However, there are still a number of films that do not accurately reflect the experiences of LGBTQ people. If you’re looking for an inclusive film experience, it’s important to find a movie that is made specifically for the LGBTQ community.
Making a list like this one is not easy as there are so many excellent LGBTQ movies out there. There are loads that we haven’t had room to feature here, including Portrait of a Lady on Fire, The Miseducation of Cameron Post, Beach Rats, and Mysterious Skin, to name a few. As such, we apologize if your favorite movies aren’t on this list! ..
We would love to hear your thoughts on the movies that we have chosen as the best of 2017. Did one movie surprise you more than others? Let us know in the comments below! ..
Love, Simon (2018)
In “Simon Spier: A High School Story,” Greg Berlanti (the creator of “The CW’s Arrow”) tells the story of a closeted high schooler who finally comes out to his friends and family. Simon is afraid to come out because he doesn’t want to make any waves, but when a classmate anonymously comes out on the school blog, Simon contacts the teen and finally finds the courage to reveal his sexual identity. This story is full of heartwarming moments and will leave readers feeling proud of Simon for finally coming out to those he care about.
Love, Simon is a movie that will relate to most people within the LGBTQ community. It is something that can’t be said about every movie on this list. Trying to find the courage to ‘come out’ isn’t easy, especially within a school environment, and that is surely something many gay, bi and trans people can identify with. I don’t know if this movie gave people within the community the courage to come out – I suspect it may have inspired more than a few – but regardless, it’s still great to see a mainstream movie that deals with the high school experiences of many gay young people.
A Fantastic Woman (2017)
Daniela Vega stars in this heartbreaking movie about Marina, a transgender woman who is coming to terms with the loss of her loving boyfriend. This isn’t just a tale about grief, however, as one of the movie’s primary purposes is to highlight the prejudices and injustices that people like Marina have to suffer from people outside of the trans community.
The movie is hard to watch because it features graphic violence and cruelty. However, Marina is a strong and resilient woman who has faced many challenges in her life. She is an example to any one of us, regardless of our sexuality. The movie will likely fill you with righteous anger after watching her struggles. Let this inspire you to stand up for your own rights and the rights of those people around you who are being unfairly treated.
Joe Bell (2020)
On February 29, 2013, 15-year-old Jadin Bell took his own life after being mercilessly bullied for being gay. Joe Bell walked across the United States to raise awareness about teen bullying in memory of his son. This movie charts Joe’s journey and while it is an undeniably sad tale, it’s also a hopeful one, as Joe’s testimony encouraged many schools to adopt anti-bullying policies in support of their LGBTQ students. ..
According to The Trevor Project, suicide is still the leading cause of death among young people, with LGBTQ youth four times more likely to consider suicide than their peers. This is shocking but thanks to people like Joe Bell and movies like this one that raise awareness about the bullying that happens to gay, bi, and trans young people, it can be hoped that suicide will become less of a release for those who are feeling intimidated.
Fire Island (2022)
Fire Island is an adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, but it focuses on a group of gay men who are less likely to be wearing anything at all. It’s quite rare to see a mainstream movie like this one, as most raunchy comedies feature male leads who are either white or straight. In Andrew Ahn’s movie, the guys aren’t only queer but they are Asian-American too, so there is more than one kind of representation highlighted here. ..
The movie is often hilarious as it delves into the ins and outs of the gay dating world, but it also makes some pointed observations about race and sexuality. As can be seen in the scenes where the group of friends are patronised because of their ethnic origins, this includes the prejudices that can exist among members of the gay community. I don’t know what Jane Austen would make of this adaptation of her classic work but if you’re looking for a movie that celebrates queer lifestyles in glorious fashion, you will likely approve of this one. ..
Moonlight (2016)
Jenkin’s powerful and well-told story of the gay experience in the ghetto is a must-see for anyone interested in understanding what it means to be gay in today’s society.
Chiron is a powerful movie because of the achingly real performances of the actors who portray him over the course of his young life. Through their work, we see him transform himself from a sensitive young soul to a hardened figure within his urban community. But despite his external appearance, he still has the longing to truly be himself and not the person that the people around him have made him to be. We can all relate to his ghetto experiences, even if we don’t share in all of them. The movie should resonate with anybody who has hidden their true self because of the expectations of others. ..
I Killed My Mother (2009)
Hubert is a young gay man who has a contentious relationship with his mother. He spends most of his time fighting with her, and the only thing that seems to make her happy is when he’s in trouble. This causes them to fight constantly until things come to a head. Hubert’s mother decides she can take no more of his angry outbursts and sends him off to boarding school.
Hubert Dolan’s new film, “Angry Young Teenager,” is autobiographical but it can resonate with anyone who was an “angry young teenager” when they were growing up. The movie is about Hubert’s experiences of growing up gay and his feelings towards his mother but unlike similar coming-of-age movies, her reaction to his sexual choices is not altogether disapproving. If only he could have shown more tolerance towards her! ..
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (2021)
This British musical is based on a real-life teenager from Sheffield who not only wanted to be a drag queen but who also wanted to express his feminine dress sense at his school prom. Needless to say, the teachers at his school weren’t very approving! The true story behind this movie is worth delving into if you can track down the BBC documentary Jamie: Drag Queen at 16. This musical adaptation captures the heart of Jamie’s story and his attempts to be himself, despite the prejudices of both his school and his disapproving father.
Jamie is not transgender, but he wants to live life as a gay male. He does not want to conform to society’s rules, and that’s why he’s so happy in his own skin. This is an important part of the LGBTQ experience, but sometimes the struggles can be downbeat. Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is a mostly upbeat and funny movie with only the occasional moments of heartbreak and sorrow.
Blue Is the Warmest Color (2013)
This movie was met with mixed reactions upon its release. Some people found it daring and exciting, while others were less impressed by the explicit nature of the sex scenes. However, despite its controversial content, the focus on the girls’ sexual exploits has drawn attention away from other aspects of the movie, such as its themes of coming to terms with sexual identity and learning to feel comfortable in one’s own skin.
The central relationship between Adèle (Adèle Exarchopoulos) and Emma (Léa Seydoux) is powerfully performed by the two young leads and we follow their journey from their initial introduction to their eventual splitting up. In many ways, their relationship is not unlike the relationships that we might experience in our own lives. The movie is overlong, but thanks to its honest approach, it’s still better than the more-restrictive Hollywood movies that haven’t dared to express gay love with such authenticity. ..
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Since its release, the movie has been met with mixed reactions. Some people love it while others find it disturbing. It has been praised for its powerful story and its beautiful visuals.
The movie tells the story of two cowboys who are in love with each other but are forced to keep their relationship a secret because of the social norms of the 1960s. The story spans several decades and it leads to a tragic end that is absolutely heartbreaking.
The movie “The Closet” is set to release on February 22nd and is directed by Academy Award nominee Tom McCarthy. The film follows a married man, played by John Lithgow, who has been living in the closet for fear of disclosing his sexual identity to his wife and children. The film is said to resonate with any married man still living in the closet for fear of disclosing their sexual identity. However, facing up to who we are and letting our loved ones know is better than living a life that is a lie and causes us inward misery. ..
Call Me By Your Name (2017)
Luca Guadagnino’s lush coming-of-age film, “Call Me by Your Name,” could be considered somewhat controversial because of the taboo-busting relationship between 17-year-old Ello (Timothée Chalamet) and his father’s 24-year-old graduate student assistant Oliver (Armie Hammer) during one hot summer in Northern Italy. But this is no exploitative film as the central romance between the two is sensitively handled, and unlike the recent revelations about Hammer’s personal life, there doesn’t seem to be any notion of perversion within the character he plays here. ..
The two men bond over their love of music, art, and the films of Luis Bunuel. As romance blossoms between them, there is the knowledge that their time together is brief. When they part ways near the end of the movie, there is a sense of sadness as we and they know their relationship is unlikely to continue. Those sad feelings we feel might also relate to memories of our own sexual awakening and our own first loves; those people that we fell head over heels in love with but had to say goodbye to when our paths took a different turn. ..
- “The Danish Girl”
- “The Help”
- “The Lobster”
- “Moonlight”
- “Dallas Buyers Club”
- “Lesbian Vampire Killers”
- “Pitch Perfect 2”
- “Honeymoon” 9. “Tootsie Slide.”
Our picks for the best laptops for students are based on our research and personal experience. We took into account features, performance, and price to come up with our recommendations. Do you have any other suggestions? Let us know in the comments below!
