The representation issues have been a big rallying cry for the LGBTQ+ community since the beginning. From books to movies to television, the stories we consume have the power to shape how we see other people and ourselves. The movies and shows have the power to inject, educate and empower. The biggest of all those abilities is to raise up marginalized voices and experiences to a global audience, such as those that portray an LGBTQ+ narrative. In this long journey of cinema, we have seen movies perfectly portraying the groundbreaking truths of the LGBTQ+ community. Here are 10 of the most beloved LGBTQ movies of all time:
1. The World to Come: Based on the novel by Jim Shepherd, this period drama beautifully sheds light on the forbidden love in the 19th century. The narrative focuses on two couples who are neighbors. As the foursome decides to cut off the relationship with the outer world, Waterston and Kirby's characters soon find themselves falling in love with each other.
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2. The Watermelon Women: The Watermelon Woman is one of the biggest achievements histories of queer cinema. Director Cheryl Dunye plays Cheryl, a Black lesbian filmmaker who decides to make a documentary about a Black actress from Hollywood’s Golden Age who is known only as of the Watermelon Woman.
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3. Call Me by Your Name: The movie is a true classic that garnered three Golden Globes, two BAFTAs, and two Academy Awards. The story talks about the love of a young boy played by Timothée Chalamet and an adult student played by Armie Hammer who comes to his place as his father’s assistant.
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4. The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert: According to some critics, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert brought us a joyous, must-see classic of a film that put drag culture on the map in an era of TV and cinema that consistently misrepresented this marginalized community. We think this is enough to tell how great this movie is.
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5. Moonlight: Based on a classic play titled, In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue, the movie follows the story of Chiron, a young African-American boy, from childhood through to adulthood, as he grows up in Miami and embarks on a path of self-discovery.
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6. I am Michael: I am Michael is a courageous movie, that talks about the intersection of homosexuality and the church. The narrative focuses on the incredible true-life story of Michael Glatze the high-profile American gay activist who became a straight anti-gay Christian pastor.
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7. Blue is the warmest color: One of the most beautiful cinematic depictions of exploring your sexuality as a young woman, Adèle is a French teenager who falls in love with an older, blue-haired art-school student called Emma. While the acting of both actresses will make you cry, the movie talks about some really serious issues about which our society failed to talk about.
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8. God’s Own Country: This powerful cinema sheds light on some of the most converstial aspects of society. From talking about the refugees to homosexuality effortlessly destroyed toxic, heteronormative ideas of masculinity.
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9. The fantastic Woman: This Golden Globe-nominated and Academy Award-winning Chilean film tells the story of Marina (Daniela Vega), a transgender woman whose older partner, Orlando, dies suddenly of a brain aneurysm.
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10. Brokeback Mountain: The story of two cowboys, who ends up finding intimacy on the plains and, despite both of them marrying, carry on a clandestine relationship for decades is one of the most powerful cinemas of that time when homosexuality was oppressed by heterosexuality.
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