'Heartstopper' To 'Gentleman Jack': Watch These Shows Representing Queer Community

Come June, we witness rainbows everywhere, Pride celebrations are kicked off across the world. Ranging from carnivalesque to solemn, pride events are held to celebrate the queer community. The Pride month celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community started off in the United States to commemorate the Stonewall Riots that occurred at the end of June in 1969.

Pop culture is a huge part of our cultural fabric which influences the opinions of people and over the years it has made way for more representation of queer persons which is not stereotypical. Although there still are lapses in regards to acceptance of queer folks, the showbiz has definitely come a long way though.

Today, there is no dearth of shows, films and documentaries about the LGBTQIA+ community to watch. Queer persons joining the industry and telling their stories from their perspective--one which matters the most--has given us shows with queer characters that we have only grown to love. They range from historical dramas based on real-life events to romantic comedies set in high school.

We have compiled a list of shows representing the queer community that you must watch!

5 Must Watch LGBTQIA Web Shows

Heartstopper

Starting off with the newest addition to the list of LGBTQIA+ web series is Heartstopper a British coming-of-age romcom starring Kit Connor, Joe Locke, William Gao, Yasmin Finney, Corinna Brown, Kizzy Edgell, and Olivia Colman. The series primarily focuses on Nick Nelson (Connor) and Charlie Spring (Locke)’s growing relationship. Heartstopper premiered on April 22 2022 and received critical acclaim. It became one of the top 10 English series on Netflix within two days. The best part is, that the show discusses how sexuality is a fluid spectrum rather than a hard-defined category.

Still from Heartstopper

Feel Good

Feel Good is a British comedy-drama created by and stars comedian Mae Martin. It features Mae as themself, Charlotte Ritchie as George, and Lisa Kudrow as Mae’s mother. The series follows the relationship between Mae and George, Mae’s addiction to narcotics, and George’s reluctance to come out of the closet.

Gentleman Jack

Gentleman Jack is an LGBTQIA+ web series sent in the 1830s in Yorkshire, England. The series was based on the diaries of landowner Anne Lister, which documented her life in Yorkshire and her relationships with women. Gentleman Jack starts Suranna Jones as Anne Lister and Sophie Rundle as Ann Walker, Lister’s love interest with whom Lister was notionally married. Lister and Walker had taken communion together in Holy Trinity Church, Goodramgate, York and considered themselves married without legal recognition. It is now celebrated as the birthplace of lesbian marriage in Britain.

Schitt’s Creek

Canadian sitcom Schitt’s Creek focuses on how a wealthy family lost all of their money and relocated to a small town. The shows stars creators Dan Levy and Eugene Levy alongside actors Catherine O’Hara, Annie Murphy, and Stevie Budd. The comedy reached critical acclaim and Dan Levy’s portrayal of David Rose, his pansexuality, and his relationship with love interest Patrick Brewer.

David and Patrick in Schitt's Creek

She-Ra and the Princess of Power

American animated web series She-Ra and the Princess of Power is a reboot of a 90s series of the same name. The series centres around Adora (voiced by Aimee Carrero) who can transform into the heroine She-Ra and fight against the tyrannical power of the Horde. The diverse cast and the tumultuous dynamic between Adora and Catra (voiced by AJ Michalka) were praised. Their best friends to enemies to lovers dynamic were at the forefront and praised by critics.

Suggested Reading: Pink Washing Won’t Solve Things, Queer Community Offers Tinder Lessons On Pride Video