For the last few weeks, I’ve been holed up in my apartment as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather than sit idly by, I’ve decided to make my leisure time as queer as possible. Here are my favorite books, movies, television shows, and podcasts from my “queerantine.”
Feel Good (Netflix)
Feel Good is a six-episode series on Netflix that combines British accents, sex toys, and Lisa Kudrow. If that combination doesn’t sell you, you should watch the show for its poignant exploration of drug addiction, love, and family. This deeply compelling, semi-autobiographical series follows real-life comedian Mae Martin and her girlfriend, George, and will absolutely leave you wanting more.
Dykes to Watch Out For (Alison BechdelHoughton Mifflin Harcourt)
As I’m waiting for the second season of The L Word: Generation Q, I discovered Alison Bechdel’s Dykes To Watch Out For. This graphic novel, which was originally published as a comic strip, follows a group of queer friends over twenty years as they navigate dating, marriage, kids, and divorce, and doesn’t hesitate to roast society for its backwards, patriarchal ways.
One Day at a Time (SonyPop TV)
One Day at a Time makes its debut on PopTV for its fourth season, and after the first episode, the show has already dissed Netflix for cancelling it and brought up the 2020 census. Rita Moreno and Justina Machado are excellent in this series as mother and daughter, and don’t get me started on how much I identify with Machado’s very outspoken queer, feminist TV-daughter Elena.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (NEON)
Take the movie Carol, and substitute its heart-stopping road trip with an isolated beach house in Brittany, and you’ve got Portrait of a Lady Fire. Now on Hulu, this magical lesbian romance is subtitled in French and will almost certainly make you wish you were quarantined with a French woman who was hired to paint your portrait.
Zoey and Mo on Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist (Sergei BachlakovNBC)
I don’t watch many shows on network TV, but Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist is one I always tune in for live on Sunday nights. This NBC show follows Zoey Clark as she navigates work, and personal heartbreak, all while secretly able to hear the emotions of her friends, family, and co-workers through song and dance. Alex Newell, who is best know for his role on Glee, plays Zoey’s dapper genderqueer neighbor and helps Zoey figure out her powers as she deals with internal and external chaos.
Little Fires Everywhere (HULU)
Kerry Washington and Reese Witherspoon star in the television adaptation of Celeste Ng’s Little Fires Everywhere. This eight-episode miniseries has delivered some intense drama, including a young angsty teen struggling with her sexuality to the music of Alanis Morissette. And spoiler alert: unlike the book, Kerry Washington’s character has a romantic and sexual history that includes women.
If you’re finding yourself missing the live music scene during quarantine, Homground has got you covered. This podcast features queer and allied musicians and bands across the world and will let you discover the latest and greatest LGBTQ musicians without leaving the comfort of your home.
Sara Quin (Photo by Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency)
Tegan Quin (Photo by Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency)
Ever wondered about the meaning behind the songs of Tegan and Sara? Look no further than High School, the twins’ memoir of growing up, coming out, dating girls, writing songs, and doing drugs.
Take My Wife (Seeso)
I’ve never wanted a wife more than I did after watching Cameron Esposito and Rhea Butcher on Take My Wife. Now on Starz, the series’ two seasons deliver laughs as Esposito and Butcher, a real-life couple at the time, pursue careers as standup comedians.
Taking a walk around town while maintaining six feet of distance and listening to Lez Hang Out is the probably the best suggestion I can give you for surviving COVID-19. This podcast covers lesbian representation in media, and has an amazing segment called “Should’ve Been Gay,” where hosts Ellie Brigida and Leigh Holmes Foster talk about movies, TV shows, and couples that really should have been gay. Bend It Like Beckham, anyone?
