Alex 
One thing (among so many more) I love about the TV series Vera is that it was very comfortable repeatedly having queer storylines. I haven't yet read the Ann Cleeves books, but I wonder if it was the source material, Brenda Blethyn's request, or the writers/producers that brought that about.
And I wonder if Brenda is considered to be an LGBTQ ally? I did a bit of research, and couldn't find anything.