First aired in 1985 on the NBC Network and on Channel Four in England (S4C in Cymru / Wales), The Golden Girls was from the beginning a gay favourite, dealing with issues such as homosexuality, AIDS, animal liberation and all in the guise of sharp wit and humour from four older women sharing a house in Miami.

As the iconic sitcom The Golden Girls marks its 40th anniversary, one of its original writers has reflected on the challenging environment its gay staff members faced during the show's celebrated first season. Stan Zimmerman, who worked on the show with his writing partner James Berg, has described the profound relief of publicly coming out in 1985, despite advice to the contrary.

In an interview with The Blade, Zimmerman explained that he and Berg began their tenure on the show about the four older women—played by Betty White, Estelle Getty, Rue McClanahan, and Bea Arthur—without being open with their colleagues about their sexuality. Their representatives advised against revealing they were gay, but the pair decided to do so in a local newspaper.

"Our representatives thought it was a bad idea, but it was a relief for us to finally come out," Zimmerman said. He emphasised the creative and personal strain of being closeted in a writers' room, a space demanding personal openness to craft authentic episodes. "Imagine going to work, and you can’t divulge anything. How can you really bring your best talents to the table?"

Zimmerman also shared lighter memories from the set, including dining with Estelle Getty, who he recalled was "lovely and exactly like Sophia," her famously sharp-tongued character.

His career later included writing for the sitcom Roseanne, where he co-wrote a landmark 1994 episode titled Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. The episode, which featured a kiss between two female characters, prompted significant backlash from the network at the time, highlighting the continued tensions surrounding LGBTQ+ representation on television.

The writer's reflections underscore the complex legacy of The Golden Girls. While the show itself became a beloved staple for many in the LGBTQ+ community for its progressive stance, it is also remembered for sharp wit, and expert comedy timing. For the full fascinating interview with Zimmerman, do visit the website of the Los Angeles Blade, the South California area's top independent queer media.

https://www.losangelesblade.com/2026/01/08/the-golden-girls-writer-stan-zimmerman-reflects-on-40th-anniversary-coming-out-and-working-with-roseanne-barr/