While Hollywood isn’t perfect, it’s attempting to be more inclusive and diverse. For instance, there was a time when LGBTQ characters were non-existent on television. TV and streaming have dramatically changed things, with LGTBQ characters having more voices in the industry. In the last few years, the LGBTQ community exploded onto the television screen, creating some of the best series in history. With strong representation, LGBTQ creators and writers introduced several iconic lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer characters. Many of these critically acclaimed shows won numerous Primetime Emmy Awards and other accolades. They cover various genres, including dramas, horror, comedy, teen dramas, reality series, and animated sitcoms. These groundbreaking series sometimes dive deep into LGBTQ subcultures, such as ballroom dancing.
Classic 90s sitcoms challenged stereotypes and singlehandedly changed the perception of the LGBTQ community by educating the public. Early pioneer series looked at the lives of LGBTQ characters as they struggled with work, life, love, and finding their place in the world. As the community evolved in real life, the TV series began looking at the lives of LGBTQ characters in various situations, including the paranormal and in jail. Other classic sitcoms and crime thrillers added an LGBTQ character to round out an ensemble cast. These critically acclaimed series often feature an outstanding cast, incredible writing, and fascinating characters. Here’s a look at the 26 best LGBTQ series you can watch right now. Let’s dive deep into the best LGBTQ shows to hit the airwaves.
26 Best LGBTQ Shows You Can Stream Right Now
NBC
1. The L Word (2004-2009)
With an all-star cast, the groundbreaking series The L Word aired from 2004 to 2009 to universal acclaim. The Showtime series follows a group of bisexual and lesbian women living in West Hollywood as they deal with the ups and downs of their careers, love life, and family.
Starring Jennifer Beals, Mia Kirshner, and Pam Grier, critics and fans praised the series’ authentic portrayal of the characters and the realistic depiction of lesbian sex. It’s one of the most critically acclaimed LGBTQ series in television history that leaves viewers wanting more. It’s easily a must-see show at the top of every list. Furthermore, The L Word led the way for shows that tell real LGBTQ stories.
Watch on Showtime2. Orange is the New Black (2013-2019)
Several movies and TV series explore the life of inmates serving time in prison. Netflix decided to examine life in jail from the perspective of female prisoners. The Emmy Award-winning Orange is the New Black is one of Netflix’s most popular streaming series. It aired from 2013 to 2019 to widespread praise.
Based on Piper Kerman’s memoir Orange is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison, the series revolves around a group of prisoners at a women’s minimum security prison. The inmates struggle with life in the prison, each other, the guards, and the world outside. They fall in love, suffer loss, and encounter heartbreaking tragedy. With an outstanding ensemble cast and writing, the groundbreaking series paved the way for the LGBTQ series to dominate the airwaves.
Watch on Netflix3. Heartstopper (2022-Present)
Netflix continues to deliver high-quality programming involving the LGBTQ community. The critically acclaimed Heartstopper continues the tradition of a stellar cast telling LGBTQ stories. Based on the graphic novel of the same name, the British romantic comedy follows openly gay student Charlie Spring who falls madly in love with school rugby star Nick Nelson.
Hitting the airwaves in 2022, it’s already one of Netflix’s most talked-about series. Fans and critics praise the series’ cinematography, pace, and inclusion of the LGBTQ community. It’s easily one of Netflix’s best new shows of the year.
Watch on Netflix4. Queer as Folk (2000-2005)
Based on the British series of the same name, Queer as Folk aired from 2000 to 2005 to widespread praise. Set in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Queer as Folk follows the lives of five gay men as they deal with careers, love, and sexuality. The series wasted no time making history as the debut episode features the first sex scene between two men on American television.
While not as graphic as the British version, the scene still got people talking. Furthermore, the series tackled topics that few series were dealing with at the time, such as same-sex marriage, discrimination in the workplace, HIV/AIDS, and coming out. Queer as Folk is one of the most important shows in the history of LGBTQ representation. It broke down barriers and helped pave the way for the LGBTQ community. A reboot aired for one season on Peacock in 2022.
Watch on Showtime5. Pose (2018-2021)
Created by Ryan Murphy and featuring an all-star cast, FX’s Pose aired from 2018 to 2021 to rave reviews. Set in the 1980s and 1990s, Pose revolves around the lives of dancers and models from African-American and Latin communities competing in the LGBTQ subculture of ballroom dancing.
The groundbreaking series won numerous awards, as did the talented cast members. Actor Billy Potter made history as the first gay black man to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor for portraying Pray Tell. The memorable series is at the top of every best LGBTQ show list.
Watch on Hulu6. Will & Grace (1998-2006 & 2017-2020)
Hitting the airwaves in 1998, the popular sitcom Will & Grace played a significant role in educating the public about the LGBTQ community. As part of the Thursday night must-see lineup, Will & Grace reached a wide audience as one of the highest-rated shows of the night. The series revolves around the friendship between lawyer Will Truman and Grace Adler, with the critically acclaimed series using humor to introduce audiences to the LGBTQ community.
The Emmy Award-winning series improved public perception of the community and paved the way for sitcoms to star LGBTQ characters. After ending its initial run, the series returned years later for a ninth season. It’s undoubtedly one of the most important shows in the LGBTQ community. It remains a classic comedy and a pioneer for series in the community.
Watch on Hulu7. Schitt’s Creek (2015-2020)
Canadian series Schitt’s Creek revolves around the once-wealthy Rose family who soon go from rich to dirt poor. The family is forced to move to a property they bought earlier on a whim, Schitt’s Creek. The series features a phenomenal cast that brought these larger-than-life characters to life in the small town.
The breakout star of the series, David, was one of the first openly pansexual characters on television. Unlike other characters, David’s casual sexuality didn’t result in other characters judging or ridiculing him. With numerous awards and accolades, critics praise the series’ portrayal of LGBTQ characters. Additionally, the series won two GLAAD awards for its incredible work on the series.
Watch on Netflix8. Grace and Frankie (2015-2022)
Starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, Grace and Frankie quickly became one of Netflix’s most popular series. The series aired from 2015 to 2022 and follows the two unlikely friends after their lawyer husbands announce they are in love with each other. Grace and Frankie come together as they deal with life after their husbands leave them.
The show had a slow start but became a stand-out series on Netflix. With two Hollywood icons, the popular series tells a fascinating tale of self-discovery with an LGBTQ twist.
Watch on Netflix9. Euphoria (2019-Present)
Starring Zendaya, the critically acclaimed Euphoria is already one of HBO’s most viewed series behind Game of Thrones and House of Dragon. The series revolves around a teenager and recovering drug addict, Rue, as she tries to navigate through life.
The groundbreaking and controversial series deals with various topics, including drug abuse, toxic relationships, social media, mental illness, sexual orientation, sexual assault, and toxic masculinity. With a strong LGBTQ presence, the beloved series continues to break down barriers and is easily one of the best LGBTQ series today.
Watch on HBO10. Dead End: Paranormal Park (2022-Present)
The hit animated series Dead End: Paranormal Park is already one of Netflix’s best series. Debuting in June 2022, the series follows a young gay transgender teen, Barney Guttman, and his autistic Pakastani-American friend Norma.
They become friends while working at the theme park Phoenix Parks. The series follows the two friends and Barney’s pet pug, Pugsly, as they encounter spooky and paranormal happenings at the park while struggling with their personal lives.
Despite being animated, the series deals with relatable issues. While Barney’s parents embrace his coming out, Barney’s grandmother doesn’t accept it and says something incredibly hurtful. Barney carries this around with him as he encounters the supernatural.
Watch on Netflix11. Love, Victor (2020-2022)
Few series compare with the immensely popular Love, Victor. The series is a sequel to the 2018 romantic teen movie Love, Simon. Starring Michael Chimino as high school student Victor Salazar, the series follows Victor as he deals with family, friends, sexual orientation, and eventual coming out.
Like many high school students, Victor struggles to find his voice and identity while dealing with a complex love life, friends, and school. The series aired from 2020 to 2022 to widespread acclaim. It’s easily one of the best LGBTQ series on the streaming platform Hulu.
Watch on Hulu12. Dear White People (2017-2021)
Based on the movie of the same name, Netflix’s struck gold with the critically acclaimed sitcom Dear White People. The series aired from 2017 to 2021 and deals with complex race relations and gender identity. The series follows the lives of black students at a predominately white Ivy League college Winchester University.
Lionel Higgins struggles with his sexuality, love life, and friendships while navigating life at a school with mostly white students. Undoubtedly, Higgins is one of the series’ most fascinating characters. The show dives deep into Higgins’s life and his sexual orientation. He’s a strong representation of the LGBTQ community and people of color.
Watch on Netflix13. Modern Family (2009-2020)
It’s safe to assume Modern Family wouldn’t be the same without Cameron and Mitchell. The critically acclaimed sitcom revolves around three families that comprise a larger family. The series became massively successful with an all-star cast and a unique format, turning the cast into significant stars.
The series aired from 2009 to 2020 and features one of television’s most memorable same-sex couples. Critics praised the series for its diverse cast of characters, with the series having a strong LGBTQ representation with couple Cameron and Mitchell. Their loving relationship, starting a family, and wedding challenge many stereotypes. Undoubtedly, Cam and Mitch are one of TV’s greatest couples.
Watch on Hulu
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14. Star Trek: Discovery (2017-Present)
The Star Trek series first hit the airwaves in the late 60s. It has since become a beloved franchise with various incarnations both in television and movies. Throughout the seasons, the different series have had strong LGBTQ representation behind the scenes. They also implied that some characters might be gay, lesbian, or bisexual.
Debuting in 2017, Star Trek: Discovery created a set of new characters. In the first season, the series introduces the first openly gay characters in a same-sex marriage, Hugh Culber and Paul Stamets. Later, the series introduces Jett Reno, whose wife died in the war, while the third season saw the inclusion of the first non-binary character, Adria Tal, who previously dated a transgender man, Gray Tal.
Watch on Paramount+15. Arthur (1996-2022)
Arthur is a popular educational program that debuted in 1996. It follows Arthur, his family, and his friends as they encounter real-life scenarios, such as dyslexia, autism, and cancer. With the series aimed at a young audience, they strive to teach acceptance and understanding.
They continued that trend with the 2019 episode “Mr. Rathburn and the Special Someone.” In the episode, teacher Mr. Rathburn marries the chocolate shop owner Patrick. While the episode caused controversy in Alabama, fans and critics praised the same-sex couple and the inclusion of the storyline.
Watch on PBSKids16. Glee (2009-2015)
The beloved musical comedy Glee revolves around the glee club members at William McKinley High School. The series is famous for its mashup of classic songs and the cast, who all became household names. The series is also known for tackling social issues, race, and sexuality. In fact, the series had two prominent LGBTQ characters who played a significant role in the series.
First, glee club member Kurt Hummel struggles in the first season with his sexuality and coming out to his father. Plus, he had complex feelings for the glee club captain, Finn. Later, the series introduces Santana Lopez, who struggles with her complicated feelings and sexuality as well.
Watch on Hulu17. Dickenson (2019-2021)
Emily Dickenson is one of the greatest poets who ever lived. However, her art came from a place of isolation, love, and an aching heart. During her lifetime, poet Emily Dickenson was unknown but became an icon after her death. She’s now considered one of the greatest poets in history.
Starring Hallie Steinfeld as Emily Dickenson, Dickenson follows Dickenson as she struggles to fit in with society at the time. She explores her writing, finding her voice, and gender as she secretly loves her best friend, Sue. Available on Apple TV, the series aired from 2019 to 2021 to universal praise for the complex story of one of history’s most brilliant poets.
Watch on Apple TV18. The Owl House (2020-Present)
Debuting in 2020, the groundbreaking animated series The Owl House follows a young girl, Luz Noceda, who ends up in the Demon Realm. After meeting the unruly witch Eda, Luz also begins training to become a witch.
Fans and critics praise the Disney Channel series for its voice acting, writing, and LGBTQ inclusion. The Owl House is the first Disney series to feature a same-sex couple, which led to Disney’s first same-sex couple kiss. The series also includes non-binary, asexual, and transgender characters.
Watch on Disney+19. Queer Eye (2018-Present)
In 2018, Netflix rebooted the popular reality television series Queer Eye with a brand new Fab Five. The original groundbreaking series helped bring more attention to the LGBTQ community. The reboot follows a new Fab Five as they help individuals improve their lifestyles.
Each expert brings something different to the table, such as culture expert Karamo Brown, fashion expert Tan France, grooming expert Jonathan Van Ness, design expert Bobby Berk, and food & wine expert Antoni Porowski. Known for its strong representation of people of color and the LGBTQ community, Queer Eye is one of the best reality LGBTQ series airing today.
Watch on Netflix20. American Horror Story (2011-Present)
Ryan Murphy’s anthology series American Horror Story features a different set of characters and plot each season. Few series compare to American Horror Story, with the popular series using a different horror sub-genre with a different subtitle, such as Murder House, Hotel, Cult, and 1984, for each season.
The anthology series is famous for including at least one LGBTQ character each season. Some of the most memorable LGBTQ characters include Lana Winters, Zoe Benson, and the evil Jeff Pfister. With LGBTQ representation behind and in front of the camera, American Horror Story is ideal for horror fans and LGBTQ community members around the globe.
Watch on Hulu21. Sex Education
The critically acclaimed Sex Education is one of the most viewed series on Netflix. Created by Laurie Nunn, the teen comedy and drama follows a group of elementary school students entering that awkward phase of life and dealing with their own sexuality. Featuring several LGBTQ characters, one of the students, Otis, opens a sex clinic where they answer questions for other students.
Despite being an inexperienced kid, Otis is the son of a sex therapist, giving him an insight most teens don’t have. Otis’s close friend, Eric Effiong, struggles with his sexuality until coming out. The series explores Eric’s sexual orientation and the pressure of coming from a religious Ghanaian-Nigerian family. Additionally, the series stars an outstanding ensemble cast featuring Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson, and Ncuti Gatwa.
Watch on Netflix22. Steven Universe (2013-2019)
Animated series often tackle deep social issues using fantasy, science fiction, and humor. Steven’s Universe does exactly that, dealing with sexual orientation and gender fluidity. The Cartoon Network animated series quickly became a major hit with fun stories, fascinating characters, and strong LGBTQ representation.
The series follows a young boy, Steven Universe, who lives with the magical Crystal Gems. Steven and his friends deal with growing up and being true to themselves. Several characters identify as gender fluid or queer. The series aired from 2013 to 2018 and quickly became one of the most talked about animated series. Critics praise the animated series for tackling issues other shows might shy away from approaching.
Watch on Cartoon Network23. The L Word: Generation Q (2019-Present)
Since the final episode aired, The L Word has influenced a long list of critically acclaimed series and paved the way for the LGBTQ community on television. For years, fans hoped the groundbreaking series would return, and their wish finally came true in 2019. Set ten years after the original series, The L Word: Generation Q features a group of new characters mixed in with a few returning ones.
Starring Jennifer Beals, Katherine Moening, and Leisha Hailey, the series follows the lives of LGBTQ characters living in Silver Lake, Los Angeles. Debuting on Showtime in 2019, the series is still going strong despite some mixed reviews. The series is notable for including pansexual, non-binary, and transgender characters.
Watch on Showtime24. Motherland: Fort Salem (2020-2022)
In an alternate timeline, the Salem witch trials have a drastically different outcome than in our history. The supernatural series Motherland: Fort Salem follows three witches conscripted into the United States Army instead of being burnt at the stake.
The popular series blends the supernatural series with complex drama. Critics praise the series’ cast members, writing, and inclusion of LGBTQ characters. Furthermore, fans and critics praise the love story between the main characters, Raelle and Scyla. It’s easily one of the most famous supernatural series on Netflix.
Watch on Hulu25. Sesame Street (1969-Present)
Since debuting in 1969, Sesame Street has been part of every child’s life. Using humor and Muppets, Sesame Street helps kids understand each other and the world around them. The educational program is also famous for dealing with complex issues like death. The beloved children’s series plays a vital role in kids’ early development.
During Pride Month in 2021, the series broke new ground by introducing the first gay couple, Dave and Frank. Appearing in the “Family Day” episode, the couple also introduces their daughter, Mia. They meet Elmo and the rest of the characters, instantly hitting it off. Sesame Street continues to knock down barriers as it strives to educate kids about the LGBTQ community.
Watch on HBOMax26. Doubt (2017)
At one point, it was rare to see an LGBTQ character recurring on network television. For the most part, NBC, ABC, and CBS avoided those characters. Eventually, CBS decided to remove itself from the group. The legal drama Doubt revolves around an attorney who falls for her client who’s on trial for murdering his girlfriend 24 years earlier.
While the series only lasted for one season in 2017, transgender actress Laverne Cox still made history. Cox became the first transgender actress to portray a recurring transgender character on broadcast television. It’s a vital series in the evolution of LGBTQ characters in series and movies.
Watch on Prime
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