We may be nearing the end of Pride Month, but the parades continue - as do the struggles of LGBTQ+ people everyday. We’ve come a long way in TV and film in representation of the community, but there are a few old school classics that will always have a place in our hearts.
Sense8 / Photo Credit: Netflix
Queer As Folk (1999-2000)
With just ten episodes in total, this Russell T. Davies series is so iconic that an American version was produced which continued for a total of five seasons. It’s a great show, but we can’t help but feel nostalgic for the original Canal Street trio. It’s an important piece of history in the world of gay media and stars the likes of now-A-Listers Aidan Gillen and Charlie Hunnam.
Sugar Rush (2005-2006)
No, we’re not talking about the American baking show. This was actually an amazing story about a teenage girl named Kim living in the UK’s gay capital - Brighton - with the world’s most dysfunctional family and a huge crush on her straight best mate Sugar. It’s a fascinating depiction of a girl starting to explore her sexuality among the gay bars and sex parties all around her. It ended where it needed to after just two seasons, but we’re still sad about it.
Bad Girls (1999-2006)
This show about events within a women’s prison in London is like the original Orange is the New Black. It was one of the few shows around that depicted LGBTQ+ characters in a broad-minded and unstereotypical way, and followed a lesbian love story with much more romance and depth than we’d previously seen on TV. We’ll never forget Nikki and Helen.
The L Word (2004-2009)
As the first ensemble cast in American TV depicting lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people, this series was revolutionary in itself, but it was also just an addictive, binge-worthy creation which - although gave us six seasons - left us wanted so much more. In fairness, it has since been revived as The L Word: Generation Q, but now it feels a little dated. We wish there were more seasons, but without the almost decade-long break.
Lip Service (2009-2013)
Cancelled by the BBC after just 12 episodes for no given reason, Lip Service is about a group of queer women in Glasgow all with their own romantic problems - and all with wonderfully varying personalities. It was hardly a ground-breaking series, but that didn’t make it any less delightful. Especially when there were so few lesbian dramas on TV at the time.
Sense8 (2015-2018)
We’re still bitter that a third season never came from this Netflix show. Ethnic, sexual and gender diversity, trans creators and a fascinating sci-fi theme - we couldn’t ask for more. It didn’t always make much sense, but it was a compelling series nonetheless that explored empathy and acceptance in such an extraordinary way. Thank God for a spectacular finale.
Tagged in LGBT Television LGBTQ+