Q Wave’s Watchlist: Pride 2021
Welcome to Pride Month 2021! For your viewing pleasure, we have curated our very first list of shows and movies that feature LGBTQ2S+ content from across the numerous streaming platforms. Q Wave is proud to be an inclusive partner in the fight for equity, equality, justice, and acceptance.
The list below is a labour of love, and is focused on showing the world what living authentically truly means. Please enjoy!
Queer Eye
Where you can watch: Netflix
Runtime: 5 seasons, (Approx 45 minutes per episode)
In this reboot of the classic Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, a new generation of Fab 5 works with their selected “heroes” to help them find love, happiness, and joy. Join Tan France (fashion), Bobby Berk (home design), Antoni Porowski (food & wine), Jonathan Van Ness (grooming), and Karamo Brown (culture) as they perform “more than a makeover” on each episode’s star hero. This show has become special to so many because of its optimistic and uplifting perspective that shows us what life could be when we listen, learn, and love as human beings.
This award-winning show has captured the hearts of many, and turned the new Fab 5 into instant celebrities. Queer Eye has won multiple Emmys for “Outstanding Structured Reality Program” since it’s initial run in 2018. Be warned! You’ll want a box of Kleenex before watching because they’ll have you crying tears of happiness one episode at a time.
Each season is filmed in a different location (previous locations include Georgia, Kansas, Missouri, Tokyo, and Pennsylvania), with Season 6 currently underway in Austin, Texas. No release date has been provided yet, so keep your (queer) eyes peeled for announcements coming soon!
Out (Pixar Short)
Where you can watch: Disney+
Runtime: 9 minutes
In Pixar’s first short to feature a gay main character and storyline, Out revolves around Greg and his partner Manuel as they are packing up to move to a new home. Manuel encourages Greg to come out to his parents, who unexpectedly show up to help. In a strange, magical turn-of-events, Greg’s mind switches places with the dog, leading to all sorts of hijinks and a conversation that changes everything.
The animation style is fun and light, and Out was shortlisted for an Academy Award for Best Animated Short.
Visible: Out on Television
Where you can watch: Apple TV+
Runtime: 5 Episodes (Approx 52 minutes per episode)
“Something about being on television makes people see you as part of our culture.” - Rachel Maddow
Apple TV+’s documentary miniseries on what it means to be out on television is so clear in its depiction of wanting to “show people as they really are.” Visible explores the role of LGBTQ characters, and the actors who portrayed them. This docuseries also explores the history and backgrounds of notable LGTBQ actors and activists who stood up for their rights and their representation in an industry that, despite being a creative one, did not always embrace the rich tapestry of the human resources upon which they draw.
On camera you’ll hear from the likes of Ellen DeGeneres, Billy Porter, Wilson Cruz, Asia Kate Dillon, Anderson Cooper, Neil Patrick Harris, Lena Waithe, and many more. This miniseries was well-received, and is as important to the discussion as the shows identified in it. Rotten Tomatoes shows an aggregate score of 100% and describes the show as “Well-crafted and often powerful, Visible: Out on Television is as vital and vibrant as the community at its center.”
It’s a Sin
Where you can watch: Prime Video
Runtime: 5 Episodes (Approx 42 minutes per episode)
When we talk about the AIDS epidemic from the 1980’s, the conversation usually centres around New York City or San Francisco. In It’s a Sin, we get to see this period of time from across the pond, and the impact of the epidemic from a different perspective. Created by Russell T Davies (Queer As Folk), this British miniseries tells the story of a group of gay men and their friends as they navigate the emerging crisis that disproportionately affected the LGBTQ community.
The show stars Olly Alexander (lead singer of Years & Years), Omari Douglas, Callum Scott Howells, Lydia West, Nathaniel Curtis, and David Carlyle. Neil Patrick Harris and Stephen Fry also guest star. It’s a Sin has been widely hailed for its moving performances and authentic depictions of the AIDS crisis. It has also been credited with an upsurge in HIV testing.
Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen
Where you can watch: Netflix
Runtime: 1 hour 47 minutes
“According to a study from GLAAD, 80% of Americans don’t actually know someone who is transgender. So most of the information to Americans get about who transgender people are, what our lives are and are about, comes from media.” - Laverne Cox
In Disclosure, the filmmakers take us through the many iterations of trans representation on screen and the harmful damage that media has done through negative portrayals of trans individuals in visual media. This documentary does an excellent job of illustrating its point by relating trans actors and activists’ lived experiences with clips from TV shows and movies that have impacted them (or which featured them).
Notable individuals include Laverne Cox (Orange is the New Black), Candis Cayne, MJ Rodriguez (Pose), Jamie Clayton (Sense8), Chaz Bono, Lilly Wachowski (The Matrix), and many more.
Pose
Where you can watch: FXNow Canada
Runtime: 3 Seasons (approx 50 minutes per episode)
Set in the 1980’s, Pose tells the story of ballroom “houses” as they battle for titles, trophies, and survival amid the AIDS epidemic that swept the black and latinx LGBTQ communities in New York City. The show features an all-star cast that includes Billy Porter as Pray Tell (ballroom emcee and mentor to the younger generation), MJ Rodriguez as Blanca (mother of House of Evangelista), Dominique Jackson as Elektra Evangelista (mother of the House of Abundance), Indya Moore as Angel (a trans sex worker who joins the House of Evangelista), and Sandra Bernhard as Judy (a nurse working in the AIDS ward).
Created by Ryan Murphy (American Horror Story), Brad Falchuk (Nip/Tuck), and Steven Canals, Pose has been widely celebrated for being the most trans-inclusive show in history. In addition to casting the most trans actors, episodes were also directed by the likes of Janet Mock (The Politician) and Our Lady J (Transparent). In its oft gut-wrenching approach to the seemingly hopeless AIDS epidemic at the time, Pose demonstrates what it means to find your chosen family and finding people who celebrate authenticity. Among the many success stories to come about as a result of the show, Billy Porter has credited his role as Pray Tell for helping him come to terms with his own HIV diagnosis.
The series finale aired on Sunday, June 8th.
Legendary
Where you can watch: Crave
Runtime: 2 Seasons (Approx 45 Minutes per Episode)
If you’ve ever wanted to know more about ballroom culture and how it has evolved over the past four decades, look no further than Crave’s Legendary. In this reality competition show, Houses (often named after fashion designer brands like Chanel, Gucci, Escada) compete for the title and $100,000 grand prize. Each season of Legendary features eight houses that compete in classic ballroom styles (vogueing, dancing, walking events) with each episode featuring a different theme (circus, deadly sins, wild west, etc.)
Ballroom culture began in underground New York City clubs/venues, where competitors “walk” (read: compete) in themed balls. Participants were often members of chosen families, called Houses. Each House has a “parent” (a House Mother or Father), and is made up of members of the LGBTQ community. Trans representation on this show is very strong, and it embraces the role of trans individuals in establishing ball and drag culture as we know it today. Legendary does an excellent job of showing just how important chosen families are, and how this is more than a competition. It is a chance to show the world how love, acceptance, and celebration are critical to the survival of the LGBTQ community.
Judges include Law Roach (fashion designer for Celine Dion, Ariana Grande, and Zendaya), Jameela Jamil (The Good Place), Megan Thee Stallion (rapper, singer, songwriter), and Leiomy Maldonado (founder of the House of Amazon and ballroom legend).
Interesting fact: Season 1 was approaching the finale when NYC was shut down due to the pandemic and had to adapt to a format without a live audience.
Love, Victor
Where you can watch: Disney+
Runtime: 10 Episodes (Approx 25 Minutes per Episode)
In 2018, we were introduced to Simon Spier and Creekwood High School in the film inspired by Becky Albertalli’s novel, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. In the film, Simon was coming to terms with his sexuality as he communicated secretly (and anonymously with another student whose alias is “Blue”). In Love, Victor, we meet Victor Salazar (Michael Cimino) who is also enrolled at Creekwood High some years after Simon’s graduation. The story follows a similar thread with Victor coming to terms with his own sexuality as he navigates relationships with his new classmates.
Although not the most original plotline in history, the story is told in short episodes that succeed in condensing much of the story into bite-sized morsels. Love, Victor struggles to capture the same tearful moment from the movie (I won’t spoil that for you), but if you give yourself in to the show, it will still warm your heart. The cast includes Rachel Hilson (This is Us) as Mia Brooks, Victor’s girlfriend; Anthony Turpel as Felix Westen, Victor’s best friend; and George Sear as Benji Campbell, Victor’s male crush.
The second season is set to air this month on June 11th, and picks up where the first season left off. Also worth noting that the movie is not required viewing to start Love, Victor, but helps and is definitely worth a watch.
Other Titles Worth Exploring
We wish we could give you a rundown of every worthwhile LGBTQ show, movie, and documentary, but alas there are too many to list. You can check out some of the other shows we’ve covered like Schitt’s Creek and RuPaul’s Drag Race in previous watchlists.
You can stream these shows and more using any of Q Wave's Internet plans. Try our most popular plan, Internet 75, for only $49.95 or choose one of our other great plans. Sign up now and get unlimited usage!
Happy Pride!