So no matter what letter you are, where you steam from or what type of show you like, we have something for you in our top ten Binge Worthy Queer TV for the Holidays.
The Dreamlife of Georgie Stone
NETFLIX
From director Maya Newell (In My Blood It Runs) comes a documentary short that’s no less impactful for its brevity. We meet Georgie Stone, a trans activist and the first trans person to appear on Neighbours, on the day that she is to undergo gender affirmation surgery. Newell’s film is essentially a ‘life in the day of’ story, using home video footage of Georgie throughout various stages of her 18 years as flashbacks, detailing both her own personal struggles and the fight for trans-kids’ rights to access medical treatment in Australia. Important and heartfelt.
A League of Their Own
Prime Video
Penny Marshall’s 1992 film was already a gay favourite, so the idea of revisiting that world -— women’s professional baseball during WWII America — in series form, but with an actual focus on the women’s love-lives and sexuality, must have seemed like a home run. And showrunners Abbi Jacobson (Broad City) and Will Graham have hit it out of the park. Jacobson, D’Arcy Carden (The Good Place) and Chanté Adams lead an impressive female ensemble that will steal your heart just as easily as the Rockford Peaches steal first base.
Heartstopper
NETFLIX
This list would not be complete with without the Netflix's beautifully romantic hit Heartstopper. Nick Nelson and Charlie Spring are two British boys of an all-boys grammar school. The two connect with each other when they sit together in class. That friendship turns into more of a romance when the openly-gay Charlie contemplates pursuing Nick. But does Nick feel the same way? The two try to learn more about one another as love blossoms from friendship. This tender coming-of-age romance is based on the novel by Alice Oseman and stars Fisayo Akinade, Kit Connor, and Sebastian Croft.
The Swimmer
SBS On Demand
At a desert aquatic training camp, five young men converge to compete for a coveted spot on the Israeli Olympic swim team. Erez (Omer Perelman Striks), a rising star on the elite swimming scene, has been raised with a singular goal his whole life — but his ambition is slowly derailed by his growing attraction to main rival Nevo (Asaf Jonas), and the head coach’s obvious disapproval. Erez must tread the waters between his lust for Nevo and his desire to win. Writer-director Adam Kalderon’s film explores the intensity of young male friendship, made even more potent by the pressure-cooker situation and raging hormones.
Q-Force
NETFLIX
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.
FLEE
STAN
Flee is the uniquely told animated story of one man’s journey to self-acceptance — across countries and oceans, cultures and family. Director Jonas Poher Rasmussen takes his documentary interview with friend Amin Nawabi, a refugee who flees Afghanistan for Denmark via Russia in the late 1980s and early ‘90s, and relays his tough but rewarding story through animation. Nominated for Best Documentary, Animated Feature and International Film at the 2021 Academy Awards (the first film to achieve that feat), Flee is one of the best films of the year.
SPECIAL
NETFLIX
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.
Feel Good
NETFLIX
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.
Elite
NETFLIX
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.
Uncoupled
NETFLIX
Michael thought he had the perfect life with a loving husband he’s been married to for 17 years. All of that changes, however, when his husband leaves him. Now in his mid-40s, Michael finds himself frightened of entering into a new world as an older, single gay man. Can he save his marriage with his partner for many years or is it back to the dating scene? This romantic comedy series stars Neil Patrick Harris, Emerson Brooks, Brooks Ashmanskas, and Tisha Campbell.
