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It addresses hard-hitting questions about privilege and conformity while also exuding lighter energy in its joyous celebration of Drag and dance. In a desperate attempt to form any meaningful connection outside of the ones she feels trapped in, Celie grows feelings for another woman named Shug Avery (Margaret Avery). It promotes the emergence of breaking gender boundaries and allowing the voices of transgender children to be heard.

Nonetheless, the subject of being in the closet itself is treated in a modernly clever way, exposing both the consequences of hiding your identity and the consequence of society forcing labels.

Paris Is Burning (1990)

The incredibly diverse documentary chronicles the underground subculture of LGBTQ+ Black and Latino groups in the 1980s.

Still, it remains a vital historical record of one of the queer community’s most vibrant subcultures during one of its most spectacular periods. Look out for a very charming Betty Who cameo!

Valentine Road(2013)

The tragic story of the murder of 15-year-old trans student Larry King by his classmate Brandon McInerny is the topic of this documentary, which loooks at the circumstances that led to the crime and its complicated and far-reaching aftermath.

Whoopi Goldberg Presents Moms Mabley (2013)

Iconic African-American standup comic Jackie “Moms” Mabley is honored in this documentary featuring performance footage as well as interviews with stars like Eddie Murphy, Joan Rivers, Sidney Poitier and Kathy Griffin.

Despite the hard-to-stomach subject matter being handled by Steven Spielberg who is not necessarily the closest empathetically to the hardships he is portraying, he paints a realistically tragic picture of life for a Black queer woman in the early 20th century. —WC

  • “Desert Hearts” (1985)

    Donna Deitch’s seminal queer classic marked one of the first time lesbians could go into a movie theater and see two women in love.

    While the film does appropriately acknowledge Lupe's hardships, especially as a transitioning boxer, it also offers a unique LGBTQ+ narrative with starkly empathetic dialogue that serves only to progress her transition forward. This is a landmark work of cinema that’s finally getting its due and a landmark work of lesbian cinema as well.

    gay hbo movies

    That becomes obvious before the special is even halfway through, when Carmichael comes out as gay onstage, to cheers from the audience. After exacting Sheba’s confession, Barbara uses it to manipulate the object of her affection. But, you know. —RL 

  • “Je Tu Il Elle” (1974)

    Chantal Akerman, best known for the Sight & Sound poll topper “Jeanne Dielman,” made her directorial debut with 1974’s “Je, Tu, Il, Elle,” a landmark in the bisexual cinema pantheon.

    —WC

  • “Paris Is Burning” (1990)

    Before “Pose” led to a surge in mainstream interest in ball culture, Jennie Livingston’s 1990 documentary “Paris is Burning” was probably the most famous depiction of the thriving subculture during its period of growth in the ‘80s.

    Films are listed before TV, with comedy special “Rothanial” sorted between both categories. “When Dunye didn’t see her story, she made it herself,” wrote Drew. — who provide definitive interpretations of these classic characters. The story follows Vada and Mia (Orteg and Ziegler, respectively) as two high school students on opposite sides of the popularity scale who quickly form a tight bond after the trauma of surviving a school shooting.

    —WC 

  • “A Taste of Honey” (1961)

    A classic entry into the British kitchen sink realist genre, Tony Richardson’s “A Taste of Honey” stars Rita Tushingham as 17-year-old girl Jo, whose mother abandons her for a fling. —JD

  • “Euphoria”

    One of the most exciting TV discoveries of the 2019 season, “Euphoria” set the high bar for “teen” shows, if it can even be considered one.

    And that’s a wonderful thing because the streamer has some great ones.

    No, Max hasn’t brought back some of the queer works like “Generation” or “Legendary” that were among the casualties of the HBO Max content cuts from last year. The beats are similar — a coming-of-age tale about Celie Harris (Fantasia Barrino), a young Black woman living in the American South not long after the fall of slavery who endures a brutal abusive relationship while coming into her own.

    Despite all the abuse and harassment, these women are the pinnacle of endurance and self-love with inspirational tales of struggle and perseverance.

    Watch on Max

    'Moonlight' (2016)

    Rotten Tomatoes: 98% | IMDb: 7.4/10

    Release Date
    October 21, 2016

    Runtime
    111 Minutes

    Director
    Barry Jenkins

    Writers
    Barry Jenkins

    Writer and director Barry Jenkins (If Beale Street Could Talk) brings us the story of a lifetime that follows a young man growing up during the crack epidemic as he moves through the different phases of his life and discovers his identity and sexuality.

    The most uplifting aspect of this film lies in Miller's portrayal of a queer teenager because it subverts the trappings of the "queer best friend" trope by making him just as dynamic as his friends.