In an effort to build a space for queer people like myself, every Tuesday I’ll be posting opinion pieces, listicals, reviews, and more focused on the LGBT community (and occasionally about the Latinx/WOC community since I am Latinx.) Welcome to Queerly Not Straight! Enjoy and leave a comment below if you have a suggestion for what I should cover next.
Start off your year right with these LGBTQ+ web series created, written, and directed by women. We have dark and spooky scifi in the form of Jade of Death. Teen drama Flunk, in the style of Degrassi and Skam. And day to day dramas in the form of Same Same and Two Weeks, that normalize our queer experiences. Plus, we have one web series on this list from one of our very own writers!
Without further ado, let’s live into 5 LGBTQ+ web series you should binge in 2019!
1. Same Same
Written By: Lauren Augarten, Stephanie Begg, April Maxey, Summer Czajak
Directed By: Josh Mawer, Stephanie Begg, April Maxey, Lauren Augarten
Summary: Meeting through a social networking app, three women from very different backgrounds navigate life, love and the complexities of the modern queer experience.
Why You Should Be Watching: This show felt real. Like, these women could be people I know, hang out with, or work with. They are ordinary and extraordinary. They are queer and they are trying. And they are exactly the kind of odd collective of queer women that I’d love to see more of in my life, because not everyone has things figured out when it comes to our LGBT lives.
START HERE:
Status: Season one complete.
Follow Same Same on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and their website.
2. Two Weeks
Written By: Mary Duong, Daniel Anderson, Benjamin Cotgrove
Directed By: Isabel Stanfield, Daniel Anderson, Rachel Anderson
Summary: Two Weeks is a nine-part LGBTQ+ drama series that takes an honest look into the struggles several friends in their 20s face in their bid to overcome insecurities associated with love, life, and their own identities. The series celebrates a different perspective on the queer experience against the backdrop of a humid Brisbane summer.
Why You Should Be Watching: The chemistry, people! Honestly, after reading the synopsis and watching the first couple minutes of episode one, it took me a sec to appreciate and see the chemistry between the leading queer couple. But I’m glad that I stuck with it and kept watching because it did not take long for me to invest in the lives of these 20 somethings and the friends that surround them.
START HERE:
Status: Season one complete.
Follow Two Weeks on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and their website.
3. Queering
Written By: Leticia De Bortoli, Caitlin Graham
Directed By: Leticia De Bortoli
Summary: Queering is a LGBTQ comedy web series that follows Harper, who is ready to live the best phase of her lesbian life until the tables turn when her mom unexpectedly comes out as queer.
Why You Should Be Watching: Fav part of this series is that it’s not just told from the perspective of a young queer woman. There is an older queer woman who is trying to figure out her LGBT life later on in life. And it’s important to have these kinds of stories because we all don’t have a magical moment when we’re younger that we figure out our sexuality. Sometimes it takes ages! And if one older woman sees herself in this character and realizes, “Woah, I think I might be queer and that’s ok,” then this entire show is worth it!
START HERE:
Status: Season one and two complete.
Follow Queering on Twitter and Instagram.
4. Jade of Death
Written, Created, and Directed By: Erin Good
Summary: Dark, funny and hot as hell, this 6 part queer web series is about a young woman with supernatural abilities.
Why You Should Be Watching: If Wynonna Earp would have an Australian baby with no guns and a woman who can see when you’re going to die, this is it. Also, the lead is a woman of color who with one look, you know she can kick your ass to kingdom come. What really sells this series, and why it might be my favorite of all of these, is the acting. The queer couple have chemistry that can’t be beat. And the female lead actually made me tear up and want to destroy the world to protect her. This is definitely a web series you should not miss out on!
START HERE:
Status: Season one complete.
Follow Jade of Death on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and their website.
5. Flunk
Written and Directed By: Ric Forster
Summary: Flunk is a new LGBT series exploring sexuality, drug and alcohol use, identity and consent. Also, it’s Stella’s sixteenth birthday, and she’s determined to celebrate it in style…
Why You Should Be Watching: It’s like if Degrassi had an Australian baby with less rules about what they’re going to show because this is on Youtube. Also, if you’re into Skam, it’s got a little bit of a vibe from that series in that the adults have limited input in the lives of these kids. Plus, the queer lead is an asian woman!
START HERE:
Status: Season one complete.
Follow Flunk on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram.
HONORABLE MENTION
Passage the Series
Created By: Hillary Esquina (who just so happens to be a Fangirlish writer!)
Summary: Janus Agent Ali Prader is a top paranormal operative for a secret division called Caelus within the government. They rely on her special capabilities to handle the different situations which can arise from interacting with paranormal entities. As a veteran and a mom, Ali is able to balance her professional and personal life – that is until she starts to unravel a thread that opens the door to a new crucial shift in power.
Why You Should Be Watching: Besides the fact that the creator is a Fangirlish writer we adore, you should be watching Passage the Series because it’s fun, creative, the kind of representation queer women need in our lives, especially in the sci-fi genre. This web series is also written by women, starring women, and directed by women. Absolute winner in our book!
Trailer:
Status: First two episodes will premiere at ClexaCon.
Follow Passage the Series on Twitter.
Queerly Not Straight posts every Tuesday with opinion pieces, listicals, reviews, and more focused on the LGBT community (and occasionally about the Latinx community since I am Latinx.)
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