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Ones to Watch

Looking for mature queer media? Here’s where to start

Sabrina Wigfall

America’s got a problem—thank you, Beyoncé. America has quite a few issues, and one of them is the lack of mature queer representation in media. As a queer young adult, the offerings across platforms are starting to feel like an awkward life stage where our only options are The Summer I Turned Pretty, Euphoria, and XO Kitty, to offer a few. These shows have themes of toxic relationships, drugs & alcohol, sex, and more, but it makes you wonder how much better they would be if they took place in college or at a legal age. Watching underage characters engage in adult activities while having adults portray them can sometimes feel sinister, because it warps the reality of what real teens look and behave like. 

No one is suggesting that teens aren’t doing what’s listed above, but it doesn’t feel age-appropriate for queer people 20+. 

Related
With Season 2, XO Kitty loses its sapphic potential

So if you’re stuck and craving something a bit more adult, here are five age-appropriate queer pieces of media to watch.

Am I Okay? (2024)

Last year’s Am I Ok? stars Datoka Johnson as Lucy, an artist in her early 30s who recently experienced a late sexual awakening. She attempts to navigate her new lesbian identity while adjusting to other changes in her life, such as her best friend, Jane (Sonoya Mizuno), planning to move away for work. The ending isn’t super happy, but it’s touching and provides a realistic view of being a late bloomer.

The Sex Lives Of College Girls (2021)

Mindy Kaling’s smash hit show features Pauline Chalamet (Kimberly), Reneé Rapp (Leighton), Amrit Kaur (Bela), and Alyah Chanelle Scott (Whitney) as college girls trying to navigate the heady world of love and romance. In a relentlessly hilarious adventure, the four girls negotiate the entertaining yet challenging realities of college, including frat parties, cheating on tests, mental health struggles, and virginity, among other important topics. Unfortunately, the show was recently canceled, but it remains worth watching as the final season concludes everything nearly perfectly without meaning to.

Love Lies Bleeding (2024)

If you’re a horror enthusiast, this is your jam! The movie follows Lou (Kristen Stewart) and Jackie (Katy M. O’Brian), who fall hopelessly in love as they pursue their respective dreams. However, chaos ensues when Lou’s sketchy past comes to the forefront. It’s more of a thriller-horror than a cheap jump-scare approach with supernatural themes and existential visuals. So buckle up because you’re in for a ride!

Interview With the Vampire (2022)

Once again, horror queer fans, tune in! The show follows Louis de Pointe du Lac (Jacob Anderson) and his tumultuous, complicated relationship with Lestat du Lioncourt (Sam Reid), which alters his life forever. Abundant steamy encounters, angst, and humorous moments make this show unique.

Harley Quinn (2019)

If you’re looking for a light-hearted, mature, and funny show, this is it. The series showcases Harley Quinn’s independence as she readjusts to Gotham City after her breakup with The Joker. Harley works to establish herself as a strong woman and villain within her newfound freedom. It’s definitely worth a watch, especially for fans eager to see her long-awaited sapphic relationship with Poison Ivy.

The entertainment industry must improve and normalize the representation of diverse stories about older queer individuals, because we deserve recognition for our everyday experiences, whether they include escapism, existentialism, or humorous ventures.

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