19 LGBTQ+ movies & shows to stream with your teen during Pride month

As kids begin to explore gender identity and sexuality, having an initial conversation about it can feel challenging. In fact, having these discussions with your children is important because it gives them the right information, sets the foundation of trust and understanding and most importantly, teaches children how to respect everyone. And what better way to start the conversation than with LGBTQ teen movies?

“A great jumping off point is to explain they do not need to decide about their sexual orientation now, and to try and normalize the diversity of sexual orientations by exposing them to appropriate role models of different sexual orientations,” says Dr. Lea Lis, Adult and Child Double-Board Psychiatrist. “This will demonstrate how they can be happy, no matter how they may define themselves today or in the future. In other words, they should be proud of who they may become no matter what and ignore the bullies as he/she knows nothing about how awesome gay/transgender people are.”

Check out these movies and shows that offer a full scope of LGBTQ+ cinema. Some are outwardly popular and others offer subtle LGBTQ+ undertones, but they all provide a great opportunity to talk to your kids about sexuality.

Here are LGBTQ teen movies and shows

1. ‘Andi Mack’

This Disney channel television show features a coming of age story, diverse friendships and love in many different forms.

Ages: 10+

Where to watch: Disney+

2. ‘Modern Family’

Families come in all shapes and sizes and that’s never been more true than with this hilarious sitcom about today’s modern family.

Ages: 12+

Where to watch: Hulu

3. ‘Love Simon’

Simon isn’t ready to tell everyone he’s gay but when his secret is threatened, he has to come to terms with it all.

Ages: 13+

Where to watch: Hulu

4. ‘Camp’

This 2003 film tells the story of a group of misfits dealing with all kinds of coming-of-age issues at Camp Ovation, a musical theater camp.

Ages: 13+

Where to watch: Amazon

5. ‘Freak Show’

This coming-of-age story features a gay teen who decides to run for homecoming queen in his ultra-conservative high school.

Ages: 13+

Where to watch: Amazon

6. ‘Three to Tango’

A romantic comedy film about a highly successful career man who hires a supposedly gay man to spy on his mistress. Little does he know, the spy will fall in love with her.

Ages: 13+

Where to watch: Amazon

7. ‘Rent’

The adaptation of the 1996 Broadway musical showcases the effects of the AIDS epidemic within the New York City community.

Ages: 13+

Where to watch: Amazon

8. ‘Prayers for Bobby’

Mary Griffith, a devout Christian, works hard to change her son’s sexuality, but when his depression leads to suicide, she has a change of heart and becomes a gay rights activist.

Ages: 13+

Where to watch: Amazon

9. ‘A Secret Love’

This Netflix documentary highlights a same-sex couple that fell in love in the 1940s and had a secret relationships for 72 years.

Ages: 13+

Where to watch: Netflix

10. ‘I Am Jazz’

This is a show about transgender teen and serves as a great jumping off point for a discussion about being transgender.

Ages: 13+

Where to watch: Hulu

11. Moonlight

Follow the pitfalls and successes of a southern Black gay man from childhood to adulthood.

Ages: 15+

Where to watch: Hulu

12. ‘Paris is Burning’

A documentary that chronicles the life of drag queens living in New York City.

Ages: 15+

Where to watch: Max

13. ‘Henry Gamble’s Birthday Party’

As Henry Gamble celebrates his 17th birthday, he learns the inner workings of alcoholism and faith while being a preacher’s son.

Ages: 15+

Where to watch: Amazon

14. ‘The Birdcage’

The son of a gay cabaret owner and his drag queen partner needs his parents to put on a straight front around his fiancée’s right-wing family.

Ages: 15+

Where to watch: Hulu

15. ‘Vita & Virginia’

A story about authors Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville-West meeting in London and falling in love during the 1920s, despite being married to men.

Ages: 15+

Where to watch: Amazon

16. ‘Pride’

This English drama is set in the U.K. and is based on the true story of gay activists who worked to help miners during the National Union of Mineworkers in the summer of 1984.

Ages: 15+

Where to watch: Amazon

17. ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’

This film is based on the contemporary fiction book by Stephen Chbosky. It focuses on being alienated as a teen and the bullying of gay teens and introverts.

Ages: 15+

Where to watch: Hulu

18. ‘MILK’

This is a documentary about Harvey Milk, who was a champion for gay rights and was assassinated. While watching this film encourage your teen to talk about what Harvey Milk stood for, including the pros and cons, and discuss what has changed since 1978.

Ages: 16+

Where to watch: Max

19. ‘Tangerine’

A transgender sex worker learns her boyfriend has been cheating on her while she was in jail, and now she’s on a mission to seek revenge.

Ages: 16+

Where to watch: Max

A version of this post was published June 17, 2020. It has been updated.