For many years Hollywood failed us, either with negative images of the LGBT community, or by contributing to the stigma surrounding it. Thankfully, this seems to be changing, and now we’re seeing more and more incredible LGBT stories on our screens.
Here are 10 films that are, not only great LGBT stories, but awesome movies in general.
A Single Man (2009)
Detailing the aftermath of love lost, Tom Ford’s directorial debut received rave reviews from critics and fans alike. Colin Firth plays a consistently complex and conflicted character with incredible grace and Ford’s vision keeps the thematic thread nicely woven into a day in the life format.
Hedwig And The Angry Inch (2001)
Visually, this movie is all over the map, from the off-putting, to the virtually stunning. Featuring a show-stopping performance by John Cameron Mitchell, the film details the rise of an trans rock star, and features performances by a young Michael Pitt.
Milk (2008)
Sean Penn’s 2008 biopic showed us why he is so well-regarded by his peers. Add that performance with a hungry James Franco, who augments the film with one of his earlier dramatic roles. The historical account is just as a much a reminder of hardships as it is a celebration of overcoming adversity.
Transamerica (2005)
Transamerica chronicles an estranged father and son and their acceptance of transsexuality. While it focuses on outside acceptance, it also deals with personal, self-discovery. It’s consistently challenging, and ultimately, an impressive work of art.
Appropriate Behavior (2015)
A small little indie film, Appropriate Behavior shows us its main character adapting to her newly single life as a bisexual foreigner, in New York City. The movie even includes 30 Rock’s Scott Adsit in a role like you’ve never seen him before.
Laurence Anyways (2012)
Montreal’s Xavier Dolan, is one of today’s most promising young directors. In 2010, he released Laurence Anyways, depicting a relationship between a pre-op transsexual and her female lover. Things are not that simple however, and Dolan guides us through an intense and impressive two hours that we’ll never forget.
Blue Is The Warmest Colour (2013)
Upon its release, the movie received a good portion of attention due to its elongated snippets of sexual intercourse. Unfortunately, there was a real opportunity for press to focus on the impressive romantic narrative. Regardless, Blue Is The Warmest Colour was heralded, with Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations. Unfortunately, we still must approach the experience with an acknowledgment of director Abdellatif Kechiche’s on-set antics.
Philadelphia (1993)
Tom Hanks took home an Oscar for his portrayal of Andrew Beckett, a lawyer forced to hide his true self due to the ignorance of his co-workers. The film is loosely based on a true story, and one of the first big Hollywood movies to tackle the topic of HIV AIDS.
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)
One of Australia’s most cherished movies, Queen of the Desert helped to shed light on the acceptance of transsexuals in rural areas. It’s ripe with laughs, yet still totally heartwarming.
Kids Are Alright (2010)
Annette Bening and Julianne Moore play a couple who, under the pressure of their children, come face-to-face with their sperm donor. The film stays surprisingly upbeat and fun all while painting an honest portrayal of an increasingly modern family makeup.
