LGBT Movie Recommendations

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

By: Alexis McCrea

Staff writer

October is LGBT history month! Which means, it’s a good time to brush up on LGBT historical figures, and how their lives influenced not only the LGBT community, but also the rest of the world. There are many important LGBT figures in history, and in current society, that have had their sexuality erased. This month could be a good month to learn about some of those people, and what better way to do that than watching some movies. Here are five movies to help get you started.

1. “Milk”

“Milk” directed by Gus Van Sant- “Milk” is a hope-inspiring portrayal of California’s first openly gay politician, Harvey Milk. The film chronicles his personal life, unlikely rise to political power in the 1970s when the majority of the world was homophobic, and ultimately his death. “Milk” offers an upbringing look into the very beginning of the gay rights movement in America. Though “Milk” ends in tragedy, it leaves the viewer feeling inspired and empowered.

2. “Howl”

“Howl” directed by Jeffrey Friedman and Rob Epstein- “Howl” is a fun and creative biopic on the iconic American poet Allen Ginsberg. Ginsberg, a gay poet living in the 1950s, popularized the current counter-culture movement in America at the time, the “Beat Generation,” with his poem “Howl”. The movies not only covers him writing “Howl”, but also the controversy that follows it. Allen Ginsberg broke down barriers not only in literature, but in society, with a sometimes obscene and confessional style of poetry. James Franco also stars as Allen Ginsberg, which is nice.

3. “Wilde”

“Wilde” directed by Brian Gilbert- “Wilde” covers the life of Oscar Wilde, an Irish poet, and playwright in the late 1800s. The film covers Wilde’s tumultuous same-sex relationships, how they inspired his writing, and his personal life. Oscar Wilde is an iconic historical figure in the LGBT community, and the movie portrays how homosexuality was treated in history. Though the film ends tragically, it leaves the viewer happy that someone like Oscar Wilde had ever existed. 

4. “Vita and Virginia”

“Vita and Virginia” directed by Chanya Button- When iconic author, Virginia Woolf meets fellow writer Vita Sackville-West, the two enter into an intense relationship. “Vita and Virginia” not only chronicles both of their lives and relationships, but also how their relationship inspired one of Woolf’s most famous books, “Orlando”. 

5. “Paris is Burning”

“Paris is Burning” directed by Jennie Livingston- Have you ever wondered where phrases such as “shade” and “what’s the tea?” come from? “Paris is Burning” explains it very plainly with the drag queens. “Paris is Burning” is a documentary centered around the New York City “ball culture”. The documentary explains the complexities, struggles and triumphs of drag queens, and other members of the LGBT community living in New York City during the 1970s and 1980s.  You can use this documentary to not only learn about LGBT lives, but more about your own.