Pride 2025: A Q+ Celebration!
June 8
The Secret of the River (El Secreto del Río)
El Secreto del Río (The Secret of The River) on Netflix is a captivating series that starts with Manuel, a boy who feels out of place in the traditional community of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Oaxaca. After moving in with his grandmother, he forms a deep friendship with Erik, a local boy. Together, they go through a traumatic event that bonds them over a secret. The show takes us from their childhood, shaped by the muxe community’s acceptance, to adulthood, where the past resurfaces.
What really pulls us in is how the series authentically portrays gender identity and muxe culture. Manuel’s journey into becoming Sicarú, a trans woman returning to face her past, is at the heart of the show. The series highlights the muxe experience—people born with male bodies but identifying as women in Zapotec culture—and their struggle for acceptance both inside and outside their community.
The show isn’t just about identity; it’s also about friendship, loyalty, and redemption. As Erik and Sicarú reconnect, they face their shared history and find strength in each other. With excellent direction and a script that tugs at your heart, El Secreto del Río is a standout series for its portrayal of inclusion and empathy in Mexican television, so a must watch this Pride 2025.
Where to watch? The Secret of the River is streaming on Netflix.
Take a Bow, Noah Mitchell by Tobias Madden
Tobias Madden knows how to capture the drama and awkward magic of being a queer teen, and Take a Bow, Noah Mitchell is one of his most charming books yet. The story follows Noah, a shy, sweet gamer whose life gets a whole lot more complicated when he signs up for the school musical to try and win over his online crush. But trading his controller for a script proves harder than expected, especially when real life gets a little more dramatic than any game.
What makes this story sing (pun fully intended) is how Madden lets Noah be messy, unsure, and deeply lovable. The book dives into themes of self-expression, rejection, and what it means to show up, both for yourself and for others. Whether you’ve ever fallen for a boy on the internet or just love a good behind-the-curtain teen story, this one’s a delight. Theater kids and hopeless romantics, this one’s for you.
Where to buy? Take a Bow, Noah Mitchell is available to purchase at all reputable booksellers.
Studio One Forever
Before West Hollywood was the queer hotspot we know today, there was Studio One. This iconic nightclub wasn’t just a place to dance—it was a cornerstone of LGBTQ+ culture and activism, and the new documentary Studio One Forever beautifully captures its vibrant, rebellious legacy. Directed with both reverence and joy, this film takes us on a journey through time, celebrating the power of queer community, nightlife, and chosen family.
Through interviews, archival footage, and personal stories from those who called Studio One their sanctuary, the documentary paints a picture of a space that was more than just a club, it was a political force, a safe haven, and a celebration of liberation in the face of adversity. Whether you partied there yourself or are discovering it for the first time, Studio One Forever reminds us why preserving queer history matters. It’s a moving tribute to the joy, resilience, and power of our community.
Where to watch? Studio One Forever is currently available to rent or purchase on digital platforms.
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Featured Image: Images Courtesy of Netflix, Max, Amazon MGM Studios, Focus Feature, Getty Images, Disney+, Apple TV.
