by Catherine Monk
With it not currently being Pride month, for many it just means continuing with the normality in
their lives. But most of us who are part of the LGBTQ community, we do really enjoy a nice session
of queer movies that depict our lives and the issues we struggle with as a community. In this list, it
shows a variety of films from coming of age to romantic dramas and satirical comedies.
Love, Simon.
The 2018 film, based on the novel Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda (Becky Albertalli), tells the
story of American high school senior Simon Spier, who goes through the beautiful beginnings of a
romance through emails, and the struggles of coming out. Although for Simon it doesn’t go as simple
as he would like it to be. The film talks about serious topics such as blackmailing, bullying, and
coming out, but although the serious theme at the end the film will leave you ecstatic about acceptance
and support from loved ones.
But, I’m a cheerleader.
Directed by Jamie Babbit, this 9999 satirical romantic comedy touches on the topic of therapy
conversion. It follows the story of Megan, a cheerleader, who has been sent to conversion therapy
to become “straight”. It follows the steps she has to go through to become so, by following a more
like copy of alcoholic anonymous steps to become sober. By the end of the film, you will be laughing
so much that you will be in tears. The film is most known also for its famous cast, Rupaul and Natasha
Lyonne.
The Miseducation of Cameron Post.
Based on the 2012 novel by Emily M. Danforth, the film talks about teenager Cameron Post who
has been caught with her girlfriend and has been sent to conversion therapy. This film is more
serious as it shows the reality of what conversion therapy actually (Intel’s??) and the traumas and
struggles that the kids go through being part of it through Cameron’s perspective. Despite the
serious theme, the film will make you feel compassionate for teenagers who want to live their own
lives.
The Way He Looks.
This Brazilian coming of age film was based on a 2010 short film, I don’t want to go back alone.
The film involves two boys, Leonardo a bold boy, and Gabriel a new student at the school. With
Leonardo’s best friend, Giovana, they become closer with Gabriel and their friendship grows
stronger. But for the boys, their friendship is passing the lines of what could be considered a common
friendship. The film at the end will make you feel nostalgic about your first kiss and your first love as
you watch them grow together.
Pariah.
The 2011 film tells the story of Alike, a 17-year-old girl African American who has come to terms
with her sexuality as a lesbian. Alike already knows she’s into girls, but hasn’t come out to her family,
which makes her mum, Audrey, not like the actions she is taking in her life or the friendships she has.
Alike is forced to wear more feminine clothes and befriend a girl from church, Bina, but their friendship
isn’t as what his mother Audrey would want to. The film depicts the topic of acceptance, religious life,
and taking your own ways in life.
Moonlight.
The 2016 film left us speechless at the Oscar night, but the story that occurs on screen will impact
you and will make you view life in a different way. This coming of age film is divided into three different
parts, telling the life of Chiron and the events that have impacted him through his life. The first when
he is little, the second when he is a teenager, and the third when he is an adult. The film contains
serious themes depicting the struggles of masculinity and the idea of being vulnerable, being black in
America, and the issues with addiction to drugs. In the end, you feel empathetic for Chiron and the
cards that life has given him without explanation.
