Pride month is here! And we’ve carefully handpicked 12 of our favorite movies that are a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community for your viewing pleasure. For decades, queer people have been shunned by the film industry simply because of their sexuality, so it makes my heart smile when I see them being represented the right way in movies and shows.
Here are our current favorites at 21. Enjoy, and HAPPPPY PRIDE.
1. Alex Strangelove
This movie starts out like any other high school teen movie: It’s about a guy named Alex Truelove, who wants to lose his virginity to his girlfriend. He ends up meeting a guy named Elliot and starts falling for him. The movie still has all the high school quirks but it also explores the sexuality of a high school teenager.
17/21
2. I Care a Lot
Rosamund Pike stars as a shady legal guardian who manipulates old people out of their homes, so she can flip the house until she met her match. It’s a really funny movie with great characters!
19/21
3. The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson
Marsha P Johnson is regarded as an icon in the LQBTQ community. She was an activist as well as a retired domestic violence counsellor. She devoted her life to being an outspoken advocate for Tran’s people of color and established STAR (Street Transgender Action Revolutionaries) alongside fellow activist Sylvia Rivera, to help homeless transgender youths in New York City. The film investigates the unfair ruling of her death as a suicide and also all the good works she did for the Trans community in New York.
20/21
4. Disclosure
This is an introduction into the lives of Tran’s people and how Hollywood has treated them over the years. It gives insight to the progress of the Trans community in Hollywood as they are being more visible, accepted and respected as humans. Starring Laverne Cox (Orange is the New Black), Trace Lysette (Transparent), Angelica Ross (Pose), Rain Valdez (Razor Tongue), Jen Richards (Mrs. Fletcher), Candis Cayne (Dirty Sexy Money) and Brian Michael Smith (9-1-1: Lone Star).
19/21
5. Half of It
This is a queer coming of age movie about an Asian American student who agrees to help the school jock woo his crush. But there’s just one problem, she is also in love with the girl. This film shows the representation of the Asian community in queer roles. It starts of a bit boring and slow but it is worth the watch!
16/21
6. So My Grandma Is a Lesbian
This is a really funny and light hearted comedy. When Eva’s Aunt Sofia announces that she plans to marry a woman names Celia, Eva is then determined to hide the news from her conservative finance’s family. It’s a family watch and it’s very uplifting.
15/21
7. The Boys in the Band
This is a 2020 remake of the 1968 off-Broadway production about an unwanted visitor turning an evening upside down when he interrupts a gathering of gay men in New York City. The remake captures the essence of queerness in the 60s when a lot of them were being ridiculed and killed.
17/21
8. Tig
This documentary tells the story of Lesbian comedian Tig Notaro, who turns a breast cancer diagnosis into a powerful comedy set. Her journey is as hysterical as it is touching.
18/21
9. Call Me By Your Name
This 2017 movie is about a teenager named Elio who falls for his father’s assistant. This romantic drama has a great storyline with great characters and even better scenery! a must watch if you haven’t seen it yet and if you have, re-watch!
18.5/21
10. Brokeback Mountain
A classic and tearjerker movie about two shepherds who develop an emotional and sexual relationship. Things however get complicated when they both get married to their respective girlfriends. it’s a tragic movie, but still great to watch overall.
15/21
11. Blue Is The Warmest Color
Although this movie is supppper long (3hrs+), it’s still a good watch.
This 2013 French movie is about a teenager who forms a deep connection with a woman she meets at a Lesbian bar.
12. Hollywood
We saved the best for last! Set in post-world War 2 Hollywood, this series (with unfortunately only 1 season so far) focuses on the lives of aspiring actors and filmmakers, and what they will do to make their Hollywood dreams come true. it’s an amazing series with great characters.
