Watch These Four Movies to Educate Yourself About LGBTQ+ Issues

Many of us want to join the social conversation about human rights, but aren’t necessarily sure where to start. The LGBTQA+ community, for example, encounters a wide array of harmful experiences on a daily basis. These experiences can be hard to understand without some context that can provide a platform for empathy. If you want to be a better ally to the LGBTQA+ people in your life, or even if you’re just looking for a night of solid entertainment, there are plenty of films that showcase and highlight the struggles, stories, humanity, and achievements of the LGBTQA+ community. 

The following list is by no means exclusive as there truly is a beautiful bouquet of LGBTQA+ films that one could spend hours discussing. However, the films included on this list are specifically films that highlight some of the societal struggles that the LGBTQA+ community has gone through. Another note to make is that some of these films are newer, while others are considered classics at this point. Without further adieu, here are a few of the best LGBTQA+ films out there.

Boy Erased

Boy Erased is the first title on the list because it’s based off of a true story. This is a biographical drama that will surely pull the heartstrings of any parent, or anyone with a heart for that matter. Boy Erased takes the viewer through the story of Jared Eamons who is forcibly outed as gay by his parents to their church-group. If you were already thinking this sounded bad, it gets worse. This is when the story takes a turn into the darkness and gives viewers an idea of what it’s like to be forced into conversion therapy. However, in the wake of all this trauma, Jared finds his voice and is able to truly own his identity, despite all the odds.

In the 2018 film, Jared Eamons is played by Lucas Hedges. The film has also won 11 awards and was nominated for a total of 51. 

Rent

If you’re a fan of musicals then you’re very likely already familiar with the show, Rent. If you aren’t, it’s an incredibly famous and iconic musical that is studied relentlessly by theater and musical students, actors, directors, and playwrights alike. It is undoubtedly one of the staple pieces of musical theater to come out of the 90’s, and has a very special place in the hearts of many. 

The broadway musical version of Rent won both a Pulitzer and a Tony, and is recognized worldwide as an excellent piece of musical theater. In 2005, the musical was brought to the silver screen and put to film. While it may not deliver the full punch of a live-musical-theater experience, the film still tells the very relatable tale of a group of bohemians struggling to make ends meet in the East Village of New York City. Not only does the group struggle with love, relationships, and money, but also AIDS and the societal stigma of being gay in the 1990’s. 

If you’re looking for a LGBTQA+ film to watch, this one is sure to steal your heart away. 

Philadelphia 

Speaking of media from the 1990’s, Philadelphia is another thrilling LGBTQA+ film that brings a much more serious tone. A law-court drama may be the last place on earth you expect to find a film about the life and struggles of members of the LGBTQA+ community, but this film is exactly that. 

Philadelphia is a 2-time-Oscar-winning film that stars Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington. Need more be said? Tom Hanks plays a lawyer who is fired because of his HIV condition. Denzel Washington plays a homophobic lawyer that Tom Hanks hires to sue his prior employers. 

Gripping, thrilling, and incredibly well-written, Philadelphia is a must-watch for any fan of film in general. 

Conversion Therapy 

The Conversion Therapy movie is a 2022 film that also delves into the dark reality of conversion therapy and how just how mainstream it was back in the day. While there are still some forms of conversion therapy happening, it is at least denounced by the greater psychological community as a discredited practice. 

This film follows the story of one such conversion therapist who has his ideas and his practices challenged. Through an unlikely friendship with a young gay man, his eyes are opened, and he eventually denounces the practice of conversion therapy entirely. 

A few Last Words on LGBTQA+ Films

There are many films out there worth watching. If you’re looking to learn a little bit about the lives and struggles of those who belong to the LGBTQA+ community, this list features a great starting point, though there are many many more worthwhile titles that weren’t listed here. 

Whether you’re looking to learn, or just looking for a good movie suggestion, try one, or all, of the titles listed above! Enjoy your streaming!