Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

LGBTQ+ representation in global media: How queer stories are evolving

From impactful TV shows to inclusive films, diverse queer stories are reshaping the global media landscape and challenging outdated stereotypes

LGBTQ+ representation in global media: How queer stories are evolving

A celebration of queer stories worldwide – diverse, powerful, and unapologetically authentic

Media has transformed from just a form of entertainment into a dynamic platform for representation, validation, and social change. For young queer individuals, seeing their identities reflected authentically on screen can be nothing short of transformative. Positive, nuanced portrayals of queer lives not only encourage self-acceptance but also challenge outdated societal norms, making space for the beautiful diversity of human experiences.

Over the last few years, queer representation in global media has undergone a remarkable evolution, shifting away from harmful stereotypes and embracing stories that are rich, real, and relatable.


From stereotypes to real stories – How queer narratives have evolved

For decades, queer characters in media were often reduced to caricatures or tragic figures. However, the tide is now turning. Filmmakers and creators are now challenging these outdated tropes, bringing to light the stories that reflect the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals.

Shows like Netflix’s Heartstopper have introduced nuanced queer characters, whose love stories are treated with the same depth and respect as any heterosexual romance.

Global stories: Queer stories from around the world

While Western media has led the charge in queer representation, the global landscape is catching up. In Thailand, the rise of Boys’ Love dramas has created a space for queer stories to thrive. Series like 2gether have gained international acclaim for their heartwarming portrayals of same-sex relationships, offering queer audiences a much-needed escape from reality. These shows avoid exploiting queer pain for drama and rather focus on love, joy, and self-discovery.

In the UK, It’s a Sin has been celebrated for its poignant portrayal of the AIDS crisis in the 1980s. Created by Russell T Davies, the series follows a group of gay men and their friends as they navigate love, loss, and activism. The show’s authentic storytelling and emotional depth have resonated with audiences worldwide also shedding light on a dark chapter in queer history while celebrating the resilience of the LGBTQ+ community.


Impact of real stories on queer representation

One of the most significant developments in queer representation is the rise of LGBTQ+ creators behind the camera. Shows like Pose, which chronicles New York’s ballroom culture in the 1980s, are groundbreaking not only for their diverse cast but also for their authentic storytelling. Created by Ryan Murphy and Steven Canals, Pose features the wide cast of transgender actors in television history again offering a platform for marginalised voices to shine.

Similarly, Heartstopper based on Alice Oseman’s graphic novel, has been celebrated for its tender portrayal of young queer love. The series normalises diverse identities, featuring characters who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender, all navigating the complexities of adolescence. By focusing on joy rather than trauma, Heartstopper provides a refreshing counterpoint to the often grim narratives surrounding queer lives.

Challenges and opportunities

Despite the progress, challenges still remain, and we have a long way to go. Transgender and non-binary characters are still underrepresented, and queer stories from non-Western countries often struggle to gain international recognition. However, the growing popularity of streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Apple TV+ has created new opportunities for diverse storytelling.

Films like Ajeeb Daastaans and series like Dickinson are pushing boundaries, exploring intersectional identities and historical queer figures with sensitivity and creativity. Ajeeb Daastaans’ segment Geeli Pucchi delves into the intersection of caste, gender, and sexuality, while Dickinson reimagines the life of poet Emily Dickinson focussing on her romantic relationship with her best friend, Sue.

A timeless story of identity, love, and self-discovery – Moonlight shines beyond the screenInstagram/moonlightmov

A new era of representation

This global move toward honest queer representation shows just how powerful and influential storytelling can be. From Moonlight to Class, from Pose to 2gether, these stories are reshaping how the world sees LGBTQ+ individuals. They remind us that queer lives are not monolithic; they are rich, varied, and deserving of celebration.

As we reflect on the progress made, it's important to acknowledge how far we've come while recognising the work that is still ahead. Queer representation in media is no longer a niche concern, in fact it’s a global movement. By amplifying diverse voices and challenging toxic stereotypes, together we can create a world where everyone, regardless of their identity, feels seen, heard, and valued.

The stories are finally being told, and they’re just getting started.

More For You

Shafina Jaffer

Works are painted on bark cloth from Lake Victoria

shafinart

Shafina Jaffer to unveil Whispers Under Wings at Mall Galleries, London

Highlights:

  • Artist Shafina Jaffer presents a new chapter of her Global Conference of the Birds series.
  • The exhibition runs from 7–12 October 2025 at Mall Galleries, London.
  • Works are painted on bark cloth from Lake Victoria, combining spiritual themes with ecological concerns.

Exhibition details

Artist Shafina Jaffer will open her latest exhibition, Whispers Under Wings (Global Conference of the Birds), at the Mall Galleries in London on 7 October 2025. The show will run until 12 October 2025.

This practice-led series reinterprets Farid ud-Din Attar’s 12th-century Sufi allegory, Conference of the Birds, reflecting on themes of unity, self-realisation and the idea that the Divine resides within.

Keep ReadingShow less
Piranhas’ police box

The piece was originally one of nine works that appeared across London in August 2024

Getty Images

Banksy’s ‘Piranhas’ police box heads to London Museum

Highlights:

  • Banksy’s ‘Piranhas’ artwork, painted on a police sentry box, is being stored ahead of display at London Museum.
  • The piece was originally one of nine works that appeared across London in August 2024.
  • It will form part of the museum’s new Smithfield site, opening in 2026.
  • The City of London Corporation donated the artwork as part of its £222m museum relocation project.

Banksy’s police box artwork in storage

A Banksy artwork known as Piranhas has been placed in storage ahead of its future display at the London Museum’s new Smithfield site, scheduled to open in 2026. The piece features spray-painted piranha fish covering the windows of a police sentry box, giving the illusion of an aquarium.

From Ludgate Hill to Guildhall Yard

The police box, which had stood at Ludgate Hill since the 1990s, was swiftly removed by the City of London Corporation after Banksy confirmed authorship. It was initially displayed at Guildhall Yard, where visitors could view it from behind safety barriers. The Corporation has since voted to donate the piece to the London Museum.

Keep ReadingShow less
viral qawwali group UK tour

The group have introduced fresh orchestral elements and added instruments to expand their live sound

Qawwal Group

Shahbaz Fayyaz Qawwal Group brings viral energy and rich heritage to UK tour

Highlights:

  • The Shahbaz Fayyaz Qawwal Group return to the UK with a nationwide tour after viral success online.
  • The ensemble of brothers blend centuries-old qawwali traditions with fresh improvisations that connect with young audiences.
  • From Pakistan to the USA and UK, their performances have won acclaim for their electrifying energy and spiritual depth.
  • Fans can expect new instruments, reimagined classics, and the same message of love and harmony at this year’s shows.

From viral sensation to global stages

When a performance goes viral, it can change an artist’s career overnight. For the Shahbaz Fayyaz Qawwal Group, their stirring renditions of Bhar Do Jholi and B Kafara propelled them from local fame in Pakistan to global recognition, amassing millions of views across platforms. What set them apart was not just the power of their voices, but the way their music resonated with younger listeners who were hearing qawwali with fresh ears.

That viral momentum soon carried them beyond borders, leading to major performances in the United States and the UK. “It wasn’t just one track,” the group explained. “We revived older gems like Kali Kali Zulfon and Dil Pukare Aaja in our own style, and those went viral again, showing that qawwali still speaks across generations.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Navratri gets a global tune with Gujarati–British folk fusion

Navratri gets a global tune with Gujarati–British folk fusion

Mahesh Liloriya

This Navratri, the traditional rhythms of Garba are being paired with the timeless melodies of British folk in a new musical fusion that promises to bring fresh energy to the festival.

The piece blends the iconic Gujarati folk song Kon Halave Limdi Ne Kon Halave Pipdi with the classic English–Celtic ballad Scarborough Fair. It is performed as a duet by Gujarati folk singer Kashyap Dave and Western classical vocalist Vanya Bhatt, a graduate of Christ University, Bengaluru.

Keep ReadingShow less
Tarek Amin

A visual dialogue between flesh and spirit

Manzu Islam

Tarek Amin's 'Echoes of Existence' showcases bodies caught in time and reaching for escape

Manzu Islam

Highlights:

  • Woodcut prints that explore the fragile threshold between body, time, and transcendence
  • Inspired by Baul mystics like Lalon Shai and Shah Abdul Karim, as well as sculptural forms from Michelangelo to Rodin
  • Figures emerge from black holes and womb-like voids — trapped in time yet reaching for freedom
  • A visual dialogue between flesh and spirit, rootedness and flight
  • A bold continuation of South Asian metaphysical traditions in contemporary form
  • Paradox becomes the path: muscular bodies dream of escape through light, memory, and love
  • Expressionist in tone, haunting in imagery — a theatre of becoming


I imagine Tarek Amin (Ruhul Amin Tarek) has a singular vision as his hands work on his craft, his measuring eyes, the membranes of his fingers. They are mostly woodcut prints on the threshold of becoming, from darkened holes. A human figure dangling in space, yet not without gravitational pull, the backwards tilt of the head is like a modern-day high jumper in the fall position, the muscles and ribcage straining to keep the body's mass afloat. A clock is ticking away in the background of a darkened rectangle. Is it the black hole, the womb, or the nothingness from which the first murmurings of being, its tentative emergence into light, can be heard?

Keep ReadingShow less