|By Hazel Taylor-Quick and Zoe D'Elia | June 20, 2022 |
Having trouble finding TV shows with good queer representation? Getting bored of all the heteronormativity in shows? Worry not! Here is a list of some of our favourite shows with awesome queer representation! Happy watching!
Title: She-Ra and the Princesses of Power
Genre: Cartoon, Fantasy
Seasons: 5
Where to find it: Netflix
Summary: Adora and Catra grow up in a military encampment on Etheria (a fantasy planet at war). They were always taught that princesses were evil and never questioned it until one day Adora stumbled upon a sword…
This amazing reboot of the 90s classic is filled with hilarious and complex characters, detailed plots, and gorgeous animations.
Representation: Lesbian main and side characters, main gay characters, bisexual main characters, non-binary character, transgender characters
Trigger Warnings: Abuse
Title: The Owl House
Genre: Cartoon, Comedy, Fantasy
Seasons: 2
Where to find it: Disney Plus (first season), The Owl Club
Summary: weirdo Luz never really fit in at school, so is thrilled when she jumps through a portal into The Boiling Isles, a magical realm filled with witches and weirdos. Luz befriends a criminal named Eda and her roommate, a ‘tough’ baby demon named King. She stays with them at The Owl House while trying to find a way home and learn magic, meeting many wonderful friends along the way.
Representation: Bisexual characters, lesbian character, main lesbian couple, Non-Binary character
Trigger Warnings: N/A
Title: Heartstopper
Genre: Romance
Seasons: 1
Where to find it: Netflix
Summary: Based on the comic series by Alice Oseman. Openly gay Charlie Spring starts crushing on Nick Nelson, a supposedly straight, popular, rugby player. Nick Nelson is catching feelings for Charlie and has no clue what to do, because he’s straight… right?
Representation: Gay romance, gay main character, bisexual main character, side lesbian romance, transgender character
Trigger Warnings: Emotionally abusive relationship, references to past homophobia including homophobic slurs, bullying, eating disorder
Title: Sort Of
Genre: Unknown
Seasons: 1
Where to find it: CBC Gem
Summary: This Canadian mini-series set in Toronto follows the day-to-day Sabi, a gender fluid 20-something of Pakistani heritage living in modern-day Toronto. Packed full with wit, humour and charm, Sort Of is a true masterpiece of a show.
Representation: Gender fluid main character, non-binary side character, trans characters, Pakistani main character, asian characters, gay characters, polyamourous characters, pansexual character, bisexual characters, ace characters.
Trigger Warnings: homophobia, transphobia, white supremacy, abuse, hospitals, medical procedures, swearing, sex scenes, inter-generational trauma, partner violence, sexual harassment.
Title: Please Like Me
Genre: Comedy-drama
Seasons: 4
Where to find it: Netflix
Summary: Possibly one of the funniest shows ever created, Please Like Me focuses on Josh, who, after a breakup with his girlfriend, realizes that he is gay, we follow him and his friends/ roommates as they navigate the many struggles of newfound adulthood. This show will have you wheeze-laughing one minute, and sobbing your eyes out the next, with incredibly complex and realistic characters, and a heart-warming story arc.
Representation: Gay main characters, bisexual main characters, gay side characters, bisexual side characters, lesbian side characters, pansexual side characters, pro-choice abortion
Trigger Warnings: Suicide, panic attacks, coming out, homophobia, self-harm, sex scenes, abortion.
Title: Queer Eye
Genre: Reality
Seasons:6
Where to find it: Netflix
Summary: This classic reality TV show about five gay people making over their hero’s life through, clothing, food, personal care, heart-warming revelations, and physically remaking their house.
Representation: main gay people, main non-binary person, black main person, transgender contestances, gender-fluid contestants, non-binary contestants, asexual contestants, pansexual contestants, bisexual contestants, BIPOC contestants, contestants with disabilities, addresses mental health issues.
Trigger Warnings: coming out scenes, homophobia, transphobia, racism, classism, ableism, mental illness, trauma, PTSD, abusive parents, harassment.
Title: Atypical
Genre: drama/comedy
Seasons: 4
Where to find it: Netflix
Summary: Sam, an 18-year old boy with autism, decides to find a girlfriend and sets out on a life-changing journey of self discovery. Filled with beautiful characters and emotionally intelligent writing, this show is a must-watch.
Representation: bisexual characters, lesbian characters, autistic characters
Trigger Warnings: misogyny, body-shaming, sex scenes, ableism.
Title: Sex Education
Genre: British, Drama
Seasons: 3
Where to find it: Netflix
Summary: Sex education follows the day-to-day life of the people attending Moordale Secondary School. We watch the compelling characters as they tackle a wide variety of dilemmas and problems. This three-season netflix series deals with many complex issues in spectacular, and relatable ways.
Representation: gay characters, lesbian characters
Trigger Warnings: sex scenes involving nudity, smoking, homophobia, sexual assault
Title: Orange is the New Black
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Seasons: 7
Where to find it: Netflix
Summary: Loosely based on the autobiography called ‘Orange is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison’ by Piper Kerman. This series follows Piper Chapman’s experience in a women’s prison for fifteen months as a result of her involvement with drug dealing in the past.
Representation: lesbian characters, bisexual characters, black characters, latina characters, transgender character
Trigger Warnings: sexual assault, self-harm, transphobia, panic attacks, depression, suicide attempts, antisemitism, hate crimes, sexual scenes, nudity, rape
Title: Q-Force
Genre: Crime, Cartoon, Comedy
Seasons: 1
Where to find it: Netflix
Summary: A team of LGBTQ+ superspies fight crime while trying to prove themselves to the homophobic people in charge who underestimated them.
Representation: gay characters, lesbian characters,
Trigger Warnings: sex scenes involving nudity
Title: Buffy The Vampire Slayer (TV show, not movie)
Genre: horror/ drama/ comedy
Seasons: 7
Where to find it: Amazon Prime and Disney Plus
Summary: Buffy is a typical high school student: she’s got a pile of homework, mean teachers, annoying tests, and has to deal with the day-to-day effects of the patriarchy, totally normal… well, all except she is the Slayer: one girl in all the world chosen to fight vampires and demons. Buffy The Vampire Slayer takes the struggles of teenager existence and adds a mystical flair. The original idea for the show was that instead of the normal trope in horror of the blond girl getting killed first by monsters, she kicks the monster’s butt. This classically feminist show has it all, with kickass women, and a truly wonderful story arc that improves with each season.
Representation: Lesbian main characters
Trigger Warnings: violence, death, blood, gore, grief, attempted rape, sexual harrassment, homophobia, racism, stalking, murder, jump scares, trauma, PTSD, depression, loss of parents and loved ones, financial difficulties, self-harm, addiction, nudity, sex scenes, abuse, assault, medical procedures.
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