October is LGBTQ+ History Month, and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than consuming my favorite LGBTQ+ media. From movies to TV shows and everything in between, art can be such a fulfilling way to express experiences, identities, and the stories of a boisterous community. We have a long history, but the stories of triumph, love, courage, and hope are timeless.
On that note, there are countless pieces of media that I could include that have queer-coded characters or are hinted at to be queer or non-gender-conforming. To narrow my scope, I want to focus on the media that are explicitly LGBTQ+ or created by members of the LGBTQ+ community. That (unfortunately) means no unconfirmed queer ships. Trust me, if I could include everything, I would.
- Giovanni’s Room
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This novel was published in 1956 by the American writer and advocate James Baldwin. It follows David, an American living in Paris. The story centers on the different relationships and romantic encounters David had throughout his life.
If you’re worried about when it was published, I’m here to say that even 70 years later, the story still hits the same. The themes of identity and repression still ring true today.
Baldwin’s vivid writing brings the characters to life, and to capture it, I chose this quote: “There are so many ways of being despicable it quite makes one’s head spin. But the way to be really despicable is to be contemptuous of other people’s pain.”
- Moonlight
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Beyond just cinematography, editing, and direction, the coming-of-age story of Moonlight (2016), directed by Barry Jenkins, is deeply moving. It centers on the main character Chiron through three stages of his life: childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.
While the film addresses themes of intersectional identities and queer and black experiences, I think of Moonlight as a film about how life shapes our identity. The movie is uniquely vulnerable and intimate, as the audience gets a privileged look into the different armors Chiron adopts throughout his life.
A review by Richard Brody in The New Yorker addresses this: “The film’s specificity is inseparable from its almost unbearable intimacy.”
- The Summer Hikaru Died
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For me, this anime and manga represent popular queer media of the future, as Season 2 was confirmed in September 2025. While The Summer Hikaru Died (TSHD) is often categorized as a horror anime, its themes of identity, acceptance, grief, and queer adolescence deepen the impact of the show.
TSHD follows a young boy, Yoshiki, in the Japanese countryside after his best friend, Hikaru, vanishes and reappears a week later. Feeling that something is amiss, Yoshiki confronts his best friend about his disappearance.
Between the horror elements and the poignant story, the anime is incredibly effective in conveying the emotions of Yoshiki and Hikaru. I don’t want to spoil it, but some moments and lines definitely made me tear up.
- I Saw the TV Glow
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This movie is officially classified as horror, but there aren’t any big monsters, jump scares, or frightening noises. Instead, through trippy visuals and effects, the movie suggests the scariest thing is living an inauthentic life. I Saw the TV Glow, directed by Jane Schoenbrun, is a trans allegory about gender dysphoria and repressing your true self.
There are many standout elements from the movie, but the lighting and music choices set such a strong tone for the movie that sucks me in every time I watch it. For example, Sloppy Jane and Phoebe Bridgers’ song “Claw Machine” captures some of the themes and emotions of the movie.
Some of my favorite lyrics from the song include “I think I was born bored / I think I was born blue / I think I was born wanting more / I think I was born missing you.”
- Yellowjackets
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I first heard about Yellowjackets from a friend who described the show as if Lord of the Flies was queer and even more visceral. More specifically, it follows a girl’s high school soccer team after their plane crashes in the Canadian wilderness.
The show is split into two timelines: right after the crash and the survivors’ adult lives. The show features several established queer characters, including Tai, Van, and Ben. It dives into an almost Freudian analysis of the survivors’ behavior in the wilderness and in their adult lives. Shauna’s arc exemplifies this, especially in Season 3.
Overall, Yellowjackets isn’t necessarily a show about queerness. It’s about characters who happen to be queer, but it still explores the different queer relationships and subtexts. The first episode of Season 4 premieres Nov. 20, 2026, and I’m eagerly waiting to see what’ll happen with the Yellowjackets.
- But I’m a Cheerleader
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This 1999 classic movie is iconic for many reasons, including the bright color palette and satirical overtones. The film is notable for its humor and rom-com energy, especially among other queer movies of the era, such as Boys Don’t Cry (1999) focusing on a more melancholic perspective.
Director Jamie Babbit said, “In the 90s, a lot of gay friends of mine were dying of AIDS. Comedy was important because if you don’t laugh, you’re crying.”
But I’m a Cheerleader is an active defiance of what I like to think of as the “sad queer” trope. In its place is a proud, funny, and bright subversion of queer media in a time of hardship.
- Honorable Music Mentions
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As hard as I tried, I couldn’t narrow down the entire music industry to pick my favorite artists, especially when they vary significantly by genre, era, and overall vibe and message. For me, some standouts include “Chanel” by Frank Ocean, “Pretty Girls” by Renee Rapp, “Under Pressure” by David Bowie and Freddie Mercury, “American Teenager” by Ethel Cain, and “Rebel Girl” by Bikini Kill.
While anthems like “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga pay tribute to taking pride in one’s identity, I find myself drawn to songs about existing as a queer or non-gender-conforming individual. Everyday life experiences can inspire incredible songs, highlighting that inclusivity in the music space doesn’t have to be about being LGBTQ+ to be worthy of being LGBTQ+ music. These experiences are usually timeless.
Media about love, struggles with family, confusing dynamics, or embracing identities don’t have to be locked in one genre. Emotions don’t expire either, and that’s one of my favorite parts of LGBTQ+ History Month. While it’s about the stories and figures that paved the way for my community, it’s also about transcending eras and connecting past, present, and future.
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