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Characterization, narrative and sexuality tropes commonly applied to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transexual or queer characters.
While in the real world, GLBT persons are just as varied in personality and traits as straight ones, it has suited television writers to use common stereotypes for their gay characters in lieu of actually making them "real people". To be fair, gay TV characters in general have become more realistic since the 1990s. But the stereotypes still remain the favorite tool of the hack writer - or the comedy auteur looking to parody or shock.
It's been noted, by the way, that in contrast to gay characters and their stereotypes, bisexual characters are virtually unknown on TV. Writers don't seem to know how to portray them, although when they do appear they tend to be The Casanova or Looking for Love In All the Wrong Places, at best. It's also not uncommon for their same-sex attraction to only be mentioned, while their onscreen love interests are always the opposite sex.
Within media intended for gay audiences, gay writers have their own subculture of stereotypes that occasionally leak into the mainstream.
Fag Hag: A straight woman who prefers the company of gay men to that of straight men or other women.
Fan Yay: When a work - with or without intentional homosexual undertones - attracts an LGBT fanbase.
Faux Yay: An extended ruse where characters pretend to be homosexual.
Gay Bravado: Characters making homoerotic comments and suggestions to one another is Played for Laughs, because of course they're too macho to really be gay.
Flaming Devil: An implicitly or explicitly gay depiction of Satan.
Flying Under the Gaydar: When a gay (or bisexual) character, who is normally very flamboyant, acts in a far less stereotypical manner to avoid suspicion.
Gay Aesop: A work teaches its audience that homosexuals are people, too.
