NETFLIX SHOWS THAT SHOWCASE LGBTQ+ REPRESENTATION
INTRODUCTION
LGBTQ is an acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning. These terms are used to describe a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. It is important to understand that OTT platforms are accessible to the masses, making correct and inclusive representation very important. Love is Love, and the following shows have done a good job representing that. Here are some shows that showcase an understanding of the LGBTQ+ community:
ATYPICAL
Robia Rashid’s aspirational family comedy Atypical follows Sam, an autistic 18-year-old who is looking for a partner and freedom. The authors use therapy sessions as a way to shed light on autism, which makes the series both enjoyable and instructive. The light-heartedness peppered throughout is rarely at the cost of the protagonist while he sheds great knowledge on his favourite things, i.e. great fun facts about penguins and Antarctica. The show highlights not just him trying to figure out himself, but also his elder sister Casey. Casey, played by Brigette Lundy-Paine, is his younger sister and a track star who feels obligated to keep the family together while keeping her sexuality a secret.
The show promotes a message of acceptance and compassion for all people, regardless of their circumstances. This is something that all viewers can connect to. It’s an emotional trip, but one that’s well worth your time, especially given the short runtimes and the heaviness that hits you in the gut at the end.
ÉLITE
When it initially debuted on Netflix in 2018, this teenage drama set at a rich private high school in Spain was a surprising smash. It’s simple to see why! It is a thrilling murder mystery that runs throughout the season, with obscene displays of wealth followed by multiple twists and turns in the story. Élite’s issues-based side storylines deal with subjects like class inequality, xenophobia, and HIV stigma, and many other things. Even with subtitles, you’ll be binge-watching this short series in no time.
ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK
Jenji Kohan’s Netflix comedy-drama Orange Is the New Black (often shortened to OITNB) is an American comedy-drama series. Piper Kerman’s memoir, Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison (2010), is based on her experiences at FCI Danbury, a federal minimum-security prison.
Since its premiere, Orange Is the New Black has been very highly viewed. The connection between lead characters Piper (Taylor Schilling) and Alex (Laura Prepon) is at the centre of numerous stories The programme features one of several queer characters, including Laverne Cox’s depiction of trans prisoner Sophia Burset. The actor was nominated for an Emmy for her portrayal! This made her the first transgender person to receive such an honour.
SCHITT’S CREEK
Schitt’s Creek stars Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levy, Dan Levy, and Annie Murphy as the Rose family, an affluent socialite who loses their money and is forced to seek shelter in Schitt’s Creek, a village they acquired as a joke. The show is one of the best comedies on television, and it stars Dan Levy as David, a pansexual character who is performed masterfully. He has connections with both men and women, and it is never brought up as a point of contention; rather, it is just accepted by all of the characters. The show’s six seasons are fairly accessible to watch on most OTT platforms.
SEX EDUCATION
Sex Education depicts exactly what it is named after. Otis, the repressed son of a sex therapist, teams up with Maeve to operate an under-the-table sex therapy business at their high school. Outside of work, however, Otis’ closest friend Eric struggles to combine his family’s expectations with his sexuality and gender presentation. Along with this, bully Adam wrestles with his sexuality by venting his frustrations on Eric and chafing under his father’s strict expectations. Sex Education is one of the finest LGBTQ-inclusive teen comedies out there. It’s playful, hilarious, and, yes, sometimes brutally awkward.
CONCLUSION
Cinema and OTT platforms are ever-evolving according to the needs of society and changing hemispheres of understanding. Representation of all communities has become imperative to normalise communities that otherwise would have been excluded. It is this inclusivity, this happiness and this bond that if societies as a whole cherish, can make the world a better place to live in. This Pride month, make sure that The Pride month is not just a month of celebration, but a month of acceptance for all throughout the years to come, and of course, to enjoy the shows with such great storylines! For much such OTT recommendations by Social Buzz, click here. To check out Songs about Pride that one just can’t miss, click here!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Miss N is a Digital marketing intern working at Social Buzz. She is an undergraduate student at Delhi University pursuing Bcom Hons. With an avid interest in creative ideation and marketing strategies, she wishes to expand her horizons related to the field of Digital marketing through Social buzz.
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