10 films and series with excellent queer representation

As time progresses, individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community are being represented better in mainstream media. This is a massive step in the right direction and gives us hope for a more inclusive and egalitarian society.

Here is a list of 10 films and series with fantastic representations of the queer community that highlight issues that need to be addressed in this modern world.

1. Sex Education

This series is about Otis, son of a sex therapist, who teams up with Maeve to start an underground sex therapy clinic at their school. The show is refreshing to watch, as it witnesses teens grapple through aspects of sex and sexuality. Taking a closer look at Eric’s character, he is unapologetically himself, whether by the way he dresses or behaves. Adam’s character is also one that is relatable to teens across the globe. His path of self-discovery and coming to terms with his sexuality is indeed heart-warming and reminds us all to love and accept ourselves before we expect the world to do so.

2. Aligarh

Aligarh revolves around Siras, a linguistic professor, who must deal with the obstacles that come in his way after a sting operation reveals that he is gay. The beautiful part of the film is that Siras never labels himself as gay. He rejects the binary of sexual orientation and believes that love should be felt rather than logically understood. Although Siras dies in the film, the audience witnesses the discrimination and prejudices that individuals in the queer community face. It forces us to take a look at the reality of the country we live in. Through the character of Deepu, we also understand allyship, which is the need of the hour to battle injustice in the community.

3. Queer Eye

Netflix’s most popular reality show, Queer Eye, lives up to its tagline, ‘more than a makeover.’ The series consists of five openly gay professionals who travel across the United States of America and help individuals find themselves. The inclusivity of the show is one to marvel at. It advocates for heterosexual individuals, closeted people, and transgenders to be the truest version of themselves. The show receives love and appreciation from many, especially from the queer community.

4. Schitt’s Creek

Schitt’s Creek focuses on the Rose family, who suddenly finds themselves broke and must leave their luxurious way of life and live in a small town called Schitt’s Creek. The series has an excellent representation of pansexuality through David’s character, a part of the spectrum that is never portrayed in the media. The series also teaches the audience a valuable lesson on acceptance and not passing judgment on individuals for their sexual preferences. A fun fact is that parents of LGBTQIA+ children wrote a letter to the cast of Schitt’s Creek for the wonderful lessons they taught the world.

5. Margarita with a Straw

The film is about a young woman, played by Kalki Koechlin, who has cerebral palsy. She heads to New York to pursue her love for writing and embarks on a journey of discovering her bisexuality and herself. The film normalises same-sex love and lust without over-simplifying it and conveys the message of acceptance and love irrespective of one’s sexuality. The film inspires and empowers the queer community across the globe.

6. Pose

This series revolves around the ball culture of the 1980s, the queer community, and the AIDS crisis. The series has excellent trans representation and goes beyond using these individuals to get a laugh from the audience, as a number of films do. The series portrays the unfortunate fear individuals of the queer community has to live with constantly. The series also lets us into the lives of characters suffering from AIDS, the stigma they face, and how they find jobs to provide for themselves. The series gives the audience the opportunity to get a realistic glance at the lives people in the community lead.

7. Nagarkirtan

This Bengali film revolves around the nuances of a romantic relationship between Riddhi Sen, who plays the role of a trans woman, Parimal, and Ritwick Chakraborty, Madhu. Although the film does not get into the societal construct of sexuality, it gives the audience a unique non-normative love story. It breaks stereotypes and steers clear of the objectification individuals from the trans community often suffer, and tells a heart-warming yet realistic story of love.

8. The Politician

This series revolves around Payton, a Saint Sebastian High School student, who knew he would be the President of the United States since he was seven years old. A number of characters in his series belong to the queer community, and the fantastic part of the portrayal of their sexuality is that it never becomes the focal point of the entire show. The characters’ sexuality is always neatly woven into their life, and never takes centre stage. This helps in the process of normalising these relationships and accepting them. The portrayals of sexuality in The Politician give viewers a very realistic understanding of the queer community while being entertaining nonetheless.

9. Glee

This series revolves around a bunch of students otherwise considered misfits who join the Glee club headed by an enthusiastic Spanish teacher. Throughout the series, we witness how Kurt struggles to fit in and deal with his sexuality. A heart-warming part of the story is when he comes out to his father and is accepted with open arms. Another queer relationship is Brittany and Santana. Through their relationship, we understand bisexuality and familial acceptance much better than ever before.

10. Atypical

This series is about 18-year-old Sam on the autism spectrum, who decides to find a girlfriend. In the show, the audience witnesses Casey discover her sexuality and what truly makes her happy. The role of Casey also encouraged Brigette Lundy-Paine, the face behind the character, to come out as non-binary in real life. The show realistically depicts the struggles of getting into relationships as a queer teen, and the support one needs when ready to come out.