HBO Max is at the forefront of groundbreaking television, especially in regard to streaming LGBTQ+ representation in TV shows. Although major franchises like the MCU may still struggle with LGBTQ+ representation, HBO Max has multiple shows within various genres that center around LGBTQ+ characters. Nuanced representation of members of the LGBTQ+ community within television has been long overdue, and many shows still struggle with the concept, but HBO max features several shows that understand exactly what makes good and interesting queer representation.
Creating and distributing shows about the LGBTQ+ community is vital in ensuring audiences understand that the lives and experiences of queer people are just as meaningful as anyone else’s. Queer audiences deserve to see their experiences reflected back at them through characters in television (or even LGBTQ+ characters in video games). Considering the amount of suppression the queer community has faced in the past, their representation in media is long past overdue.
As each individual streaming services vie for audience attention, HBO max understands that representation is important in attracting a diverse audience. They spared no expense in collecting some of the most profound, entertaining, and empowering shows that focus on LGBTQ+ characters and issues. Here are some of the best LGBTQ+ shows on HBO Max right now that all audiences should check out.
The Sex Lives of College Girls
Seasoned sitcom creators Mindy Kaling and Justin Nobel joined forces to write a lighthearted teen comedy entitled The Sex Lives of College Girls. The show examines imbues a sense of fun to exploring sexuality that is not often seen in teen-based television shows. Since Mindy Kaling left The Office, her shows have displayed a heartfelt and hilarious vision at their core, The Sex Lives of College Girls is no exception. The show takes place at Essex College, wherein the freshmen students (who make up the show’s primary cast) explore their sexualities and learn from their experiences. For example, the character of Lexington (Reneé Rapp) examines issues regarding being closeted and coming out as lesbian.
I May Destroy You
The series I May Destroy You was created, written, and produced by Michaela Cole. The show’s drama and wit capture the anxieties of someone surviving in a violently racist, homophobic, and sexist world. The show follows the author Arabella (Michaela Cole) as she recovers from rape with the help of her friends Kwame (Paapa Essiedu) and Terry (Weruche Opia). The show examines complicated issues through complicated characters who try to reconcile their identities with trauma. I May Destroy You was considered one of the biggest tv shows of 2020, partially because of its insight into modern-day queer struggles that are not often addressed, such as the dangers and pleasures of hookup culture within the LGBTQ+ community. I May Destroy You won a GLAAD Media award as well as an NAACP image award for its powerful writing and stunning production.
Generation
Generation follows a group of young adults attending high school in Ohio as they explore their sexualities and their identities. Generation highlights characters who are gay, bisexual, or are generally questioning who they are and what they want out of life. This dramedy series shines a light on the fact that members of the LGBT+ community do exist in the Midwest, and exist far outside of major cities in the US (an aspect that is not often addressed in modern queer-centric media). Though the ensemble show Generation was canceled after only one season, this series can be applauded for continuing to question and explore what it means to be young and gay in America.
Adventure Time: Distant Lands
Adventure Time: Distant Lands was a limited series that continued the adventures of Finn and Jake after the original show Adventure Time ended. In Adventure Time: Distant Lands episode 2, “Obsidian,” the limited series was able to pay off the queer romance that Adventure Time had teased for many seasons and finally confirmed in the series finale. After years, Marceline and Princess Bubblegum were finally able to explore their relationship more explicitly in Adventure Time: Distant Lands. This compelling romance was part of what made Adventure Time: Distant Lands such a satisfying conclusion to the Adventure Time world.
Nuclear Family
The documentary series Nuclear Family by Ry-Russo Young delves into the true story of how her mothers were sued by sperm donors for paternal custody of Ry-Russo. Shows about the struggles of parenthood are common, but this 2021 documentary explored the specific struggles and systemic and societal opposition LGBTQ+ parents confront when they create a family. Ry-Russo’s personal footage, interviews, and personal connection to the story really bring home the struggles queer parents have to go through in order to seek out the dream of typical family life that most people take for granted.
Doom Patrol
Although this show wasn’t the first to show a DC gay superhero, those looking for fun queer representation within the DC Universe should look no further than Doom Patrol. Niles Caulder (Timothy Dalton) gathered a group of misfits with superpowers to fight crime as they try to find an accepting community. The show features fully realized gay characters like Larry (Matt Bomber & Matthew Zuk), non-binary characters like Danny the Street (later Danny the Brick and Danny the Ambulance), and characters like Maura Lee Karupt (Alan Mingo Jr.) who find joy and pride in their identities. While the whole show includes queer narratives both implied and explicitly, Doom Patrol season 1, episode 8, “Danny Patrol” is one of the most celebratory LGBTQ+ episodes ever released.
Gentleman Jack
For those who love period piece stories about LGBTQ+ characters, Gentleman Jack is the perfect fit. Though Lesbian period pieces have been mocked by SNL, they always manage to find an audience. Gentleman Jack creator Sally Wainwright based the show on the real-life letters and journals of 1830s industrialist Anne Lister who kept large sections of her writings in codes. When these codes we decrypted they revealed a rare insight into the LGBTQ+ lives of people in 1800s society. In Gentleman Jack, Anne Lister moves to Yorkshire to save her family’s land, but along the way strikes up a secret romance with the inheritor of the Crow Nest Estate, Ann Walker. Audiences can revel in the lush estates and beautiful English countryside while being fascinated by the true-life love story of Britain’s earliest and most famous lesbian couple.
Harley Quinn
Harley Quinn began as a foul-mouthed parody of DC characters told through the lens of Batman villain Harley Quinn, but it eventually became an examination of bisexuality. While Harley Quinn features many characters and cameos, the relationship between Harley and Ivy is the soul of this show. In Harley Quinn season 2, Harley confirms her romantic feelings for Poison Ivy, and for the rest of the season, the two struggle to explain their feelings for each other until they eventually profess their love for each other. For longtime queer DC audience members, seeing two of DC’s most iconic characters in a confirmed romantic relationship was as validating as it was entertaining, hilarious, and heartfelt.
Steven Universe
Steven Universe’s intended audience may include younger viewers, but its use of effective storytelling and compelling characters ensures that viewers of all ages can appreciate the show. Steven Universe and The Crystal Gems protect Earth from intergalactic warfare while discovering what they want out of life. People love Steven Universe because it delves into gender identity, sexuality, and self-acceptance in a way that is understandable and important for all. It is one of the first cartoon shows to prominently feature multiple lesbian romances within the primary cast of characters and to show those characters as explicitly romantically involved. Steven Universe demonstrated that not only cis-gendered or heterosexual characters could find an audience, but LGBTQ+ characters could be heroes in their own right.
Legendary
The HBO competition reality show Legendary draws inspiration from the Ballroom culture from the 70s and ’80s that was vital to the history of the LGBTQ+ community. Ballrooms were once made up of various houses that would give shelter to disenfranchised queer children and would compete in runway competitions. In the show, Legendary, various houses imitate this culture by competing in voguing, runway, and dance challenges for a grand prize of $100,000 dollars. The show features a plethora of iconic hosts such as Jameela Jamil and Megan Thee Stallion. Most importantly, Legendary showcases many queer artists while highlighting the history of Ball Culture and demonstrates how that history still affects media today.
It’s a Sin
The Russel T. Davies British miniseries It’s A Sin features veteran gay actors Stephen Fry and Neil Patrick Harris and relative newcomers like Olly Alexander as it depicts the life of a friend group of London-based gay men. The show takes place over the course of ten years from 1981 to 1991 and depicts how the friendships and livelihood of gay people in Britain were not only threatened by the HIV/AIDS outbreak, but also by an uncaring and homophobic government. It’s a Sin aired in 2021 to great audience and critical acclaim, and as a result of the show, more people have been getting tested and treated for HIV. It’s a Sin pays tribute to the past LGBT+ history while positively impacting the LGBTQ+ community living in the present.
Equal
Equal, a four-part documentary series, is perfect for examining the oft-overlooked history surrounding the LGBT+ community. Equal highlights some of the major moments in queer history, including the establishment of the Mattachine society in the 1950s and the Stonewall riots in the 1960s. The series is made up of interviews, archival footage, and re-enactments for anyone who wants to brush up on their LGBTQ+ history and understand the origins and importance of the Pride movement.
Euphoria
Euphoria is an LGBTQ+ high school drama series primarily told through the perspective of Rue (Zendaya) as she makes observations about her own life and the lives of her friends. Rue’s primary relationship in the show is with Jules (Hunter Schafer), and throughout the show, the two try to navigate their issues with each other regarding jealousy, drugs, and questions about their own identity and sexuality. The show features multiple queer relationships and transgender main characters, and some spectacular drama to keep the audience engaged.
Sort of
Non-binary characters in television shows are woefully underrepresented, but Sort Of places the non-binary protagonist Sabi Mehboob in the center of the narrative. Sort Of follows Sabi (Bilal Baig) as they juggle their non-binary identity with their identity as a first-generation Pakistani-Canadian on top of managing their everyday struggles with life. While large companies like Disney struggle to represent LGBTQ+ characters, shows like Sort Of on HBO Max demonstrate why television needs these stories, they are heartfelt, challenging, hilarious, and above all meaningful. The show’s depiction of Sabi living as an LGBTQ+ book store owner, child care worker, and daughter of Pakistani immigrants in this drama/comedy series was lauded by critics and audiences and was nominated for 13 awards at the 10th Canadian screen awards.
Our Flag Means Death
This comedy show about the adventures of real-life pirates Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby) and Blackbeard (Taika Waititi) took the world of streaming by storm in March of 2022. Our Flag Means Death fictionalized the real life-story of pirates Stede Bonnet and Blackbeard. As their friendship strengthened on the show, they started to fall for one another. Our Flag Means Death also features the nonbinary pirate Jim (Vico Ortiz), who is as deadly as they are charming. The show based on a true pirate story was greenlit for a second season on the first day of Pride Month 2022.
While Pride Month is the perfect time to appreciate LGBTQ+ shows on HBO Max, audiences should remember that these stories are always available. Queer-centric shows now encompass many genres and styles of entertainment because the gay community is as vast as it is diverse. This is why it is so wonderful that HBO Max has a plethora of shows following queer characters to demonstrate that there is no one way to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
Want more LGBTQ+ Content? Check out our essential reading below…
