The Top Eight LGBTQ+ Series, Episodes, and Movies to Binge This Holiday Season
Holidays can be rough for the LGBTQ+ Community. For most (hopefully), this means seeing family and friends, spending cold nights laughing over a mug of hot cocoa, and watching stereotypical hallmark movies. For others, this means returning home reluctantly to a family whose dinner conversation is like a game of 1000 questions themed around your gender and sexuality. And for some, returning home for the holidays isn't an option. Regardless of how and who you plan to spend the holiday season this year with, we at the SMU Journal hope you can find the time to relax and indulge in this selection of shows hand-picked by myself.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Brooklyn Nine-Nine features a squad of detectives led by the serious and cerebral Captain Raymond Holt (openly gay with a loving husband and dog!) as they navigate their way through investigating crime. They focus on handling important themes while retaining a light and humorous storyline. It contains multiple openly LGBTQ+ characters and allusions to your favourite action films! Fans of "Die Hard" will undoubtedly enjoy this one.
Holiday episodes:
"Christmas" (S1E11)
"The Pontiac Bandit Returns" (S2E10)
"Yippie Kayak" (S3E10)
"Captain Latvia" (S4E10)
The Christmas House (Movie)
Cheers to one of the first LGBTQ+ inclusive Christmas films made by Hallmark! One family, three stories. The Mitchell family parents have called their two sons, TV stars Mike Mitchell and Brandon Mitchell, home for the holidays while they work through some complicated issues. They believe gathering the family to recreate "The Christmas House" will help them find a resolution and make the holiday meaningful for the entire family. Brandon and his husband Jake are anxiously awaiting answers on the adoption of their first child. Meanwhile, Mike reconnects with his high school girlfriend, Andi. Love the first movie and want more? You're in luck! The Christmas House Two is out now!
Watch now on The Hallmark channel.
Modern Family
Modern Family is undoubtedly a staple, bringing openly LGBTQ+ families and not-so-typical family dynamics into light and onto mainstream television. Modern Family is a binge-worthy comfort show on its own, but its holiday episodes have a way of bringing everyone from every culture and background together to celebrate.
Holiday episodes:
“Undeck The Halls” (S1E10),
"Express Christmas" (S3E10),
"White Christmas" (S7E09),
"The Last Christmas" (S11E09)
Watch now on Hulu or Disney Plus.
Happiest season (Movie)
Would you like to unwind with a film starring some well-known actors? Clea Duvall directed and wrote "The Happiest Season,” in which Abby plans to propose to her longtime girlfriend, Harper, during a Christmas gathering when her girlfriend confesses that her conservative family is unaware that they're gay. Watch your favourite celebrities, including Aubrey Plaza, Kristen Stewart, Alison Brie, and Dan Levy, work together to get through the holidays. This film is heartwarming, comedic, and serious in all of the right places.
Watch now on Hulu, Netflix, or Disney Plus.
Bob’s Burgers
This one is my personal favourite. Bob's Burgers has always represented people of every kind since the debut of its show. Most holiday episodes feature sing-alongs, specifically "The Bleakening." Linda wants to brighten up the holidays by holding a holiday party but has to interrogate her visitors after her homemade decorations are stolen. The kids believe it is "The Bleaken," a Christmas beast who acts as an "anti-Santa." It's a suspenseful yet humorous two-parter episode that features drag queens, Christmas beasts, and iconic songs such as "Christmas lights," with guest star Todrick Hall making a guest voice appearance as well!
Holiday episodes:
"Bob Rest Ye Merry Gentle-Mannequins" (S3E09),
"Christmas In The Car" (S4E08),
"Father of The Bob" (S5E06),
“Nice Capades” (S6E05),
"The Last Gingerbread House On The Left" (S7E07),
"The Bleakening" (Two-Parter) (S8E06) + (S8E07),
"Better Off Sled" (S9E10),
"Have Yourself A Marry Linda Christmas" (S10E10),
"Yatchy Or Nice" (S11E11),
"Genes Christmas Break" (S12E10)
Watch now on Hulu or Disney Plus.
The Holiday Sitter (Movie)
At the time of writing this, The Holiday sitter is yet to be released by Hallmark, and little is known of it. However, what we know as of now is that the movie centers around a developing LGBTQ+ relationship. Sam, a "workaholic" single career man, babysits his niece and nephew during the holiday season. He finds the task challenging and invites their neighbour, Jason, to help, leading to a surprising romance. This, again, is one of the first LGBTQ+ films to be produced and debuted by Hallmark! I have high hopes for this one.
Watch only on Hallmark on December 11th, at 8/7c or 9 pm Atlantic time.
Community
Another great option is Community, even if it doesn't directly have much LGBTQ+ representation, there's something heartwarming about Troy and Abed's ongoing "bromance." Community follows a group of misfit community college students who band together to form a Spanish study group. In “Abed’s Uncontrollable Christmas,” Abed's mother skips her annual Christmas visit, causing him to perceive the entire group as stop-motion animation. In another episode called “Regional Holiday Music,” the gang decides to join a glee club. These festive episodes are sure to keep you entertained!
Holiday episodes:
"Comparative Religion" (S1E12),
"Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas" (S2E11),
"Regional Holiday Music" (S3E10),
"Intro To Knots" (S4E10)
Schitt's Creek
Last but certainly not least on the list is a classic, Schitt's Creek. This holiday episode is a staple in my eyes. With the Rose family having a mixed marital ethnic background, Johnny Rose (Eugene Levy), who is of Jewish descent (both in the series and in real life), aims to bring his family closer together for the spirit of Christmas AND Hanukkah season. Johnny Rose dreams of a luxurious holiday like the ones he used to know, but this holiday is different, with much less wealth running through the family. I would hate to spoil this episode any further, but I assure you it's heartwarming and well worth the watch.
Holiday episode:
"Merry Christmas, Johnny Rose" (S4E13)
Above all, no matter what you decide to watch or who you decide to spend your time with this holiday season, stay safe and remember you are not alone. To the world, you may be one person, but to one person, you may be the world. If you’re feeling stressed or alienated this holiday season, reach out to someone you trust. Holidays can be hard, so it’s important to find comfort and solstice in the little things. Cheers, and have a happy holiday season!