Best gay characters in movies
15 Unforgettable LGBTQ Movie and TV Characters
David Rose - 'Schitt's Creek'
In the fish-out-of-water cult comedy series, creator and star Daniel Levy's character, David gives the ideal analogy regarding his pansexuality. "I do drink red wine. But I also drink white wine. And I’ve been known to sample the occasional rosé. And a couple summers back I tried a merlot that used to be a chardonnay." Even better? The show has managed to craft a world that is seemingly accepting of David's sexuality, with the topic going nearly unquestioned.
Simon - 'Love, Simon'
Love, Simon is notable as the first major studio film to center around a gay teenage romance. Simon's (Nick Robinson) experiences provide the social media generation with a relatable coming-out and coming-of-age tale.
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Rayon - 'Dallas Buyer's Club'
Set in the mids during the height of the AIDS crisis, Rayon (Jared Leto) struggles with both the challenges of being HIV positive, along with identifying as a transgender female. Leto's Academy Awar
20 LGBTQ movie characters who were played by LGBTQ actors
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- Because of increased LGBTQ representation in recent years, lgbtq+ and trans actors are getting more opportunities in Hollywood.
- These performances can be found in films spanning many genres.
- Movies on this list include comedies prefer "Tangerine" and "The Watermelon Woman" as well as dramas like "Looking" and "The Normal Heart."
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Increased LGBTQ visibility has led to more queer and trans characters in production, as well as more actors openly identifying within the LGBTQ community.
Openly LGBTQ actors have been qualified to portray queer characters in films spanning many genres, from Cheryl Dunye in the romantic comedy "The Watermelon Woman" to Kitana Kiki Rodriguez and Mya Taylor in the crime dramedy "Tangerine" to Ian McKellen in the biographical drama "Gods and Monsters."
The good and the ugly of Homosexual representation in production and television
Over the years, LGBTQ+ advocacy has become increasingly more prominent in television and motion picture. For the most part, this is a great thing, especially when it’s done well. However, that is not always the case.
A few projects acquire made poor tries to incorporate it, leading to horrible and occasionally insensitive LGBTQ+ representation.
Here are some examples of when representation works, as well as when it doesn’t.
The good
Released in , “Will & Grace” was groundbreaking for LGBTQ+ representation on TV. The entertainment was one of the first achieving series to highlight openly gay characters, although it did face some criticism and backlash for stereotypical portrayals. Despite the controversy, the show helped to normalize the presence of gay characters on television in a time where it wasn’t very popular or accepted.
“But I’m a Cheerleader,” a comedy starring Natasha Lyonne as a closeted woman-loving woman cheerleader who gets sent to a conversion camp, was released in Once again, this clip was released before LGBTQ+
Movies with LGBTQ+ Characters
Last updated: July 17,
With the call for diverse media representation growing louder than ever, movies that movie LGBTQ+ stories and characters are finally getting some time in the spotlight. We've put together the best LGBTQ+ movies that highlight a wide range of identities and experiences for families and teens craving better representation in their lives. These picks celebrate love, perseverance, and the real-life icons who have led the Homosexual community to where it is today. For more stories with great advocacy, check out our lists of TV Shows with LGBTQ+ Characters and Books with LGBTQ+ Characters.
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