In the past decade, Hollywood has made strides to represent the LGBTQ+ community on TV and
film more respectfully.
As society's lens continues to shift in positive ways, so does the representation we see on
screen.
Here are some of the best LGBTQ+ hidden gems that defy many of the stereotypes we've come
to expect from these movies.
We've all seen the teenage coming-of-age story where a character takes the whole movie to
realize that they're in love with their best friend.
Alex Strangelove offers a twist on that premise when the relatable main character, Alex Truelove,
and new girl Claire have a high school biology meet-cute moment.
"Excuse me, sorry for spying.
Is that a blue-ringed octopus?"
"Wow, you know your cephalopods."
They become best friends until they decide to "risk the friendship" and try dating.
But as it turns out, Alex is more interested in kissing his endlessly patient gay friend
Elliot than his girlfriend.
This charming movie stands apart from most of its LGBTQ+ counterparts by not honing in
on a doom and gloom storyline.
Of course, there's drama - it is a high school love story, after all.
But it's refreshing to see a teenager struggle with his sexuality and actually receive support
from his friends and family.
Coming out is often a joyous occasion for many people, so it's nice to see a fun, heartwarming
film that does its own thing without falling into negative stereotypes.
Who hasn't had that one ex who takes them to an abandoned cabin in the woods for a homicidal
staycation?
What Keeps You Alive features two prominent lesbian characters: Jules and Jackie.
One is kind and moral, while the other lacks all empathy.
And it isn't long before those differing personalities shift the drama from a fun cabin getaway to
a gut-wrenching battle for survival.
Hannah Emily Anderson's chilling performance as Jackie keeps the film fast-paced and unpredictable
even with a cast of only four characters.
Meanwhile, Brittany Allen's raw emotion shines bright, causing the leads to face off in a
psychological chess match you can't tear your eyes away from.
The focus on the characters themselves rather than flashy blood and gore will have the film
rattling around viewers' brains for weeks - as any good psychological horror flick should do.
Imagine a typical teenage rom-com, and then turn every single trope you've come to expect
on its head.
The Half of It is the lesbian coming-of-age rom-com we've needed for decades.
The movie makes you think you're watching one thing until it completely flips the narrative
in one fell swoop.
Leah Lewis stars as the quiet, intelligent Ellie Chu, who agrees to ghostwrite a love
letter for a boy at her school named Paul who's, well, not the best with words.
"Hey check this out.
I'm calling it taco sausage.
Do you want a bite?"
"No."
But of course there's a problem: Ellie has a secret crush on the recipient of the letter,
Aster Flores.
What happens next?
Lots of drama, that's what.
But don't worry, it's the good kind.
The Half of It is emotional, charming, and funny.
Add in some impactful and powerful messages, and you've got a must-watch addition to your
queue.
Narrated by Hollywood's most influential members of the trans community, the documentary Disclosure
takes viewers through Hollywood's sketchy history of trans representation.
The movie explores how toxic film and TV portrayals affect how the world sees the trans community.
"I think for a very long time, the ways in which trans people have been represented on-screen
have suggested that we're not real, have suggested that we're mentally ill, that we don't exist.
And yet, here I am."
Meanwhile, another mistake Hollywood continues to make is casting cisgender men as trans
women, reaffirming the insidious idea that trans women aren't real women.
"The public thinks of trans women as men with really good hair and makeup in costume, and
that's reinforced every time we see a man who's played a trans woman offscreen."
As the film points out, Hollywood's relentless portrayal of trans characters as killers,
sex workers, or the butt of the joke provides some of the only trans representation many
people see.
Allowing trans icons to tell their own stories, Disclosure is a vital, heartbreaking, and
heartwarming addition to the narrative.
Whether you know someone who is trans, are LGBTQ+ yourself, or have never met a trans
person, the film is an enlightening watch that will probably teach you something you
didn't know about the community and their history in Hollywood.
"Marian Wright Edelman said, 'Children cannot be what they cannot see.'
And it's not just about children.
It's about all of us.
We cannot be a better society until we see that better society.
I cannot be in the world until I see that I am in the world."
Long before Ryan Murphy produced the 2020 film The Boys in the Band, the project started
its life as an Off-Broadway play in 1968.
Written by gay playwright Mart Crowley, The Boys in the Band tells the story of a group
of gay men celebrating a birthday party in New York City, offering one of the earliest
positive examples of gay representation.
When Michael's homophobic and likely closeted old college friend shows up to Howard's exclusively
gay party, Michael tries - and fails - to hide the group's sexuality.
"Oh Jesus.
Alright, that's Alan.
Now please everyone do me a favor and just cool it for the few minutes he's here."
"Anything for a sis, Mary."
"Emory, no."
The tension soon escalates to a heavy dose of hostility.
The blast from his past sends Michael on a bender, forgoing his sobriety while he struggles
with his identity as a gay man.
Infused with a delightful dose of dark wit, comedy, and superb acting, the period piece
tackles everything from internalized homophobia to racism, a warped society, and the timelessness
of gay culture - as the script still holds up today.
There have been plenty of coming-of-age LGBTQ+ films in the past few years, but none have
zeroed in on the drag scene quite like Freak Show.
Gay high schooler Billy Bloom's world feels like it's ending when he's sent to his estranged
father's house after his mother's alcoholism gets out of hand.
He has to find a way to fit into a small-town ruled by small-minded bullies and their phobic
mindsets - including his father.
The film chronicles the outcast's struggles while shining a light on drag culture and
embracing individuality and gender nonconformity.
Freak Show doesn't shy away from depicting its leads as flawed and human, and Alex Lawther's
dynamite performance as Billy stands out even among an incredible cast.
In a nice change of pace, Other People depicts a gay lead in a movie that's not about a character's
struggle to come out.
This family drama centers around David, played by Jesse Plemons, as he deals with his mother's
cancer diagnosis and impending death.
Queer characters deserve a space in all genres, not just ones that center around their sexuality,
and Other People makes a lot of headway to normalize LGBTQ+ characters in all kinds of movies.
A side plot does delve into David's father's longstanding lack of acceptance since his
son came out a decade ago.
Still, it's David's relationship with his mom that takes center stage.
"I love Paul.
He's such a nice guy.
You think you're gonna marry him?"
"Maybe, yeah."
"Yeah, I think you will."
The entire cast is outstanding, and Molly Shannon in particular brings brightness to
her performance despite the gloomy plot, making viewers fall in love with her character's
laughter and positivity that shines through even the tense moments.
"I thought you didn't want to try medical marijuana."
"Well…
I tried it."
"I see that."
Thanks for watching.
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