For decades, we’ve seen the TV landscape expand for the Black community, but it has taken time for it to become a platform that readily showcases Black queerness. We’re talking beyond the best gay friend or stereotypical lesbian. That’s why Noah’s Arc was so fondly welcomed when it premiered in 2006, and Noah’s Arc: The Movie—currently playing on Paramount+—is celebrating the groundbreaking series’ 20th anniversary.
Luckily, over the past decade, we’ve seen many LGBTQ characters take center stage, with storylines that are filled with richness, depth and complexity. And while there is always room for more, here are five series that got it right when it comes to portraying the Black LGBTQ community.
Pose (FX)
This series took us into the New York City ballroom scene of the 1980s and 1990s. What made it so groundbreaking was that the cast included gay and transgender actors, including Michaela Jaé Rodriguez and Dominique Jackson, opening a door for Black transgender actors to work on other series as their true authentic selves.
Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist (NBC)
Yes, Mo was Zoey’s bestie and voice of reason. But Alex Newell, who plays Mo, also had devoted romance storylines with Eddie and Perry. Dealing with the challenges every romance faces: when and how to take it to the next level, breakups and makeups, was a refreshing reality.
P-Valley (Starz)
We got the chance to meet Uncle Clifford, played by Nicco Annan, the non-binary, queer owner of The Pynk strip club in the Mississippi Delta, and explore their layered relationship with Lil Murda, played by J. Alphonse Nicholson. Annan gave plenty of input to series creator Katori Hall to develop this bold and sassy persona with humanity and depth.
Queen Sugar (Hulu)
Nova Bordelon, one of three siblings in this family drama, is openly bisexual. The series explored her relationships with both men and women, which paralleled the real-life experiences of her portrayer, Rutina Wesley. Brian Michael Smith, an actor who is transgender, played Antoine “Toine” Wilkins, a firefighter, on the series as well.
Sex Education (Netflix)
Eric Effiong (played by Ncuti Gatwa) rarely backed down from being his true, authentic self—a proud British Nigerian gay man with a fabulous sense of style—on the enlightening series Sex Education. The series dealt with his boyfriends, including one who was still coming to terms with his sexuality. And the show took a bold step showcasing LGBTQ life in Lagos, Nigeria, a place where the culture and the country’s laws criminalize homosexuality.
Harlem (Prime Video)
Jerrie Johnson plays Tye Reynolds, a successful tech entrepreneur who is openly gay. It showcased her trials and triumphs in her relationships as a genuine, authentic journey of self-discovery in search of love. Grace Byers’s character, Quinn Joseph, also explored her sexual fluidity in a relationship with a woman.
