Hollywood loves an LGBTQ storyline -- even if there's often no queer people actually involved and said storyline is missing from its marketing. Many of the year's biggest movies are no different, but they are laced with the Gay Agenda. Below, we break it down for you.
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
How it's pitched:Based on Lee Israel's 2008 memoir, Melissa McCarthy plays the celebrity biographer who made her living profiling the likes of Katharine Hepburn, Tallulah Bankhead and Estee Lauder in the 60s, 70s and 80s. But when she is no longer able to get published, she turns to forging letters from other notables, abetted by her loyal friend Jack, played by Richard E. Grant.
The Gay Agenda:In real life, Lee was a lesbian and Jack was gay.
But how queer is it really?:On a scale of 1 to 5, let's go with a 3. The characters' sexualities have little to do with the film, but as loners who find chosen family in each other, all LGBTQ people can idenitify with them.
Green Book
How it's pitched:An Italian bouncer realizes the err of his racist ways while driving a black classical pianist throughout the Jim Crow-era South.
The Gay Agenda: Though he black pianist, Dr. Don Shirley, never came out, he was somwhere on the queer spectrum.
But how queer is it really?: Much of Dr. Shirley's story wasn't explored as the film is told through the perspective of a racist. In fact, there's only one reference to his sexuality in entire picture. But Mahershala Ali played him and the actor's Oscar-winning turn in Moonlight makes him a perennial favorite.
The Favourite
How it's pitched:In early 18th century England, a frail Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) occupies the throne and her close friend Lady Sarah (Rachel Weisz) governs the country in her stead. When a new servant Abigail (Emma Stone) arrives, her charm endears her to Sarah.
The Gay Agenda:Queen Anne and Lady Sarah have been lovers since childhood until Abigail turns up and becomes the queen's new fave.
But how queer is it really?:Both Lady Sarah and Abigail use sex to manipulate the queen until she proves who the real top is.
Bohemian Rhapsody
How it's pitched:A celebration of Queen, their music and their lead singer Freddie Mercury who defied stereotypes and convention to become one of the most beloved entertainers on the planet.
The Gay Agenda:Freddie Mercury is a gay icon, obvi. No heterosexual could come up with "Bohemian Rhapsody."
But how queer is it really?: We'll let Rami Malek, the straight actor who plays Freddie, answer this question for us. When asked if Freddie was a gay icon he fumbled: "I think if he's an icon to one, there's no reason that it requires another adjective, as far as I see."
Boy Erased
How it's pitched:Based on Garrard Conley's 2016 memoir of the same name, the son of a Baptist preacher is sent to a gay conversion camp when he's outed by a classmate.
The Gay Agenda:Gay conversion therapy is still legal in at least 30 states. Activist are at work to ban the traumatic process nationwide.
But how queer is it really?: Though the lead is played by the "not totally straight" Lucas Hedges, the so totally gay Troye Sivan stars as another kid at the camp. Sivan also wrote a song for the soundtrack that received a Golden Globe nomination this year.
Mary, Queen of Scots
How it's pitched:Mary Stuart's attempt to overthrow her cousin Elizabeth I, Queen of England, finds her condemned to years of imprisonment before facing execution.
The Gay Agenda:Mary's idiot husband Lord Darnley and her confidant David Rizzio are reimagined as gay, hooking up behind Mary's back on her wedding night.
But how queer is it really?: Not only is Mary woke enough to be more angry about the disruption of her political ambitions than the fact that she married a homo, she also tells the seemingly genderqueer Rizzio that he can be her sister when he tries on one of her dresses.
