Original: Xena and Gabrielle's relationship (see Influence on the lesbian community) has been cited as one of the reasons for the series' enduring popularity, along with the ambiguity of that relationship while the series was running.
Simplified: Xena and Gabrielle's relationship has been cited as one of the reasons why the series has been so popular, coupled with the denials of her character's lesbianism from Lawless while the series was running.