Please note, this article includes some language that many have reclaimed but may still cause offence to some.

Introduction

To celebrate LGBT+ History Month, we’ve gathered a list of compelling and critically acclaimed TV shows, Films, Books, and Podcasts.

In our list this year, we’ve gathered pieces of media that explore and celebrate people from the LGBT+ community. We’ve included resources that look at the traditional and modern history of the LGBT+ movement, as well as pieces of media that celebrate the everyday life of people in the LGBT+ community today. Have a look below to see some of our suggestions...

TV shows

Empire

Music Mogul Luscious Lyon looks to secure the future of his organisation by playing his sons against each other. But the past cannot stay there and returns to stand on business...

Available to stream on Disney+ and All 4.

Gentleman Jack

Anne Lister returns to Shibden Hall, the ancestral home in Halifax, West Yorkshire. As a landowner, she decides to make some major decisions to revive it...

Available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

The Last of Us

With the goal of escorting a teenager girl across the disaster stricken world, a reluctant smuggler takes on the challenge with the fate of the world in his hands...

Available to stream on NOW TV.

Sense8

Eight Strangers from around the globe are somehow connected. From violent visions to telekinesis, all is not as it seems...

Available to stream on Netflix.

A Murder at the End of the World

A mystery series with a new age detective at the forefront. Emma Corrine stars as Darby Hart, a Gen Z amateur investigator and tech-savvy hacker.

Available to stream on Disney+.

Films

The Favourite

The Queen of England is stricken with illness, leaving vital country matters in the hands of her close associate Sarah Churchill. Everything changes when Sarah's cousin Abigail begins to serve the Queen...

Available to stream on Disney+.

Rocketman

The highly rated musical fantasy based on the life of Sir Elton John's breakthrough years is a must watch! See how he powered through to become one of the biggest musical icons in British history...

Streaming live in the Metro, Luton Campus Monday 24th February.

Bohemian Rhapsody

The multiple award winning movie, Bohemian Rhapsody, focuses on the life of the lead singer of Queen Freddie Mercury. Have a watch to see the depiction of the band's rocky road to the top and how the personal life of Freddie Mercury played a part in history.

Available to stream on Netflix and Disney+.

Lioness: The Nicola Adams Story

A feature-length biographical documentary on the life of Nicola Adams OBE, the double Olympic and WBO flyweight boxing champion, and the first woman to ever represent England in boxing.

Available to stream on Amazon Prime.

Disclosure

In this documentary, leading trans creatives and thinkers share heartfelt perspectives and analysis about Hollywood's impact on the trans community (Netflix, 2020)

Available to stream on Amazon Prime.

Disobedience

After the death of her father, a young woman, returns to the orthodox community that cast her out as a child. However, she ends up revisiting her passion for her childhood friend.

Available to stream on Disney+.

Books

Giovanni's Room

James Baldwin’s groundbreaking novel about love and the fear of love, set among the bohemian bars and nightclubs of 1950s Paris. With sharp probing insight, Giovanni’s Room tells an impassioned, deeply moving story that lays bare the unspoken complexities of the human heart.

The Crane

Ten days after calling off her wedding, CJ Hauser went on an expedition to Texas to study the whooping crane. After a week wading through the gulf, she realized she’d almost signed up to live someone else’s life.

Leaving Isn't The Hardest Thing

At once razor-sharp, profoundly brave, and often very, very funny, the essays in Leaving Isn’t the Hardest Thing interrogate our notions of ecstasy, queerness, and what it means to live freely. Each piece is a reckoning: Of survival, identity, and how to reclaim one’s past when carving out a future.

Countries of Origin

This stunning debut chronicles a tumultuous, passionate love affair between two young men from vastly different worlds during one, extraordinary summer in Spain, in what is ultimately a meditation on identity, class, belonging, and desire.

Lavash At First Sight

Sparks fly between two women pitted against each other in this delectable new romantic comedy by Taleen Voskuni, author of Sorry, Bro. Sworn as enemies, Ellie and Vanya must compete against each other under their suspicious parents’ scrutiny, all while their feelings for each other heat to sizzling temps.

All My Mother's Lover

Intimacy has always eluded twenty-seven-year-old Maggie Krause—despite being brought up by married parents, models of domestic bliss—until, that is, Lucia came into her life. But when Maggie’s mom, Iris, dies in a car crash, Maggie returns home only to discover a withdrawn dad, an angry brother, and, along with Iris's will, five sealed envelopes, each addressed to a mysterious man she’s never heard of.

Podcasts

Queer Talk

Queer Talk because of their focus on positive and uplifting stories from the LGBTQ community. Sure, there are plenty of serious moments throughout, but hosts Mufseen and Spencer keep things upbeat and energetic.

Historical Homos

The no-f***s-given guide to LGBTQ+ history. Welcome to the Gayest Stories Never Told! Hosted by Bash and Donal Brophy and produced by Heroes actor, Zachary Quinto. This relatively new podcast is both informative and entertaining.

Making Gay History

For a more personal account of LGBTQ+ history, Eric Minus repurposes old archival interviews to create intimate portraits of both known and long-forgotten champions, heroes, and witnesses to history.

Food 4 Thot

A multiracial mix of queer writers talk about sex, relationships, race, identity and what they’re reading.

Dyking Out – a Lesbian and LGBTQIA Podcast for Everyone!

A podcast about queer life, news and pop culture hosted by comedians Carolyn Bergier and Melody Kamali. Regularly features guests ranging from comedians, musicians and actors to discuss topics relevant to the LGBTQ+ world.

Totally Trans Podcast Network

Lover of the arts? Why not check out this podcast that discusses finding trans representation in film, TV and literature.

Support is on hand

At Beds SU, we have an LGBTQ+ society and an LGBT+ Student Network. If you’d like more information about either of these groups, email help@bedssu.co.uk.

If you need support this LGBTQ+ History Month, there are plenty of resources you can utilise:

• Switchboard – Switchboard provides a one-stop listening service for LGBTQ+ people on the phone, by email and through instant messaging.

• Stonewall – Information and support for LGBTQ+ communities and their allies, and a free support phone line.

• Samaritans – A free listening and support service for anyone who needs to talk.

• Mermaids – Mermaids provide a helpline and web chat service for transgender and gender diverse people up to and including the age of 19, their families, and professionals working with them.