1. Strange World 2022，IMDB Rating: 5.7, IMDB Votes: 46569, ID: 10298840 Photo by m.media-amazon.com, is licensed under CC BY ND 4.0 Strange World, a Disney animated film, is a science-fiction adventure that beautifully blends environmental themes with a story of overcoming differences and spreading kindness. The film features a gay character, Ethan Clade, whose sexuality is subtly portrayed. Despite the controversy it stirred in a Florida school, the film’s focus is not on pushing an agenda but on presenting a captivating story that promotes acceptance and understanding.
2. Welcome to Chechnya 2020，IMDB Rating: 7.9, IMDB Votes: 3187, ID: 11394200 Photo by diggita.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Welcome to Chechnya is a powerful documentary that highlights the horrifying persecution of the LGBTQ+ community in the Russian state of Chechnya. The film is a testament to the bravery of activists risking their lives to help those persecuted. The topic of the Florida teacher’s controversy seems distant, yet it underscores the importance of such films in fostering understanding and empathy.
3. A Secret Love 2020，IMDB Rating: 7.8, IMDB Votes: 4969, ID: 3260524 Photo by hancinema.net, is licensed under CC BY ND 4.0 A Secret Love is a touching documentary that reveals a hidden seven-decade-long lesbian relationship. The film is a powerful tribute to enduring devotion and the sacrifices made in the name of love. It resonates with the Florida teacher’s situation, reminding us of the importance of acceptance and the freedom to love.
4. Mädchen in Uniform 1931，IMDB Rating: 7.6, IMDB Votes: 3845, ID: 0022183 Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Mädchen in Uniform is a groundbreaking film that explores lesbian desire in an all-girls boarding school. It’s a remarkable film that was produced at a time when the representation of queer relationships was rare. The film’s portrayal of the struggles and emotions of the characters in a repressive environment resonates with the current situation where a Florida teacher is being investigated for showing a movie with a gay character. It reminds us of the importance of representation and understanding in media, and how it can impact real-life situations.
5. Love, Simon 2018，IMDB Rating: 7.5, IMDB Votes: 127291, ID: 5164432 Photo by coyotepr.uk, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Love, Simon is a heartwarming film that tells the story of a young man’s journey to coming out as gay. It’s a mainstream-styled teenage rom-com that uses every cliché in the book, but its use of these clichés represents a huge first, because it is the story of a young closeted gay kid’s difficult and often humorous march towards coming out. This film, like the Disney movie shown by the Florida teacher, aims to normalize and represent LGBTQ+ characters in mainstream media. It’s a reminder that movies can be a powerful tool for promoting understanding and acceptance.
6. Paris Is Burning 1990，IMDB Rating: 8.2, IMDB Votes: 18054, ID: 0100332 Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Paris Is Burning is a documentary that provides a very real look at the lives of transgender people and the ball culture of New York City. It’s a film that celebrates fluidity, community, and support. The film’s exploration of a marginalized community and its struggles for acceptance and recognition mirrors the current situation where a teacher is under investigation for showing a film with a gay character. It underscores the importance of representation and the need for society to be more accepting and understanding.
7. Tangerine 2015，IMDB Rating: 7.1, IMDB Votes: 36256, ID: 3824458 Photo by bandadicefali.it, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Tangerine is a comedy about a transgender prostitute looking for her pimp’s girlfriend on Christmas Eve. It’s a film that shatters casting conventions and its filmmaking techniques are up-to-the-minute, but it’s an old-fashioned comedy at heart. The film’s depiction of the struggles and experiences of transgender individuals in a humorous yet poignant manner resonates with the current situation where a teacher is being investigated for showing a film with a gay character. It highlights the need for more diverse and inclusive representation in media.
8. Brokeback Mountain 2005，IMDB Rating: 7.7, IMDB Votes: 387516, ID: 0388795 Photo by blankonblank.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Brokeback Mountain is a poignant film about two men who are forced to deny their love for each other due to societal norms. It’s a universal tragedy that could be about any ‘forbidden’ love. The film’s exploration of the pain and struggle of living a life that is not accepted by society echoes the current situation where a teacher is being investigated for showing a film with a gay character. It serves as a reminder of the importance of acceptance and understanding in society.
9. Ah-ga-ssi 2016，IMDB Rating: 8.1, IMDB Votes: 176041, ID: 4016934 Photo by wikimedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Ah-ga-ssi, also known as The Handmaiden, is a 2016 film that beautifully portrays a complex and intense relationship between two women. The film, set in Korea under Japanese colonial rule, is a testament to the power of love and the human spirit. In the context of the Florida teacher’s situation, it serves as a reminder that love knows no boundaries, not even those set by society or tradition. The film’s intricate plot and stunning visuals make it a must-watch.
10. Shiva Baby 2020，IMDB Rating: 7.1, IMDB Votes: 34396, ID: 11317142 Photo by coyotepr.uk, is licensed under CC BY ND 4.0 Shiva Baby, a 2020 film directed by Emma Seligman, is a comedic yet poignant exploration of a young woman’s journey of self-discovery. The protagonist, Danielle, navigates her bisexuality amidst the pressures of her Jewish community. This film, in relation to the Florida teacher’s experience, underscores the importance of inclusivity and acceptance in all aspects of life, including education. Its blend of humor and raw emotion makes it a compelling watch.
11. The Old Guard 2020，IMDB Rating: 6.7, IMDB Votes: 185850, ID: 7556122 Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The Old Guard, a 2020 film directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, is a thrilling action movie that breaks the mold with its diverse cast and complex characters. The film, which features a group of immortal warriors led by a fierce female character played by Charlize Theron, promotes the idea that strength and heroism are not exclusive to any gender or sexual orientation. In the context of the Florida teacher’s situation, it serves as a reminder of the importance of representation in media.
12. All of Us Strangers 2023，IMDB Rating: 7.7, IMDB Votes: 55213, ID: 21192142 Photo by coyotepr.uk, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 All of Us Strangers, a 2023 film directed by Andrew Haigh, is a deeply emotional and introspective film that explores love, loss, and human connection. The film, which features a gay character, resonates with the topic of the Florida teacher’s situation, emphasizing the importance of understanding and acceptance. Its unique narrative and powerful performances make it a standout film in LGBTQ+ cinema.
13. Red, White & Royal Blue 2023，IMDB Rating: 7.0, IMDB Votes: 52034, ID: 10172266 Photo by wikimedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Red, White & Royal Blue is a love story that skillfully blends the familiar beats of a classic movie romance with the distinctive details of two of the world’s most public young men trying to keep their relationship private. The film is about a British prince and the son of the President of the United States, both trying to keep their relationship secret. This film’s portrayal of a same-sex relationship in a positive and nuanced manner aligns with the ongoing conversation about LGBTQ+ representation in media.
14. Every Body 2023，IMDB Rating: 6.5, IMDB Votes: 882, ID: 27074938 Photo by generasia.com, is licensed under CC BY ND 4.0 Every Body is a moving, fascinating look at a too-often-ignored subset of the world’s population, intersex people. The film is filled with empathy and understanding but also a cool, analytical anger about what history has put them through. It provides a unique perspective on the experiences and struggles of intersex individuals, contributing to the broader conversation about LGBTQ+ representation in media.
15. I Saw the TV Glow 2024，IMDB Rating: 5.9, IMDB Votes: 13875, ID: 15574270 Photo by wikimedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 I Saw the TV Glow is a captivating film that explores the struggles of a young man named Owen, who is grappling with questions of identity, sexuality, and personhood. The film is a visceral depiction of confronting identity as we age, confronting themes of gender, identity, escapism, isolation, repression, and dissociation. It’s a film that feels both current and nostalgic, offering viewers a window into a world they may never experience.
16. Love Lies Bleeding 2024，IMDB Rating: 6.7, IMDB Votes: 33982, ID: 19637052 Photo by wikimedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Love Lies Bleeding is a powerful film about a gym manager named Lou who finds herself cleaning up messes in a world of violence. The film is a sexy, brutal, violent, kinetic piece of filmmaking that’s about love, lies, and bleeding. It’s a gut punch about a steroid-using bodybuilder that’s on roids itself, getting bolder and more cinematically muscular with each subsequent twist.
17. Carol 2015，IMDB Rating: 7.3, IMDB Votes: 143553, ID: 2402927 Photo by wikimedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Carol is a film about a relationship between a shy shopgirl and a much older housewife set in the 1950s. It’s a human comedy that contrasts the scary duality of people and relationships with beautiful surfaces. The film is a tantalizing glimpse of a talented director and his stars all at the top of their respective games, smart, sad and audacious.
17 Important LGBTQ+ Films Highlighted by the Florida Teacher’s Movie Controversy
