LGBTQ+ Books, Movies, and TV Shows: Representation Roundup from last year!

LGBTQ+ Books, Movies and TV Shows

As we look back on last year, it's been another landmark year for LGBTQ representation across all forms of media. From groundbreaking television series to bestselling novels and award-winning films, queer stories continue to find mainstream success while exploring the full spectrum of LGBTQ experiences. Here's our comprehensive roundup of the year's most significant LGBTQ books, movies, and TV shows.

Television: Breaking New Ground

Drama Series

"Fellow Travelers" (Showtime) This sweeping historical drama following the decades-long relationship between Hawkins Fuller and Timothy Laughlin became a critical darling and audience favorite. Set against the backdrop of McCarthyism through the AIDS crisis, the series offered a nuanced portrayal of gay life across different eras of American history.

"The Empress" Season 2 (Netflix) The second season of this period drama expanded its LGBTQ storylines, featuring more prominent queer characters navigating 19th-century European court life. The show's commitment to inclusive storytelling while maintaining historical authenticity earned praise from critics.

"Heartstopper" Season 2 (Netflix) Alice Oseman's beloved adaptation continued to capture hearts with its tender portrayal of young love. The second season delved deeper into mental health themes while maintaining the show's signature warmth and authenticity in depicting teen LGBTQ experiences.

Comedy Series

"Shrinking" (Apple TV+) While not exclusively LGBTQ-focused, this Jason Segel comedy-drama featured strong queer representation through supporting characters, normalizing LGBTQ relationships within ensemble storytelling.

"The Other Two" Final Season (HBO Max) This satirical comedy concluded its run with sharp wit and heart, continuing to explore themes of family, fame, and queer identity in the digital age.

Film: Diverse Stories, Major Platforms

Theatrical Releases

"Red, White & Royal Blue" (Amazon Prime) Based on Casey McQuiston's bestselling novel, this romantic comedy brought the beloved story of the American president's son falling for the British prince to life. The film's success proved there's a hungry audience for LGBTQ rom-coms.

"Passages" (MUBI) This French drama starring Franz Rogowski explored the complexities of a bisexual man's relationships with both his husband and a woman, earning critical acclaim for its nuanced portrayal of sexual fluidity.

Documentary Features

"Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution" (Netflix) This documentary celebrated LGBTQ comedians and their impact on both comedy and social change, featuring interviews with legends and rising stars who've used humor to break barriers.

Books: Literary Excellence and Popular Fiction

Literary Fiction

"The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida" by Shehan Karunatilaka This Booker Prize winner from Sri Lankan author Shehan Karunatilaka features a gay photographer navigating the afterlife, blending magical realism with sharp political commentary about war-torn Sri Lanka.

"Book Lovers" by Emily Henry While primarily a heterosexual romance, Henry's novel featured strong LGBTQ supporting characters and themes of chosen family that resonated with queer readers.

Young Adult Fiction

"The Romantic Agenda" by Claire Kann This contemporary YA novel explored asexual identity and relationships, providing much-needed representation for ace readers in the romance genre.

"Some Girls Bind" by Rory James A groundbreaking YA novel about a transgender teen navigating high school athletics, addressing timely issues around trans youth and sports participation.

Non-Fiction

"Stonewall: The Definitive Story of the LGBTQ Rights Uprising that Changed America" by Martin Duberman (Updated Edition) This updated edition of the classic work included new research and perspectives on the pivotal 1969 uprising, offering fresh insights into this crucial moment in LGBTQ history.

International Perspectives

Global Television

"Gaya Sa Pelikula" (Philippines) This Filipino series gained international attention for its authentic portrayal of gay relationships and Filipino queer culture, streaming globally and building a devoted fanbase.

"Young Royals" Season 2 (Netflix) The Swedish series continued to explore themes of royal duty versus personal identity, with Crown Prince Wilhelm's journey resonating with global audiences.

International Film

"The Inspection" (A24) Elegance Bratton's semi-autobiographical film about a gay Black man joining the Marines in the early 2000s earned critical acclaim and award nominations for its powerful storytelling.

Genre Representation

Science Fiction and Fantasy

"The Priory of the Orange Tree" Series Continuation Samantha Shannon's epic fantasy world continued to expand, featuring diverse LGBTQ characters in high fantasy settings, proving that queer stories belong in every genre.

"Legends & Lattes" by Travis Baldree This cozy fantasy novel about an orc opening a coffee shop featured a sweet sapphic romance, showing that LGBTQ stories can thrive in unexpected genres.

Horror and Thriller

"Something Is Killing the Children" (Comics) BOOM! Studios' popular comic series continued to feature LGBTQ characters in supernatural horror settings, normalizing queer representation in genre fiction.

What These Trends Mean

The 2024 landscape shows several encouraging trends in LGBTQ representation:

Increased Authenticity: More projects are being created by LGBTQ writers, directors, and producers, leading to more authentic storytelling that avoids harmful stereotypes.

Genre Diversity: LGBTQ characters are appearing across all genres, from cozy fantasy to historical drama, showing that queer stories aren't limited to "issue" narratives.

Intersectional Representation: There's growing recognition of the diversity within LGBTQ communities, with more stories featuring characters of different races, ethnicities, abilities, and economic backgrounds.

Global Perspectives: International productions are gaining wider audiences, sharing diverse cultural perspectives on LGBTQ experiences worldwide.

Youth Focus: Many successful projects centered on younger LGBTQ characters, suggesting a growing appetite for stories about queer youth and coming-of-age experiences.

Looking Ahead

As we move into 2025, the momentum for LGBTQ representation shows no signs of slowing. With streaming platforms investing heavily in diverse content and publishers recognizing the commercial success of LGBTQ stories, audiences can expect even more varied and authentic representation in the coming year.

The success of these titles proves that LGBTQ stories aren't niche, they're universal tales of love, identity, family, and belonging that resonate with audiences of all backgrounds. As representation continues to evolve, we can look forward to even more groundbreaking stories that reflect the full spectrum of LGBTQ experiences.

What were your favorite LGBTQ books, movies, or TV shows from 2024? Share your recommendations in the comments below, and don't forget to check back for our 2025 preview coming soon!