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Lucia (Simona Tabasco) and Mia (Beatrice Grannò) successfully scam their way into what they want. Each character is adorned with their own sex-soaked situational strife, from infidelity to unfulfilled desire—their resolutions all pinned to the idyllic promise of the Italian coast.

The show’s primary setting, Taormina, was one of the world’s first gay getaways; the sexual freedom it offered was made only more alluring by Sicily’s Arcadian climate and mythical mystique.

Early episodes hinted at a charged dynamic between the two, with the younger brother gazing at Saxon in a way that suggested more than sibling affection.

In a pivotal moment, influenced by alcohol, drugs, and a flirtatious game with two women, the two brothers share a passionate kiss. Whether that be engaging with the social ramifications of their relationship in the setting of the rich hotel or playing on uniquely queer character traits, delving into queerness, in the context of a committed relationship, just seems like the next natural step into uncharted territory for the show.

Steve Zahn's Storyline in 'The White Lotus' Season 1 Featured a Compelling Identity Crisis

Image via HBO

As mentioned previously, in The White Lotus, queer interactions are mainly used as a window into a character's psychology or as a vehicle for the season's larger narrative.

the white lotus gay

While unexpected and controversial, this storyline underscores The White Lotus’s commitment to exploring unconventional and complex expressions of sexuality.

By weaving these narratives into its plot, The White Lotus challenges social norms and sparks conversations about identity, desire, and the fluidity of human experience — further cementing its place as one of the most daring shows on television.

Step into the world of The White Lotus! Discover our The White Lotus Gay Tour and explore the stunning Sicilian locations from Season 2.

Document Journal

Text by
Megan Hullander

Posted

From Wilhelm von Gloeden to Oscar Wilde, the series hides a secret in plain sight: the untold history of Sicily’s gay destination Taormina

Luxury and lust populated Taormina long before Mike White’s gluttonous cast arrived on its shores.

Cameron (Theo James) turns out to be exactly who we thought he was: a hypermasculine fuckboy seeking dominance above all else. Three youths dressed in pseudo-ancient Greek or Roman costume. Taormina, Sicily, ca. These themes take center stage in a particularly powerful sequence involving Rick — the season’s protagonist — and an old friend he encounters in Bangkok.

Portia is left with financial hope (perhaps a piece of Tanya’s pie, or as the next in line to monetize Albie’s affections). If anything, adding in queerness might be just the thing the show needs to shake up its formula at this point. I need that fresh haul of amoral yet enticing personalities to feast shamelessly on.

Release Date
2021 - 2024

Network
HBO

Showrunner
Mike White

Directors
Mike White

Writers
Mike White

  • Natasha Rothwell

    Belinda Lindsey

.

Perhaps the baron would have loved a look full of love in them; but it was impossible to achieve this result with those children of Sicilian peasants and fishermen seeing themselves reduced to the object of an incomprehensible caprice or of an understandable and alarming lust.”

Wilhelm von Gloeden.

The White Lotus handled the content sensitively and with the sharp, irreverent wit that made it one of the more compelling character arcs in the season.

Even though Mark's story doesn't physically have a queer relationship in it, the way the show dug into the topic proves its potential to deliver a good queer storyline. Played by acclaimed actor Sam Rockwell, this character shares a deeply personal revelation about his journey of self-discovery.

During an emotional monologue, Rockwell’s character reflects on his exploration of femininity, sparked by his experiences in Thailand.

Adding in a queer couple would only enhance the show's already compelling repertoire of relationships, as the layer of queerness has its own dynamics, implications, and darkness to play with. Though the story doesn't necessarily go into the queer experience directly, telling a classic tale of being closeted due to the traditional expectations of masculinity from the perspective of a son is intriguing.

Valentina is liberated. The patriarch of the Mossbacher family, Mark (Steve Zahn), has a visceral identity crisis when he finds out his late father was gay. (Sexual appeal, uncoincidentally, might be the only redeeming quality of some of its men.) Each of the series’s details further complicates its picture of femininity, even in the way that the women are dressed.

Season 2 also had another minor queer scene where Valentina (Sabrina Impacciatore) had an unrequited crush on her staff member, but this didn't end up panning out to anything meaningful.

More recently, in Season 3, we had two brothers that participated in a non-consensual threesome together after taking drugs, but that was also a twisted extension of Lochlan's (Sam Nivola) self-image and insecurities rather than something more inherently sexual.

Taormina, Sicily, 1900.

The men of The White Lotus are eye candy, plot fillers, and foils, used almost entirely to construct the stories of its women. While the show does focus on the psychological landscape of each individual, it also delves into the relationships between the guests, from family members to friends to couples.