LGBTQ+ Community Resources: Films

Books, media, and other resources in celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride

AN INTERSECTIONAL LENS: TOWARDS A QUEER AND TRANS PEOPLE OF COLOR (QTPOC) FILM CANON An exploration of QTPOC representation in American cinema

AN INTERSECTIONAL LENS: TOWARDS A QUEER AND TRANS PEOPLE OF COLOR (QTPOC) FILM CANON An exploration of QTPOC representation in American cinema
Michael Mungin, UWB/CC psychology and social sciences librarian created "This annotated bibliography (or technically, filmography) seeks to offer a curated list of films addressing the many, many different aspects of life as a Queer or Trans Person of Color (QTPOC) in the United States. Ultimately, I hope people use this site to seek out films to address gaps in their knowledge, to increase their empathy and understanding of the lives that might be very different than their own, and perhaps most importantly for QTPOC to see our own lives reflected in meaningful ways in film. It is odd to me that more resources like this do not already exist, but it’s a blessing and an honor to have the opportunity to create the kinds of resources we want to see in the world."

Documentaries

How To Survive A Plague
ISBN: 9780788616082
Publication Date: 2013
The story of the brave young men and women who successfully reversed the tide of an epidemic, demanded the attention of a fearful nation, and stopped AIDS from becoming a death sentence. This improbable group of activists bucked oppression and infiltrated government agencies and the pharmaceutical industry, helping to identify promising new medication and treatments and move them through trials and into drugstores in record time.
The Stonewall Uprising
ISBN: 9781608834006
Publication Date: 2010
Explores the dramatic event that launched a worldwide rights movement. When police raided a Mafia-run gay bar in Greenwich Village, the Stonewall Inn on June 28, 1969, gay men and women did something they had not done before: they fought back. As the streets of New York erupted into violent protests and street demonstrations, the collective anger announced that the gay rights movement had arrived.
Small Town Gay Bar
ISBN: 1594448221
Publication Date: 2007
Deep in the heart of the "Bible Belt," homosexuals still face intolerance and adversity. Several spirited bar owners, however, have shown the courage to create places for people to call home. ... presents an intimate portrait of establishments that provide much more than an evening of entertainment.
A Jihad for Love
Call Number: STREAMING via LGBT Studies in Film
Publication Date: 2007
Examines the lives of gay, lesbian, and transgender Muslims in twelve countries as they attempt to reconcile their faith with their sexuality.
This edition in English, Arabic, Farsi, Urdu, Hindi, Turkish, French dialogue.
Paris Is Burning
Publication Date: 1990
The unblinking behind-the-scenes story of the fashion-obsessed New Yorkers who created 'voguing' and drag balls, and turned these raucous celebrations into a powerful expression of fierce personal pride.

Lists of Movies and Shows

Movies

Moonlight
Publication Date: 2016
A young black man struggles to find his place in the world while growing up in a rough neighborhood of Miami. The film presents three stages in the life of the main character. It explores the difficulties he faces with his own sexuality and identity, including the physical and emotional abuse he receives as a result of it. Academy Award Best Picture winner, 2016.
Tangerine
Publication Date: 2015
It's Christmas Eve in Tinseltown and Sin-Dee is back on the block. Upon hearing that her pimp boyfriend hasn't been faithful during the 28 days she was locked up, the working girl and her best friend, Alexandra, embark on a mission to get to the bottom of the scandalous rumor. Their rip-roaring odyssey leads them through various subcultures of Los Angeles. Both lead actresses are trans women!
The Boys in the Band
Publication Date: 1970
A witty, perceptive and devastating look at the personal agendas and suppressed revelations swirling among a group of gay men in Manhattan. Harold is celebrating a birthday, and his friend Michael has drafted some friends to help commemorate the event. As the evening progresses, the alcohol flows, the knives come out, and Michael's demand that the group participate in a devious telephone game unleashes dormant and unspoken emotions.
Pariah
Publication Date: 2011
Alike is a 17-year-old African-American woman who lives with her parents and younger sister in Brooklyn's Fort Greene neighborhood. She has a flair for poetry, and is a good student at her local high school. Alike is quietly but firmly embracing her identity as a lesbian. Wondering how much she can confide in her family, Alike strives to get through adolescence with grace, humor, and tenacity--sometimes succeeding, sometimes not, but always moving forward.
But I'm a Cheerleader
Publication Date: 1999
A satirical romantic comedy film. Natasha Lyonne stars as Megan Bloomfield, a high school cheerleader whose parents send her to a residential inpatient conversion therapy camp to cure her lesbianism. There Megan soon comes to embrace her sexual orientation, despite the therapy, and falls in love.
My Brother the Devil
Publication Date: 2012
Rashid is a young man from a traditional Arab family who runs with a gang that rules the streets of Hackney. Rashid's younger brother, Mo, idolizes his handsome, charismatic older brother and dreams of following in his footsteps. However, Rashid envisions a different life for Mo and insists that he stay away from gang life and stick to his studies. Headed on a collision course of conflicting desires, each young man is forced to face himself and confront the brother he thought he knew.
Boy Meets Girl
Publication Date: 2015
Three twenty year-olds living in Kentucky, Robby and his best friend since childhood, Ricky, a gorgeous transgender girl, have never dated. Lamenting the lack of eligible bachelors, Ricky considers dating a girl. In walks Francesca, a beautiful young débutante waiting for her Marine fiance to return from the war. Ricky and Francesca strike up a friendship, and maybe a little more, which forces Robby to face his true feelings for Ricky. Featuring a trans actress in the lead role!
春光乍泄 (Happy together)
Call Number: STREAMING via New World Cinema
Publication Date: 1997
Wong Kar's Happy Together is a stunning display of filmmaking style and a touching story of love on the brink of dissolution. Hong Kong cinema superstars Tony Leung and Leslie Cheung play a pair of lovers living out the waning days of their relationship as expatriates in Buenos Aires. Lusty tango bars, the salsa music of the La Boca sidewalks, and a hypnotic visit to the nearby Iguazu Falls give further dimension to the tensions growing between the two lovers.

Streaming through UW Libraries

LGBT Studies This link opens in a new window
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Films, documentaries, interviews, and archival footage exploring LGBT topics.