Representation of the LGBTQIA+ community in media has made some strides over the past few years, but it's still not perfect. Whether it's Pride Month and you want to learn more or if you want to become a better ally, it's worth learning what has been done and how we've gotten to where we are today. The documentaries are available on various streaming platforms, and you can use a streaming device to watch them with friends. We collected some excellent documentaries that showcase both the struggles and successes of the LGBTQ community.
The Times of Harvey Milk (1984)
Harvey Milk was a politician and the first openly gay elected official in California history. The Times of Harvey Milk follows Harvey's life as he works to be elected as a member of San Francisco's board of supervisors. After trying unsuccessfully three times, he was finally elected to the board of supervisors in 1977 after San Francisco changed their voting methods. After getting into office, Milk clashed with another supervisor, Dan White, throughout his career. After passing a bill sponsored by Milk banning discrimination in public spaces and offices that White solely opposed, White murdered Milk and Mayor George Moscone.
The film was entered into the National Film Registry in 2014 due to its historical and cultural significance to the U.S.
A Secret Love (2020)
A League of Their Own is a well-known film about the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League that existed in the 40s and 50s. While this film explored an underrepresented group playing baseball at the time, an important subset of players was unexplored: lesbians. A Secret Love explores the relationship of one of these players, Terry Donahue, and her partner Pat Henschel. After they met in 1947, they hit it off and formed a lifelong partnership that they kept a secret from most of those around them for about 65 years.
The film interviews the two and discusses their relationship and its difficulties throughout their life. Archival materials, such as photos and home videos, tell the tale of the two's lives. While they had to deal with a lot of homophobia during their lives, they were finally able to celebrate their relationship publicly since coming out in the 2010s. Terry passed away in 2019 after marrying Pat in 2015, but this heartwarming tale is a great look at the legacy they left behind.
Paris is Burning (1990)
In the 80s in New York City, people from many oppressed groups, such as the gay and Latino communities, participated in balls. Balls are a contest where participants had to "walk" like a runway model while being judged on certain criteria, such as how much they looked like the sex or group they were trying to portray. Paris is Burning explores ball culture and the people involved.
The film includes archival footage from actual balls and interviews with prominent figures of these events, such as Angie Xtravaganza and Pepper LaBeija. Through these interviews, much is explored about the issues these groups faced at the time, such as homophobia, racism, and violence. The film also explores the Latino and African-American subcultures that played a large part in these balls.
Paris is Burning is named after the Paris is Burning ball that is hosted annually by Paris Dupree. The film and its director Jennie Livingston received rave reviews at the time and still holds a 98% Rotten Tomatoes score. The film won many awards in the early 90s and received the honor of being preserved in the National Film Registry in 2016.
Before Stonewall (1984)
For those taking their first foray into the history of gay culture in the U.S., Before Stonewall: The Making of a Gay and Lesbian Community is a must-watch film. The film looks at the LGBT community before the events of the Stonewall Riots. The Stonewall Riots, which occurred in New York City, are widely considered the start of the gay rights movement in the U.S.
Since the film is from the 80s, it may look and feel a bit outdated. Still, its candid look at people's lives prior to Stonewall (and within a culture where being out was far from the norm) is a beautiful and moving reminder that the LGBT community has always existed and strived for belonging and acceptance. Before Stonewall is an award-winning documentary that was archived in the Library of Congress after the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots for its cultural significance.
The Sons of Tennessee Williams (2010)
Tennessee Williams (best known for A Streetcar Named Desire) is one of the most influential American playwrights of the 20th century. He was also gay, an open secret to everyone around him, and he even wrote a play about drag queens that was never published while he was alive. As a foundational gay entertainment icon, he is an inspiration for gay performing artists, as evidenced by the film The Sons of Tennessee Williams.
The film has nothing to do with his work, but the legacy Williams leaves behind is on full display. The film follows five decades of gay carnival balls in New Orleans. It shows how gay participants endured discrimination and police prejudice to celebrate Mardi Gras the way they wanted.
Matt Shepard Is A Friend of Mine (2014)
Matt Shepard, a 21-year-old gay man, was murdered while at school in Wyoming in 1998. His murder drew national attention and shone a light on the hostility LGBT people faced every day. Matt Shepard Is A Friend of Mine takes a behind-the-scenes look at Matt's life as friends and family reflect on him. It's an intimate, tragic, and hard-hitting look at the pain bigotry and intolerance can inflict. It's worth a view since the documentary won a slew of awards when it came out in 2014.
Disclosure (2020)
Disclosure: Trans Lives On Screen is a Netflix documentary that explores the depiction of trans people in film and television, for better and worse. It features prominent trans artists and academics like Laverne Cox (of Orange is the New Black fame), Susan Stryker, Chaz Bono, and Lily Wachowski.
Disclosure highlights the importance of positive representation and how media can shape young minds and cultural views on groups.
How to Survive a Plague (2012)
How to Survive a Plague, from director David France, follows activist groups ACT UP (The AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) and TAG (Treatment Action Group) as they seek aid for afflicted gay people during the AIDS epidemic. The film covers the early years of the AIDS crisis through the mid-90s. It highlights how ineffectual and apathetic the United States government was in treating something they thought only affected gay people. The activism of ACT UP and TAG improved conditions, but the lack of regard for human life is discouraging.
The film is all the harder to watch as the world continues to emerge from another pandemic, but it's an important piece to understanding the broader issues the LGBTQ community has faced over the years. How to Survive a Plague was nominated for an Oscar and won several awards upon its release.
See queer representation all around
It's great to know our history so that we don't repeat the mistakes of the past. These documentaries, along with the growing number out there, highlight the struggles the LGBTQ+ community has faced. For more LGBTQ+ inclusive content, check out our favorite LGBTQ-inclusive games in the Play Store.