I love Netflix. This probably doesn’t seem like a big deal to you. Because, really, who doesn’t? But for someone who can barely sit still for more than a few minutes when it doesn’t involve food, this is a revelation. It’s that kind of no-pants-all-day, peanut-butter-from-the-jar, please-stop-asking-if-I’m-still-watching kind of love.
The “Gay & Lesbian” section of Netflix, however, is a sore spot for me. Besides being an alienating genre name for other sexual identities, it’s also alienating for people who aren’t sure what to expect. The biggest complaint I usually hear is that those who are generally supportive of LGBT culture don’t like it to be overbearing, much like people who are generally fine with religion until Westboro Baptist Church appears on their newsfeed.
Here’s a quick guide to this uncharted area of Netflix for those of you wanting to explore movies that have LGBT plot-points without having to be overexposed. That being said, movies or shows that are already fairly popular, like Rent, or ones that are a little heavy to start out with, such as Blue Is the Warmest Color, were omitted.
The Hours
Director: Stephen Daldry
Honestly, anything with Meryl Streep in it is probably worth watching (though maybe it’s just me). This 2002 film is derived from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name, written by Michael Cunningham in 1992. It follows the story of three generations of women who are all connected through the Virginia Woolf’s Mrs Dalloway. My attachment to this film could be due to the fact that it features Woolf’s writing, Meryl Streep, or even the fact that it can touch on sensitive subjects without becoming cliché or grotesque. It should, however, come with a trigger warning for suicide, terminal illnesses, and sensitive scenes.
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Paris Is Burning
Director: Jennie Livingston
Paris Is Burning is an eye-opening experience into the drag queen community of the 1980s. The documentary explores the now-defunct New York City “ball competitions,” in which drag queens had to adhere to a certain theme and walk a runway. They were judged on makeup, realness, creativity, and other things representative of their “house.” Although it can be difficult to relate to simply due to the difference in time and fashion, Paris Is Burning is one of the most iconic documentaries within the LGBT community, offering a shocking look into a world of race, sexuality, gender, and class in New York City. (And besides, it features dancers from Madonna’s “Vogue” video.)
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Heavenly Creatures
Director: Peter Jackson
This Sense and Sensibility-style nonfiction thriller stars Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynskey as two schoolgirls whose romance quickly escalates into murder. Oh, and it’s directed by Peter Jackson. What more could you want? If there’s anything that should catch your attention, it’s a psychological thriller like this one. (Just be sure to leave your soda on the coffee table so you don’t jump and spill it, not that I’m speaking from experience.)
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Beginners
Director: Mike Mills
Christopher Plummer won an Oscar for his supporting role in this 2010 film, which follows a man who, at 75 years old, comes out after the death of his wife. It’s also based on a true story — that of director Mike Mills’ father. While this is a beautiful film that explores the idea of discovering sexuality regardless of age, it can be difficult to follow at times. It is structured as a set of interconnected flashbacks, which follow two separate sets of characters. This is definitely a film you need to pay attention to, but the feel-good vibes at the end are more than worth it.
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The Kids Are All Right
Director: Lisa Cholodenko
Annette Benning and Julianne Moore play married couple Nic and Jules, who have two teenage kids from the same sperm donor (Mark Ruffalo). When the teens insist on meeting their biological father, it quickly turns into a point of tension for the family. In addition to exploring the family dynamic, The Kids Are All Right also touches on the idea of identifying your sexuality and the role love and forgiveness play in a marriage. It’s a heartwarming film that complements its tension with comedic moments.
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Grace and Frankie
Directors: Marta Kauffman, Howard Morris
While this is technically a TV show, its comedy will spurr you to relish in nostalgia, a la The Golden Girls. Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin play the title characters who coincidentally discover that their husbands, played by Martin Sheen and Sam Waterston, want a divorce because they are gay. Admittedly, the first season starts out slow while the actors test the boundaries of their characters, but within a few episodes you’ll be laughing, crying, and wanting a chair with Ryan Gosling’s face on it (just trust me).
