We're living in a golden age of queer TV, so what better time to binge some of the dozens of great shows you've got to choose from? As the holidays and cuffing season approach, binging shows becomes even more important, whether you need to escape from homophobic family or you want to get your boo and Netflix and Chill.
So no matter what type of queer you are, and what type of show you like, there are definitely shows for you. This list doesn't even include classics like Schitt's Creek, She-Ra and the Princessess of Power, or Pose, but it's got shows just as good, so make sure you check these out today!
Russell T Davies' London-set drama follows a group of young gay men in the ‘80s and ‘90s at the beginning of the AIDS epidemic. The show stars a bevy of queer actors like Olly Alexander, Omari Douglas, Callum Scott Howells, Stephen Fry, and Neil Patrick Harris. You can watch all five episodes of the limited series on HBO Max.
Vida tells the story of two Mexican-American sisters who reconnect when they move back to their childhood home in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, following the death of their mother. Not only is one of the sisters, Emma, queer, but the mother’s widow is a butch lesbian played by Ser Anzoategui. Stream the whole series on Starz or Hulu.
Ryan O’Connell’s terrific show about a gay man with cerebral palsy trying to find love and success in a straight and able-bodied world has been pushing forward portrayals of disabled sex and characters. Both seasons of Special are available on Netflix to stream.
One of the most addicting shows on TV, Elite is a Spanish teen drama filled with queer characters and queer stories about a group of teens at an elite high school. Four seasons of the show are currently streaming on Netflix, as well as some bonus Elite Short Stories.
This show followed a diverse group of high schoolers exploring their sexuality, beliefs, and values. It starred Justice Smith alongside an ensemble of diverse teens. It was created by father-daughter team Zelda (who is 17 years old) and Daniel Barnz, giving it a unique look at the mindset of Gen Z kids. It’s one season is streaming on HBO Max.
Often called “the gayest show on TV,” this comedy follows the brother-sister duo of Brooke and Carey Dubek as they deal with first their brother getting famous, and now their mom getting famous. Carey’s adventures in gay media and gay dating are eerily and hilariously relatable. The first two seasons are available to stream on HBO Max.
45-year-old “fat, queer dyke” Abby McEnany created this dark comedy where she plays a fictional version of herself. In the first season, Abby is planning on killing herself, but then starts dating a young trans man played by Theo Germaine. The second season came out this year and continues Abby’s mental health journey and explores themes of alienation from queer community, second chances, and growth. Stream the series on Showtime or Hulu.
Mae Martin’s semi-autobiographical series has two seasons streaming on Netflix. The show is a great exploration of gender, sexuality, stand-up, and mental health. Martin came out as nonbinary this year, and explores that identity in the second season of the show.
The reboot of the classic lesbian series picks up where the original left off, but adds some much needed diversity and portrays real parts of the queer community that were ignored by the original, including trans men, trans women, Latinas, and disabled people. Check out both seasons streaming on Showtime.
This was the best adult animated show of the year. The series follows the first-ever all-LGBTQ+ spy team as they look fabulous and save the world. The hilarious voice cast, which includes Patti Harrison, Wanda Sykes, and Sean Hayes delivers great performances, and every gay joke will have you laughing your ass off. Q-Force’s one season is streaming on Netflix.
This Spanish limited series tells the legendary true-life story of trans journalist Valeria Vegas as she discovers her identity through meeting with the Spanish TV icon Cristina Ortiz. Ortiz rose to fame when she was featured on a news program while working the streets in Madrid. She instantly became a national sensation and was the most famous trans person in Spain at the time. Stream Veneno on HBO Max.
Following a young journalist played by Aidy Bryant, Shrill features an incredible ensemble cast including Patti Harrison, E.R. Fightmaster, and John Cameron Mitchell, as well as a brilliant lesbian character played by Lolly Adefope who gets more and more screen time as the show goes on. All three seasons are streaming on Hulu.
Based on Crystal Moselle’s 2018 film Skate Kitchen, Betty follows a mostly queer group of female skaters as they make their way through the skateboarding scene in New York City. Both seasons are streaming on HBO Max.
