Crucial LGBTQ TV of 21st century.

Eira Davis May 23, 2023 Offbeat

The Definitive List of the Greatest Queer Television of All Time

After nearly 25 years into the Golden Age of Television, it’s time to celebrate the wonderful wide world of queer television that has exploded over the last quarter of a century. We can now create a definitive list of the greatest queer television of all time, recognizing the trailblazing classics that paved the way, as well as the boundary-breakers forging ahead into our bright and shining future.

Just the Classics

We begin with the classics that have both fully embodied their queerness and are top-notch artistically. We have so many options to consider, but this list evaluates consistent quality over many seasons as well as the staying power and impact on broader queer culture. Even though beloved omissions are inevitable, we highlight shows with at least one queer character in the main cast, and where representation doesn’t require squinting.

The Future of Queer Television

With a recent swell of teen dramas and offbeat comedies that have diverse and colorful worldviews and an eclectic mix of queer characters, there are wonderful recent entries that are just getting started. We can’t wait to see how they evolve over time.

Why These Shows Are on the List

Some of the shows on this list are cultural phenomenons like “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” while others like Michaela Coel’s “I May Destroy You” may not read as overwhelmingly queer but deserve inclusion because of their powerful queer storyline. Rebecca Sugar’s “Steven Universe” uses zany animation to explode gender boundaries out of this world, making it a standout on this list.