The past decade has been full of more LGBT+ shows that featured queer representation than ever before. While the previous decade might have brought shows such as The L Word and Queer as Folk, LGBT+ series from the past ten years have been across many genres and told diverse stories. Whether they were series that focused almost solely on queer characters or series that had extremely important LGBT storylines, there was an improvement in the amount of complexity of these portrayals, even if there is still a way to go.
We’ve put together a list of ten of the best LGBT television series from the past decade.
ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK
Orange is the New Black definitely changed the landscape of streaming series as well as LGBT portrayals on television. There’s no denying that this was a rather mainstream show that featured many queer characters including one of the first major transgender characters played by a transgender woman, Laverne Cox.
While the series definitely made some missteps and had some problematic moments, it was extremely influential.
STEVEN UNIVERSE
This decade has given viewers a more diverse portrayal of queer characters across genres. Having an animated television series that was made for kids to be so positive in its portrayal of LGBT characters was a huge step forward. This series featured a queer kiss between two women as well as a proposal. While there are other animated children’s shows that have had some LGBT representation, Steven Universe was the most inclusive and the most influential.
HANNIBAL
Hannibal is a television series that was loved by critics and a hardcore group of fans alike. While the two main characters might have never actually kissed, and the show was canceled before the relationship was explored completely, it was a very queer show. The romance between Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter was a nuanced exploration of love and friendship.
Plus, the series also featured a canon couple between two women, and these two characters both made it out alive in a positive reversal of the usual script where queer characters are often killed off.
BROAD CITY
LGBT series and representation of queer characters grew to be included in many genres from dramas to comedies and everything in-between. Broad City was a series that explored the queerness inherent in many close, female friendships, and it also featured an unapologetically bisexual lead in Ilana Wexler. The brashness and boldness of Broad City was definitely inspiring and the first of its kind in many ways. This series was definitely a millennial understanding of what it means to be queer and the levels and layers of that between friends.
THE FOSTERS
As far as family dramas are concerned, The Fosters was the first of its kind in many ways. This series was about a lesbian couple and their family of children. It deals with many different themes and issues including racism, transgender issues, immigration, and more. It also explored issues such as sex trafficking and the problems and challenges that foster kids deal within the system. This was a groundbreaking series that had characters who identified as queer and transgender all across the spectrum of identity, and it did all of this while also being engaging and heartwarming.
SENSE8
Sense8 was a television series that was unique in many ways. It was a science fiction series that really transcended what people expect from the genre. While the actual plot of the science fiction elements isn’t always perfect, this show was all about queerness and human connection.
This series featured many queer characters including a transgender woman and a Latino gay couple. Plus, no one will ever forget the beauty and goodness of that orgy scene. This series was all about breaking down boundaries and exploring love, and it definitely ended too soon.
VIDA
Vida is another pioneering LGBT series that hasn’t gotten nearly enough love. So, if you haven’t seen it yet, now is the time to start watching as it has a third season coming out next year. This series following two sisters in Los Angeles, one of whom is queer. Vida handles many complex issues and is an intersectional portrayal of class, race, and sexuality that centers on Latinx characters. This series also features an extremely diverse cast of actors as well as creators.
ONE DAY AT A TIME
Netflix definitely made a bad choice when they canceled this positive, inspiring, groundbreaking television series. One Day at a Time follows a Latinx family and includes a lesbian daughter. This show takes a normal sitcom setup but switches things up by being truly warm-hearted. The family dynamics are wonderful here, and the queer storylines are important and influential. It’s an intersectional show that also features a non-binary character. Thankfully, Pop TV listened to fans and picked up the series for a third season.
SCHITT’S CREEK
Schitt’s Creek is a series that has become extremely popular with the internet. It’s a hilarious show that’s heartwarming and unique, and the queer storyline between David and his boyfriend Patrick has been rather groundbreaking.
This is a rare show that normalizes a gay relationship in a simple yet beautiful way that many people relate to. While it might not be the most cutting-edge show on this list, it’s well-loved and important in how matter of fact it is about handling queer characters.
POSE
While there are many influential and important LGBTQ+ television series from the past decade, Pose might be at the top of the list. This series is really groundbreaking and follows members of the 1980s ball culture in New York City. This series is full of transgender people of color, and it explores their lives in beautiful, complex ways. Pose handles many topics such as HIV, sex work, friendships, and more. With a cast that includes the likes of Billy Porter and Indya Moore, the cast and makers of this film are also diverse.
