Essential LGBTQ+ TV Shows
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TV has been instrumental in the LGBTQ+ rights movement and in changing attitudes towards the community. It has also, perhaps most importantly, been a platform to tell stories that have made gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, and more people feel less alone in the world – to know there is a big and varied community to which they belong. One pioneering show at a time, groundbreaking character by groundbreaking character, TV and streaming series have given the world an insight into the LGBTQ+ experience, and provided LGBTQ+ people with reflections of their own lives – stories to laugh along with, to cry with, and to identify with. In this list of LGBTQ+ TV shows, we highlight 180 shows that have broken ground, enlightened, and entertained.
We’ve arranged the list into four categories: shows that were big TV firsts, or featured TV firsts; shows that center on LGTBQ characters or experiences; shows that feature LGBTQ+ characters and stories, but where that isn’t necessarily the primary focus or thrust of the series; and reality shows and docuseries. As with all lists like this, there will be titles we’ve missed, and you may disagree with some of our categorizations; we encourage you share your thoughts and add your favorites in the comments, so when we do an update, we can have even more great LGBTQ+ titles to consider.
SHOWS THAT CENTER ON THE LGBTQ+ EXPERIENCE
In this section, we focus on shows whose central character, or multiple central characters, are LGBTQ+, and whose storylines and approach have a distinctly LGBTQ+ focus. You’ll find High Fidelity, in which Zoë Kravitz plays bisexual record store owner Rob; Ryan Murphy’s period gay fantasia, Hollywood; and Twenties, Lena Waithe’s semi-autobiographical BET series. HBO’s short-lived but long-loved Looking, which followed the lives of three gay San Francisco men, is here, too, along with Lana and Lilly Wachowski and J. Michael Straczynski’s envelope-pushing Sense8, and Vida, about two Mexican-American sisters living in L.A. The list also features a group of LGBTQ+ comedians who crafted smart, critically acclaimed, funny, and moving shows around their own personas, among them Josh Thomas (Please Like Me), Mae Martin (Feel Good), Tig Notaro (One Mississippi), and Abby McEnany (Work In Progress).
Groundbreakers and Big Firsts | Shows That Center on the LGBTQ+ Experience
Shows With LGBTQ+ Characters and Storylines | Reality Shows and Docuseries
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