Education through Film: The LGBQTA+ Struggle

LGBTQ rights advocates march on Washington in 2009. (AP Photo / Jacquelyn Martin)

It is important to remember the history of the struggles with the LGBQTA+ communities. Freedoms for those have been taken, given back, and rescinded throughout the decades. It is vital to remember those stories and who helped begin the revolutions for these communities. 

One of those important events are the Stonewall Riots. The riots at Stonewall began on June 28, 1969, when police raided the Stonewall Inn. Protests for justice and equality went on for six days. Two prominent figures of the protests were Marsha P. Johnson, a black transgender woman, and Stormé DeLarverie, a black lesbian woman. Both are considered gay civil rights icons to the LGBQTA+ communities.

Remembering history takes many forms to acknowledge the stories of those past. One of those avenues is through film and documentaries. Below is a list of films one may start with to understand the struggles within those communities, relationships, and politics. 

To be empathetic with others, we must strut within those shoes for, at least, a moment. Most of these films have been considered fundamental in learning and understanding the gay culture and its survival.

Consider this a starting point to relearn and comprehend others struggles through comedy, drama, and documentation.

Paris Is Burning (1990)

A documentary, the film chronicles the lives within the LGBQT communities of New York City and the ball culture they survived within. The film explores race, class, and sexuality within America that is still prevalent to today.

The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson (2017)

A documentary, the film investigates the life of Marsha P. Johnson, a black transgender woman and prominent gay rights activist in the 1960s to the 1990s, until her death.

Moonlight (2016)

The film follows the life of Chiron and the struggles he faces with his sexuality from childhood to adulthood as a black male from the south.

Rafiki (2018)

The film explores two women and their relationship during a political pressurized state for LGBQT rights within Kenya.

*note: This was the First Kenyan Film to be shown at the Cannes Film Festival.

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)

A comedy film, the story follows two drag queens and a transgender woman, who venture across the Australian outback beginning their journey in Sydney.

Brokeback Mountain (2005)

The film depicts a story of two men and their secretive relationship while working in the West as cowboys.

The Birdcage (1996)

A gay club owner and his husband, pretend to be a hetrosexual couple so their son may introduce them to his fiancée’s parents.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001)

A musical comedy, the film chronicles a genderqueer german rockstar and their struggles with their sexuality through life.

The Danish Girl (2015)

Inspired by the Danish painters, Lili Elbe and Gerda Wagner, the film depicts their relationship and work through Lili’s path as transgender in the 1920s.

Boy Erased (2018)

Based on true events, a young boy and son of a baptist pastor is forcibly outed by his parents for being gay. He is forced to be part of gay therapy/conversion programs.

To Be Takei (2014)

A documentary, the film follows the life of George Takai as an actor and gay rights activist. May we all remember and be empathetic to communities who have fought to be recognized for their humanity.

Silence cannot be the answer because it can never lead to conversation.