Love is a four-lettered word–short in spelling but boundless in impact. It is the spark that rewrites destinities, the compass that guides hearts across stormy seas and uncharted lands. Throughout history, the power to truly love has moved mountains and mended nations. And if there is a community that has turned love into a living, breathing act of courage, resilience, and pride, it is the LGBTQ+ community. In a world often weighed down by fear and prejudice, they have made love their revolution. Subsequently, the Pride Month, is not just a celebration; it is a tribute to those who dared to love out loud. 

In honor of Pride and all the beautiful stories it holds, here are 5 Netflix shows to binge that put love front and center. 

Sex Education (2019-2023)

Sex Education is a Netflix original series starring an ensemble cast, including Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson, Aimee Lou Wood, Emma Mackey, Ncuti Gatwa, Connor Swindells, Mimi Keene, and Alistair Petrie, among others. The plot follows the students and teenagers of Moordale, a fictional town, as they navigate various private dilemmas, often in terms of physical intimacy.

The show mainly revolves around Otis Milburn, an awkward adolescent living with his mom, Jean, an intimacy therapist, while navigating high school with his openly gay best friend, Eric. Sex Education is a critically acclaimed series, praised for its diverse, authentic, and non-sugar-coated representation of the LGBTQ+ community.

Schitt’s Creek (2015-2020)

Schitt’s Creek is a super popular sitcom created by Dan and Eugene Levy, which aired on CBC Television. The show was not as popular in the first few seasons, but thanks to a Netflix bump after the third installment, Schitt’s Creek became a massive streaming phenomenon, earning rave reviews and accolades all at the same time.

Schitt’s Creek revolves around the former prosperous Rose family, whose financial loss makes them relocate to Schitt’s Creek, a town they purchased as a joke while they were still wealthy. The series is hugely praised for its representation of the LGBTQ+ community, specifically through the character of David, who engages in relationships with both men and women, where acceptance does not come with a guide.

The Umbrella Academy (2019-2024)

The Umbrella Academy is a superhero comedy-drama series based on Gerard Way’s comic book series. It follows the dysfunctional and estranged family of super siblings who reunite following their father’s death in the wake of an imminent apocalypse.

The Netflix series was a crowd puller by all means, but season 3 was especially acclaimed for the treatment of Elliot Page’s character Vanya Hargreeves, who comes out as Viktor Hargreeves.

This transition was in accordance with Page’s real-life transformation. 

Heartstopper (2022-Present)

Based on Alice Oseman’s web comic and graphic novel, Heartstopper is described as a coming-of-age romantic-comedy drama series, narrating the story of Charlie Spring, played by Joe Locke, a gay teenager who falls for his classmate Nick Nelson (Kit Connor).

The show expertly depicts the conflict of identity, trauma, and struggles of young queer people. Heartstopper is skipping the fourth season to arrive with a movie instead.

Elite (2018-2024)

Elite, the Netflix Spanish drama, started with three working-class children who win enrollment at Las Encinas via a scholarship. The series is chaotic and troublesome in nature. 

Yet, Elite depicts few of the most beloved queer characters of television history, with Omar played by Omar Ayuso, Ander portrayed by Aron Piper, Mencia played by Martina Cariddi, and Rebeka portrayed by Claudia Salas.

Have you checked these shows on Netflix? Let us know in the comments below!