Claim: Ellen DeGeneres is the first openly lesbian actress to play an openly lesbian character on TV.
Evidence: Her character , Ellen Morgan , also came out to a therapist played by Winfrey , and the series went on to explore various LGBT issues , including the coming-out process.
The title role is Ellen Morgan , played by stand-up comedian Ellen DeGeneres , a neurotic bookstore owner in her thirties.
This made her the first openly lesbian actress to play an openly lesbian character on television.