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During Pride Month, various streaming services are highlighting their LGBTQ+ content, which has become more streamlined with increased representation from LGBTQ+ writers. Despite attempts to ban these communities, LGBTQ+ individuals continue to fight for their rights. Amazon’s Prime Video offers a diverse selection of LGBTQ+ movies, including hit films, documentaries, and stories that range from liberation fighters to everyday life with LGBTQ+ characters. Notable titles include “Bros,” a comedic and heartfelt story about two men in an unexpected relationship, and “Reaching For the Moon,” which portrays the true story of poet Elizabeth Bishop’s romance with Brazilian artist Lota de Macedo, providing a beautiful sapphic love story.
Prime Video also features several documentaries, such as “Believer” by Imagine Dragons’ frontman Dan Reynolds, and “Screaming Queens: The Riot at Compton’s Cafeteria,” focusing on the drag and trans communities in San Francisco. These are some of the top LGBTQ+ movies available for viewing on Prime Video.
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Best LGBTQ+ Movies You Can Watch on Prime Video Right Now
Bros
Billy Eichner, a breakout sensation from Parks and Recreation, delivered a remarkable piece of work with his film “Bros.” In this film, Eichner takes on the role of Bobby, a gay man who has reservations about getting into relationships, while Luke MacFarlane portrays Aaron, another gay man who shares the same reluctance towards commitment. Their unexpected attraction to each other, though initially hesitant, offers a genuine portrayal of dating within the LGBTQ+ community. Despite the plot’s initial appearance of being improbable, it authentically reflects the experiences of many in the queer dating world.
To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar
Director Beeban Kidron presents “To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar,” a film about a cross-country road trip starring Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze, and John Leguizamo. In this movie, these three accomplished actors take on the roles of drag queens en route to Los Angeles for the Drag Queen of America pageant. In the world of drag, inclusivity is a fundamental aspect, as they embrace everyone who approaches with respect, even if they are straight men. The movie prominently highlights the theme of family, which is a significant aspect of the drag community. This is evident in the way Noxeema (Snipes) and Vida (Swayze) take Chi Chi (Leguizamo), a newcomer to the drag scene, under their wing, providing support and adopting her as part of their drag family.
Tell It to the Bees
In an era like the 1950s, marked by the aftermath of two World Wars and a strong emphasis on the traditional nuclear family as the societal norm, misunderstandings about the queer community were widespread. However, the film “Tell It to the Bees” delves into the growth of a lesbian relationship in 1950s Britain. The character Dr. Jean Markham, portrayed by bisexual actress Anna Paquin, falls in love with Lydia, who is the mother of Charlie, one of Jean’s patients. This sapphic love story captures the thrill of a clandestine romance as it unfolds.
Freeheld
Another great addition to the list of sapphic love stories is “Freeheld,” featuring Julianne Moore as Laurel and Elliot Page as Stacie, a committed couple. The story revolves around Laurel’s battle with cancer and her determination to secure her pension for her partner, Stacie, in the face of opposition from those responsible for handling her financial affairs. The film’s central conflict mirrors the desires of anti-gay and anti-trans groups, and both Page and Moore deliver exceptional performances in this compelling movie.
Reaching for the Moon
All writers encounter writer’s block at some point, a sudden halt in their creative flow. When faced with this challenge, some writers choose to pause or alter their environment before trying to resume their writing. Poet Elizabeth Bishop, in a similar situation, took a unique approach by traveling to Brazil in search of inspiration. However, during her journey, she unexpectedly found love in the form of Lota Soares, a Brazilian woman. As per Gayly, the movie “Reaching for the Moon” is inspired by the real-life story of the Poet Laureate who discovered love amid a bout of writer’s block.
My Name Is Pauli Murray
Non-binary individuals are part of the transgender community since they do not identify with the gender they were assigned at birth. Often, non-binary individuals find themselves in advocacy roles, as they can be overlooked within the LGBTQ+ community. At a young age, Pauli Murray discovered their true calling, and “My Name is Pauli Murray” is a documentary celebrating the person who served as an inspiration for prominent activists like Thurgood Marshall and Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Murray’s contributions laid the groundwork for both the education and women’s rights movements.
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Believer
In the last four decades, there has been a significant conflict between religion and sexuality, with cases of abuse frequently concealed by religious institutions, leaving survivors marginalized and unsupported. The Human Rights Campaign reports that despite the Mormon church’s professed commitment to embracing all individuals, it is not seen as a positive force for the LGBTQ+ community. The lead singer of Imagine Dragons, Dan Reynolds, delves into the Mormon church’s past and its treatment of the LGBTQ+ community in his documentary “Believer.”
Margarita, With a Straw
Laila relocates to Greenwich Village with her mother after securing a scholarship at NYU. She faces the challenge of cerebral palsy, necessitating assistance for mobility and daily tasks. While pursuing her studies, she crosses paths with Khanum, a young blind woman from Pakistan. Laila soon finds herself falling deeply in love with Khanum, who is a passionate activist and exceptionally self-reliant, qualities that Laila greatly admires. Their affection for one another blossoms as they both become advocates and caregivers for each other.
Saving Face
Alice Wu, who later directed “The Half of It,” gained recognition for her earlier work, “Saving Face.” This film revolves around the love story between two Chinese women, navigating the societal taboos surrounding homosexuality within Chinese culture. In her debut film, Wu delves into the societal pressure on women to conform by marrying men and upholding traditional norms. The story centers on Wil, whose widowed mother faces the ultimatum of remarrying to maintain her family’s approval, complicating Wil’s budding romantic relationship with her boss’s daughter, Vivian. The film’s title cleverly alludes to the concept of preventing someone from experiencing embarrassment.
Pride
Pride is a compelling film featuring a star-studded ensemble cast. It is inspired by a true story that follows the journey of Joe, a young gay man (played by George MacKay) living in a mining town in England. Joe, who is still in the closet, makes his way to his first Pride celebration in London. At the Pride event, he is warmly welcomed by a group of gay men, one of whom runs a bookshop along with their partner Gethin (portrayed by Andrew Scott). Back in Joe’s hometown, the miners are on strike, and they hope to gain support from Joe and his newfound LGBTQ+ family.
Despite the warnings from local activists, a disco event is organized, and it’s Jonathan (played by Dominic West) who captivates everyone with his dancing skills and charisma.
Before Stonewall
The Stonewall protests, which were initiated by the trans community, are often regarded as the origins of the modern Pride movement. However, the events leading up to Stonewall remain relatively obscure. Historical revolutions typically don’t occur suddenly or with a single leader but involve the collective efforts of many individuals. “Before Stonewall” is a documentary that sheds light on the vibrant LGBTQ+ community of the 1950s and 1960s. During these decades, openly expressing one’s identity as LGBTQ+ was highly perilous, yet people managed to form communities and establish safe havens in cities like San Francisco and New York. This documentary is essential viewing for anyone interested in delving into queer history.
Screaming Queens: The Riot at Compton’s Cafeteria
While Stonewall is often considered a pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ history, it’s essential to remember that the trans and drag communities were at the forefront of the early LGBTQ+ rights struggle. The documentary “Screaming Queens: The Riot at Compton’s Cafeteria” focuses on the experiences of the drag and trans community in San Francisco, highlighting their fight for equality well before the Stonewall protests. The documentary presents a clear account of the events leading up to these protests, revealing a familiar pattern of events. A business owner calls the police on a group of trans individuals and others who are simply enjoying their time. The police, as usual, escalate the situation through violence, prompting the group to fight back, having reached a breaking point from enduring mistreatment by law enforcement. Prior to viewing “Before Stonewall,” it is recommended to watch the “Screaming Queens” documentary.
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