List of gay tv series
The latest: Our new update welcomes English Teacher, Fantamas, Fellow Travelers, and Interview with the Vampire! Monitor these shows and more on Fandango at Home!
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 verb less alone in the world – to grasp there is a massive 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 emphasize 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 experience
Ahh, Peacock — the last in a long line of streaming services to appear and make us all wonder, &#;do we need this?&#; Well, you should know that surprisingly enough, Peacock&#;s slate of original content is extremely lesbian-inclusive — Peacock has queer characters in nearly all of its original and co-produced TV shows and movies. However, these shows rarely get a second or third season pickup. Sad! Anyhow, let&#;s dig into the best Peacock shows with lesbian, bisexual or queer women characters or trans people!
Queer as Folk
Peacock Drama,
Unlike the deeply white, cis and able-bodied original characters, all of the new QAF’s mains are people of color or trans or disabled or all of the above, including Char, a non-binary Black masculine-presenting person and their partner, Ruthie, a trans noun who’d grown up with the series’ star, gay party boy Brodie. Queer as Folk gave us groundbreaking and incredibly hot sex, a Craft-inspired drag show, a sex party catered towards people with disabilities and a joyful portrait of chosen family coming together in the face of sha
The 35 Best LGBTQ+ TV Shows of All Time
Fellow Travelers ()
In this heart-wrenching Showtime miniseries, Jonathan Bailey and Matt Bomer engage two Capitol Hill men caught in the horrors of McCarthyism, falling in love despite a political atmosphere that is trying to crucify all its queer members. The present charts their relationship over the next three decades, all the way up to the AIDS crisis, with a beautiful, poignant story that echoes with political issues we’re still seeing to this afternoon. Just be sure to have a box of tissues sitting nearby.
Watch Now
Hacks (–present)
In Hacks, viewers obey a veteran comedian named Deborah Vance (Jean Smart), who realizes her career has been stuck in autopilot when she meets a struggling young writer named Ava (Hannah Einbinder), who inspires her with a renewed sense of creativity and drive. Through their relationship, we spot the struggle of generations trying to learn from one another and, notably, how Ava’s bisexuality opens Deborah’s eyes to past prejudices.
Watch Now
Advertisement - Proceed Reading Below
TV Shows with LGBTQ+ Characters and Leads
Last updated: July 17,
Characters on television are more diverse than ever, and there's been a notable rise in the number of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender characters, reality stars, and talk show hosts. Series that feature diverse characters (Glee, The Fosters) as well as real-life inspirations and LGBTQ+ icons such as Laverne Cox and RuPaul continue to pave the way for even more representation on television. From the hilarious shenanigans on Modern Family to Ellen DeGeneres reminding viewers to "be kind to one another," these must-see TV shows (and stars) celebrate diversity and verb the LGBTQ+ community in positive, relatable ways. For more great LGBTQ+ stories, check out our lists of books and movies with LGBTQ+ characters.
About the Author
Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media offers the largest, most trusted library of independent age-based ratings and reviews. Our timely parenting advice supports families as they navigate the challenges and possibilities of raising kids in the digital age.