Pride 2026: A Q+ Celebration
June 2
Gentleman Jack
Long before there were social media fandoms obsessing over every glance and every hand touch, there was Anne Lister. Inspired by the real-life diaries of the 19th-century landowner, Gentleman Jack tells the story of a woman who refused to hide who she was in a world determined to make her conform. Played with endless charisma by Suranne Jones, Anne is witty, ambitious, stubborn, and completely unforgettable.
What makes the series so effective is that it never treats Anne as a historical footnote. Instead, it presents her as a fully realized woman navigating business, family expectations, and romance while pursuing the life she wants. Her relationship with Ann Walker (Sophie Rundle) forms the emotional heart of the series, delivering a love story that feels every bit as sweeping and romantic as the period dramas that have dominated television for decades.
Funny, heartfelt, and refreshingly bold, Gentleman Jack feels both timeless and ahead of its time. It’s a reminder that queer people have always existed, always loved, and always fought to carve out space for themselves. If you’re looking for a period drama with brains, heart, and one of television’s most captivating protagonists, this one belongs at the top of your watchlist.
Where to watch? Gentleman Jack is available to stream on HBO Max.
Father Material by Alexis Hall
Few romance couples have taken readers on a journey quite like Luc O’Donnell and Oliver Blackwood. After surviving fake dating, real dating, almost getting married, and finally settling into domestic life, Father Material finds the beloved pair facing a new question: what does building a family actually look like for them? Along the way, they’ll have to contend with a chaotic dog named Spud, plenty of emotional baggage, and some very complicated feelings about the future.
Since Father Material is just releasing today, we won’t get too deep into spoilers. What we can say is that this story feels less concerned with grand romantic milestones and more interested in what comes after them. Luc and Oliver know they love each other; the question now is how they build a life together when the future doesn’t come with a roadmap. Between family expectations, personal insecurities, and the chaos that seems to follow them wherever they go, they’re forced to confront what commitment really means beyond the happily-ever-after.
What makes Father Material so satisfying is the way it embraces the messiness of growth. It’s funny, heartfelt, and deeply compassionate toward its characters, never expecting them to have all the answers. Instead, it explores how people continue to choose one another through uncertainty, change, and the occasional disaster. For longtime fans of Luc and Oliver, it feels like a natural and rewarding next chapter—one that reminds us that love stories don’t end when the romance is secured; they evolve.
Where to buy? Father Material is available to purchase at all reputable booksellers.
Lingua Franca
There’s a quiet confidence to Lingua Franca that makes it impossible to forget. Written, directed by, and starring Isabel Sandoval, the film follows Olivia, an undocumented Filipina trans woman living in New York City who is trying to build a stable future while navigating the uncertainty that comes with her immigration status. What unfolds is a deeply personal story about identity, belonging, and the risks we take when we allow ourselves to hope.
Rather than relying on big dramatic moments, Lingua Franca finds its power in the everyday. The film takes its time, allowing us to sit with Olivia’s fears, desires, and complicated relationships. Sandoval’s performance is remarkably understated, giving us a protagonist who feels incredibly real as she balances survival with the possibility of love.
Years after its release, Lingua Franca remains one of the most important trans films of the last decade. It’s thoughtful, intimate, and beautifully crafted, offering a perspective that is still far too rare in mainstream cinema. More than anything, it’s a reminder that queer stories don’t need to be loud to leave a lasting impact.
Where to watch? Lingua Franca is available to stream on Netflix, the Criterion Channel, Tubi, Kanopy, Prime Video, and VOD, depending on the region.
Happy Pride 2026! Follow us on X and Instagram for all queer stuff!
Featured Image: Images Courtesy of Netflix, HBO Max, Amazon MGM Studios, Focus Features, Getty Images, Disney+, Apple TV, Crave.
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