Connect with us

Arts & Entertainment

Whole lotta gay

Queer representation now so omnipresent on TV it’s nearly de rigueur

Published

on

Laverne Cox, Orange is the New Black, video, Netflix, gay news, Washington Blade
Laverne Cox, Orange is the New Black, video, Netflix, gay news, Washington Blade

Laverne Cox in ‘Orange is the New Black.’ (Photo by Paul Shiraldi; courtesy Netflix)

Season two of “Orange Is the New Black” will become available on Netflix on June 6. The show, set in a women’s prison, is rife with lesbian relationships and includes trans actress Laverne Cox in a significant supporting role.

The CW airs a new series, “Star-Crossed,” on Mondays at 8 p.m. The show stars Matt Lanter as an alien and Aimee Teegarden as a human whose love is forbidden. The show carries heavy themes of racial integration, the Civil Rights movement and the gay rights movement.

Once Upon a Time” returns to ABC on March 9 at 8 p.m. The second half of the season will focus heavily on the Wicked Witch of the West from “The Wizard of Oz.”

Revenge” returns to ABC on March 9 at 10 p.m. Madeline Stowe, Emily VanCamp and Gabriel Mann star in this drama, a contemporary re-imagining of “The Count of Monte Cristo,” told from a female perspective.

OWN will premiere a new Lindsay Lohan documentary series called “Lindsay” on March 9 at 10 p.m. Over eight episodes, the show will focus on the actress’s attempts to rebuild her life and career following legal and public relations troubles.

As part of the lineup of Robert Rodriguez’s new network El Rey, “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series” premieres on March 10 at 9 p.m. The show will expand on the mythology of the cult-favorite “From Dusk till Dawn” series.

Kevin Spacey, House of Cards, video, Netflix, gay news, Washington Blade

Kevin Spacey in ‘House of Cards.’ (Photo by Nathaniel Bell; courtesy Netflix)

Both seasons of the Netflix original series “House of Cards” are available for streaming online. Season two builds on some of the implied gay themes of season one, both explicitly and implicitly.

Season 18 of “Dancing With the Stars” premieres on March 17 at 9 p.m. on ABC. Contestants had not been announced by the time of publishing, but they will likely include NeNe Leakes and Candace Cameron Bure of “Full House” fame.

LGBT ally and activist Aisha Tyler returns to host another season of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” on March 21 at 8 p.m. on The CW.

The final season of “Drop Dead Diva” premieres on March 23 at 9 p.m. on Lifetime. Bi comedian and LGBT activist Margaret Cho stars in the show.

James Van Der Beek stars in “Friends With Better Lives,” a comedy premiering on March 31 at 9 p.m. on CBS.

Mindy Kaling’s sitcom “The Mindy Project” returns to Fox on April 1 at 9 p.m. Adam Pally, who recently starred in “Happy Endings” as the openly gay Max Blum, has been promoted to a series regular on “The Mindy Project.”

Comedian Amy Schumer returns with season two of “Inside Amy Schumer” on April 1 at 10:30 p.m. on Comedy Central. The sketch comedy series tackles a number of topics, including sexuality.

The American Country Music Awards will air on April 6 at 8 p.m. on CBS. Some nominees for top awards this year include Taylor Swift, Kacey Musgraves, Sheryl Crow and Carrie Underwood.

Season four of “Game of Thrones” premieres on April 6 at 9 p.m. on HBO.

Season three of “Veep” returns to HBO on April 6 at 10 p.m. The show’s star, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, won Emmys for her performances in the first two seasons of the show as Vice President Selina Meyer.

Mad Men” premieres the first part of its final season on April 13 at 10 p.m. on AMC. Throughout its run, the show has addressed sex and sexuality as they were perceived in the ‘60s, when the show takes place.

Orphan Black,” a Canadian science fiction series, premieres its second season on April 19 at 9 p.m. on BBC America. The show stars Tatiana Maslany playing multiple characters and Jordan Gavaris as her gay foster brother.

MTV premieres “Faking It” on April 22 at 10:30 p.m. The show revolves around two high school girls who are mistakenly outed as lesbians and keep up the charade as their popularity rises. Another character is the openly gay Shane, described as the most popular boy in the school.

HBO’s film “The Normal Heart” airs May 25 at 9 p.m. The adaptation of the play by Larry Kramer focuses on the rise of HIV/AIDS in New York City in the early ‘80s. The film stars Matt Bomer, Jim Parsons, Jonathan Groff, Julia Roberts and others.

The 68th annual Tony Awards airs June 8 on CBS at 8 p.m. The ceremony recognizing achievement in Broadway productions will be hosted by Hugh Jackman for the fourth time.

Jason Bateman, Liza Minelli, Arrested Development, video, Netflix, gay news, Washington Blade

Jason Bateman and Liza Minnelli in ‘Arrested Development.’ (Photo by Mike Yarish; courtesy Netflix)

Season four of “Arrested Development” is also available on Netflix. The series stars Jason Bateman, Portia de Rossi and Jessica Walter. Series creator Mitchell Hurwitz is planning an “Arrested Development” movie as well as a fifth season.

RuPaul’s Drag Race” season six just premiered last week and continues on Monday nights at 9 p.m. on Logo. The show has also been renewed for a seventh season as well.

Advertisement
FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM
SIGN UP FOR E-BLAST

Photos

PHOTOS: Shenandoah Valley Pride

LGBTQ celebration held at Turner Pavilion in Harrisonburg, Va.

Published

on

A scene from the 2026 Shenandoah Valley Pride Festival. (Washington Blade photo by Landon Shackelford)

The 2026 Shenandoah Valley Pride Festival was held at Turner Pavilion in Harrisonburg, Va. on Sunday, Sept. 20.

(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)

Continue Reading

Photos

PHOTOS: Walk and 5K to End HIV

Whitman-Walker Health holds 40th annual event

Published

on

A scene from the 2026 Walk and 5K to End HIV on Saturday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Whitman-Walker Health held the 40th annual Walk and 5K to End HIV at Anacostia Park on Saturday, Sept. 19.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Continue Reading

Photos

PHOTOS: Wanda Alston Foundation Fall Reception

LGBTQ youth services organization honors Robert White, Japer Bowles, Washington Capitals

Published

on

Rayceen Pendarvis was the emcee at the Wanda Alston Foundation 2026 Fall Reception. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Wanda Alston Foundation held its Fall Reception at the Penthouse Rooftop at The Wharf on Friday, Sept. 18. Honorees included D.C. Councilmember Robert White, Director of the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs Japer Bowles, and the Washington Capitals. Rayceen Pendarvis served as the emcee and entertainment was provided by the Thomas Circle Singers.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Continue Reading

Popular