1. “Heartstopper”
Based on Alice Oseman’s graphic novel and comic series, 2022’s “Heartstopper” is a charming representation of the awkwardness that comes with first Queer love. Set in the UK, Nick and Charlie from the fictional Truham Grammar School explore their romantic connection with one another. The series highlights how harmful homophobia is while still delightfully depicting the joy of Queer love.
2. “Red White And Royal Blue”
Based on the bestselling novel by Casey McQuiston, this film follows the First Son of the United States and the Prince of Wales on their journey from international enemies to begrudging acquaintances to something more. Unrealistic? Admittedly yes, but no more than any other rom-com. Featuring well-developed characters, complicated family dynamics and international political schemes, the film strikes the perfect balance between the realistic struggles that are universal to Queer identity while still leaving the viewer optimistic for the future — that perhaps love really is indomitable.
3. “Heartbreak High”
Set in the suburbs of New South Wales, Australia, this series is a Gen Z remodeling of the 90s Australian teen drama “Heartbreak High” and highlights the intersections of race, ability and sexuality. The series includes autistic Queer individuals, an intersection seldom explored in media. Furthermore, in many Queer stories, same-sex sexual interactions are omitted and seen as taboo, but not in this one. “Heartbreak High” does not shy away from being a little saucy, and we are here for it.
4. “Sex Education”
Though perhaps not as strictly educational as some may hope, “Sex Education,” a four-season long Netflix original, follows a band of British high schoolers navigating complicated relationships, family changes, and the struggles that naturally come with being sixteen. Each character is perfectly cast. They can bounce off of each other in the comedic scenes (with classic dry British humor) while tugging at the heartstrings when having tough conversations. This show is so revolutionary and important because it isn’t afraid to explore very vulnerable topics, including struggles with intimacy and the simple human desire for physical closeness. “Sex Education” is lively and diverse while normalizing Queer sexual relationships, which are so often seen as more taboo or dirtier than their heterosexual counterparts.
5. “Young Royals”
Set in an elitist Swedish boarding school and centered around the fictional Prince Wilhelm of Sweden and his high school relationship with student Erik, Young Royals shows Wilhelm struggling with being outed especially as a public figure. While this is not the most lighthearted TV show, it highlights how class, race and sexuality intersect in a realistic and episode-binging manner.
6. “Love, Simon”
In this adorable, widely known and loved movie, the titular character Simon struggles to come out to his friends and family. Simon develops an online connection with a mysterious classmate, Blue, and attempts to discover who he is. Simon’s group of friends are a very sweet and supportive example of a found family, a widely beloved Queer trope, and this movie features one of my favorite cinematic scenes in history. Simon questions why only Queer people have to come out, then imagines his straight friends coming out to their families, receiving various horrified responses. This movie is funny, warm and a joyful reclamation of the classic coming out story we have seen many times before. As Simon reminds viewers, we Queer people also deserve a great love story of our own.
