gay.com/opinion/Special/Special.htm
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[b:641579bbb3] The Death of Tara Exposes Willow's Dark Side and Fans Outrage[/b:641579bbb3]
by R. Zeke Fread
Devoted followers of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" are left devastated by the producers of BVS decision to destroy, what many have felt was, a wonderful portrayal of a loving, honest and natural long term lesbian relationship. Especially, because such a relationship as that of Tara and Willow' is rarely depicted on television programs.
Our gay youth, and all viewers of BVS, had for the past three years, the rare opportunity to see two women, openly express their love for each other as main characters in a television program. A devoted loving couple, who were trusting, unselfish and protective of each other, reflecting the many lesbian and gay long term relationships existing in the real world, but, seldom acknowledged.
Young people were able to see this relationship was accepted by viewers, both gay and straight alike, by the ever growing popularity of the program. A message that was desperately needed for them to hear and see, even though for some it may have been only an hour of drowning out the thoughts of the anti-gay messages they are exposed daily.
BVS's storyline of an openly gay loving relationship, made contributions toward promoting acceptance and tolerance, that could never be measured by ratings alone.
They say all good things must come to an end, but the fans of BVS are not the least bit accepting of the end of Tara and Willow's long term relationship.
It is not because, they don't believe good things do come to an end. It is how producers choose to end Tara's and Willow's relationship that has them disgusted and outraged.
Showing the couple in bed, suggesting they may have just made love, Tara is shot and killed by a stray bullet. Willow seeing this happen right before her eyes, becomes crazed, tracks down Tara's murder, tortures and murders him, attempts to kill his associates, two of her friends and attempts to end her pain by destroying the world.
Fans feel strongly this was not a fitting end for Tara and Willow's relationship and have taken to the net to vent their anger. This may sound like, "it's only a television show, what's the big deal?"
For BVS fans the big deal is, once again television producers are falling back on the Dead/Evil Lesbian Clich: introducing gay characters, only to kill them off or turn them in to villains.
In this case, BVS's producers have chosen to incorporate both, dead and evil.
After watching the storyline with Tara and Willow go on for three years, you become attached to these characters. We all have done the same thing. We, as they, are not delusional and don't forget these are actors portraying characters in a television. Nevertheless, we have developed a relationship with them that went far beyond the character and viewer relationship.
The storyline and the message that was being sent, acceptance of same-sex couples, had touched the hearts of many of our gay youth. For one hour a week for three years they were able to escape all the negative things said about them. Then without warning, this special message they looked so forward to seeing and hearing each week, was abruptly stripped away from them. And, in the worst possible way one can imagine.
I was not a fan or viewer of BVS and sadly had missed the opportunity to see this positive portrayal of a same-sex couple. However, after reading the many letters I have received on this matter, I can feel the great disappointment and outrage of that the loyal fans of BVS are experiencing. I am left asking the same question, I am sure they are, what possible reason was there for destroying something that meant so much to so many?
R. Zeke Fread is Director of the Tampa Bay Coalition, a Florida GLBT rights organization.
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Much more. 
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