"There is still value in coming out stories," says Townsend. In addition to the essential "com" of the rom-com, it’s important to note that, while many LGBTQ+ films feature characters coming out to friends and family, that’s not a necessity. "We're laughing because what we're seeing resonates with us." "Comedy gives us enough distance to see what is happening in our society," continues Himberg. While there are many spectacular LGBTQ+ drama films, you won’t see them on this list for that reason-we need to laugh, people! Not just because it’s fun, but because it’s necessary.
She notes that though rom-coms are often undervalued as "fluff," they're actually "a vital genre for us to be seen and validated in those relationships, whatever they may look like." In fact, Himberg says, "These films contribute to social change, precisely because of their comedy." The presence of LGBTQ+ rom-coms "situates LGBTQ+ people firmly within our cultural landscape," adds Julia Himberg, PhD, associate professor and director of film and media studies at Arizona State University. "There is tremendous power in seeing people who look like you and love like you going through the same types of experiences." She stresses that, particularly for LGBTQ+ youth, it’s necessary that popular culture "includes someone like you in an important and central way."
"The power of media, especially film and television, is so personal," says Megan Townsend, Director of Entertainment Research & Analysis at GLAAD. But instead of tuning into your favorite early ‘00s flick for the zillionth time, why not watch a film featuring an LGBTQ+ love story? Whether it’s Billy Eichner’s highly anticipated rom-com Bros (due out 2022), or 2020’s holiday hit Happiest Season, LGBTQ+ romantic comedies are finally being seen as a key part of mainstream entertainment. prime time to escape into the blissful world of romantic comedies and forget all about Janet from accounting. We have high hopes that this will spark a trend and we'll begin to see more and more LGBTQ+ characters represented in our favorite Disney content in the years to come.Picture this: It’s Friday night, a.k.a. It took until 2017 for someone to utter those magic words, but better late than never Disney. Typically, if gay characters were represented at all, their sexual orientation was merely implied and not voiced. Bex puts a serious damper on Andi and her friends' fun which takes a toll on her first year as a teenager.Ĭyrus Goodman, one of Andi's best friends, made history as the first Disney character to ever say the words "I'm gay," out loud on television. When Bex was young, she was the poster child for rebellion, but now that she's older, she's started taking on a much more responsible outlook on life. However, Andi's big sister Bex is back in town and she's here to stay. Along with her best friends Buffy and Cyrus, this fearsome threesome is ready to terrorize their parents and their school. High School Musical: The Musical: The SeriesĪndi Mack is just about to hit her teen years and her urge to rebel and embody the angsty teen is stronger than ever. But throwaway scenes meant a lot to young queer folk when they were all we had. Joe's "his boyfriend thinks he's handsome also," receives a hearty "right on!" from both Mia and Lily.Ī throwaway scene? Sure. While Mia (Anne Hathaway) and her best friend Lily (Heather Matarazzo) work with the Queen (literal queen Julie Andrews) and bodyguard Joe (Hector Elizondo) to find a potential suitor, Mia notes that the harp-playing Prince Antoine is a cutie. And, finally, we do get a (slim) scene where there's at least an acknowledgement of a gay couple in the film. Second, it's important to represent stories from different timeframes so we can see where we've been and where we hope to go. So, why is it on this list? A couple reasons: First, not to stereotype, but this bisexual writer has a very hearty appreciation for these films.
Disney still struggles with gay couples in 2021, so you know there's no way that there was an LGBTQ+ on-screen relationship in any of the Princess Diaries movies. Here's the deal: The Princess Diaries 2: The Royal Engagement came out back in 2004.