I Want My Pride TV

Representation of LGBTQ+ characters and storylines has played an important role in re-shaping cultural perceptions and breaking down barriers for the LGBTQ community. This Pride season, a slew of original new programs are streaming on major platforms.

In Peckham Mix, Josh, played by George Turner, struggles to find direction in his life after being dumped by his boyfriend. Josh moves into an apartment with colorful new roommates, played by British actors Kane Surry and Janak Nirmal, who mysteriously leave the house each night. His curiosity into their inexplicable 1am excursions lead to potentially deadly consequences for Josh.

Created and directed by Marco De Luca and produced by Cédric Andries, Peckham Mix explores life’s inescapable changes and the bias people often carry in their rush to form judgements of others. Mr. De Luca’s hope is that viewers see that purpose in life comes in many different shapes and forms, and that taking the time to look beneath the surface of the people in our lives can challenge our belief systems and reveal unexpected blessings.

Historical Homos dishes on some of the great queers of yesteryear. Hosted by Bash and Donal Brophy and executive produced by the out movie star Zachary Quinto, the show aims to prove that queer people have been challenging society, serving looks, and living out their deepest fantasies for eons.

New episodes are available every Friday of Pride month. The first two, streaming now, explore male homosexuality in Greek Mythology and the true story of an 18th century transgender spy and soldier. This week's episode will focus on the little-known bisexual proclivities of playwrights William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe and the final show will review the life and lesbian loves of author Virginia Woolf.

“I wish I knew about these historic queer people as a child,” host Donal Brophy reflects. “It would have been so helpful in my coming out to have heard about positive, creative, intelligent gay people.”

“Our hope is that all viewers – gay and straight – learn to expand what they believe about the past and human sexuality,” says co-host Bash. “That’s one of the most powerful ways to better understand the queer community’s lived experiences and inherited contexts.”

Both series are streaming now on Dekkoo.com, a subscription streaming service dedicated to gay men. The fact that gay men even have their own streaming service represents a monumental step for the LGBTQ community. The editorial team at Mr. Man have compiled a list of other gay milestones in TV and movie history; moments that have fostered understanding, acceptance, and social change in America. They include:

Wings (1927)
The very first Best Picture winner. It featured a same-sex kiss between two soldiers.

The Queen (1968)

This documentary film following drag queens organizing and participating in the 1967 Miss All-America Camp Beauty Contest was screened at the Cannes Film Festival.

The Boys in the Band (1970)

As one of the first films to revolve around gay characters, it was a huge step forward for gay representation.

Querelle (1982)

An adaptation of French queer icon Jean Genet's 1947 novel about a young sailor exploring his queerness.

My Beautiful Laundrette (1985)

Depicts the plight of a young gay immigrant.

Paris is Burning (1991)

The second major documentary to tackle the world of ball culture featured the first filmed depictions of the "Vogue" phenomenon.

My Own Private Idaho (1991)

One of the first major examples of marquee young matinee idols (River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves) taking on roles that people at the time told them were career killers.

The Crying Game (1992)

One of the first films to humanize a transgender character—rather than use them as a means to the lead character's end.

Philadelphia (1993)

A film that brought gay characters and the AIDS crisis into America's living rooms.

Love! Valour! Compassion! (1995)

Featured an almost all-out cast, many of whom starred in the original Broadway production.

Bent (1997)

The first major pop culture piece to tackle the persecution of gay men during the Holocaust.

Happy Together (1997)

Acclaimed Chinese filmmaker Wong Kar-wai brought us a landmark in queer representation for Asia in general and China in particular.

Will and Grace (1998)

Among the many groundbreaking moments on the show was the lip lock between stars Eric McCormack and Sean Hayes.

Dawson's Creek (1998)

Kerr Smith's character Jack McPhee had a two-part coming out episode in the show's second season and was later part of the first man-on-man kiss on network television by a recurring character.

Queer as Folk

The original UK version, which ran for two seasons from 1999-2000, was substantially more explicit than the American remake which ran from 2000-2004. Both versions certainly did a lot for queer representation on television.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001)

John Cameron Mitchell's first film is an adaptation of his rock/glam musical that he poured his heart, soul, and queerness into, centering the story around a trans character.

Angels in America (2003)

After becoming a Broadway sensation in the 90s, Mike Nichols' epic two-part adaptation of Tony Kushner's work was another huge step forward for television.

Brokeback Mountain (2005)

Ang Lee's Oscar-winning tale of love between two cowhands has only grown in stature since its release.

Moonlight (2016)

The first Best Picture winner to focus exclusively on a gay lead character. It offered an honest look at how hard it is to grow up in America as a gay minority.

Call Me By Your Name (2017)

Adapted for the screen by out writer James Ivory and directed by out filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, this Oscar winning film brought a sumptuous gay love story to mainstream art-house audiences.

Pose (2018)

Walking through the doors kicked down by RuPaul's Drag Race, the series brought 80s ball culture and the early days of the AIDS crisis to a mainstream audience.

My Policeman (2022)

Pop star Harry Styles played a gay character.

Bros (2022)

Billy Eichner broke new ground in 2022 with the first-ever gay romantic comedy distributed by a major Hollywood studio.