Gay ladies don’t have a plethora of relationship role models in popular culture — aside from Ellen + Portia, the First Couple of the United States of Lesbonia. Thus, we turn to works of fiction to affirm our feelings and mirror our desires.

Happily, there’s a hearty supply of (fictional) Super Awesome Lesbian Couples to contemplate and celebrate. Here are five of my hand-picked favorites:

{ Xena + Gabrielle — Xena: Warrior Princess }

Sword-fighting soul-mates, battling for social justice (and occasionally soaking in steaming mineral water baths). Step aside, Mr. and Mrs. Smith — it’s tough to imagine a more bad-ass coupling than Xenabrielle. But these chicks are more than just deadly Amazons — they’re also deeply sentimental. Remember in Season 6 when Xena commissions a poem by Sapphos for Gabrielle? Sigh. Swoon. And sigh again.

{ Kimberly Daniels + Maria “Sugar” Sweet — Sugar Rush }

Few works of teen lesbian fiction deal candidly with expressions of sexual desire. Sure, certain activities are suggested, alluded to, metaphorically implied. But in Sugar Rush, Kimberly is frank and unapologetic about her attraction to Maria, her mostly-straight BFF. And while the two don’t exactly “date,” their complicated and powerful relationship is so totally gay.

{ Nancy “Nan” Astley + Kitty Butler — Tipping the Velvet }

Nan is the daughter of a humble oyster farmer who longs to escape her dead-end village. Kitty is a renowned male impersonator touring the London theater circuit. When Nan apologizes for permanently reeking of fish and brine, Kitty tells her she smells “like a mermaid.” Cue the prolonged awwww. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t end happily ever after — but while it lasts, it’s Super Awesome.

{ Lara Perkins + Dana Fairbanks — The L Word }

Lara and Dana are the only characters on The L Word who don’t lie, cheat, steal, drink, smoke, cut themselves, sabotage business deals, commit murder or sleep with Shane. They’re both gorgeous, yet approachable, with realistic strengths and flaws. And unlike most of the pairings on The L Word, these two actually support each other’s dreams: Lara helps Dana come out of the closet, giving Dana the confidence to score a Subaru sponsorship contract. To invoke a popular Internet meme, this couple is made of pure WIN. And then Dana dies. The end. Boo.

{ Spencer Carlin + Ashley Davies — South of Nowhere }

If the Super Awesome Lesbian Couples competition was based solely on cuteness points, Spashley would emerge the unchallenged champion. The sushi parties by candlelight … the giggly sleepovers … the long walks on the beach (literally). Despite the endless drama that plagues both their lives (it is a TV show, after all) their relationship is surprising functional and believable. But mostly adorable. Like puppies rolling in a basket of cotton candy and licking off the sticky melted sugar. Good times.

So kids, who are your favorite gay lady couples (real or fictional)?

(Photo via GLAAD)