Why Emily's Coming-Out Story on 'Pretty Little Liars' Is More Important Than You Think
At this point, Hanna doesn't know Emily is gay. She only suspects it. But her warm (yet purposefully vague) comment sends an important message to Emily: She isn't going to judge her for anything. It doesn't matter who sent Emily that CD—whether it's Toby or Maya or whoever. Emily doesn't reply to Hanna. She just gives her a soft half-smile—the kind of look that tells Hanna she understands exactly what she means but isn't ready to say anything. So Hanna doesn't push it.
Hanna and Emily have another scene like this in the next episode. The girls are eating Chinese food and talking about who they're taking to the homecoming dance; Spencer and Aria bug Emily about potential boys, but Hanna simply says Emily should "bring someone [she] has fun with." She gives Emily a glance suggesting that person could be a girl (specifically Maya in this context), and Emily says nothing—again.
Both of these scenes are well-crafted dances and testaments to Ashley Benson (Hanna) and Shay Mitchell (Emily). They encapsulate a very specific (and hardly mentioned) period of coming out: when your friends slyly voice their support even though you haven't mentioned your sexuality. It's a tricky period for even the most bighearted ally to navigate. You have to simultaneously express solidarity with your LGBTQ+ friends without making them feel awkward or uncomfortable. You have to be supportive but relaxed, open-minded but not too eager. You have to do exactly what Hanna does for Emily in these quiet moments.
These brief scenes set the tone for the other moments on PLL that address Emily's sexuality and her friends. Aria's, Hanna's, and Spencer's support for Emily is understated but bulletproof, which is incredible because it's so realistic. In real life, allies don't make their queer friends' sexuality a thing. They don't throw elaborate, rainbow-color parties every time someone comes out. (I mean, maybe they do, and I just have bad friends?) More often than not, they make relaxed yet affirming statements and move on.
Aria and Spencer also breeze past "talks" with Emily after she comes out. In fact, the most explicit affirmation comes from Hanna (naturally) at the end of the homecoming dance episode. "You were Emily dating Ben, and now you're Emily dating Maya," she says. "We love Emily. No one cares who you're with."
The liars make good on this promise too, but that doesn't mean they're passive about Emily's girlfriends. They simply treat her unions like any of their own, which is what any queer person wants. (It's certainly what I want.)
Actually, I take it back: The most explicit acknowledgment of Emily's sexuality comes from all three of her friends, not just Hanna: After Pam forbids Emily from seeing Maya during the first season, the liars arrange a candle- and flower-filled date for the two girls at Spencer's house. It's a loud and wildly romantic gesture, yes, but it still doesn't break the liars' vow to "not care" about Emily's love life. In fact, it only strengthens that declaration.
Because they never say a word to Emily about the date. They don't have to.
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