According to a 2020-21 report published by GLAAD, LGBTQ+ character representation in TV shows decreased for the first time since the organization’s 2013-14 report. This change could be attributed to a variety of factors, from our country’s political climate to production delays due to COVID-19.
But it doesn’t change that representation matters, during Pride Month and year-round. When society at large watches, supports and raves about content centering LGBTQ+ characters and stories, it encourages industries to include diverse voices in their content.
During Pride Month, we can find ourselves focusing on discrimination and social issues still facing the LGBTQ+ community — which is undeniably important and should take priority. But we can’t let ourselves forget that Pride is also about celebration and LGBTQ+ stories. Pride Month is an opportunity to voice support for representation for diverse actors, characters, directors, producers, artists and activists.
In celebration of Pride, our team put together a list of some of our favorite examples of LGBTQ+ representation in books, movies, TV, music, social media and business. This is by no means an exhaustive list; it’s simply a few of our current favorites and obsessions. If you have any recommendations, we would love to hear them! Let us know your favorites on social media. Happy Pride!
Books
“And the Band Played on: Politics, People, and the AIDS Epidemic” (Randy Shilts)
“Red, White and Royal Blue” (Casey McQuiston)
The Broken Earth Trilogy (N.K. Jemisin)
“The House in the Cerulean Sea” (TJ Klune)
“The Huntress” (Kate Quinn)
“The Once and Future Witches” (Alix Harrow)
“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” (Taylor Jenkins Reid)
Consider purchasing one of these reads from a Michigan-based, LGBTQ+ owned bookstore, such as Books and Mortar in Grand Rapids, MI or Bettie’s Pages in Lowell, MI — both allow customers to shop online!
Movies
“But I’m a Cheerleader” (2000)
“Carol” (2015)
“Moonlight” (2016)
“Chavela” (2017)
“Una Mujer Fantástica” (2017)
“Booksmart” (2019)
“Portrait of a Lady on Fire” (2019)
TV shows
Blue’s Clues’ Pride episode (Nickelodeon)
“Euphoria” (HBO)
“I May Destroy You” (HBO)
“Pose” (available on Netflix)
“Schitt's Creek” (available on Netflix)
“Sex Education” (Netflix)
“Tales of the City” (Netflix)
“The Dragon Prince” (Netflix)
Music
Orville Peck’s cover of “Jackson” with Trixie Mattel
Social media accounts, activists and businesses
Christopher Griffin (@plantkween on Instagram)
Jordyn Jay (@itsjordynjay and @btfacollective on Instagram)
Lena Waithe (@lenawaithe on Instagram)
@lgbtq on Instagram
Mark Kanemura (@mkik808 on Instagram)
@them on Instagram
Unapologetic Street Series (@theunapologeticstreetseries on Instagram)
