Paris is Burning

• This is a documentary that focuses on drag queens in New York City during the 1990’s along with their “house” culture that surrounds a type of modern house dance called ballroom and voguing. The dance culture began during the 1960’s and was a staple of trans and gay people as a place to form a community during a time where their lifestyles weren’t accepted. It’s really emotional, well-filmed and done, and important to understand from a historical and human rights perspective. 

Legendary

• This is a reality competition pulling from the underground ballroom committees that were a staple of gay and trans culture that began in the 1960’s. The show takes ballroom into a modern perspective and iconic houses compete against each other for a grand prize featuring judges like Law Roach, Jameela Jamil, Leiomy Maldonado and Megan Thee Stallion.

Genera+ion

• A comedy drama series that feels like a more comforting Euphoria. The story focuses on a group of high schoolers as they explore modern sexuality, ideas of life, love, happiness, and the concept of family in their conservative community. Genuinely one of the best shows I’ve seen, and their portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters is subtle but also valuable to their stories in the best way. 

Betty

• A comedy series based on a short film called “Skate Kitchen”, the show’s story focusing on a group of diverse young women as they navigate the male-dominated skateboarding world in New York City, all while exploring their own identities and stories. 

Call Me By Your Name

• We’ve all heard of this movie, we’ve all probably seen this movie, but I had to throw it on this list because it’s a sweet and heartbreaking and painstakingly beautiful gay love story. However, it must be said that the age gap between these two characters is messed up and feels a little predatory especially in the novel by Andre Aciman, but the film on its own is beautifully shot and portrays a delicate romance with gay and bisexual representation. 

Adventure Time

• One of the awesomest shows ever and not one that has LGBTQ+ issues at its center as it mainly focuses on random light-hearted moments, but the subtle Princess Bubblegum and Marceline relationship made me want to put this show on the list. Nice for the childhood nostalgia and for a cute moment. 

But I’m a Cheerleader

• A satirical teen romantic comedy that came out in 2000, is one of the worst and best movies I’ve seen. The story follows this cheer-leading obsessed teen girl named Megan who is shocked when she gets sent by her parents to conversion therapy because they suspect her of being a lesbian. As she spends more time at the “rehab camp,” she starts to have feelings for this rebellious and proud gay girl, Graham. It features actors like Natasha Lyonne, Clea DuVall, and RuPaul.

Booksmart

• This is a coming of age comedy film featuring Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein as two academic overachievers who are about to graduate high school when they realize that they might have missed all of the special moments of their teenage years. The two then decide to make up for lost time in one whole night, and the film covers their journey. It’s reminiscent of a Superbad moment but with two teenage girls and some LGBTQ+ representation that adds for a cute story. 

My Own Private Idaho

• Here we get into some old classics on the LGBTQ+ spectrum, with this 1991 film by Gus Van Sant. The film is a loose adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Henry IV”, and the story follows the relationship of a gay hustler with narcolepsy played by River Phoenix, and the son of a mayor played by Keanu Reeves. They travel from Portland to Idaho and then to Italy, searching for River Phoenix’s character’s estranged mother. 

Portrait of a Lady on Fire

• And here we end with one of my favorites, a film set in 1770 France, covering the story of a painter named Marianne who is commissioned to do the wedding portrait of a young reluctant bride-to-be. Due to her reluctance, Marianne has to paint her without her knowing, and so they spend their days together in order for Marianne to observe her and paint her later. This leads to a sensual slow-burn love story between the two and the film is shot and written beautifully.