The 20 Best LGBTQ+ TV Shows of All Time
From laugh-out-loud comedies to poignant dramas, these shows will stand the test of time
LGBTQ+ representation in media has come a long way—we know it wasn’t always like this. The path toward true representation has been long and complicated, and much of what we see on our screens today is owed to the trailblazers who came before. If you’re looking to brush up on your queer TV history, this list is a great place to start: Here are 20 of the most beloved LGBTQ+ television shows of all time.
Degrassi (1979–present)
It’s hard to wrap your mind around how enormous the Degrassi franchise really is. What began as a teenage soap opera in Canada in 1979 would spawn multiple sequel series, spin-offs, graphic novels, documentaries, and more. Since its inception, this franchise has been forward-thinking and raw in its depiction of challenges teens face, including coming out, bullying, and other issues related to LGBTQ life. Who knew the world that gave us Drake was also a queer favorite?
Euphoria (2019–present)
We’ve seen so many “teen dramas” come across our screens over the years, but none have come close to the emotional depth and grittiness of HBO’s award-winning Euphoria. It’s not an “LGBTQ show” per se, but a number of the characters are queer, and plot lines exploring the complexities of their lives are seamlessly woven throughout. It’s amazing to look at this show, compare it to the queer shows of 20 or even just 10 years ago, and realize how far we have come.
Gentleman Jack (2019–present)
Many LGBTQ shows are set in the present day, but it’s important to remember that queer people have always existed—even when they haven’t necessarily been visible. This BBC One period piece is inspired by the true story of Anne Lister, an 1830s Yorkshire landowner, who kept a diary of over five million words. The show focuses on Lister’s journey to restore a run-down estate she inherited, and how she finds (forbidden) love along the way.
Glee (2009–2015)
This Ryan Murphy musical comedy-drama was a genre-busting breakthrough when it came out in 2009, in no small part because of the breadth of LGBTQ experience it portrays. Romances, breakups, bullies, marriage proposals—all set to compelling musical performances. Who among us didn’t shed a happy tear when Blaine sang “Teenage Dream” to Kurt?
Heartstopper (2022)
Television shows where young LGBT people discover themselves and fall in love are few and far between—and this one is an absolute joy. This British coming-of-age romantic comedy-drama satisfies that void with an adorable, entirely believable, totally heartwarming story of two schoolboys discovering that their friendship may be something more. Plus, Olivia Colman’s role as one of the boys’ mothers instantly solidified her status as a gay icon.
Looking (2014–2015)
This all-too-short lived HBO show offers a Sex and the City–style ensemble cast of millennial gay friends navigating life in San Francisco. It was in turns both funny and poignant, delving into topics that aren’t often depicted in mainstream media, such as open relationships, the impact of social media and dating apps on LGBTQ relationships, and aging in the gay community. Lead character Patrick (Jonathan Groff) was entirely human and relatable, and we found ourselves rooting for him even in the stickiest of situations (like when he was sleeping with his boss).
Modern Family (2009–2020)
The radical thing about this classic ABC ensemble comedy is that whereas many LGBTQ television shows have depicted gay characters in urban landscapes, this one depicted a married gay couple tackling suburbia. They’re adopting and raising children, they’re dealing with difficult in-laws, and they’re trying to find humor in everyday life.
Orange Is the New Black (2013–2019)
This streamer, which is among one of Netflix’s most widely viewed original productions, made waves for the way it centered the stories of LGBTQ women of color. Whereas previous LGBTQ-centric shows might include a single lesbian character or two, or perhaps have a lesbian or a single trans person as a secondary character, Orange made the lives and relationships of its LGBTQ cast the main event.
Pose (2018–2021)
So much of the queer community’s liberation movement is owed to the communities of color from New York City’s ballroom scene in the 1980s and ’90s. Part history, part drama, part over-the-top campfest, this critically acclaimed show focuses on the lives of LGBTQ people and especially trans women of color, some of whom lived through the early days of the HIV pandemic. Come for vogueing scenes and the NYC nostalgia, stay for the tearjerking emotional gravitas.
Queer As Folk (2000–2005)
You know how some people will argue that the original U.K. version of The Office was superior to the American version? It’s a similar situation with Queer As Folk. Yes, the 10-episode British version was perhaps more of a trailblazer, as it came before (1999–2000), but it was the 83-episode, six-year American iteration that brought this concept to life: a group of gay men living in Pittsburgh, exploring their careers, relationships, and personal struggles.
RuPaul’s Drag Race (2009–present)
You better work. Drag legend RuPaul leads the way on this reality competition show that’s part America’s Next Top Model, part American Idol, and part LGBTQ Super Bowl. This is one of the most popular shows to delve deeper into the mythology and humanity of drag performers, showcasing their complexity and underscoring the value of community—and the value of “not fucking it up.”
Sense8 (2015–2018)
If it’s made by the Wachowskis, who created the Matrix franchise—and who have both transitioned since their breakout hit film—you know it’s going to be visually stunning, emotionally resonant, and perhaps a little out-there but compulsively watchable. This sci-fi drama focused on eight individuals from various backgrounds, all of whom were mentally and emotionally linked. (Spoiler: That connection leads to some pretty wonky sex scenes.) Overall, it was a beautiful depiction of how LGBTQ people of all orientations and identities are ultimately interconnected.
Tales of the City (2019)
Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City novels have inspired several adaptations, including a 1993 miniseries, second and a third installments in 1998 and 2001, and a new 2019 miniseries on Netflix, which brought all of the previous adaptations together. The stories follow the complex lives of a group of friends living in San Francisco, many of whom are LGBT. This show went beyond just focusing on the day-to-day lives of LGBTQ people and examined what happens when people reach critical junctions in their lives and decide to make momentous changes.
The Golden Girls (1985–1992)
To some, this one may not seem like an overtly “gay” show, but trust us—it just is. While the sitcom does have a few LGBTQ characters and plots sauntering in and out of the action, it’s more about the overall campy attitude of these leading ladies. That being said, there are flashes of progressivism if you look closely—including one episode where Rose gets an HIV test after a blood transfusion accident. That might seem routine today, but it was considered radical television in 1990.
The Haunting of Bly Manor (2020)
Who knew that a Mike Flanagan horror series would turn out to be one of the best lesbian love stories we’ve ever seen? This unique blend of horror and romance makes a solid case that ghost stories aren’t just about the terrifying spirits that haunt us—they’re about the experiences we carry with us, too.
The L Word (2004–2009, 2019–2023)
Has there ever been a more iconic show centered on the lived experiences of lesbian, bisexual , and transgender women? Set in Los Angeles, the show follows a cast of women—but especially Jenny Schecter (Mia Kirshner), who deals with the fallout within her social circle after publishing Lez Girls, a novel inspired by the personal lives of her friends. Ten years after the groundbreaking original ended, a sequel—The L Word: Generation Q—would run for three more seasons on Showtime.
The Last of Us (2023–present)
Okay, so this HBO horror-adventure show’s presence on this list is less about the entire production being an LGBTQ classic and more about one episode from the first season specifically: the third one, “Long, Long Time.” It depicts a gay couple falling for each other against all odds—at the end of the world, after a zombie apocalypse. It’s one of the most heartwarming—and heart-wrenching—gay relationships ever depicted on television.
Transparent (2014–2019)
Imagine your family’s patriarch coming out as transgender. This award-winning comedy-drama deals with that very scenario. Watching Maura, once Mort (Jeffrey Tambor), embark on a journey of self-discovery is an emotional roller coaster, to say the least, and this show delivered a frank and honest portrayal of the complexity of transgender life.
Uncoupled (2022–present)
What would you do if your husband of 17 years suddenly left you, forcing you to reenter New York City’s competitive dating pool in your mid-40s? LGBTQ representations often deal with characters in their 20s and 30s, but rarely those in middle age—and the heartfelt comedy and drama experienced by Neil Patrick Harris’s Michael make this show an instant classic.
Will & Grace (1998–2006, 2017–2020)
This show gave us so much: unending laughs, an honest depiction of a gay man and straight woman cohabitating in New York City, the iconic Karen Walker. Beyond its entertainment value—which in its heyday was second to none—the NBC sitcom broke barriers by portraying openly and unapologetically gay characters using humor to combat stereotypes and foster acceptance.
Todd Plummer is a Boston based journalist covering culture and lifestyle. He is a seasoned entertainment reporter, travel writer, and is an alumnus of McGill University and St. John’s University School of Law.
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