7 LGBTQ Documentaries You Should Watch

7 LGBTQ Documentaries You Should Watch

For decades, LGBTQ documentaries have chronicled the lives of various queer individuals. From the ballroom culture of Paris Is Burning to the historical relevance of Pay It No Mind, LGBTQ documentaries show that queer people come from different walks of life and have made amazing contributions to the world.

Here are seven LGBTQ documentaries for your viewing pleasure!

1. We Exist: Beyond The Binary

Released in April 2018, this film documents the life of gender neutral fillmmaker, activist, and writer Lauren Lubin as they look back on their life prior to their transition. It also features discussions of gender identity from agender writer and advocate Tyler Ford, LGBTQ activist and personality Kristen Russo, and Dr. Charles Garramone, and Dr. Anthony Vavasis.

2. Kumu Hina

Hina Wong Walu is a Native-Hawaiian teacher and activist who lives her life in the middle of Hawaii's traditional, Indigenous third gender culture and as a modern transgender woman. This film chronicles a year of her life as she attempts to mentor a young girl, enter a romantic relationship, and pass on the Indigenous culture to new generations.

3. Call Me Kuchu

Directed by Malika Zouhali-Worrall and Katherine Fairfax Wright, this GLAAD award-winning documentary focuses on the Ugandian LGBTQ community as well as the 2011 murder of activist David Kato. 

4. T'ain't Nobody's Bizness: Queer Blues Divas of The 1920's

Archiving the stories of Black queer blues singers such as Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, and Gladys Bentley, this fascinating film uses it's title from one of the most popular blues songs to symbolize the hidden, glamorous lives from the Roaring Twenties.

5. Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin

Bayard Rustin was one of the key leaders of the Civil Rights movement, but his sexuality caused him to be in the background. This film features archival footage from his 60 year career, allowing a forgotten historical figure to finally be remembered.

6. Before You Know It

This PJ Raval-directed film follows the lives of three gay seniors as they live out their elderly years. Despite enduring a high level of exclusion, neglect, and exclusion, the seniors in the film display optimism and resilience that is a testament to their lives.

7. Game Face

In this film, trans mixed martial artist Fallon Fox and gay basketball player Terrence Clemens experience challenges and triumphs in their professional and personal lives as they come out.