Why Wayhaught is the representation we've always wanted.

Hannah Costello
Jul 4, 2020
4 min read

After 2 years it is official, Wynonna Earp is making a come back! The Canadian TV show featuring two badass sisters, a hot cop, an immortal-then-mortal-then-immortal cowboy vampire, a scientist and many, many, many demons is finally returning to our screens for season 4 after a heartbreaking cancellation. A cancellation that caused so much outrage to the fans that they did not stop fighting for this amazing show until it was brought back and rightly so.

However, this is an LGBTQ+ blog, so where does Wynonna Earp fit into that? One word... Wayhaught. Also Jetri but Wayhaught first.

Who is Wayhaught you ask? Well where have you been?

Wayhaught is, none other than, Waverly Earp, played by Dominique Provost-Chalkley, and Nicole Haught, played by Kat Barrell. The duo gloriously entered our world in 2016 and have been loved ever since. From their first meeting in Shorty's with Waverly's wet t-shirt situation all the way to that interrupted... as usual... porch proposal/maybe-not-proposal scene. But why are they so important to the LGBTQ+ community and the representation of female same-sex couples?

Let's start with the fact that it was pretty much love at first sight. Sorry if you don't believe in that stuff but it was. Nicole Haught was a new cop in town and stubbled her way into Shorty's bar where Waverly worked. The encounter was filled with so much flirting, innocence and not so innocence but what really set it apart from other lesbian beginnings, for me, is that Nicole didn't hide the fact that she immediately was attracted to Waverly and very much wanted to see her again. No games were being played. When Nicole then found out about Waverly's prior commitment to someone we won't name... she respected that and waited until it was her time. No cheating was involved which often happens for same-sex relationships in movies/shows involving discovery of sexuality. Their chemistry from day one was just undeniably off the charts! That was it for them, it was inevitable.

They also, unlike many examples of same-sex relationships, stay together. Completely committed. They aren't on and off and on and off and on and off... Yes, they do fight but they communicate, actual adult relationship communication that resolves their issues and they learn. Like an actual healthy relationship. Working together issues? Overcame. Hiding information from each other? Overcame. Past relationships? *cough* Nicole *cough*. Overcame. The hot tub incident? Overcame. Being poisoned through cake to be nasty to your girlfriend? Overcame.

It has never been a question of if they should have a break or if they truly love each other. They worked through issues and became stronger for it knowing they are each other's soulmates. As fans, knowing they are in a lasting relationship takes away the anxiety of stereotypical lesbian deaths or break ups in shows and just allows us to relax into enjoyment. I know these two will always leave me feeling happy at the end.

In addition to being a non-toxic, same-sex couple, they are individually their own people beyond their sexuality. They aren't in the show to be the gay bait, they are there because they also contribute to the storylines and the show. I think this highlights more than anything else that it is important to be independent beyond the person you love. They do that massively in every episode. Even when disclosing their love for each other to other characters, it wasn't made into a big deal which highlighted their sexual orientation as the only important thing about them. It was an unapologetic, unashamed "she's my girlfriend" situation and everyone was just like "oh, yeah okay" or the typical "yeah no sh*t". No one had an issue with it and everyone supported them. How rare is that in same-sex representation? I love it.

The pair aren't just adorable and inspirational on screen either. Kat Barrell and Dominique Provost-Chalkley in real life developed a sincere love for each other as friends which shows evidently through their characters. Maybe that's why their storyline is so believable, the love they share is actually truthful. More than this, they are both very passionate about the LGBTQ+ community. Again, not just through their characters. Kat and Dom proudly identify with the LGBTQ+ community on a personal level in terms of their sexuality. Dom displaying the incredible journey of figuring out her queerness while watching Wayhaught and being part of that relationship, coming out earlier this year. All in all, they are equally fighting for Wayhaught and share a seat amongst the fans. Also, they're really beautiful and genuinely nice people.

So basically, if you love a relationship like Wayhaught, you should get on the Wynonna Earp bandwagon. You won't regret it and we have the creator Emily Andras to thank for that. It is available on SYFY, Netflix, Amazon Video and Youtube as far as I am aware.

I know Wayhaught and the show in general has changed a lot of people's lives so on behalf of everyone thank you so much and thank f*ck it's back!

SEASON 4 COMING JUNE 26TH!