18 LGBTQ+ TV Shows to Watch Right Now

For an all-too-brief moment, Our Flag Means Death held the banner as TV's best representation of queer romance. A rom-com set during the Golden Age of Piracy, Our Flag Means Death told the unlikely meet-cute between gentleman pirate Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby) and feared buccaneer Blackbeard (Taika Waititi). Despite widespread acclaim and strong streaming numbers on HBO Max, the cult comedy was sent to Davy Jones's locker after two seasons due to Warner Bros. Discovery's financial struggles.—Eric Francisco

HBO Max

Never has alienation in one's body been so hilarious. Overcompensating, a buzzy young adult comedy, chronicles the friendship between a former high school jock and closeted gay man (Benito Skinner, who also created the series) and his new best friend (Wally Baram) as they navigate their freshman year together in college. Frat parties, hook-ups, and a talking Megan Fox poster place Overcompensating on the honor roll.—E.F.

Prime Video

Queerness isn't the heart of Hacks, but it may be its soul. Streaming on HBO Max, Hacks chronicles the complicated partnership between a trailblazing comedienne (played by Jean Smart) and an up-and-coming comedy writer (Hannah Einbinder). Sandwiched between its lead characters' interpersonal drama are its deeply thoughtful explorations of queerness—especially bisexuality and bi-erasure—which has made the show a darling of queer TV.—E.F.

HBO Max

While most of The Other Two hinges on the antics of two elder millennials (played Heléne Yorke and Drew Tarver) trying to take control over their lives after their 13-year-old brother becomes a pop megastar, its razor-sharp satire of queerness and queer culture has made it a standout against a glut of rainbow-washing competitors. In a 2023 essay by Chris Revelle on Pajiba, Revelle praised The Other Two as being "specifically, wonderfully gay."—E.F.

HBO Max

You don't need to know anything about Japan's entrenched hostilities (however changing) towards LGBTQ people to see the Netflix reality show The Boyfriend as a revelation. An unscripted drama, The Boyfriend invites nine gay men to live together for a month at a scenic beach house while operating a coffee truck business. The air of new romance permeates among the new roommates, but it's simply the joy of new connections that make The Boyfriend a cozy contrast from infinitely messier American counterparts.—E.F.

Netflix

Based on the comic book series, Heartstopper follows two teenage boys, Charlie and Nick, who develop an unlikely friendship. Charlie is bookish, while Nick is a jock with a golden heart. Though the social hierarchy in their high school advises against it, the two boys become close friends—and fall in love. A a romantic drama with juicy twists and turns, it’s also a heartwarming tale about two individuals discovering themselves amidst societal pressures.—Bria McNeal

Netflix

Pose is an Emmy-winning series created by Ryan Murphy. The show takes place in 1980s New York and showcases the rise of ballroom culture among LGBTQ youth. The story opens with Blanca, a dancer who starts a "house" to support queer people who’ve been kicked out of their families. One of her first house guests is Damon, another performer. Together, they recruit more members and compete in balls against Blanca’s former house mother Elektra. Through the lens of dance—and the emerging drag scene—Pose tells a story about self-discovery and the importance of chosen families.—B.M.

Hulu

Mae Martin stars in Feel Good, a semi-autobiographical show about their life. Feel Good follows Mae’s journey as a recovering addict and budding comedian. The series begins with Mae’s decision to get clean and rid themselves of the romanticism and obsessive behaviors that have stalled their life. But Mae’s plan to focus on self-growth is thwarted when they meet and fall in love with George. Through its ups and downs, Feel Good explores gender, sexuality, and the ever-evolving process of growing up.—B.M.

Netflix

Work in Progress follows Abby (played by comedian Abby McEnany), a gay woman battling depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. After accidentally killing their therapist, Abby meets Chris, a trans man who pulls her out of her shell. As they grow closer, Abby unpacks the roadblocks holding her back from enjoying life to its fullest. Work in Progress is a comedic ode to self-actualization. The characters are colorful and diverse, making for a well-rounded story that nearly anyone can relate to.—B.M.

Prim Video

She’s Gotta Have It is a reboot of Spike Lee’s classic 1986 rom-com. The television adaptation gives the story a fresh retelling, with Tracy Camilla Johns staring as Nola Darling, a woman who can’t decide who she wants to date. Naturally, she decides to pursue multiple people at once. At first, Nola chooses three different men, but her worldview changes when she meets Opal Gilstrap—a single mother who helps Nola grow into her best self.—B.M.

Netflix

This AMC series took Anne Rice’s classic book about two intertwined vampires and turned it into an explosive, high-stakes love story. Lestat de Lioncourt, a villainous yet painfully lonely vampire, meets the hotheaded and aimless human, Louis de Pointe du Lac ,in early twentieth-century New Orleans. The two fall in love, enter eternal damnation together, and even raise a vampire child. If you like your queer love with drama, literal life-and-death stakes, and lots of romance, this is a must-watch. We can hardly wait for the second season.—Sirena He

The Roku Channel

XO, Kitty is a spin-off to the hugely popular Netflix movie, To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before. This brand-new show follows Kitty Song Covey, the younger sister of Lara Jean. Kitty goes on her own journey of self-discovery—and has her first experiences with love and heartbreak. With a cast of young queer characters, and Kitty herself coming to terms with discovering her sexuality, the show is a fun and addictive romantic comedy.—S.H.

Netflix

In Broad City, Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson cracked us up as ditzy, but endearing best friends. The two New York City gals took many trips to Bed, Bath, and Beyond, lived by the four R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rihanna, and even did some adult stuff, like their taxes! Throughout the series, Ilana often expresses her not-so-platonic love for her dear friend, Abbi, and even has a relationship with a girl who looks just like her, portrayed by Alia Shawkat. These two fun-loving pals may get into a lot of trouble, but they always have each other’s backs.—S.H.

Hulu

The iconic four-season dramedy, Ugly Betty, was adapted from the Colombian telenovela, Yo Soy Betty La Fea. The American rendition gave the show some modern twists, focusing on Betty’s career ambitions at the stylish Mode magazine—and her self-actualization while facing a new environment on her own. Silvio Horta, who produced and wrote the show, is an openly gay, first-generation Cuban-American. Ugly Betty featured many beloved LGTBQ characters and a trans female main character, Alexis Meade, exploring each of their journeys in hilarious and heartwarming ways.—S.H.

Hulu

We’re so glad Jermaine Clement, of Flight of the Conchords fame, decided to turn the movie What We Do In The Shadows into a full-blown series. The spin-off follows the misadventures of a group of vampires living together on Staten Island. They’re the definition of a chosen family, with Lazlo and Nadja—who have been husband and wife for over hundreds of years. (They're also pansexual—and open to exploring as much as supernaturally possible.) There's also Nandoor, the oldest of the bunch and desperate for companionship—as well as his human familiar, Guillermo, who harbors a lifelong dream to become a vampire too. In season 4, Guillermo had a touching coming-out story that resonated with many.—S.H.

Hulu

Almost a decade after its cancellation, TV lovers still can't get enough of Sense8. Created by the legendary Wachowskis (The Matrix trilogy) and J. Michael Straczynski (Babylon 5), Sense8 tells of eight strangers from around the world who experience a shared vision that brings them closer together. Rooted in themes of empathy, Sense8 won acclaim not only for its imaginative sci-fi storytelling, but also its exploration of queer identity, sexuality, and politics at a time when mainstream TV was still allergic to inclusion.—E.F.

Netflix

Once upon a time and not long ago, Yuri!!! on ICE was the hottest thing in anime. Its story tells of a fading Japanese figure skater, Yuri Katsuki, who receives newfound training by his idol, Russian champion Victor Nikiforov, which puts him at odds with his rival, Yuri Plisetsky. With gorgeous animation and a steamy budding romance between its good-looking male leads, Yuri!!! on ICE might be a perfect 10. If only it got a second season.—E.F.

Crunchyroll

If today's streaming options feel stale, how about something classic? Straight from the Bush era, Will & Grace brought metropolitan gays to middle America, and became one of the most successful NBC sitcoms of all time. The series follows the ups and downs of Grace (Debra Messing) and her gay best friend Will (Erick McCormack) as they navigate love and dating in New York City. Sure, Will & Grace's brand of progressivism seems cartoonish now. But without it, queerness on TV would look very different.—E.F.

Hulu