From funny comedies to heartwarming dramas, these exhibits will stand the test of time
In fact, the LGBTQ representation in the media has traveled a long way. It was not until 1971 that the first homosexual character gave the impression of appearing on television during stellar schedule, an episode of All in the family. Then, it was not until 1991 that the first homosexual character Kiss was broadcast on television, for a time in L. A. law.
Since then, many systems have innovated on issues of queer representation, from turn-of-the-century hits like Will & Grace and Queer as People to recent peak data tweaks like pose and heart. But there is a long way to go to genuine representation. And complicated, and a giant component of what we see on our screens today is due to the pioneers who have gone before us.
If you’re going to hold on to your queer TV history, this list is a great place to start. Here, 35 of the most beloved LGBTQ TV shows of all time.
In this heart-wrenching Showtime miniseries, Jonathan Bailey and Matt Bomer play two Capitol Hill men caught in the horrors of McCarthyism, falling in love despite a political atmosphere that is trying to crucify all its queer members. The show charts their relationship over the next three decades, all the way up to the AIDS crisis, with a beautiful, poignant story that echoes with political issues we’re still seeing to this day. Just be sure to have a box of tissues sitting nearby.
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In Hacks, the public attaches to an experienced comic called Deborah Vance (Jean Smart), who realizes that his career is stagnant in automatic pilot when he meets a young sufferer named Ava (Hannah Einbinder), who inspires a sense of Goal in its renewed creativity and dynamism. . Array through their relationship, we see the struggle of generations that seek to learn from each other and, in particular, how Ava’s bisexuality opens Deborah’s eyes to the prejudices of the past.
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In this Mexican dark comedy series from author Manolo Caro, a wonderful death throws a wealthy circle of relatives into chaos, with the young people left behind to run the circle of relatives’ flower shop and secret cabaret. Framed through a modern and satirical take on the telenovela genre, this groundbreaking exhibit presented its LGBTQ characters with depth, addressing themes of racism, homophobia and transphobia while opening a new frontier of Mexican television.
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Television shows where young LGBT people discover themselves and fall in love are few and far between—and this one is an absolute joy. This British coming-of-age romantic comedy-drama satisfies that void with an adorable, entirely believable, totally heartwarming story of two schoolboys discovering that their friendship may be something more. Plus, Olivia Colman’s role as one of the boys’ mother instantly solidified her status as a gay icon.
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We’ve seen so many “teen dramas” come across our screens over the years, but none have come close to the emotional depth and grittiness of HBO’s award-winning Euphoria. It’s not an “LGBTQ show” per se, but a number of the characters are queer, and plot lines exploring the complexities of their lives are seamlessly woven throughout. It’s amazing to look at this show, compare it to the queer shows of 20 or even just 10 years ago, and realize how far we have come.
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It’s hard to wrap your mind around how enormous the Degrassi franchise really is. What began as a teenage soap opera in Canada in 1979 would spawn multiple sequel series, spin-offs, graphic novels, documentaries, and more. Since its inception, this franchise has been forward-thinking and raw in its depiction of challenges teens face, including coming out, bullying, and other issues related to LGBTQ life. Who knew the world that gave us Drake was also a queer favorite?
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Many LGBTQ systems are in force today, but it is important to remember that there have been queer people, even if they have not necessarily been visible. This BBC One Pime article is based on the real history of Anne Lister, a Yorkshire landowner in the 1830s that had a newspaper of more than five million words. The sample focuses on Lister’s adventure to repair a ruined domain that he inherited and how he discovers love (forbidden) along the way.
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This musical and dramatic comedy through Ryan Murphy, a revolutionary advance when it was launched in 2009, largely due to the extension of the LGBTQ described in it. Romances, ruptures, intimidation, marriage requests, all about captivating musical performances. Who of us has not shed a tear of joy when Blaine sang “Teenage Dream” in Kurt?
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This HBO exhibition, very short duration, presented a sex and the city of millenary homosexual friends who sailed through life in San Francisco. It was fun and moving, and touched on issues that are not discussed in the main media, such as open relationships, the effect of social networks and appointment applications on LGBTQ relationships and aging in the homosexual community. The main character Patrick (Jonathan Groff) was completely human and accessible, and we found ourselves even supporting him in the most uncomfortable situations (such as when he lay with his boss).
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Did you ever watch Twilight and look for it to be more sapphic? Here we offer Untre Kill. Although this series was canceled after a single season, it provided a juicy intrigue in the vein of teen favorites like The Vampire Diaries and Teen Wolf, a intrigue that asks what would happen if a vampire and a monster hunter pretended to be sworn enemies. they will finish. . Until I fall in love. Let’s just say that the effects were sizzling and action-packed. And to learn more, check out the Victoria Schwab news story on which the series is based.
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The radical of this classic Coral Comedy of ABC is that, although many LGBTQ television programs have represented homosexual characters in urban landscapes, this shows a married homosexual couple sweeping the suburbs. They followed and raised children, dealt with complicated in -laws and tried to locate humor in life.
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Another program that was canceled too soon, Glamorous can be described as the strange devil wears Prada, since it follows the enthusiastic but sometimes disorderly Marco (Miss Benny), who achieves a job as an assistant to the challenging magnate of beauty Madolyn Addison (Kim Cattrall). ) . But despite being a country watch, Glamorous was very revolutionary so it happened behind the scene. During the filming of the series, Benny declared himself trans, which turned out that his character was written to reflect this change. And despite the cancellation of the series, seeing it at the end of the first season will continue to be a lovely moment in the history of LGBTQ television.
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One of Netflix’s most seen originals, the series made waves on how it focused the stories of LGBTQ women. While the previous centric LGBTQ screens could have included one or two lesbian characters, or have a trans or single user as a secondary character, Orange made the lives and relationships of his LGBTQ on the main occasion.
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So much of the queer community’s liberation movement is owed to the communities of color from New York City’s ballroom scene in the 1980s and ’90s. Part history, part drama, part over-the-top campfest, this critically acclaimed show focuses on the lives of LGBTQ people and especially trans women of color, some of whom lived through the early days of the HIV pandemic. Come for vogueing scenes and the NYC nostalgia; stay for the tearjerking emotional gravitas.
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You know how some people will say that the original British edition of The Office is better than the American edition? This is a similar scenario with queer ace folk. Yes, the British edition of 10 episodes may be more pioneering than the previous one (1999-2000), but it was the American edition of 83 episodes over six years that gave life to this concept: an organization of gay men. Living in Pittsburgh, exploring their careers, their relationships and their personal struggles.
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Hailee Steinfeld portrays the legendary Emily Dickinson in this Apple TV+ original, during a period when she finds herself falling in love with her brother’s fiancée, all the while developing the skills that would ultimately make her one of the greatest American poets of all time. Dickinson stands out from other period pieces not only for its rare queer content but also for its use of modern language and cultural references woven into its historical setting.
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Your biggest job. Drag legend Rupaul leads the way in this festival of truth exhibit that’s part America’s Next Top Model, part American Idol, and part LGBTQ Super Bowl. It’s one of the most popular exhibits for delving into the mythology and humanity of drag performers, showcasing their complexity and emphasizing the cost of the network, and the cost of “not it up. “
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If The Crown is too heavy for your liking, the fictional Young Royals offers a more modern take on real life. This Swedish teen drama centers on Prince Guillaume of Sweden, who has just entered a new boarding school when a tragic death of his family circle places him on the throne. To complicate matters, it is at this time that the prince began to make revelations about his sexuality when he fell in love with one of his classmates.
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It can be hard to live in a sibling’s shadow, especially when that sibling is your little brother, who has become an overnight Justin Bieber-esque teen phenomenon. In this tumultuous Saturday Night Live comedy, Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider, two suffering alumni, an aspiring gay actor and a former dancer-turned-agent, will have to deal with their brother’s fame, as they seek to carve out their own position in the world.
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If it’s directed through the Wachowskis, who created the Matrix franchise, and who transitioned their blockbuster film, you know it’s going to be visually stunning, emotionally resonant, and perhaps a little quirky, but compulsively watchable. This sci-fi drama centered on 8 Americans from diverse backgrounds, all connected mentally and emotionally. (Spoiler: this connection leads to some pretty boring sex scenes. )Overall, it was a beautiful representation of how other LGBTQ people of all orientations and identities are finally interconnected.
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