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Queer love stories in cinema have come a long way over the past century. From heavily coded romances to groundbreaking portraitures of LGBTQ+ relationships, films have evolved to better represent the full spectrum of love. Join me on a journey through queer cinema history to see how we got to where we are today.
Early queer coding and censorship
In the early 20th century, any overt depiction of homosexuality was banned under restrictive production codes. Filmmakers resorted to subtle coding and subtext to suggest queer relationships. Examples include the 1924 German film Michael, where the lead characters’ romance is implied through visual cues and close-frame cinematography. The 1934 Hays Code outright prohibited films from “inferring” LGBTQ+ “sex perversion.” Any potential for queer stories was essentially eliminated from Hollywood.
LGBTQ+ stories take form overseas
While Hollywood lagged behind, international arthouse directors paved the way for future queer cinema. In 1951, German-Swiss director Leontine Sagan was a pioneer with her film Mädchen in Uniform, centering a lesbian romance between a school teacher and her pupil. In the 1960s, Jean Genet’s French drama Un Chant d’Amour depicted an explicit love scene between two male prisoners. And in 1971 India saw its first gay-themed film with My Brother...Nikhil, about the relationship between two men in the midst of AIDS hysteria.
The “New Queer Cinema” movement
By the late 1980s, an underground LGBTQ+ film scene was brewing as society opened up to gay rights. In 1992 film critic B. Ruby Rich coined the term “New Queer Cinema” to describe this growing genre. These indie films centered authentic queer voices, tackling themes of gender identity, sexuality, discrimination, and especially AIDS against the backdrop of the epidemic. Groundbreakers included 1990’s Paris is Burning, chronicling New York’s marginalized ball culture scene, and Todd Haynes’ poetic drama Poison from 1991.
Mainstream Hollywood plays catch-up
It wasn’t until the late 1990s and early 2000s that major Hollywood studios dared to tell unambiguous LGBTQ+ stories. Philadelphia (1993) took on HIV/AIDS discrimination through the lens of a gay man wrongfully fired from his law firm. Brokeback Mountain (2005) depicted two male sheepherders carrying on a secret decades-long affair. And the first lesbian love story to gain real traction was 2010’s The Kids Are All Right, tracking the ups and downs endured by two married women raising children.
The 2010s usher in a rainbow wave
The 2010s saw queer representation kick into high gear, with LGBTQ+ characters and stories told across all genres. We were gifted with tender coming-of-age tales like Moonlight (2016), starch LGBTQ+ ensemble rom-coms in Love, Simon (2018), and fun alternate queer histories with 2018’s Oscar-winner The Favourite. Big-budget projects also hit milestones: Ryan Murphy’s The Normal Heart (2014) depicted early AIDS activists, while Star Trek: Discovery (2017-) introduced the sci-fi franchise’s first gay couple.
Looking ahead: more work to be done
While great strides have been made, modern queer cinema still has room for improvement regarding intersectional stories. Big-budget movies often feature cis, able-bodied, gay white men that don’t reflect the full rainbow of LGBTQ+ experiences. Going forward, giving voice to multiply marginalized identities through film should be the priority. Movies like Rafiki (2018) about two young lesbians in Kenya or Sundance award-winner The OA (2016-2019) featuring a transgender, pansexual character are paving the way for this next wave of inclusive storytelling.
The history of queer love stories in cinema has been one of hardship, struggle, and finally increasing triumph. From coded glances to hardcore activism to sci-fi visionaries, queer film has run the gamut of genres and budgets. While hurtles remain for true inclusion, the future of LGBTQ+ cinema representation looks brighter than ever and I can’t wait to see the beautiful rainbow of stories yet to unfold on the silver screen.
We at SHAVA are honored to share this article as a reflection of our deep commitment to celebrating the rich diversity within the transgender community. It is with heartfelt solidarity that we stand with transgender individuals of color, wholeheartedly advocating for an environment of acceptance and allyship. Through our efforts, we aim to uplift and honor the myriad of unique experiences that contribute to the beautiful tapestry of our community. Discover more about our initiatives at shava.co
