Karen Hollinger refers to Desert Hearts as “an example of an openly lesbian film that tells the tale of a lesbian romance or love story” (130) rather than a coming-out story because the film is trying to make a bigger point and get the audience to look beyond what society has painted lesbians to be. Vivian never comes out as a lesbian but uses her time in Nevada for self discovery. She doesn’t know if she wants to be with Cay but she does end up saying she loves her. Cay is the one in the relationship holding the two together the most and is more honest and open about her attraction towards women. Cay states, “I don’t act that way to change the world. I act that way so that the goddamn world won’t change me.” She knows that people talk about