That may be a case of being too true to the source material being a bad idea in a different medium. (There was another character that also died in that time period, who's not really in the film)

Which isn't to say it's unproblematic in the source, but they also aren't the only lesbians in the graphic novel.

I thought the correct answer for what to do with GLBT characters was have them need to call a plumber. or HVAC. Saying they own as opposed to rent. If they're more hands on, they could rebuild an engine.