LGBTQ+ Films & TV for all ages!
We can’t really overstate how meaningful cultural representation is for young LGBTQ+ people. Here are some inclusive films suitable for the whole family. Check these out, and have a browse through LGBTQ+ sections on sites like Netflix, MUBI, Film4 and Volta for even more. We’re delighted to say that this list gets longer every year!
PG:
ParaNorman
Funny, spooky stop-motion romp from the makers of Coraline with a central queer character. Perfect for family Halloween viewing, we promise everyone will love this one, regardless of age.
Kapaemahu
A short animated film exploring the history of Māhū in Native Hawaiian and Tahitian cultures - dual male and female spirits who brought their healing and caring powers to Hawaii. Find it on YouTube for a better understanding of third genders in indigenous cultures.
Onward (Disney+)
One you might have missed in cinemas before lockdown, Pixar’s latest was released in early March this year. Features out lesbian actor and advocate Lena Waithe in a small role as a gay character in a sweet story about brotherly adventures.
In a Heartbeat (YouTube, short)
This crowd-funded animated short has racked up over 43 million views on YouTube for its simple depiction of a youngster’s first crush. You’ll soon see why - though you might wish for an extended sequel.
Out (Disney+, short)
A young man rehearses a nerve-wracking conversation with his parents before they visit. This short from Pixar features Disney’s first ever main LGBTQ+ character.
Steven Universe (Netflix) and Adventure Time
These two are TV shows, but they’re way ahead of the curve. Adventure Time gave us one of the best queer relationships in animation with the totally-besotted Marceline and Princess Bubblegum, a goth-fairy dynamic for the ages. Meanwhile, the Steven Universe crew features queer couples and genderqueer characters, presented joyfully and without fanfare. Two funny, original, endearing shows for the whole family to enjoy.
12A:
Love, Simon
Love, Simon is groundbreaking in its normality. In many ways it’s your standard teen movie with high school drama, clean-cut actors, and a chart-friendly soundtrack. It’s hard to believe that this was the first film from a major Hollywood studio to focus on a queer teen romance as its central storyline. In 2018! But here we are, and we’re glad it’s a total delight.
A Secret Love (Netflix)
A poignant Netflix documentary which spans seven decades of a couple’s love, hidden from those around them their whole lives. This gentle, captivating film shines a light on the untold stories of older LGBTQ+ folks and their fight for acceptance. An educational watch.
The Way He Looks
This tender Brazilian release teases out a love story between two classmates in an unassuming, heartwarming fashion. We love this one for its inclusive representation beyond LGBTQ+ visibility - more of that please.
15A
Tales of the City (Netflix)
A Netflix show based on a classic set of books by gay author Armistead Maupin, this San Francisco-set drama features a diverse cast of queer and trans actors. A representative writers’ room which included trans journalist and author Thomas Page McBee ensured that the story would be true to LGBTQ+ experiences.
Pride
A fun and joyful look at solidarity between London-based LGBTQ+ activists and Welsh miners at the height of the miners’ strike in the 1980s, this gorgeous film with a stellar cast shows how two very different communities can support each other in the face of oppression. An important lesson in unity and allyship.
Dating Amber (Amazon Prime)
This recent Irish release tells the story of two queer teens who fake a relationship in a bid to stem the bullying they face at school. A light-hearted coming-of-age tale laced with nostalgia and a very sweet friendship at its heart.
Moonlight
This 2017 Best Picture winner is an essential and timeless piece of art. Visually stunning and devastating, the tender film depicts black queer love and masculinity in the US in all its beauty and complexity.
Disclosure (Netflix)
The relentless, harmful transphobia faced by trans communities worldwide is hugely influenced by stigmatising media representations of their identity. This groundbreaking documentary draws important lines to show that ignorant screen portrayals of trans characters have had indelible effects on the lives of real trans people.
The 34th
Ireland is a changed country since we voted to approve marriage equality in 2015, but how did we get to that point? This documentary tells the personal stories of those who fought for this crucial progress and the hurdles they faced along the way.
Trans/Tras (TG4 player)
This recent TG4 documentary tells the story of a trans couple living in Cavan - their daily lives, their hopes for the future, and the reality of being a young trans person in Ireland today, as Gaeilge.
A Fantastic Woman
A beautiful Chilean film and Oscar-winner, this poignant character study follows a young transgender woman, Marina, as she tries to rebuild her life in the wake of her partner’s death.
Pose (Netflix)
This groundbreaking series, with a wealth of trans talent on- and off-screen, looks into the lives of trans women and queers of colour on the NYC ballroom scene in the 80s and 90s. The series covers the birth of drag, as well as addressing racism, transphobia, and the peak of the AIDS crisis.
A Date for Mad Mary
Another very welcome addition to the small but starry canon of Irish LGBTQ+ film, this is a classic Irish black comedy with a big heart at its centre. Seána Kerslake gives a ferocious performance as the eponymous Mad Mary.