The Top 36 LGBTQ+ TV Shows of All Time, Featuring "Will & Grace" and the Sizzling New Success "Heated Rivalry"

LGBTQ+ representation on television has evolved significantly over the decades. The first gay character appeared on prime-time TV in 1971 on All in the Family, and it wasnt until 1991 that audiences saw the first televised gay kiss on L.A. Law. Since then, countless shows have pushed boundaries and reshaped queer visibility, from early hits like Will & Grace and Queer as Folk to contemporary trailblazers such as Pose and Heartstopper.

Todays landscape owes much to these pioneers, but new series continue to make their mark. Recent favorites like the steamy sports romance Heated Rivalry and Japans first same-sex dating show, The Boyfriend, demonstrate the growing diversity of queer storytelling.

With so many options available, it can be hard to know where to start. Heres a curated list of 36 beloved LGBTQ+ TV shows that span genres, decades, and perspectives, offering a deep dive into queer television history.

Notable Highlights

Hollywood

This Showtime miniseries follows two men on Capitol Hill during McCarthy-era America, navigating love amid political oppression. Spanning decades, the story touches on the AIDS crisis and other historical events, offering a moving, politically resonant narrative.

Hacks

Veteran comedian Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) finds renewed inspiration through her relationship with young writer Ava (Hannah Einbinder). The series explores generational divides and sheds light on bisexuality and past prejudices in the comedy world.

La Casa de las Flores (The House of Flowers)

This Mexican dark comedy depicts a wealthy family thrown into chaos after a sudden death. With LGBTQ+ characters at its core, the show tackles themes like homophobia, racism, and transphobia, redefining Mexican television storytelling.

Heartstopper

A British coming-of-age story about two schoolboys discovering love. Heartwarming and realistic, the series also features Olivia Colman as a key parental figure, solidifying her status as a queer icon.

Euphoria

HBOs teen drama includes multiple queer characters, exploring complex lives with emotional depth. Compared to earlier shows, it highlights the significant progress in LGBTQ+ representation.

Degrassi

The long-running Canadian franchise is recognized for addressing real-life teen challenges, including coming out, bullying, and other LGBTQ+ experiences, while remaining culturally influential.

Gentleman Jack

Based on Anne Listers diaries, this period drama portrays her journey to restore an estate in 1830s Yorkshire while navigating forbidden love, highlighting queer lives historically hidden from mainstream media.

Glee

Ryan Murphys musical series broke new ground in 2009 by showcasing diverse LGBTQ+ experiences through high school romances, friendships, and personal growth, all set against a backdrop of show-stopping performances.

Looking

An HBO series following a group of gay friends in San Francisco, exploring dating, social media, and aging in the gay community. Its authenticity and humor made it a notable contribution to LGBTQ+ television.

Heated Rivalry

A sports romance following two rival hockey players who develop an intimate connection off the ice, gaining attention for its bold and explicit portrayal of queer relationships in sports settings.

First Kill

Though canceled after one season, this teen supernatural drama explored a forbidden romance between a vampire and a monster hunter, combining action and LGBTQ+ romance in a thrilling narrative.

Will & Grace

This ABC classic depicted a married gay couple navigating suburban life, breaking stereotypes by blending humor and real-life challenges in a mainstream comedy format.

Glamorous

Following Marco (Miss Benny) as an assistant to a tough beauty mogul, this series stood out for incorporating trans representation both on-screen and in its character development, marking a milestone in LGBTQ+ media.

Orange Is the New Black

Centered on LGBTQ+ women of color, this Netflix hit made queer experiences the focus, highlighting the complexities of relationships, identity, and social issues in a prison setting.

Pose

Part drama, part history, this show celebrated New York Citys ballroom culture of the 1980s and 1990s, emphasizing the lives of trans women of color and the early HIV epidemic while blending camp and emotion.

Queer as Folk (U.S.)

Exploring the lives of gay men in Pittsburgh, the American adaptation expanded on the original British series to depict careers, love, and personal struggles over six seasons.

Dickinson

Hailee Steinfeld portrays Emily Dickinson as she navigates forbidden love while developing her poetic genius, blending modern dialogue and historical storytelling with rare queer content.

RuPauls Drag Race

The reality competition celebrates drag culture, emphasizing artistry, resilience, and community, making it an iconic series in LGBTQ+ entertainment.

Young Royals

A Swedish teen drama following Prince Wilhelm as he comes to terms with his sexuality while attending a boarding school, blending royal intrigue with adolescent self-discovery.

Broad City

This comedy follows two friends navigating adulthood, careers, and family fame, with LGBTQ+ characters woven into the humor and narrative, offering both laughs and progressive storytelling.

Sense8

The Wachowskis sci-fi series connects eight people mentally and emotionally, exploring LGBTQ+ relationships, intimacy, and human connection across diverse backgrounds.

Tales of the City

Multiple adaptations based on Armistead Maupins novels explore LGBTQ+ life in San Francisco, focusing on pivotal moments and personal transformations.

Our Flag Means Death

Inspired by the life of Stede Bonnet, the show portrays a queer pirate romance, blending historical adventure with unconventional love stories.

The Wilds

A survival drama featuring teenage girls stranded in the wilderness, praised for realistic LGBTQ+ representation despite its short run.

Eastsiders

This series follows a gay couple navigating substance abuse, infidelity, and reconciliation, evolving from a YouTube web series into a Netflix hit.

Designing Women

The sitcom included progressive moments around LGBTQ+ issues, such as HIV awareness, within a broader campy and comedic narrative.

The Haunting of Bly Manor

One episode features a tender lesbian romance amid a gothic horror story, blending supernatural elements with heartfelt LGBTQ+ storytelling.

Love, Victor

A high school drama exploring complex intersections of sexuality, race, and religion, continuing the themes of the original Love, Simon film with a more mature approach.

The L Word & Generation Q

This series and its sequel follow lesbian, bisexual, and trans women navigating love, friendship, and professional life in Los Angeles, defining a generation of queer television.

Please Like Me

Josh Thomas Australian dramedy captures the journey of self-discovery, humor, and sexual identity in a unique, offbeat format.

Friends

Though not overtly LGBTQ-focused, the series included subtle representation and storylines that pushed cultural boundaries for its time.

Long, Long Time

An episode of HBOs zombie series portrays a gay couple finding love at the end of the world, offering a touching and unforgettable story.

Transparent

This comedy-drama explores a family patriarch coming out as transgender, providing an emotional and honest portrayal of trans life and self-discovery.

Uncoupled

Following a man reentering the dating scene in midlife, this series highlights LGBTQ+ experiences beyond youth, blending humor and heartfelt storytelling.

Will & Grace

The iconic sitcom used comedy to challenge stereotypes, showing openly gay characters living boldly and humorously in New York City.

Five Points

This semi-autobiographical rom-com features a bisexual relationship, tackling addiction, sexuality, and the complexity of young love with nuance.

The Boyfriend

Japans first same-sex dating reality show, featuring East Asian men exploring romance and offering cultural context on LGBTQ+ rights, renewed for a second season.

Author: Jackson Miller