Top 10 Must-Watch LGBTQ Movies Based on True Stories
The cinema has been an effective storytelling device over the past decades, especially when it comes to storytelling about marginalized communities. The best LGBTQ movies based on true stories give the audience an insight into the lives of actual people who lived and left their footprint in history. Whether they are about iconic activists, artists, or commoners who defied convention, these lgbtq teen movies are motivating and educational. Following are the top 10 best LGBTQ movies that you must watch.
1. Milk (2008)
California's first openly gay publicly elected official was Harvey Milk, someone who worked tirelessly for LGBTQ rights. After he moved to San Francisco, he became one of the city's fiercest activists before he was elected to the Board of Supervisors. Milk was defined politically by his activities related to gay rights; through his deeds, he inspired many. He was assassinated in 1978, tragically ending his life. Penn's performance does just as much to breathe life into Milk's own legacy as it does into the film; quite simply, it is about that. It completely covers his dedication to social justice, the hardships he faced in being a gay politician, and the legacy he left to the LGBTQ community, making it a must-see for historians of LGBTQ issues.
2. The Danish Girl (2015)
The movie is based on the life of Lili Elbe, one of the earliest known patients to undergo gender confirmation surgery. Einar Wegener was a Danish painter who suffered from gender issues for years. The movie narrates her quest for self-discovery, how she got married to Gerda Wegener, and how she had to battle through experimental operations in the early 20th century. Eddie Redmayne’s performance portrays Lili’s emotional and physical transformation with great sensitivity. Despite the controversy surrounding the casting, the film brings attention to an important historical figure in the transgender community, highlighting both the personal and societal struggles of gender identity at a time when there was little understanding or acceptance.
3. Boys Don’t Cry (1999)
Adapted from the real life of Brandon Teena, a transgender man from Nebraska, the film traces his struggle to get accepted and loved. Brandon travels to Falls City, where he starts dating Lana Tisdel but is exposed as being transgender by men in the locality who brutally beat him up. The movie builds up to a horrific hate crime that killed Brandon in 1993. Hilary Swank's acting was rewarded with an Academy Award for bringing out the tragedy and resilience of Brandon. The film is a moving and essential reminder of the violence against transgendered people, of issues of discrimination, identity, and violence presented in a profoundly emotional and influential way.
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4. Rocketman (2019)
This biographical musical drama follows the remarkable life of Elton John from his childhood as a child prodigy on the piano to becoming one of history's greatest musicians. The movie follows his battles with his sexuality, drug addiction, and fame pressure, as well as his complicated relationship with his manager and first love, John Reid. Taron Egerton gives a mesmerizing performance, capturing Elton John's pain and success. Through its colorful storytelling, deep emotion, and breathtaking musical numbers, Rocketman provides fans with an intimate glimpse into how Elton John accepted who he was, battled personal demons, and cemented his status as a music icon.
5. Philadelphia (1993)
Loosely based on actual cases, this pioneering film chronicles Andrew Beckett, a successful attorney who is dismissed from his firm when they learn he has AIDS. Discriminated against at work, he retains attorney Joe Miller to battle for justice in a landmark case. The movie showcases the stigma of HIV/AIDS in the 1980s and the legal struggles LGBTQ individuals endured. Tom Hanks' Academy Award-winning performance adds an emotional richness to this poignant tale. Philadelphia was an important film in raising awareness about HIV/AIDS and the accompanying discrimination, and thus, it is one of the most significant films of its era in tackling LGBTQ issues in mainstream film.
6. Freeheld (2015)
This is a true story about Laurel Hester, a decorated New Jersey police officer who is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Notwithstanding her service, her pension rights cannot be transferred to her same-sex domestic partner, Stacie Andree, because of discriminatory legislation. The couple battles for equal rights through the courts and brings national scrutiny to LGBTQ discrimination. Julianne Moore and Ellen Page give soulful performances in this poignant account of love and justice. Freeheld is a powerful reminder of the injustices same-sex couples endured prior to marriage equality being acknowledged and serves to underscore the need to struggle for equal rights within the legal framework.
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7. The Imitation Game (2014)
Alan Turing, a brilliant mathematician, was instrumental in breaking the German Enigma code during World War II, which contributed to the Allies' victory in the war. Although he succeeded, he was subsequently charged with being gay in 1952, and his chemical castration resulted in his tragic death. Benedict Cumberbatch's performance of Turing highlights the injustices he faced despite his phenomenal contributions to history. The movie not only enlightens viewers about Turing's monumental contribution to contemporary computing and wartime efforts but also provides a grim reminder of the discrimination against LGBTQ people during the past, culminating in a government apology many years later.
8. Dallas Buyers Club (2013)
Based on the 1980s, the movie depicts Ron Woodroof, a heterosexual Texas rodeo cowboy who gets diagnosed with AIDS. Early in the film, homophobic, he comes to join forces with Rayon, who is a trans woman, and battles to get life-saving drugs to HIV-positive patients. Though Woodroof himself was not LGBTQ, the film enlightens us about the hardships endured by the community during the AIDS epidemic. Jared Leto's performance as Rayon is tragic and profoundly moving. The movie not only humanizes individuals with HIV/AIDS but also reveals the shortcomings of the healthcare system and the urgency needed for activism in receiving proper medical care for affected individuals.
9. Prayers for Bobby (2009)
The movie is the true account of Bobby Griffith, a gay teenager, fighting his homophobic, conservative religious family's rejection. His mother, Mary, refuses at first to accept his homosexuality, and Bobby kills himself with a gunshot wound. Horrified, she sets out to change her ways and become an advocate for LGBTQ rights. Sigourney Weaver's portrayal of Mary Griffith is nothing short of heart-wrenching. The movie powerfully depicts the tragic outcome of parental rejection and the value of acceptance, illustrating how a mother's loss became activism to ensure that similar tragedies do not occur to other LGBTQ youth.
10. The Normal Heart (2014)
Adapted from Larry Kramer's play, the movie is about activists in the 1980s who are battling for HIV/AIDS awareness while the government is indifferent. Mark Ruffalo and Julia Roberts give passionate performances in this deeply moving film. The film puts the spotlight on the efforts of early activists who toiled incessantly to get the attention of the burgeoning epidemic in the face of widespread stigma and political complacency. It is a gritty and emotional presentation of the strength of the LGBTQ population during one of the bleakest times in their history and, as such, a must-see film for seeing the struggle to be seen and receive proper medical treatment by individuals who are living with AIDS.
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Conclusion
These 10 best LGBTQ movies are not simply films to entertain but have strong storylines that showcase real-world hardships, victories, and histories that are front and center. By presenting the narratives of activists, artists, and individuals who broke away from societal norms, these lgbtq teen movies assist in educating, inspiring, and developing empathy. Whether they focus on the struggle for LGBTQ rights, the difficulty of coming out, or the effect of discrimination, all the good lgbtq movies provide an insight into the strength of the community. Viewing these movies is not only an experience but a means of paying tribute and remembering the actual persons behind them.
