It’s Oscars season. The 2023 Academy Awards will be presented on March 12 in a ceremony hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Even though this year’s list of nominees is lighter on LGBTQ+ representation than in recent years past (unless you still count straight actors playing gay as “representation”), and even though the show is being hosted by the epitome of the cis white straight male, Jimmy Kimmel, we’re still looking forward to seeing what surprises the evening might have in store. (Here’s hoping nobody gets physically assaulted again.)
In the spirit of the Oscars, we asked each of our editors to share the movie that most moved them as young LGBTQ+ people. And while the Academy overlooked most (but not all) of these titles the year they were released, they still hold a special place in our hearts and always will.
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (Charlie Grey, Associate Editor at Queerty)
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World had plenty of content for the LGBTQ+ community, like Mae Whitman’s “bi-furious” character and Brie Larson’s iconic “Black Sheep” performance. For me, it was the character of Wallace Wells, played by famed short king Kieran Culkin, that shone through it all. From vigorously making out with Anna Kendrick’s boyfriend and taking him to bed with a third guy to openly thirsting over Chris Evans, he turned this comic book movie into something scandalous and magical for my younger self. Even though my identity has gone on a long journey in the decade since my Scott Pilgrim phase, its queer impact remains.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Velvet Goldmine (Henry Giardina, Editor at Into)
I first saw Todd Haynes’ Velvet Goldmine as a freshman in college, and I’ve shown it to almost everyone I’ve met since, including (uncomfortably) my parents. Part movie-length music video, part fanfiction, and part a reimagined life of glam rock icons like David Bowie and Lou Reed, Goldmine is just as glittery, in your face, and hilarious as we needed it to be in 1999, when the world was still forcing queer people to act “respectable” to obtain basic human rights. The script is 80% Oscar Wilde quotes, there’s a reference to anal sex in the title, and Eddie Izzard gives the performance of a lifetime. Oh, and did I mention you get to see a young Christian Bale and Ewan McGregor getting it on on top of a roof?
Scream 2 (Graham Gremore, Editor-in-Chief at Queerty)
OK, OK. Even though there’s nothing actually gay about this movie, there’s so much gayness happening here. Like, so much. In addition to being written by Kevin Williamson (gay) and starring Neve Campbell (gay icon), Courtney Cox (lowkey gay icon), and David Arquette (one of the men responsible for my gay awakening), it also features Buffy Sarah Michelle Geller (gay icon) in arguably the best death scene of the entire Scream franchise, and brief appearances by Rebecca GAYheart (lowerkey gay icon), Portia de Rossi (gay), and Joshua Jackson (another one of the men responsible for my gay awakening). Cameos by Tori Spelling, Heather Graham, and Nancy O’Dell add to the camp factor. And the soundtrack, while not gay at all, still made excellent listening material for me as an angsty teenage homosexual in my sad midwestern bedroom.
Related:
All the hidden (and not so hidden) gay culture happening within the ‘Scream’ universe
In honor of the new “Scream” hitting theaters this week, we’ve decided to take a look back at the first four films and make note of all the hidden (and not so hidden) LGBTQ gems found within the “Scream” universe.
Terms of Endearment (Matthew Wexler, Features Editor at Q.Digital)
I hadn’t thought about the term “queer-adjacent” until I began working in LGBTQ+ media, but it’s the perfect descriptor for my love of the 1983 Oscar-winning film Terms of Endearment. I never–I mean never–sit through a movie more than once, but I’m hooked if I see Shirley MacLaine and Debra Winger tearing into each other on TBS late night. Part of this appeal is the presence of two generations of powerful women, which I must have interpreted as code for my own evolving personal strength. I recently visited a family member in the hospital and couldn’t resist rushing to the nurse’s desk with a panicked expression and my best Aurora Greenway imitation, “Give my daughter the shot!” Unfortunately, nobody was there to present me with an Academy Award.
Y Tu Mamá También (Joshua Mackey, Editor at Into)
The film that really moved me as a queer youth was Y Tu Mamá También (And Your Mother Too). Directed by Alfonso Cuarón and starring besties Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal, along with Maribel Verdú, it was the first Spanish-language film that I had ever seen. I stayed up one night and snuck into the living room to check out the new channels my parents ordered and came across the film on the IFC channel. Having no prior knowledge of the film, I sat and watched it intrigued by how homoerotic it was. But I was incredibly surprised when Verdú, Bernal, and Luna had a threesome. That awoke every bit of queerness in me.
Beaches (Johnny Lopez, Senior Editor at Queerty)
This 1988 Bette Midler/Barbara Hershey tearjerker spoke to my closeted teen self as it seemed to mirror my unspoken feelings for my straight male bestie at the time. While Bette and Barbara are strictly platonic pals in the film, never before had I seen two members of the same sex have such intense and powerful feelings for each other. After coming out a few years later, the movie continued to reverberate in my life as I saw it reflect the chosen family I was beginning to build and the bond two gay men could have with their best Judy. To this day I can’t help but well up the second Bette starts belting out “Did you ever know that you’re my hero” in Wind Beneath My Wings.
Another Gay Movie (Cameron Scheetz, Entertainment Editor at Queerty)
No movie has been more important to my queer education than Another Gay Movie, the raunchy, ridiculous spoof from director Todd Stephens. In high school, my friends and I rented it one night as a joke, almost daring ourselves to sit through it. Little old closeted me might’ve pretended to laugh it off, but secretly I was riveted—I’d never seen anything like it! Yes, it is exceptionally silly (I’ll never look at quiche—or hamsters—the same way again), brazenly crass (anyone else remember Graham Norton as Rodzilla?), and a little problematic at times. But, at its heart, the filmis a loving ode to queer friendship, and the rare movie that dares to demystify gay sex in all of its messy glory. Even 17 years after its release, Another Gay Movie deserves credit for being loudly, proudly, and defiantly gay.
Related:
We recently re-watched ‘Another Gay Movie’ and, well, we have some thoughts
I decided to give “Another Gay Movie” a much-belated viewing, to see what held up, what didn’t, and what had me wishing it was 2006 again…
Neoprene
Well, this certainly speaks volumes about the they/thems running Q-ty.
Ronbo
What made me gay was female hormonal variations during my gestational development. Movies of hot men and women only opened my eyes to what had already happened – years earlier with absolutely NO relationship to movies and social norms.
Why hand Republicans and FOX another false meme of ‘censorship might prevent LGBTQ individuals’ by promoting false headline that “Queerty editors share the movies that made them gay”?!? Remember when Graham Gremore kick-started FOX’s false meme right here at Queerty with multiple 100% false stories falsely attacking an ACTUAL successful community member (progressive gay politician, Alex Morse). Graham Gremore knowing posted multiple false stories saying that a gay was grooming and preying upon innocent youth.
The editors here need to understand science – rather than feeding us more false identity politics and implying that movies and images make one gay. Trying to hand the Republicans at FOX a victory by SPECIFICALLY implying that “censorship” might prevent LGBTQ development is repugnant to the community.
Editors need to present facts, not… ” Queerty editors share the movies that made them gay” Do you think FOX understands the intended meaning or will just push for censorship along with Florida and conservatives? The headline is sure to be paraded on air at FOX – as was Queerty’s false attacks against Alex Morse. Morse lost his election, and we could lose out to more censorship. Graham Gremore is hurting our community, just stop.
humble charlie
moronbo has to quit with the chat gbt
PubicHairus
Ronbo has “ALEX MORSE” tattooed across his forehead! I saw it with my very own eyes!
thebaddestbabby
This is a great list! Good on CS for choosing Not Another Gay Movie. (Neoprene, what ever do you mean?)
swingbozo
It was posted just recently – Blue Lagoon. That puts me at least two generations older than these editors apparently.
xanadude
For me it was “Can’t Stop the Music!” (Yeah, that dates me) The Village People doing YMCA and a bunch of naked men soaping up in the showers…. LOL
Jimmy T
Certainly giving away my age here, but I’ll always remember when I was a little kid and my mom took me to the movies with her, because she wanted to see “Picnic,” with William Holden and Kim Novak. When I saw William Holden all sweaty and shirtless, gleaming in the sunlight, something jumped around in my chest and my stomach tightened up, and I had no idea what it meant, but I sensed that it was something I should probably not mention to my mom on the way home. I bought the DVD of that film a few years ago, and when I watched it again, I had the same feeling. William Holden was a very beautiful man.
bachy
This is one of those moments I wished Queerty’s comments section supported image uploads…
abfab
My FAVORITE all time I LOVE LUCY episode (while on the trip to Hollywood) was with William Holden in The Brown Derby. OMFG and yes, he was a charmer and a very tall drink of cool water.
bigdandd
I too had the same response watching PICNIC with Holden. I was still in grade school and I sat through several runs of that film at my local neighborhood theatre. Even earlier than that, I was REALLY panting over Brando in 1951 when he was in STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE. Watching him in that T shirt, sweating sent me into almost a fantasy dream. I knew early that I would never marry a woman later in my adult life!
thebaddestbabby
William Holden was gorgeous, really glad to learn about Picnic here
Mack
I guess I have to date myself-Rebel Without A Cause. You had James Dean and Sal Mineo. I rest my case.
bachy
“…even though the (Academy Awards) show is being hosted by the epitome of the cis white straight male, Jimmy Kimmel…”
Blergh! I LOVE Jimmy Kimmel! OK I’m not heterosexual, but I am human, and I admire his politics, his humor and his dedication to family. If there were a choice between watching Kimmel and… I dunno, anyone on The Real Friends of Weho hosting the Oscars, I’d elect Kimmel every time.
Let’s not become so politically myopic that we disdain our connection to the human race.
abfab
Love Jimmy. He’s a trip!
tommyboy5023
I remember Y Tu Mama Tambien fondly. One of the gayest movies I have seen. Until the ending. Both boys have buyers remorse and the friendship ends. Spoiler Alert.
Da Sean
Yeah, but the diving board scene was hot!
abfab
The Witches Of Crow Haven Farm
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
It’s A Mad Mad Mad Mad Mad Mad World
Dr No
Most Gladiator Movies
Major
I lusted for Gene Hackman as the Reverent Scott in Poseidon Adventure more than Pamela “Susan Shelby” Martin did.
abfab
Shelly Winters really floated my boat! Manny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
prttymn33
I’m lusting after that thumbnail.
Major
oh… and the movie Papillon (1973)
LovelyLabrys
Well, there were those old Disney movies with Jodie Foster and Kristy McNichol on TV when I was a kid.
(Gaydar at that age? Surely not?)
Then I watched Some Kind Of Wonderful with Mary Stuart Masterson, and became obsessed! I have discovered in later conversations this this film was a trigger for lots of people.
kcwlsw
Superman (1978) did it for me. Mmmmmmmm Christopher Reeve in that Super suit…. 🙂
And how dare Graham not make ANY mention of Jerry O’Connell in Scream 2. He will always be fine. But, he was in his PRIME for Scream 2. And tied up shirtless in that end scene???!!! Lord have mercy….
heath0043
Midnight Express. Brad Davis was so hot.
[email protected]
Omg!! Watching that on HBO when I was in elementary did it for me. And don’t forget. Buck Rogers in the 24th Century on NBC. That hairy chest!!!!
abfab
Every episode of The Wild WIld West.
Lyle Wagoner on the CB Show.
abfab
Starsky And Hutch
Dukes of Hazard
certain episodes of Charlie’s Angels (in the gyms)
abfab
Mel on ALICE
Florida’s husband on MAUDE
Terrycloth
Great..congress / Republicans read this they will ban these moves too ..these are a few of the movies lgtbq people have said made them.gay.so we mistake sure our kids never ever see these films..ridiculous of course..you can’t make anyone gay. Who already was to begin with
humble charlie
mine was the movie romeo and juliet. i lusted after both of them.
prttymn33
What? Does no one remember Making Love from 1981? Harry Hamlin, the fine gay writer, Michael Ontkean, the hot young married doctor, and Kate Jackson, the supremely talented wife. Kate should have gotten an Oscar.
Shirtless hunks kissing.
We also had furry blond Ryan O’Neal undercover cop posing posing as a Gay couple with obvious John Hurt. First introduced to West Hollywood.