Pride Month 2022

Even if I’m not planning to party in the streets this year, I’m always thrilled to see Pride flags soaring in June.

Around the time I first came out (in the late 1980s), I remember reading an article in Newsweek that said 80% of people who know someone in the LGBTQ+ community support gay rights. I just recently read a very similar statistic, that people who know someone who is trans support the rights of our trans / non-binary / enby community members. Yet, I suspect it’s even less safe for them to be out than it was for me in 1987. Visibility continues to be such a critical issue for us as a community, but that visibility sometimes comes at the risk of personal safety. That leaves me feeling that, while so much has changed in recent years, so much remains the same, too. Some days it feels like protecting (or defending) our right to be treated fairly and equally is like death by a thousand cuts.

That said, I personally have mixed feelings about Pride Month this year.  We do have a lot to celebrate (and I’ll talk more about that below), but there are reasons for concern, too.  Here are some things at top of mind for me at the moment:

Teen homelessness and mental health

Changing legislation

• In the United States, hopefully most of you know that marriage between same-sex couples is now federally protected.  In 2020 the Supreme Court ruled that the 1964 Civil Rights Act protects workers on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.  More recently, Joe Biden also issued an Executive Order combating discrimination.  All good news.
• That said, the current legislative landscape is alarming – both at the state level (like Florida’s Don’t Say Gay bill, and the anti-trans bill in Texas that I wrote about earlier this year) and in the Supreme Court.  If you look at this policy map from the Transgender Law Center, you can see that support for LGBTQIA+ rights is quite varied at the state level.  This website provides more detail about all the legislation under consideration at the moment.  And, with the leak of the opinion on Roe vs Wade, many (including President Biden) believe that the right to privacy will put same-sex intimacy, gay marriage, and contraceptive access at risk as well.  The draft opinion is silent on those matters, but the general sentiment seems to be that state lawmakers will seek to test the limits, ultimately ending in another Supreme Court decision. 
• In India, there has been some decriminalization of same-sex relationships between adults in the past, but no further civil rights protections exist.  There is an interesting article which describes the current challenges in India; for example, based on Indian religious texts, some believe that Indian culture was more inclusive before colonization by the British. 

So, what are the good things?  

When you look at the sources of joy for LGBTQ youth, so much has to do with experiencing a sense of belonging, or having a space where they feel safe.  I’ve written about the importance of LGBTQIA+ representation in the media before – it is so affirming to see families like mine in books, television, and movies!  After some waffling (e.g. putting some shows with LGBTQIA characters on Hulu instead of their own streaming service), Disney has committed to bring more diverse characters to their audiences.  That’s a good sign, and an indication of other positive changes in the entertainment industry.  The latest report by The Trevor Project re-affirms the importance of representation in media for LGBTQIA youth:

I’ve recently started reading Them magazine (web and Instagram), and it’s been a good way to learn more about gay culture in the U.S..  Some of their columnists have described an “LGBTQ+ rom-com Renaissance” or “Revival”.  Historically, many LGBTQ+ characters have been killed off as a plot device, or separated under tragic circumstances.   For the first time, we are seeing LGBTQIA+ couples leading healthy lives where they are valued and respected, and with relationships that succeed – and dare I say – flourish. 

As part of our Pride  Month festivities at ZS last year, I watched Love, Simon.  I enjoyed the movie and the group that met to talk about it afterwards.  I’ve just recently started building a list of books, movies, and shows I’d like to watch this month.  Here is a short list that’s based on my own interests and preferences:

• Heartstopper.  Based on a webcomic by Alice Oseman, this sweet story is family friendly, accessible, and engaging.  Upcoming seasons will deal with some tougher topics like bullying, mental health (eating disorders), and more.  If you know an LGBTQ+ young person, they might also enjoy the books.  The first season is complete, and two further seasons are planned.  On Netflix.
• Love, Victor. A spin-off from Love, Simon, which we watched as part of our Pride Month programming last year.  It is also family friendly.  Originally on Hulu, now on the Disney+ platform. 
• Crush.  A coming of age rom-com, it’s been described as “unapologetically queer”, but otherwise typical coming of age rom-com.  On Hulu.
• Everyone’s Talking About Jamie. Based on a 2017, this is the story of a teenager who becomes a drag queen.  On Amazon Prime.
• My Fake Boyfriend. A favorite trope of romance books, it’s no surprise to see a queer rom-com by this name.  The premise it to explore “exploring the specific messiness that often permeates the world of queer dating”.  Releasing June 17^th on Amazon Prime.
• Fire Island. A new “unapologetic” rom-com inspired by Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice; a “multicultural examination of queerness and romance”.  Releasing June 3rd.  On Hulu in the US, and DisneyPlus Star network ex-US. 
• My Policeman.  Starring Harry Styles, based on the 2021 novel by Bethan Roberts about the life of EM Forster (who lived in the 1950s).  The movie explores Forster’s relationship with his wife and the policeman (Styles) he falls in love with during an era where homosexuality was criminalized.  Filming finished in June last year, and the movie is supposed to be released in 2022.  On Amazon Prime. 
• KinnPorsche. Is a Thai Mafia romance with two male main characters.  I have not watched it yet, but I have heard it’s good but very intense (the relationship and the violence).  Definitely not for family viewing!  On iQiyi. 
• Heaven’s Official Blessing.  For you anime fans out there, the first season of this Chinese BL (boy love) show was recently released.  It was watched 100+ million times in the first month!  On Netflix.  The first two volumes of the novel are available on Amazon and elsewhere. 

Interestingly, I’ve recently learned of two movies with elderly LGBTQ+ couples, with similar themes:

• Supernova.  An elderly couple (retired men, together 20 years) visits friends while coping with a dementia diagnosis.  Amazon Prime.
• Cloudburst. An elderly couple (two women, together 30 years) road trip to Nova Scotia when one is encouraged to move into a nursing home.  Amazon Prime. 

So, that’s what I have on my list at the moment.  In addition, you might want to have a look at this list of “actually good” LGBTQ+ Rom-Coms from Them magazine – a really wonderful and diverse set of movies.