Streaming > Streaming TV, Movies, & More The Best LGBTQ Shows on Netflix Right Now (May 2022) From tears to laughter, this rainbow of shows has it all By Brad Stephenson Brad Stephenson Facebook Twitter Freelance Contributor Western Sydney University Brad Stephenson is a freelance tech and geek culture writer with 12+ years' experience. He writes about Windows 10, Xbox One, and cryptocurrency. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on April 30, 2022 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Streaming TV, Movies, & More Netflix Hulu Disney+ Prime Video Apple TV+ Favorite Events LGBTQ shows on the Netflix streaming service have increased a lot in recent years with a growing number of new series featuring strong gay, bi, lesbian, and trans main characters viewers can relate to and learn from. Best of all, these Netflix series cover a range of genres, finally delivering more representation to romance, drama, comedy, mystery, and sci-fi fans. Here are some of the best lesbian, trans, bi, and gay shows on Netflix worth adding to your list. 01 of 22 Merlí: Sapere Aude (2019): Spiciest Spanish Teen Romantic Dramadey Netflix IMDb rating: 7.6/10Genre: Comedy, DramaStarring: Carlos Cuevas, María Pujalte, Pablo CapuzCreated By: Héctor LozanoRating: TV-MASeasons: 1 As Pol Rubio (Carlos Cuevas) goes off to college in Barcelona, his relationships with his family, teachers, and boyfriend Bruno (David Solans) start to change, for better or for worse. Merlí: Sapere Aude is a spin-off of the Spanish teen drama Merlí. The second season just wrapped up on Spanish television, but Netflix only has the first season for now. Watch 'Merlí Sapere Aude' on Netflix 02 of 22 Elite (2018): For People Who Love Gloriously Trashy Soaps Netflix IMDb rating: 7.5/10Genre: DramaStarring: Itzan Escamilla, Omar Ayuso, Miguel Bernardeau Created By: Darío Madrona, Carlos MonteroRating: TV-MASeasons: 4 This Spanish drama about three friends from working-class families who land spots in a prestigious private school was praised by critics when it first aired in 2018 for both its racy, trashy soap opera aesthetic and its handling of social issues like wealth inequality, privilege, and sexuality. Give this a shot if you're looking for a fun, if excessive, teen drama. Watch 'Elite' on Netflix 03 of 22 Queer Eye (2018): The Emmy-Winning Reality Show Reboot Netflix IMDb rating: 8.5/10Genre: Reality-TVStarring: Bobby Berk, Karamo Brown, Tan FranceCreated By: David CollinsRating: TV-14Seasons: 5 The original Queer Eye went off the air about a decade ago, but Netflix has rebooted the reality-TV series. An all-new Fab Five travel the U.S. giving makeovers and general life advice to others. They often visit people with differing viewpoints, adding a layer of social commentary on top of the amazing style transformations. Now in its fifth season, it won a 2021 Emmy for Outstanding Cinematography for a Reality Program. Watch 'Queer Eye' on Netflix 04 of 22 Young Royals (2021): A Swedish Teen Drama With Good Queer Representation Netflix IDMb rating: 8.7/10Genre: DramaStarring: Edvin Ryding, Omar Rudberg, Frida ArgentoCreated By: Lisa Ambjörn, Lars Beckung, Camilla HolterRating: TV-MASeasons: 1 This Swedish import tells the story of fictional Prince Wilhelm, the troubled heir to the throne, who's forced to go to an elite boarding school filled with other wealthy teens. While there, he forms a close connection with a fellow student named Simon. The series showcases many of the troubles teens face today, all while offering thoughtful queer representation and a theme of discovering your own identity that many can relate to. Watch 'Young Royals' on Netflix 05 of 22 GameBoys: Level Up Edition (2021)—Finding Love During a Pandemic Isn't Easy TheIdeaFirst Company IDMb rating: 8.7/10Genre: RomanceStarring: Kokoy De Santos, Elijah CanlasCreated By: Jun LanaRating: TV-14Seasons: 1 Based on a popular Filipino web series, Gameboys is about two teens, Cairo and Gavreel, who engage in an online romance during the Covid-19 pandemic. Cairo is a video game live streamer who loses to an admirer, Gavreel. When Cairo suggests a rematch, Gavreel asks for a date. While Cairo is hesitant, the two form a bond. Teen relationships are tough, but they're even tougher when they're online and during a global crisis. Whether or not the teens can make it work provides most of the drama in the series' first season. Watch 'Gameboys: Level Up Edition' on Netflix 06 of 22 The Andy Warhol Diaries (2022): Trippiest Modern Art Documentary Netflix IMDb rating: 7.7/10Genre: DocumentaryStarring: Bill Irwin, Jeffrey Deitch, Jessica BeckCreated By: Ryan MurphyRating: TV-MASeasons: 1 In this docuseries, Andy Warhol (Bill Irwin) shares the story of his life and career. Whether you're a fan of his work or going in blind, The Andy Warhol Diaries is an audiovisual trip of epic proportions. Based on Warhol's real-life diaries, this series is a loving tribute to the enigmatic artist. It paints an intentionally incomplete picture of a man whose legacy still resonates. Watch 'The Andy Warhol Diaries' on Netflix 07 of 22 Raising Dion (2019): A Supernatural Story of Maternal Love Raising Dion IMDb rating: 7.2/10Genre: Drama, Sci-FiStarring: Alisha Wainwright, Ja'Siah Young, Sammi HaneyCreated By: Carol Barbee, Dennis LiuRating: TV-PGSeasons: 2 Dion (Ja'Siah Young) is a gifted little boy, but his mother Nicole (Alisha Wainwright) is rightfully worried about the world discovering his special secret. Raising Dion is a family-friendly show with LGBT supporting characters. Based on a comic book, this show is recommended for all fans of the supernatural. Watch 'Raising Dion' on Netflix 08 of 22 Halston (2021): A Gorgeous Look at '70s Fashion Netflix IMDb rating: 7.5/10Genre: Biography, DramaStarring: Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Dayan, David PittuCreated By: Daniel MinahanRating: TV-MASeasons: 1 This limited series dives into the life and career of American fashion designer Roy Halston Frowick. Known as just "Halston," he rose to international fame in the 1970s thanks to his minimalist designs. One of his most iconic creations is the pillbox hat Jacqueline Kennedy wore to her husband's presidential inauguration in 1961. Fashion fans will enjoy this peek into the '70s and '80s fashion industry, while everyone else will enjoy the gorgeous visuals and fun performances from Ewan McGregor and Krysta Rodriguez, who play Halston and actress Liza Minelli. Watch 'Halston' on Netflix 09 of 22 Rebelde (2022): The Iconic Telenovela Gets a Reboot Netflix IMDb rating: 6.4/10Genre: Comedy, DramaStarring: Azul Guaita Bracamontes, Giovanna Grigio, Franco MasiniCreated By: Pedro DamiánRating: TV-MASeasons: 1 The first Rebelde telenovela was a phenomenon that launched the pop group RBD. It caused some controversy in 2007 when band member and actor Christian Chávez came out as gay. Now, Netflix hopes to create a new generation of young stars with its 2022 reboot. The show focuses on a group of students who dream of making it in music. They compete in their school's Battle of the Bands with hopes that a win will turn them into stars. Watch 'Rebelde' on Netflix 10 of 22 She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (2018): One of the Most Inclusive Animated Shows Around Netflix IMDb rating: 7.9/10Genre: Animated, Action, FantasyStarring: Aimee Carrero, Marcus Scribner, Karen FukuharaCreated By: Noelle StevensonRating: TV-Y7-FVSeasons: 5 She-Ra and the Princesses of Power is a reboot of the classic 1980s cartoon She-Ra: Princess of Power, a spin-off of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. She-Ra and the Princesses of Power is also one of the most inclusive animated series in recent memory. It follows Princess Adora and her royal friends as they join a rebellion against the evil, world-conquering Horde. The main antagonist is Catra, Adora's frequent frenemy and, later, romantic interest. Their relationship over the show's five seasons is the series' emotional core. The solid storytelling and flashy visuals are also a treat. Watch 'She-Ra and the Princesses of Power' on Netflix 11 of 22 No Time for Shame (2021): A Small Show About a Big Personality Netflix IMDb rating: 5.8/10Genre: Reality-TVStarring: Santiago ArtemisCreated By: Santiago Artemis, Edwin SalinasRating: TV-MASeasons: 1 Santiago Artemis is an Argentinian fashion designer with a large personality. Driven, flamboyant, and gregarious, he creates custom clothing for celebrities and the runways. This reality-TV show documents his hectic, globe-trotting lifestyle as he deals with clients, his love life, and his therapist. Your enjoyment of this show will largely depend on how tolerant you are of oversized egos. Watch 'No Time for Shame' on Netflix 12 of 22 Feel Good (2020): A Relatable Show About Love and Addiction Objective Fiction IMDb rating: 7.5/10Genre: Comedy, DramaStarring: Lisa Kudrow, Mae Martin, Charlotte RitchieCreated By: Mae Martin and Joe HampsonRating: TV-MASeasons: 2 Feel Good is a charming, if sometimes uncomfortable, British comedy/drama about a comedian and recovering addict named Mae (Mae Martin) and her relationship with a repressed woman named George (Charlotte Ritchie). Mae struggles with her sobriety while George struggles with coming out to her friends and family. Critics call the show "authentic," "bingeable," and "relatable." Watch 'Feel Good' on Netflix 13 of 22 Love Alarm (2019): A Popular Korean Drama About the Perils of Love and Social Media Netflix IMDb rating: 7.4/10Genre: Comedy, DramaStarring: Kim So-Hyun, Song Kang, Ga-ram Jung Created By: Jiyoung ParkRating: TV-MASeasons: 2 Love Alarm is a Korean comedy/drama about a phone app that alerts people if someone in their vicinity likes them and the relationship chaos that ensues. In between all the romantic entanglements is a show that turns a critical eye toward social media and its impact on our mental health. It also features a subplot about a boy who reveals his feelings for another boy via the app, and it handles this narrative tastefully, which is unusual in a Korean drama. While homosexuality is legal in South Korea, it's still socially taboo and many LGBTQ people face discrimination in the country, making Love Alarm's handling of the issue a welcome change from the genre's usual depictions of gay people. Watch 'Love Alarm' on Netflix 14 of 22 The House of Flowers (2018): For Fans of Telenovelas Netflix IMDb rating: 7.6/10Genre: Comedy, DramaStarring: Cecilia Suárez, Claudette Maillé, Dario Yazbek BernalCreated By: Manolo CaroRating: TV-MASeasons: 3 The House of Flowers is a black comedy about a Mexican family, the de la Moras, who owns a prestigious flower shop and a cabaret. When the family patriarch's mistress airs all of their dirty laundries before committing suicide, he's thrown in prison, while the rest of the de la Moras struggle to restore their reputations and finances. The show has several LGBTQ characters and plotlines that deal with homophobia and transphobia, and it's been praised for both its dark humor and its addictive soapy format. Watch 'The House of Flowers' on Netflix 15 of 22 Grand Army (2020): A Sincere Portrait of Gen Zers Netflix IDMb rating: 7.5/10Genre: DramaStarring: Odessa A’zion, Odley Jean, Amir Bageria Created By: Katie CappielloRating: TV-MASeasons: 1 Grand Army is a teen drama that focuses on the lives of five high school students as they struggle with issues of sex, race, politics, and more. These problems are discussed by a talented cast of young actors, including Amir Bageria who plays Sid, a Harvard-bound swimmer and the son of Indian immigrants struggling with his sexuality. While the show might be a little too gritty for some viewers, it's often sincere in how it portrays Gen Z life. Watch 'Grand Army' on Netflix 16 of 22 Pose (2018): Best Gender-Nonconforming Ballroom Drama FX IMDb rating: 8.6/10Genre: DramaStarring: Mj Rodriguez, Dominique Jackson, Indya Moore, Billy PorterCreated By: Steven Canals, Brad Falchuk, Ryan MurphyRating: TV-MASeasons: 3 Pose is a series about the Black and Latino LGBTQ ballroom culture of the 1980s and '90s. Blanca Rodriguez (Mj Rodriguez) is an HIV-positive trans woman who decides to form her own House, the community's term for a group of dancers, and she quickly finds herself with a new family. The show is a glossy soap opera that also manages to be emotionally affecting as it deals with issues like money, gender, politics, race, and sexuality. Plus, it features an award-winning performance from Billy Porter as a ballroom emcee turned AIDS activist named Pray Tell. Watch 'Pose' on Netflix 17 of 22 Schitt’s Creek (2015): Best Ground-Breaking Gay Comedy POPTV IMDb rating: 8.5/10Genre: ComedyStarring: Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Dan LevyCreated By: Dan Levy, Eugene LevyRating: TV-14Seasons: 6 Schitt’s Creek follows the hilarious misadventures of a rich family who suddenly find themselves out of pocket and are forced to move to a small rural town called, well, Schitt’s Creek. The series features a variety of now-iconic characters skillfully played by perfectly cast actors, but the standout star is the openly-gay series creator, Daniel Levy, who plays the pansexual son, David Rose. His city character being forced to live in the middle of nowhere makes for numerous laugh-out-loud, fish-out-of-water scenarios, but the show also manages to explore him with sensitivity and earnestness that’s both endearing and relatable. While David does experience a relationship with a female character in its first season, [Spoiler alert!] it’s his romance with a closeted gay man in its third that really breaks new ground and quickly proves itself to be one of the best representations of a male same-sex relationship on TV that easily puts other LGBT shows to shame. Watch 'Schitt's Creek' on Netflix 18 of 22 Special (2019): An Honest Portrayal of Being Both Gay and Disabled Netflix IMDb rating: 7.6/10Genre: Comedy, DramaStarring: Ryan O'Connell, Jessica Hecht, Punam PatelCreated By: Ryan O'ConnellRating: TV-MASeasons: 2 Based on Ryan O'Connell's memoir I'm Special: And Other Lies We Tell Ourselves, Special is about a gay man named Ryan who lives with cerebral palsy. Like the book, the show is honest, funny, and self-aware. O'Connell stars as himself in the Netflix series, for which he also serves as executive producer and writer, and it's getting a second season in the near future. Watch 'Special' on Netflix 19 of 22 Grace and Frankie (2015): Best Depiction of an Older Gay Couple Netflix IMDb rating: 8.3/10Genre: ComedyStarring: Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Sam Waterston, Martin SheenCreated By: Marta Kauffman, Howard J. MorrisRating: TV-MASeasons: 7 Grace and Frankie is a show about two women in their 70s who move in together when their husbands reveal they're gay and in a 20-year relationship. Sure, that premise sounds like a pure sitcom cliché. But there are a lot of things to like in this Netflix comedy, and one is the portrayal of Sol (Sam Waterston) and Robert's (Martin Sheen) relationship. The idea that Sol and Robert want to live openly gay and get married is very relatable, but their happiness comes at their wives' expense, and the show's first season doesn't shy from that. Waterston and Sheen are iconic actors and they make their characters' relationship–with themselves and their ex-wives–believable and complex. Watch 'Grace and Frankie' on Netflix 20 of 22 Untold: Caitlyn Jenner (2021)—A Fresh Look at an LGBTQ Sports Icon Gregg DeGuire / Getty Images IMDb rating: 6.4/10Genre: DocumentaryStarring: Caitlyn JennerDirected By: Crystal MoselleRating: TV-PGRuntime: 1 hour, 9 minutes This film is part of a five-episode docuseries about the wide world of sports. Caitlyn Jenner earned acclaim after breaking records and winning decathlon gold in the 1976 Olympics. But, the pursuit of athletic excellence and national stardom stood in between her and her true identity. Featuring never-before-seen archival footage and home videos, Untold: Caitlyn Jenner seeks to provide a clear-eyed look at Jenner's life. Watch 'Untold: Caitlyn Jenner' on Netflix 21 of 22 My Unorthodox Life (2021): A Reality Series With a Unique Perspective Netflix IMDb rating: 5.4/10Genre: Reality-TVStarring: Julia Haart, Batsheva Haart, David GreenCreated By: Julia HaartRating: TV-MASeasons: 1 Julia Haart is the CEO of Elite World Group, a company that represents talent across the entertainment, fashion, and culture industries. She's also a former Orthodox Jew. This new reality-TV series follows her and her family as they navigate work, dating, and more. Watch 'My Unorthodox Life' on Netflix 22 of 22 Bonding (2019): BFFs in an Unusual Line of Work Netflix IMDb rating: 7.2/10Genre: ComedyStarring: Zoe Levin, Brendan Scannell, Micah StockCreated By: Rightor DoyleRating: TV-MASeasons: 2 Bonding explores the friendship between a grad student moonlighting as a dominatrix and her gay BFF who becomes her assistant. The first season sees the pair deal with stage fright, telling their significant others about their work, and more. Watch 'Bonding' on Netflix The 15 Best British Shows on Netflix Right Now Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Email Address Sign up There was an error. Please try again. You're in! Thanks for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. Thank you for signing up! Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit