58 LGBTQ+ Films and Documentaries

Growing up in Walnut Creek, California, Bobby Griffith was his mother's pride – the quintessential all-American son, raised with strong religious values. However, he harbored a secret: he was gay. Grappling with this hidden truth, Bobby eventually decides to come…

Gerda Wegener asks her husband Einar to pose for her portrait, and in the process, Einar discovers the person Gerda envisioned for her. He begins living as a woman named Lili Elbe. With Gerda's love and encouragement, Lili starts a…

A look inside Shushan, a gay bar in Jerusalem, through conversations with its owners and the people who frequent it.

On the tenth anniversary of his father's death, Joris confronts his fractured family when he meets Yad, a spirited young man who has recently returned home to the Netherlands after living independently. Both grappling with family complexities, Joris and Yad…

This film examines the disturbing consequences of a recent anti-LGBT amendment to a Russian propaganda law. In Russia, where openly living LGBT people are few, the new law has triggered a surge in assaults against gay men and women. Often,…

A teenage soldier develops feelings for a fellow service member. These emotions surface as they spend their final night together at the border, isolated from others and carrying weapons.

Director Ayse Toprak uses the Mr Gay Syria pageant to challenge simplistic views of refugees. The event, a way for participants to escape political persecution, is organized by Mahmoud, who has already been granted asylum in Berlin. He hopes the…

Marlon Riggs' documentary examines the importance of love between Black men through the themes of revolution and self-acceptance. Featuring contributions from poet Essex Hemphill and other gay Black people, the film explores the emotional aspects of their lives, relationships, and…

Marc has a promising career in law enforcement and a baby on the way, so his life appears perfect. Everything changes when he meets fellow officer Kay during their routine jogs. Marc experiences a newfound sense of comfort and ease,…

This film offers a humorous, thought-provoking, and heartfelt look at the Culture Wars and faith in America. Through interviews with people representing all viewpoints, it presents a balanced, challenging, and engaging exploration of today's most contentious issues. Featuring Al Franken,…

Set in the 1960s, the film centers on Jason Holliday, who portrays Aaron Payne, a young cabaret performer and streetwise hustler. The story offers a direct look at Holliday's life as he deals with the challenges of being Black and…

This film explores the lives of gay men in rural America, challenging common stereotypes. The characters include fathers, farmers, recluses, and those embracing unconventional identities.

This is a poignant story about a young man's journey to self-discovery, shown through three key periods in his life. It follows his experiences with love – the joy, heartbreak, and beauty – as he also comes to terms with…

Walter Mercado was once the world's most beloved astrologer, now looking to revive his celebrated career. Born in Puerto Rico, Walter became a pioneering, gender-fluid psychic known for his iconic capes and daily televised horoscopes, captivating 120 million viewers for…

In New York City, two couples – one Black and gay, the other white and straight – navigate evolving relationships. They challenge traditional norms, examine their sexuality, and redefine what it means to be monogamous.

This film chronicles the life and career of André Leon Talley, the influential operatic fashion editor, from his experiences in the segregated American South to his rise in the world of high fashion. The documentary features interviews with Anna Wintour,…

Following a surge of discriminatory laws targeting LGBTQ+ people and the politically charged 2016 election, the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus tours the American Deep South.

A young man struggling with sex and drug addiction is sent to a Christian ministry to overcome what they consider a "gay affliction." There, he confronts truths about himself, his heart, and his beliefs.

This film examines the initial arrival of AIDS in San Francisco and the community's response during the early years of the epidemic. It follows how people stepped up to address the crisis.

In Baltimore's criminal world, Divine, a well-known figure, clashes with Connie and Raymond Marble, a manipulative married couple. The Marbles want to seize the notoriety given to Divine by the media: "The Filthiest Person Alive." This story examines the darker…

A gay couple relocates to a quiet town seeking a better life for themselves and to raise their 16-year-old daughter with strong values. However, the idyllic neighborhood hides a complicated reality.

On a scorching summer in Thamesmead, a large estate in Southeast London, the lives of three teenagers become connected as they deal with the difficulties of becoming adults. This moving story about growing up explores their journeys of finding themselves,…

In a small American town, a group of teenagers click on an online invitation promising intimacy, but find themselves targeted by a group of Christian fundamentalists with a disturbing plan.

In Cuba, life is difficult for young gay men. Reinier, a teenage boy working as a rent boy, falls in love with Yosvani on a soccer field in their Havana neighborhood. Driven by the need to provide for his baby,…

"Making the Boys" examines the story of "The Boys in the Band," the groundbreaking play and later film that significantly impacted perceptions of gay life. The film explores the drama, challenges, and lasting influence of this work, which was the…

Ethan Mao was expelled from his home for being gay. He later returns, resorting to theft, and culminates in taking his family hostage on Thanksgiving Day.

A gay filmmaker faces immense risks filming in Saudi Arabia, where filmmaking is forbidden and homosexuality is punishable by death. Yet, Parvez Sharma undertakes a Hajj pilgrimage, a deeply significant journey in Islam and his own faith. He seeks to…

A young boxer struggling to find his identity embraces his authentic self, even if it means risking everything he has.

Hot to Trot explores the world of competitive ballroom dance among same-sex couples, following four dancers – two men and two women – across four years. The film reveals their lives both on and off the dance floor as they…

Inspired by Shakespeare's "Henry IV," the film follows Mike Waters and Scott Favor as they travel together to find Mike's mother, whom he hasn't seen in years. Mike, who suffers from narcolepsy, lives as a street hustler, while Scott, the…

This documentary explores the life of Bayard Rustin, widely known for organizing the 1963 March on Washington.

Alan Turing, a pioneer of modern computing, played a crucial role at Bletchley Park in deciphering the German Enigma code. Following the war, he faced persecution in Britain due to his homosexuality and ultimately died under suspicious circumstances, believed to…

Two young Muslim men living in secret in Brooklyn sell goods to make ends meet. They grapple with their identities and feelings for each other, but their hidden lives inadvertently draw them into the focus of the War on Terror.

The Stonewall Inn in New York City is widely considered the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, following the 1969 police raid that sparked a riot led by drag queens. This documentary uses a wealth of archival footage, film…

A close-knit group of gay friends strives for dignity and self-respect as the movement for gay rights approaches its pivotal moment.

Following "Before Stonewall," this film chronicles the history of gay and lesbian life from the 1969 Stonewall riots to today. Narrated by Melissa Etheridge, the documentary details the community's efforts, challenges, triumphs, and setbacks in achieving its place as a…

For decades, a kind Jewish couple operated Circus of Books, a bookstore and a central hub for the gay community in Los Angeles. Their daughter, who is also the director, documents their life and the changing times around them.

Inspired by James Baldwin's powerful voice, artist Hank Willis Thomas combines audio, images, and video – including news clips, speeches, and interviews – into a flowing digital presentation. This work connects Baldwin's 20th-century ideas about race, gender, class, and sexuality…

While the 1969 Stonewall Riots are often seen as the start of the modern gay rights movement, Los Angeles has a vibrant queer history stretching back to the early 1900s. *L.A. A Queer History* is an engaging and moving epic…

Amidst the HIV/AIDS crisis and growing fear, a specific ward – designated by a number and letter on the fifth floor of San Francisco General Hospital – became a focal point. It was the first unit in the nation built…

EQUALITY U is a documentary following 34 young activists on the Soulforce Equality Ride. They face warm welcomes at some locations and arrests for trespassing or attempting dialogue at others. Everywhere they go, they connect with young people who have…

This film offers a personal look at Matthew Shepard, the young gay man who was murdered in a highly publicized hate crime. It’s a story about grief, affection, and bravery experienced during an unimaginable event.

Chris & Don explores the enduring relationship between writer Christopher Isherwood and his younger partner, artist Don Bachardy. The film blends contemporary interviews with archival footage the couple filmed in the 1950s, selections from Isherwood's diaries, and lighthearted animations to…

A satirical comedy follows aliens on a galaxy-wide mission: to free men from what they see as female control. They decide Earth is ideal for a society of only men, aiming to reshape gender roles and challenge traditional power dynamics.…

Twenty-five years after "Paris is Burning," this film returns to the vibrant world of voguing battles in New York City's Kiki scene. Competition between Houses requires strong leadership, rigorous practice, and flawless performances. A collaboration between Kiki leader Twiggy Pucci…

This is the story of Griffith, a six-time world welterweight boxing champion. It explores themes of violence, love, sex, politics, and the media through his life.

This film explores a collection of personal artifacts – photographs and notes – from the past, concealing hidden meanings. The film gradually reveals how seemingly harmless images, viewed decades later, now suggest homosexual undertones.

Twelve years after serving a prison sentence, former football star Eddie Palmer returns home to rebuild his life. He develops a close friendship with Sam, a boy struggling with difficulties at home. However, Eddie's history puts his newfound stability and…

MAN MADE follows four trans men – Dominic, Rese, Mason, and Kennie – who share a passion for bodybuilding. Each has overcome challenges including adoption, homelessness, relationships, and self-harm. The film explores their lives through the unique setting of FTMFitCon,…

The film details the final days of the trial for the men who murdered Matthew Shepard, a college student openly gay at the time, in 1998. It also recounts the weeks leading up to his death with stark detail. Stockard…

The film tells the inspiring story of Harvey Milk, a human rights advocate who bravely fought for equality and representation. Facing prejudice as an openly gay man in a time of intolerance, Milk became a powerful voice for marginalized communities.…

Dr. Jessen's investigation reveals a straightforward test for identifying gay men: Do you own light tan shoes? Colorful, well-pressed check shirts? Classical CDs? Do you enjoy Adele? If so, you are gay. As part of a $3,000 monthly program to…

Following the Stonewall riots, Vito Russo became a prominent gay activist and a sharp critic of how LGBTQ+ people were depicted in movies and television. He wrote "The Celluloid Closet," the first book to analyze Hollywood's portrayal of gay characters.…

With transgender people currently barred from the U.S. Military, four service members face discharge as they fight for the freedom they believe in.

"Paris Is Burning" is a landmark documentary exploring the African American and Latinx drag ball culture of 1980s Harlem. The film examines voguing, an expressive dance form central to this community, and "throwing shade," a style of playful verbal sparring.…

While much of the world advances toward LGBTQ+ equality, Russia appears to be moving in the opposite direction. Anti-LGBTQ+ attitudes and laws are growing across the nation. In 2013, the Russian parliament enacted a ban on what it calls "gay…

In 1980, George O'Dowd challenges his parents with his unconventional style and moves in with Peter, who dresses as Marilyn Monroe. They find a scene at Steve Strange's Blitz Club, where George works in the cloakroom. His relationships are difficult…