In 1994, Missouri high school teacher Rodney Wilson gathered his fellow teachers and local leaders to discuss establishing a month to celebrate the contributions and history of the LGBT community. As October 11th was already recognized as Coming Out Day, the group felt October was a natural fit.
Today, many countries have followed suit, and LGBT History Month is celebrated in October around the globe.
To spotlight this month and highlight the heroes and struggles still faced by many in the LGBT community, Taboola Pride, Taboola’s employee resource group, has compiled a list of some of their favorite movies, books, and audio series that have LGBTQ+ themes. Whether you want to be inspired, get educated, or have a good cry (or laugh!), there’s something for everyone on this list.
What to Watch
Grab some popcorn, get comfy, and watch these movies and TV shows.
Steven Universe
The characters in this family-friendly cartoon are colorfully queer, very diverse, and boast some of the first LGBTQ+ representation in children’s television without boiling their value down to their queerness alone. Steven Universe tackles the themes of love, loss, friendship, sacrifice, and growing up through the eyes of a child who knows to seek goodness first.
Recommended by Rob McNeil, Product Marketing Manager, US
Gameboys
In this Pilipino web series set during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in Luzon, live-stream gamer Cairo loses a game to one of his fans, Gavreel, who subsequently reveals he is in love with Cairo. The two boys form a bond and face challenges navigating relationships with friends, family members, and exes before eventually meeting in person. Cairo must also come to terms with his past and deal with the pandemic’s toll on his family.
Recommended by Sefy Cnaany, QA Engineer, Video, Tel Aviv
But I’m a Cheerleader
This 1999 satirical rom-com is an LGBTQ+ cult classic with a fantastic cast, including Natasha Lyonne and RuPaul. You’ll laugh your way through the film, which follows a cheerleader who gets sent to a gay conversion camp because her parents believe she is a lesbian. The twist: everyone knows she is but her. Despite the camp, she falls in love and discovers who she really is.
Recommended by Stacey Delaney, UK Country Manager, London
What to Read
Turn on some lights, cozy up with a blanket and grab your favorite reading device.
The Deviant’s War: The Homosexual vs. the United States of America by Eric Cervini
This book tells the story of Frank Kameny, who became one of the most notable gay rights activists. In 1957, Kameny was working as an astronomer for the US Defense Department. When some leaders at the Pentagon suspected he was gay, they subjected him to humiliating interviews and subsequently fired him. He fought back, taking on the government and filing the first civil rights claim based on sexual orientation.
Recommended by Adriano Orlando, Content Reviewer, Tel Aviv
The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai
This tale of two stories begins in 1985 at the height of the AIDS epidemic. In Chicago, Yale Tishman’s career is about to take off as he secures a fantastic collection of paintings for the gallery where he works. At the same time, his personal life begins to crumble as many of his friends, including his best friend Nico, die from AIDs. Soon, Fiona, Nico’s sister, is his only friend still alive. Three decades later, Fiona travels to Paris. As she searches for her estranged daughter, she is forced to confront how the AIDs crisis impacted her life and relationships.
Recommended by Yven Gonnet, Team Lead, SMB Publisher Sales, London
Girl, Woman, Other
Winner of the Booker Prize, Girl, Woman, Other, is a composite of twelve individual stories that offer insights into what it’s like living as a Black woman in the LGBTQ community. It spans different stages of British history and explores sexuality, privilege, and aging, with the stories cleverly intertwining into an incredible ending.
Recommended by Katherine Pickles, Product Marketing Manager, London
What to Listen to
Find a quiet nook or pop in your headphones and delight your ears (and mind!).
The Myth of Homosexual Decriminialisation
Peter Tatchell examines what has happened in the decades since the 1967 Sexual Offences Act, which legalized homosexuality in the UK, and the continuing battle the LGBT community faces as it strives for equal rights.
Recommended by David Belford, SMB Publisher Account Manager, London
Smalltown Boy (Kele Cover 2021)
Originally sung by the openly gay British synthpop trio Bronski Beat, Smalltown Boy describes the story and emotions of a boy who leaves his parents’ home when his sexuality is revealed to them. Several artists have covered the song, but the Kele cover has a raw and personal quality that makes every second of the song powerful.
Recommended by JC Gombeaud, SVP Marketing, Connexity, London
Thinking Straight (Stories of our times)
This six-episode podcast exposes the secretive practice of ‘conversion therapy’ in the UK. Reporter Emily Sargent goes undercover and records therapy sessions to bring light to what is happening in Britain at a time when the government promised to end the controversial practice. You’ll also hear stories from others who have been subjected to this therapy and learn about the healthcare system for trans people.
Recommended by David Belford, SMB Publisher Account Manager, London