Gay TV, Movies, and Books

[ChromedOutCortex]

On 8/26/2025 at 10:07 PM, Enoch said:

If you don't mind reading dialog YouTube has some really good series. Like

The Sign

 

 

 

I've found some great BL and Asian dramas and shorts on YT - I usually find them from IG or TT and keep track of them over on MyDramaList but my "to watch" list gets longer by the day (sometimes hour) and just not enough hours in the day or week to get through all of them. Sigh.

 

[Page Scrawler]

A Reddit post brought this to my attention. The show is called "City of Ghosts", on Netflix. The kid with the blond hair is Thomas, with they/them pronouns. The role is portrayed by an actor named Blue Chapman, who is transgender. 

 

 

[W_L]

Starting new book:

Together in a Broken World by Paul Michael Winters

Post-Apocalyptic gay romance with a road trip theme. It's not bad and I am glad an author has taken up the pen/keyboard to explore this area of fiction. (Personally, I enjoy the genre even before Walking Dead)

[Page Scrawler]

28 minutes ago, W_L said:

Starting new book:

Together in a Broken World by Paul Michael Winters

I enjoyed this book quite a bit.

[wildone]

Not sure if other countries have this already, but might be an interesting journey. Starts Oct 8 in Canada. Yeah, since it is a gay marine, my interest is piqued  

Here is the write up:

Boots — Oct. 9

Starring Parenthood alum Miles Heizer, Boots is a comedic drama set in the Marine Corps in the 1990s, when it was illegal to be gay in the military. The show is inspired by former US Marine Greg Cope White’s memoir, The Pink Marine.

Closeted Cameron Cope (Heizer) is among a group of recruits, with his best friend Ray McAffey (Liam Oh), the son of a decorated Marine. Before enlisting, Cameron lived with his narcissistic mother, Barbara (Vera Farmiga).

Max Parker plays Sgt. Sullivan, who has been decorated for valour on several top-secret missions, but he sees himself in Cameron and tries to prepare him boot camp.

[ChromedOutCortex]

32 minutes ago, wildone said:

Not sure if other countries have this already, but might be an interesting journey. Starts Oct 8 in Canada. Yeah, since it is a gay marine, my interest is piqued  

Here is the write up:

Boots — Oct. 9

Starring Parenthood alum Miles Heizer, Boots is a comedic drama set in the Marine Corps in the 1990s, when it was illegal to be gay in the military. The show is inspired by former US Marine Greg Cope White’s memoir, The Pink Marine.

Closeted Cameron Cope (Heizer) is among a group of recruits, with his best friend Ray McAffey (Liam Oh), the son of a decorated Marine. Before enlisting, Cameron lived with his narcissistic mother, Barbara (Vera Farmiga).

Max Parker plays Sgt. Sullivan, who has been decorated for valour on several top-secret missions, but he sees himself in Cameron and tries to prepare him boot camp.

OK. This looks awesome! I was wondering how they'd add a comedic twist to this, and after watching the trailer I really wanna see this!

[Krista]

I watched, "On Swift Horses," the other night. It wasn't an enjoyable watch. I do love Daisy Edgar-Jones in most of the films and mini-series that I've seen her in. Even the Twister's remake was suitably watchable as a one-off for me. But this was a disconnected mess with smoking.  Sometimes I felt like I was watching an ad for cigarettes, but even at my young age of 20 *whistles* carrying a few... they weren't allowed to be advertised. It was just too much smoking and I know it was relatively common during the time period this film was based on, they were even pushing it as somewhat beneficial to the body at some point. I don't know when that medically shifted though, not the point. The point being - it became a distraction to the film if a lot of the scene has to pause, dialog has to take a backseat just so a character could light up another smoke. 

Jacob Eliordi mumbled his way through the entire script. He's a one-shot actor anyway, he doesn't have a ton of range or complexity. Daisy didn't carry this film either though, she felt just as boring and disconnected to the rest of the cast and writing as Jacob did.

I didn't much care for the plot in general, so maybe that weighs it down with me. The film felt like two stories told separately and neither of them well. 

[Enoch]

On 10/1/2025 at 7:24 PM, ChromedOutCortex said:

OK. This looks awesome! I was wondering how they'd add a comedic twist to this, and after watching the trailer I really wanna see this!

This looks good.

[Zombie]

Good Luck to You, Leo Grande (2022)

UK readers please note: this movie is currently free to view until Friday (17 October) on Channel4.  I cannot recommend it highly enough! 

Irish actor Daryl McCormack plays the eponymous 'Leo Grande' (his business name as a bisexual sex worker - the gay aspect is a key plot-line in the movie).

Not only is he drop dead gorgeous (and, happily, on screen most of the time) the movie is a compelling, emotional and enjoyable watch throughout despite being, essentially, a filmed two scene two actor stage play (although I doubt the explicit full nude scenes could be performed live on stage…)

During filming Daryl was 28 and Emma 62 so he could have been her grandson. The very idea of sex between these characters might put people off but the acting is so natural and convincing (Emma chose not to have an ‘Intimacy Co-ordinator’), the storyline (why and how) is simple but convincing, the script is so well written and witty, and the performances by both simply outstanding, that I cannot see any mature viewer being offended in any way.

Watch it if you can - and unedited! (free on C4 until Friday)

 

 

[Enoch]

On 10/1/2025 at 6:51 PM, wildone said:

Not sure if other countries have this already, but might be an interesting journey. Starts Oct 8 in Canada. Yeah, since it is a gay marine, my interest is piqued  

I just finished watching the entire series and I thought it was excellent. Having been in the military and gay I found this to be realistic. Almost too real. Thanks for pointing out this movie/show.

[Page Scrawler]

Vesuvius, by Cass Biehn.

A young thief named Felix pulls off his greatest heist yet: the divine helm of Mercury. After stealing the sacred relic from a temple near Pompeii, however, pieces of his unknown past begin to surface in his memories.

Loren, a temple acolyte with ambition to rise through the ranks of the priesthood, has been plagued with fevered visions of Felix for years. The last thing he expects is for the boy of his literal dreams to stumble through the temple doors during an earthquake.

Felix's memories. Loren's visions. Mercury's helm. All are mysteriously connected to each other. Now, Felix and Loren must navigate the blood-stained labyrinth of politics in ancient Rome to make it out alive---assuming they survive the eruption of Vesuvius, first.

[Page Scrawler]

 

 

[ChromedOutCortex]

Found this on YT - great little 8min short!

 

[wildone]

How many days until Nov 28? 😛 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35495073/

 

[Krista]

On 11/26/2025 at 12:02 AM, wildone said:

How many days until Nov 28? 😛 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35495073/

 

I was going to ask you about this the other day. The other trailers I've watched has kept my interest. I do not have HBO Max though. Do I pay a subscription just to watch it though?  

[Zombie]

On 11/26/2025 at 5:02 AM, wildone said:

How many days until Nov 28? 😛 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35495073/

IMDB gives this a “Severe” rating (Oooo Matron!) and says:

”Multiple sex scenes between the two main characters. Contains male rear nudity. No frontal so far.”

the disappointment and hopeful expectation in those last 4 words is palpable…   

[Krista]

1 hour ago, Zombie said:

IMDB gives this a “Severe” rating (Oooo Matron!) and says:

”Multiple sex scenes between the two main characters. Contains male rear nudity. No frontal so far.”

the disappointment and hopeful expectation in those last 4 words is palpable…   

I think there is a frontal pic sent, but I highly doubt it is the actor's... if so, he was rather dedicated. But yes, the first two episodes provided a lot of what you described.  

[ChromedOutCortex]

I only started watching BL dramas over the last six months or so, and I'm hooked! I didn't really know much of the background of how they came to be, but understood that Thai BL dramas, for instance were more spicy than Korean, Japanese or Chinese.

There are some Chinese BL dramas that are not being censored (but I wonder, for how long).

I do like that many of these dramas focus on the romance and intimate moments (much of what I like to write). I saw this posted on Reddit recently (in the boyslove subreddit) and thought to share it here with those that enjoy BL and wanted to learn a little more about its history.

 

[W_L]

1 hour ago, ChromedOutCortex said:

I only started watching BL dramas over the last six months or so, and I'm hooked! I didn't really know much of the background of how they came to be, but understood that Thai BL dramas, for instance were more spicy than Korean, Japanese or Chinese.

There are some Chinese BL dramas that are not being censored (but I wonder, for how long).

I do like that many of these dramas focus on the romance and intimate moments (much of what I like to write). I saw this posted on Reddit recently (in the boyslove subreddit) and thought to share it here with those that enjoy BL and wanted to learn a little more about its history.

 

Love BL drama and a lot of the Taiwanese BL isn't censored thankfully. 

If you want written versions for Chinese novels equivalent to BL, aka Danmei, there's a decently sized group on reddit with a nice selection of recommendations. The translated danmei stories are pretty good with focuses on romance, devotion, and couple goals. 

[Drew Espinosa]

3 hours ago, ChromedOutCortex said:

but understood that Thai BL dramas, for instance were more spicy than Korean, Japanese or Chinese.

To add onto what @W_L said, if you want spicier Korean BL, novels and manhwas (webtoons) are where you need to look.

[ChromedOutCortex]

22 minutes ago, W_L said:

Love BL drama and a lot of the Taiwanese BL isn't censored thankfully. 

If you want written versions for Chinese novels equivalent to BL, aka Danmei, there's a decently sized group on reddit with a nice selection of recommendations. The translated danmei stories are pretty good with focuses on romance, devotion, and couple goals. 

I will check it out! Thanks!

[W_L]

Right now, I am watching the Japanese Queer Horror anime show The Summer Hikaru Died on Netflix, it's quite provocative. Probably one of the better LGBT themed animated shows on Netflix

https://www.netflix.com/title/81948057

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Summer_Hikaru_Died#

The creator of the anime and manga does not like the label of "BL" on his story, he prefers to consider it "Queer" coming of age story. I think that's a good evaluation of the story and plot, which deal with identity, changing relationships that developed beyond friendship but haven't reached the point of romance (a kind of love without definition). There's heavy subjects like existential topics mixed with light banter of regular teenagers in the spring of their lives. 

-----

It might take some time to find new stories and series, but don't limit yourselves to BL, either. While I enjoy the light romance and storylines, there's also a lot of up and coming LGBT creators who have branched out beyond BL for expansive genres

[Topher Lydon]

I am always wary of mainstream BL stories. It runs the same gamut of Brokeback mountain. A gay film written by a straight woman, directed by a heterosexual man, starting heterosexual men playing gay. I just... it just doesn't sit well with me. It's just not my thing. It smacks of projected fantasy to me. (that and BB mountain was as dull as watching paint dry)

I avoid Heart stopper, and Heated Rivalries for the same reason. (this is a personal opinion and in no way an indictment against these shows.)

There are many, many, many authentic stories told by us, many gay/lesbian/queer actors and directors.... let us tell our stories. I don't know... just my thought on the issue.

[Page Scrawler]

3 hours ago, Topher Lydon said:

I avoid Heart stopper, and Heated Rivalries for the same reason.

There are many different reasons for storytelling. Alice Oseman herself is a part of the queer community, and while Heartstopper may not be strictly "Own Voices", it's her attempt to show queer characters truthfully, rather than through an idealized, fantastic lens.

I've read and watched the story faithfully since I first learned of it, and I believe that Heartstopper is one of the most honest portrayals currently available.

Several actors in the Netflix adaptation (including the two protagonists) are also queer, though they may not have known it when filming began. Working on Heartstopper might just have helped them to discover their own identities, as it has for numerous fans.

Edited December 25, 2025 by Page Scrawler

[Topher Lydon]

2 minutes ago, Page Scrawler said:

There are many different reasons for storytelling. Alice Oseman herself is a part of the queer community, and while Heartstopper may not be strictly "Own Voices", it's her attempt to show queer characters truthfully, rather than through an idealized, fantastic lens.

I've read and watched the story faithfully since I first learned of it, and I believe that Heartstopper is one of the most honest portrayals currently available.

Several actors in the Netflix adaptation (including the two protagonists) are also queer, though they may not have known it when filming began. Working on Heartstopper might just have helped them to discover their own identities, as it has for numerous fans.

While I respect these facts, I still find the concept as I described not for me.
Heartstopper is a tamer example, I will grant you. However it doesn't inspire me to watch.

I have not watched it, not because it isn't good. It may well be, but I prefer authentic voices and representation. I believe that we deserve better. (A moral conviction.)