We're going to let y'all in on a little secret: LGBTQ+ films [1] aren't just for viewers who identify as LGBTQ+. Watching movies and TV shows with openly gay, bi, trans, and queer characters [2] is beneficial for everyone, no matter how you identify. Hollywood still has a long way to go before the number of onscreen LGBTQ+ characters accurately represents the world we live in, and that's why it's so important to celebrate all those trailblazing LGBTQ+ movies [3] out there. Not sure where to start? In honour of Pride Month, we've rounded up some of our favourites to represent each letter of the acronym (as well as a few extras). Enjoy!
Lesbian: Lez Bomb
Girl Night Stand actress Jenna Laurenzo stars in this comedy (which she also directed) as Lauren, a woman who decides she's ready to come out to her family over Thanksgiving. She invites her girlfriend to her parents' house for Thanksgiving dinner, not expecting that her male roommate will show up . . . or that her parents will assume that he's the one Lauren is dating.
Buy Lez Bomb on Amazon Prime [5].
Honourable Mentions:
- Rent Liz in September on Amazon Prime [6].
- Watch Elisa & Marcela on Netflix [7].
Gay: Tom of Finland
This biographical drama tells the story of Finnish homoerotic artist Touko Laaksonen, or — as he was better known — Tom of Finland. After returning home to Helsinki after serving in WWII, the decorated officer made a name for himself by drawing muscular men. Though he faced plenty of adversity from Finnish society (as well as his family), Tom of Finland eventually became one of the most celebrated figures of 20th century gay culture, inspiring a whole generation of gay men.
Rent or buy Tom of Finland on Amazon Prime [8].
Honourable Mentions:
- Rent or buy Those People on Hulu [9].
- Watch I am Jonas on Netflix [10].
Bisexual: Chasing Amy
Ben Affleck [11] and Jason Lee star in this Kevin Smith-directed rom-com as Holden and Banky, comic book artists and BFFs who meet the beautiful artist Alyssa (played by Joey Lauren Adams) at a comic book convention. Holden is immediately smitten, and though the fact that Alyssa is primarily attracted to women presents a challenge, that doesn't stop him from trying to woo her anyway.
Watch Chasing Amy on Netflix [12].
Honourable Mentions:
- Watch Alex Strangelove on Netflix [13].
- Watch Chloe on Netflix [14].
Trans: Tangerine
Shot entirely on an iPhone, this film tracks the LA misadventures of two transgender prostitutes, Alexandra and Sin-Dee Rella, who are reunited after Sin-Dee's month-long prison stay. Together, the two besties attempt to track down Sin-Dee's boyfriend — a pimp who apparently cheated on her with a cisgender woman while she was in jail — and we promise that it's a lot funnier than it sounds.
Watch Tangerine on Channel 4 On-Demand [15].
Honourable Mentions:
- Watch Girl on Netflix [16].
- Watch Dallas Buyers Club on Netflix [17].
Questioning: Beach Rats
This gorgeous film tells the story of Frankie, a troubled teen living in Brooklyn and spending his Summer causing trouble with his friends, flirting with girls, and — oh yeah — chatting with older men online. His double life reaches a fever pitch when he starts visiting a nearby cruising beach for hookups while simultaneously starting a relationship with a woman, and you could say that things get just a little bit complicated.
Watch Beach Rats on Netflix [18].
Honourable Mentions:
- Rent or buy Blue Is the Warmest Colour on Amazon Prime [19].
- Watch Handsome Devil on Netflix [20].