A lot of big, positive changes have happened in the last few years for LGBTQ+ folks, and many of those changes have been making their way onto the big screen recently. 2022 saw a surge of newLGBTQ+ content, from movies to television shows and beyond, and we’re seeing that trend continue into 2023 already with new releases likeMars One. Following the success ofBodies, Bodies, BodiesandBrosfor having genuine representation, it seems like LGBTQ+ cinema is becoming the accurate and fully fleshed-out genre the community has hoped for.
With many new releases and upcoming ones to look forward to forLGBTQ+ representation, we’re excited to see what fresh takes will come out in the future. From queer horror films rising in popularity to gay rom-coms landing on Hallmark over the holidays, let’s take a look at the variety and impact these LGBTQ+ films will have.
A Review of LGBTQ+ Cinema
Gay characters have been on screen for decades, but not in the way one might expect. From early cinema onward there have been effeminate caricatures of gay men on screen, a stereotype the media has continued to push until recently. There is a long and dark history in films of portraying LGBTQ+ folks in a negative light or using them as the butt of a joke. The recent surge in LGBTQ+ rights activism has finally impacted the narrative however and brought fresh new perspectives to the medium.
Related:Some of the Greatest Gay Love Stories in Movies
When a gay character is written by other gay people, it lends an accuracy and heart that is so desperately needed for LGBTQ+ viewers. When that character is then played by a gay actor, it brings the story a depth that can’t be achieved with straight actors. True representation on screen is so important, especially when LGBTQ+ actors are passed over time and time again for roles that should be theirs. FilmslikeBrosbrought LGBTQ+ representation to its best form, with gay writers and an entirely queer cast. This new push in Hollywood for genuine representation is resulting in a ripple effect, and we’re seeing many more LGBTQ+ actors and stories in the mainstream now.
The New Horizons For LGBTQ+ Cinema
In the past, LGBTQ+ characters were found mainly in comedies as a side character or “gay best friend” for the main character or as comedic relief. These characters rarely had partners, and finding queer couples in films or on television was difficult up until the last few decades. Now we’re seeing gay couples as the stars in rom-coms, like in Hallmark’s recent releaseThe Holiday Sitter. AnotherChristmas romcom,Merry & Gay,also made headlines at the end of 2022 for featuring the first non-binary actor to star in a holiday rom-com. Queer couples are parents and have starred in horror films too, withBodies, Bodies, Bodiesand the upcoming filmKnock at the Cabinleading the way.
We’re seeing fewer narratives that fall in the lines of queerbaiting, or where two characters of the same sex appear close enough to be a couple but never become one. Series likeOur Flag Means Deathare putting gay characters on screen and delivering with the kiss everyone had eagerly awaited. Netflix’supcoming filmGood Grief, written and directed by the amazing Dan Levy, is set to bring a realistic and moving tale of a gay man to the platform. Another anticipated film isI Wish You All the Best, based on the YA novel of the same name by Mason Deaver. It follows the story of a non-binary teen after they’re kicked out of their home.
Related:How Stranger Things Missed the Chance to Have a Solid LGBTQ+ Storyline
Many of the new LGBTQ+ stories releasing on television and in films are genuine, based on true experiences, and are groundbreaking forms of representation. We are seeing more and more gay writers, actors, directors, producers, and executives at the front of these projects, and it’s helping to bring awareness to the true experiences of LGBTQ+ people.
Fairylandis one of these important true stories that will appear on screen in 2023. It tells the coming-of-age story of Alysia Abbott, who authored the memoir the film is based on, which details her artistic journey and her Dad’s gay identity during the AIDs crisis. Stories like these are important to tell and can be communicated so beautifully through the art of film. Another important story, the documentaryKokomo City, is an honest look at the lives of four Black transgender sex workers. It’s set to be an unflinching and moving look into the industry and show the world through a lens we rarely get to see on film.
There are so many genres where LGBTQ+ characters are finally having their time to shine. Comedies, dramas, romances, horror films, coming-of-age stories and more are making their way onto television and the big screen this year, and we can’t wait to see them all. With so many important, moving, and exciting tales of LGBTQ+ lifecoming out soon, it seems like 2023 is the year of LGBTQ+ cinema.
