Whether it's Kurt's daily confrontations with high school bullies, Brittany's attempts to explain her bisexuality to others or Santana's struggle to accept her attraction to women, Glee has something everyone can connect to. The show didn't include just one token gay character - it included characters of all orientations, showing that sexuality and gender identity is truly a spectrum. Glee's six-season run wasn't the first show to star queer characters, but it marked a dramatic shift in how LGBTQ people were portrayed in television and film. When the show premiered on Fox in 2009, it was during a time when gay marriage was illegal in much of the country and the fight for transgender rights was still in its infancy. Ryan Murphy's ultra-popular teen dramedy Gleetook a huge step for LGBTQ rights when it put queer characters of all shapes and sizes in the spotlight. Related: The Matrix 4: Why Only One Wachowski Sibling Is Directing Glee Sense8 was created by the Wachowskis, both trans women, who are known for the landmark science fiction film The Matrix, as well as other genre classics V for Vendetta, Cloud Atlas, and Jupiter Ascending. Following the cancellation of Sense8 in 2017, Lilly Wachowski embarked on a new show, Work in Progress, a Showtime comedy available on Hulu and Amazon. In one of the show's best queer scenes, Nomi reaches out psychically to Lito, a closeted gay man living in Mexico City, and the inclusion of LGBTQ characters continues into season 2. Sense8 doesn't ignore or single out Nomi's sexuality - it makes her background part of a story about deep empathy for others. Still, seeing Nomi's relationship on-screen is an inspiring sight for others who have similar experiences. Instead, it's a science-fiction adventure starring well-rounded LGBTQ characters. The biggest concern for transgender woman Nomi (Jamie Clayton) and her cisgender partner Amanita (Freema Agyeman) isn't gender identity it's Nomi's sudden psychic connection to seven strangers from across the globe. Like many of the best TV programs representing the LGBTQ community, Sense8isn't a show about being gay. The best shows all have one thing in common - they don't make any assumptions. Other shows look at the Black and Latinx LGBTQ communities, featuring people whose experiences are vastly different from those of white LGBT people. Several of Netflix's best LGBTQ shows explore the oft-overlooked stories of other queer people, examining same-sex relationships between women, the challenges of identifying as bisexual, and the gray areas that come with being transgender or non-binary. In 2021, gay characters on-screen are nothing new.
Related: LGBT Superheroes Who Need Their Own Live-Action Movies The complex, well-rounded characters are a welcome addition to queer representation on-screen, which is too often entrenched in stereotypes. Often, the LGBTQ characters in these shows aren't defined solely by their sexuality, but by their aspirations and pitfalls. Many include a mix of drama and comedy as queer characters navigate day-to-day life.
Netflix's best LGBTQ shows range from traditional sitcoms to sci-fi cult classics to coming-of-age stories. Netflix has also picked up or rebooted several outstanding cable series, creating a deep collection of comedies and dramas for people who want to show some pride. Representation of gay and lesbian people in Hollywood has come a long way since the 1990s sitcom Will & Grace - and with the creative freedom Netflix offers, some of the best portrayals of LGBTQ characters can be found in the streaming service's original shows. With rainbow flags flying and pride parades marching down Main Street, it's time to take a look at the best LGBTQ television shows on Netflix.