Devoted followers of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (BVS) 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 are rarely depicted on television programs, as was that of Tara and Willow's. 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. Our gay youth were able to see this relationship was accepted by viewers, both gay and straight alike, the ever growing popularity of the program. A message that was desperately needed for them to hear and see. Albeit, 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, had 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, whether this is be true or not. 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 the how producers choose to end Tara's and Willow's relationship has them disgusted and outraged. Showing the couple dressing in their bedroom, suggesting they may have just made love. Tara is shot and killed by a stray bullet, that came through a window she had just looked out of. 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 Willows relationship. They have taken to the net to vent their anger. This may sound like, it's only a television show, what's the big deal. Well, BVS fans say the big deal is, once again television producers are falling back on the Dead/Evil Lesbian Cliché. This being introducing gay characters, only to kill them off or turn them in to villains. In this case, BVS's producers have choose to incorporate both, dead and evil. With BVS's fans are understandably upset about this decision. After watching the storyline with Tara and Willow go on for three years, you become very 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. Never the less, we have developed a relationship with them. When, in the case of BVS, it went far beyond the character and viewer relationship. The storyline and the message that was being sent, acceptance of same-sex couple, had touched the hearts of many of our gay youth. For three years and one hour a week, 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 fell 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? Creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer posted a message on UPN's Bronze VIP message board, which read in part, "I knew some people would be angry with me for destroying the only gay couple on the show, but, the idea that I COULDN'T kill Tara because she was gay is as offensive to me as the idea that I DID kill her because she was gay."- Joss Whedon, (www.cise.ufl.edu/~hsiao/media/tv/buffy/bronze/upn/20020522.html).This can only show that he has absolutely no clue what so ever, as to what BVS fans are actually feeling. Not one of all the letters I received, and I receievd a ton, stated the reason they were so upset and outraged with Joss, the producers or writers, was they couldn't or did kill Tara because she was gay. What is truly offensive, is the insensitivity shown to what the throngs of BVS fans and viewers are so distressed and upset about. It is the refusal to consider, that their actions destroyed something that was special and meant a great deal to so many. This excerpt from one letter I received, expresses the feelings what many others had expressed in their letters also. "I am not gay. I am a straight married father in my 30s and I loved Willow and Tara. They meant so much to me. To watch them destroyed in a very real sense for a weak plot point is beyond forgivable. In fact I know of many straight Willow/Tara fans that are just as outraged. They understood what they meant. I can only imagine how this must feel to that gay, lesbian or questioning teen out there that watched them and thought "I am ok. And like Willow and Tara I can find true love." Are you listening Joss, what possible reason was there for destroying something that meant so much to so many?