Looking for Positive LGBTQIA+ Representation in Musicals? Here are Six of My Favorites
Happy Pride Month! Though the world is in a bit of chaos right now, we should still take the time to celebrate the great strides made toward LGBTQ equality.
And a great way to do that is to check out and appreciate some musicals that create positive LGBTQ representation. Here are my top picks.
1. “Rent”
From gender-nonconforming Angel to bisexual disaster Maureen to non-stereotypical gays Collins and Joanne, “Rent” has such a diverse array of identities and perspectives represented.
As it was written nearly 30 years ago, it’s not perfect, but it succeeds in humanizing LGBTQ characters and making audience members empathize with people dealing with HIV/AIDS in a way that had never been seen before.
It was the first musical of its kind and inspired countless others to make strides in LGBTQ representation in the theater.
2. “The Prom”
This musical is both adorable and soul-crushing as it explores young teen lesbian love in the setting of a conservative Indiana town.
“The Prom” not only touches on important subjects like coming out and loving yourself, but also on the idea of famous people jumping on the bandwagon of supporting LGBTQ rights just for the career boost, which is not something that is usually explored in any fictional media.
Exploring LGBTQ issues through the lens of a young girl who just wants to take her girlfriend to prom really humanizes people in the community to straight/cisgender people who don’t know anyone LGBTQ.
3. “The Color Purple”
This one is pretty heavy, but also raw and cathartic. Watching a woman overcome so much abuse and find love in someone she never expected is such a beautiful thing.
“The Color Purple” was not initially a story I thought would have a lesbian relationship, but it unfolds so naturally and beautifully that you can’t help but root for them and feel upset when it doesn’t turn out the way you’d hope.
Also, I can listen to Cynthia Erivo and Jennifer Hudson sing love songs to each other all day.
4. “Falsettos”
With a story focusing on two gay/lesbian couples at the beginning of the 1980s AIDS crisis, it would be hard not to put this musical on this list.
But what I like most about this story is that it’s focused on the relationships themselves. There is a time and a place for accepting-that-you’re-gay stories, but stories about LGBTQ people who know who they are and are dealing with romantic and familial relationships are underrated.
LGBTQ people are way more than just their identities. They have many of the same problems as non-LGBTQ people. To see that represented in stories like this one is so important.
5. “Kinky Boots”
This musical is just fun! The music is catchy and the musical stays upbeat and inspiring while also delving into topics like gender identity.
When I worked at an LGBTQ newspaper, I transcribed an interview with Wayne Brady, which you can read here. He said he’d never felt like more of a man than when he walked on stage in heels playing Lola.
That’s the great thing about this show – it challenges our preconceived notions about masculinity and really celebrates and normalizes those who do not conform to gender norms.
6. “Fun Home”
As the first Broadway musical with a lesbian protagonist, this story is so important.
Also, this musical is based on a graphic novel/memoir, so it has the added layer of it being a true story of a real LGBTQ person.
It also shows audiences the unique generational difference when it comes to accepting your sexuality, as both the main character Alison and her father Bruce are gay. Alison has the courage and sense of security to come out while her father hides his identity and stays in a heterosexual marriage despite how unhappy he clearly is.
It’s important for audiences to see a diversity of LGBTQ experiences. This way people can begin to build empathy toward those who have different life experiences or realize that they’re not alone in their experiences and worldviews.