The best LGBTQI webseries to bingewatch right now
As a landmark statement of the capabilities of television, Pose is stacked with milestones. It features the largest transgender cast in TV history.
The FX drama, produced by Ryan Murphy (American Horror Story), also boasts the first transgender woman of color to direct an episode of television thanks to the talents of best-selling writer Janet Mock. Those are some outstanding foundations to rest a show of this power upon, but dig deeper and Pose is harboring even more firsts.
Within the eight episodes of the near-flawless first season, Pose has proven itself luminous, devastating, life-affirming, horrifying, majestic, profound, and nothing short of mesmerizing. We’re very excited to welcome it back to our screens very soon. In celebration of what we hope is going to be a another good year for queer TV, why not watch one of these indie LGBTQI webseries to get you in the mood.
10. Chapstick
Creators Charlotte Kennett and Kearney Fagan’s goal with this series was simple: to normalize the LGBTQI character so that someday sexual orientations won’t be the apex of their personalities. You can’t argue with an ethos like that, and you also can’t argue with the semi-romantic storyline that will have you questioning: “Will they or won’t they?”
Make sure you check out this comedic webseries about two best friends and their daily struggles being women, liking women, and finding their place is this vast world on YouTube.
9. The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo
Any show that’s described as “Will and Grace on speed” is gonna be a wild ride. Created by Brian Jordan Alvarez, this surreal comedy plugged into the distracted millennial in the same way Girls did – it just makes a lot less sense.
Alvarez has created a wonderful off-kilter world, the characters speaking as though auditioning for the second reprise of Gilmore Girls. Gender and ethnicity are fluid and sexuality is whatever you make of it. Check it out on YouTube and live a fantasy, if only for a few hours.
8. Babes
Much like the aim of many of these series, A.J. Ripley created Babes as a show about normal people living normal lives, and some of them just happen to be trans and non-binary. Above all else, it’s about friendship, failure, and not having life all figured out – something many of its viewers will surely relate to.
Babes is the story of two 30-year-old BFF’s in a small Canadian town: AJ is the highly-sexed “town lesbian”, and her best friend Sybil is the local misunderstood artist community girl. Each day is a debaucherous escapade for these two.
Babes sees our heroines on the hunt for a higher purpose however, dragging along innocents with them for the ride. Check it out on YouTube.
7. Carmilla
Carmilla follows Silas University freshman Laura Hollis as she investigates the disappearance of her roommate while dealing with her new roomie Carmilla: odd, nocturnal, and sarcastic – and who may or may not be a centuries-old vampiress.
Mixing the camp of Buffy, the snark of Veronica Mars, and the eerie quality of Welcome to Nightvale, Carmilla is a transmedia narrative that expands to fictional Twitter and Tumblr accounts to Wattpad storytelling.
Based on the gothic novella by Sheridan Le Fanu, this madly popular series features everything you could want in a fantasy: vampires, monsters, and a queer romance that’ll pull at your heartstrings. Yes, this story will suck you in. You might even say it . . . ok, we’ll stop.
Check it out on YouTube.
6. Couple-ish
Couple-ish is a Canadian LGBTQ+ webseries revolving around Dee Warson, a non-binary artist looking for a new roommate with the help of their sister, Amy Warson. The show was Streamy-nominated for its charming portrayal of LGBTQI folks and their dates, mates, and government fakeout.
Ever pretended to be in a couple in order to get a green card? Us neither! But it happens, ya know, and it’s also the premise for Couple-ish. Created by and starring Kaitlyn Alexander (who also appears in Carmilla), this webseries features queer and non-binary characters – and its humor is on point.
This well-loved webseries raised a ton of money to make season two. You’ll want to check it out in all its glory on YouTube.
5. The 3 Bits
No, the title is not referring to those bits, so you can take your mind out of the gutter. It actually describes three siblings (two of whom are queer) whose lives are followed throughout this rather bizarre webseries. The narrative deals with all the important aspects of life including love, booze, drugs, friendship, family, and incredible acts of stupidity.
The 3 Bits are intense. They find themselves in outlandish situations and their sex lives are as abnormal as, um, most people’s sex lives are. You’ll want to check it out on YouTube now.
4. Full Out
Black Swan may not be regarded as the most realistic portrayal of lesbian sexuality, but it certainly left some thirsty for a queer ballerina storyline. That’s exactly where this series delivers the goods. The story follows Claire, an in-the-closet lesbian who has to decide what’s more important: the dancing or the girl? You should really check it out now.
3. Little Horribles
This comical series chronicles the decisions of a super-awkward, super-relatable lesbian lead with brutal honesty. Its body-positive and authentic portrayal of queerness will resonate with anyone who has struggled their way through any dating scene.
Little Horribles a pretty star-studded affair, guest-starring Cynthia Stevenson (The Player, Dead Like Me, Happiness), Issa Rae (Awkward Black Girl), and Ilana Glazer (Broad City). It’s got over 1 million views and it’s all there for you to enjoy over at YouTube now.
2. Out with Dad
Tagline: “Rose is coming of age, and coming out of the closet. Dad wants to make sure Rose’s coming out is as easy and painless as possible. Sometimes he tries a little too hard.”
Director Jason Leaver triumphed with this award-winning quirky drama about a teenage girl and her single father. Out with Dad tackles all the issues facing queer teenagers including homophobia, first loves, heartbreak, and acceptance. It may be packed full of clichés, but that’s exactly why you’re going to love it.
The show ran for 7 years and a whopping 82 episodes. Even though it’s gone, Out with Dad is still a source of inspiration for many LGBTQI teens.
1. Her Story
Synopsis: “Her Story is about two trans women in Los Angeles who have given up on love, when suddenly chance encounters give them hope. Violet is drawn to Allie, a reporter who approaches her for an interview, while career-driven Paige meets James, the first man she’s considered opening up to in years. Will they risk letting what they are stand in the way of being loved for who they are?”
The webseries medium is praised for providing the opportunity for indie LGBTQI writers & directors to offer up their stories, and Her Story is a great example. Transgender filmmaker Jen Richards made history with this fictional dramedy after it became the first indie webseries to be nominated for an Emmy.
Made on a tiny budget by a largely transgender cast and crew, Her Story was nominated alongside Adult Swim’s Childrens Hospital, AMC’s Fear the Walking Dead: Flight 462, Comedy Central’s Hack Into Broad City and Lifetime’s UnREAL: The Auditions. Despite not winning the award, it has been heralded as a true Cinderella story based on the lack of studio funding.
If you like your webseries with witty dialogue, honest writing, and evocative performances, this is the perfect show for you. The sumptuous cinematography by Bérénice Eveno polishes the rough edges you usually find in self-financed and -produced projects.
At its heart, Her Story is a warm and hopeful piece. It never shies away from the complications when looking for identity and love in our world, while shining a light on the everyday ignorance even the most “woke” women may harbor. We dare you not to love the powerful, sweet, emotive, and sympathetic storytelling.
