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Representation of LGBTQ people in television has never been better. A recent report from GLAAD found that the amount of queer characters on our screens has increased by over 100 to a new record.
If you’re looking for a queer-coded series to binge in your free time, here are some suggestions.
1. Sex Education
Netflix’s original coming-of-age dramedy Sex Education follows a sexually awkward teenager (Asa Butterfield) living with his sex therapist mother and his friendship with gay character Eric (Ncuti Gatwa).
It received high acclaim from fans and critics for the cast’s performances, for tackling sensitive subjects, and for its diverse representation of the LGBTQ community.
The streaming service later announced that the series received over 40 million streams within its first month of release, becoming one of Netflix’s most successful shows in history.
2. Pose
Pose focuses on the queer African-American and Latino communities of the ballroom scene in 1980s New York City with the backdrop of the AIDS crisis. It features the largest amount of trans actors in regular roles of any scripted television series in history.
Since the series premiered in 2018, it has received universal praise from fans and critics. Last year, Billy Porter – who plays Pray Tell, the show’s resident emcee in the Ball scene – made history; becoming the first openly gay black actor to win the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.
The third season of Pose has started airing.
3. Bonding
Loosely based on the experience of creator Rightor Doyle, Bonding follows psychiatry student slash dominatrix Tiff (Zoe Levin) who enlists her gay best friend from high school, Peter (Brendan Scannell) to be her assistant.
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Throughout the series, Peter comes to terms with his sexuality and his newfound venture into sadomasochism, while Tiff attempts her balance her career with her… clients.
There are two seasons of the show available for streaming.
4. Feel Good
Created by and starring Mae Martin, the show is a semi-autobiographical account of her life. It follows a rising stand-up comedian named Mae who strikes up a relationship with a so-far heterosexual woman named George.
Watch as Mae juggles this intoxicating new romance with her relationship with her parents and her relationship; with her fellow addicts in a support group, all while trying to get her career off the ground.
5. Orange Is the New Black
Orange Is the New Black has become Netflix’s most-watched original series since its debut. The critically-acclaimed drama follows several characters in a woman’s prison.
The show is based on Piper Kerman’s memoir of the same name. Lead character Piper (Taylor Schilling) and Alex’s (Laura Prepon) relationship is at the forefront of several storylines,
Also, it has many other supporting LGBTQ characters; most notably Laverne Cox’s portrayal of trans inmate Sophia Bursett. Her performance led to the American actress being nominated for an Emmy, making her the first transgender person to be nominated for such an award.