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Kierra Johnson, National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund Executive Director, has issued a statement on the precarious fate of our voting rights, and upcoming actions related to various Democracy bills. In the interests of our community, OUTvoices is publishing Johnson's statement here in full:
“The National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund urges the U.S. Senate to pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
Voting rights are a cornerstone of our democratic process and have been under attack by conservative political extremists. These extremists have tried everything from partisan gerrymandering to mass purges of voter rolls in attempts to undermine the work of election officials, sow false doubt in legitimate election results and curb access to registering and casting votes.
There are many things to be divided over but right now there is an opportunity to be aligned in eradicating barriers to voting. We have an opportunity to restore faith in the American people that there are still foundational values and inalienable rights that can hold us together. The right to vote is a baseline. It is an essential part to exercise our power and participate in our democracy.
George Washington was quoted as saying, “The power of the constitution will always be in the people. It is entrusted for certain defined purposes and for a certain limited period, to representatives of their choosing: and whenever it is executed contrary to their interest, or not agreeable to their wishes, their servants can and undoubtedly will be recalled.”
This is the plainest argument for eradicating barriers to voting for any and all of our people. However, it also explicitly explains why attacks on voting rights and access have increased as the demographics of this country have changed.
When LGBTQ+ Americans, People of Color and other marginalized populations vote in high numbers, elections are greatly impacted and it can make the difference in local, state and federal elections. The fear of losing power and the threat of losing an elected seat is not justification for our leaders to carve out LGBTQ+ folks, People of Color, women, poor people and so many other already marginalized groups from the political process.
Members of congress often have the hard job of making decisions that require them to weigh numerous nuances and complex decision points with varying intended and unintended consequences on communities. However, on the question whether to eradicate barriers to voting – the answer is clear. Our beloved people deserve access to our democracy. We have a right to it and therefore the right to vote – regardless of our political views. Any member of congress who is advocating for anything less than ensuring and protecting the right to vote for all of the people in their districts and states is in fact advocating to take away the power of the people to elect and hold accountable those who should be legislating on their behalf.
The choice is simple: are you on the side of all voters or are you willing to allow restricting of the vote for political ends? Will you advocate for all of the people that you claim to represent or will your sacrifice and abandon us community by community? Every decision will firmly place our elected officials on either the right or wrong side of history.
Instead of leaning into tactics that alienate and distance people from our democracy and each other, what if instead our elected Officials were inspired to get back to the real work of getting more of our people to more actively and consistently participate in civic engagement. What if they were willing to commit to learning more about the fears and dreams of those in the community that they know the least about and invest in meeting their needs and creating opportunities from them to thrive!
Our Democracy is broken and further restricting access to the political process will not heal the fractures that have only grown deeper and wider over these last years. Senators must take leadership and pass legislation that will protect and ensure free and fair elections. The strength of our Democracy and of our people depend on it.
Ongoing state legislative attacks in 2021 and 2022 on voting rights, many of which are barely disguised plans to suppress votes of Black people, as well as people from other historically marginalized communities such as the LGBTQ community, are undemocratic, racist and just plain wrong.
person standing near table
Photo by Arnaud Jaegers on Unsplash
Some new and proposed state voting laws qualify as inhumane, for example, making it illegal to provide water and food to voters standing in hours-long lines.
Some of these attacks ignore the reality of people’s daily lives, outlawing assistance to voters with disabilities so they can cast ballots by mail from home, limiting voting hours, limiting, or ending ballot drop-box accessibility for people working several jobs to support minor children and elderly parents, and requiring identity documents to counter supposed voter fraud that research shows is practically nonexistent.
Identity document requirements pose specific challenges for many transgender and gender non-binary people due to some outdated state laws and financial and other barriers to updating documents like legal fees, a lack of access to inclusive health insurance and an inability to afford or overcome discriminatory policies and practices to receive gender-affirming care.
The path forward is clear – we need our federal elected officials to take leadership, take action, and protect voting rights NOW in order to rebuild and strengthen our democracy. This country belongs to all of us. This is our democracy, and we demand our rightful place in it. Pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act now!"
10 LGBTQ+ Movies on Amazon Prime You Need to Watch
LGBTQ+ Movies on Amazon Prime
Are you always wondering what to watch right now? These are some of the best LGBTQ+ movies streaming on Amazon Prime and available for rent on Amazon right now, and for good reason. They range from LGBTQ historical settings to romance to LGBTQ+ pure camp.
If you are looking for more LGBTQ+ movies or tv shows to stream, you should check out our list on Netflix, Revry, Hulu, and Here TV.
The Handmaiden
The Handmaiden
Photo courtesy of Amazon Prime
Sook-hee is a pickpocket living in Japanese-occupied Korea and is hired by a con man to be the maid of heiress Lady Hideko and convince her to marry him. Hideko has been living under the tyranny of her uncle Kouzuki and desires to leave. While both women have reasons and ways to deceive each other, many plot twists will guide them to a path of satisfaction. This movie is an erotic, historical, psychological thriller, set beautifully in occupied Korea, that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It has won Best Film Not in the English Language at the 71st British Academy Film Festival and was directed by Park Chan-wook.
Duration: 144 minutes
Year: 2016
Country: South Korea
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Pride
Pride (2014)
Photo courtesy of Amazon Prime
Mark is a gay activist living in the ‘80s when he notices that the police have stopped harassing LGBTQ+ people; the target has in fact changed, and now the police have moved on to miners’ strikes. Together with gay and lesbian friends, he arranges a bucket collection to help the miners at the London gay Pride. This movie has won the Queer Palm Award at Cannes in 2014; it has received a standing ovation as well. It is directed by Matthew Warchus and is based on a true story.
Duration: 120 minutes
Year: 2014
Country: UK
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Moonlight
Moonlight
Photo courtesy of Rai
Chiron lives in Liberty City, Miami, and is bullied by his schoolmates; he is found hiding one day by Juan, a drug dealer, who mentors him from then on. Chiron’s mother, Paula, is a drug addict, and often takes her frustration out on her child, assuming that she knows why he is bullied. It will be Juan to tell Chiron that being gay is nothing wrong, but as Chiron grows up he will have to face harder days than the ones in his childhood. This movie has won the Academy Award for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Adapted Screenplay, becoming the first LGBTQ+, all-Black cast movie to win an Oscar. It is directed by Barry Jenkins.
Duration: 111 minutes
Year: 2016
Country: United States
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Purple Sea
Viola di mare (Purple Sea)
Photo courtesy of Amazon Prime
Angela is a vivacious child in Sicily at the end of the 1800s; her father never wanted a daughter and tries to reform her through beating and controlling. But Angela is in love with Sara, and she will do whatever it takes to spend her life by the side of the woman she loves. This movie is heartbreaking at times, it sad and dramatic but also inspiring. It was nominated for two Nastro Argento Awards. The title refers to a type of fish, the Mediterranean rainbow wrasse, which is born female and turns male as it grows older. It is directed by Donatella Maiorca.
Duration: 105 minutes
Year: 2009
Country: Italy
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But I Am a Cheerleader
But I'm a Cheerleader
Photo courtesy of Amazon
Megan is a high school senior cheerleader who is dating a boy named Jared when her parents and friends start suspecting she is a lesbian, with her being a vegetarian and interested in Melissa Etheridge. They stage an intervention calling ex-gay Mike, who works at a conversion therapy camp called True Directions, where Megan is taken and forced to confront her own sexual orientation. This movie is a camp statement, a funny take on a sad reality, and an invite to embrace oneself. It is directed by Jamie Babbit. It is available for rent on Amazon.
Duration: 85 minutes
Year: 1999
Country: United States
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Tell It to the Bees
Tell It to the Bees
Photo courtesy of the HotCorn
Lydia has an unsteady marriage and a young son when she becomes closer to the town’s doctor, Jean. Her son and Jean share an interest in common, which is beekeeping, and makes the move easier when Lydia starts staying at Jean’s. But they live in a Scottish village in the 1950s, and their bond is bound to be perceived wrongly. This movie is based on the book with the same title and stars Academy Award winner Anna Paquin. It is directed by Annabel Jankel. It is available for rent on Amazon.
Duration: 106 minutes
Year: 2018
Country: UK
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Carol
Carol
Photo courtesy of CarolFilm
Therese is an aspiring photographer, working as a sales clerk in Frankenberg's department store in Manhattan in the 1950s when she meets Carol, an older woman who is going through a divorce and is looking for a Christmas present for her child. The encounter leaves Therese with a pair of Carol’s gloves, which she intends to return, and an attraction towards this woman Therese cannot explain just yet. This movie is an LGBTQ+ cult film, nominated for six Academy Awards, and has been critically acclaimed over the years. It is directed by Todd Haynes. It is available for rent on Amazon.
Duration: 158 minutes
Year: 2016
Country: United States
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Cicada
Cicada
Photo courtesy of Youtube
Ben is a young bisexual man who doesn’t have a steady job or relationship; he is a hypochondriac that repeatedly goes through a set routine with his physician. When he meets Sam, he finally has the opportunity to share his trauma and feel understood. It was called by Indiewire 'A sexy and searching act of gay self-analysis'. It is directed by Matthew Fifer and Kieran Mulcare. It is available for rent on Amazon.
Duration: 93 minutes
Year: 2020
Country: United States
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Women and Sometimes Men
Women & Sometimes Men
Photo courtesy of Amazon
Sara calls off her engagement with a man when her feelings towards women become impossible to hide. She moves in with a friend and starts dating in the lesbian scene, trying to find a balance between what she’s always known and what her heart wants. This movie is campy and lighthearted. It is directed by Lesley Demetriades.
Duration: 87 minutes
Year: 2018
Country: United States
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Transgender Sign in Pride Parade
To begin, a quick history lesson will keep you up to date with all the work transgender people have put forth in order to help Pride month happen in the first place. The fight for LGBTQ+ rights dates back further than one usually imagines but, in particular, is typically marked by the Stonewall Riots. Led by Marsha "Pay It No Mind" Johnson, a transgender woman of color who helped the New York activist scene for over 25 years, the Stonewall Riots began on June 28th, 1969 in New York. Alongside Sylvia Riveria, a Latina trans woman, and Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, a black trans woman, Marsha P. Johnson led one of the most important queer liberations in history.
While the Riots remain a huge moment in history, many often forget those who played front-facing roles in it. Marsha was only 23 years old at the time but was a fearless, ferocious, brave leader who tackled injustice head-on in the riots. In addition to this, she was also co-founded Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR), a shelter for homeless transgender youth; she was a big activist for the BIPOC and LGBT+ community, and STAR was revolutionary in many ways, including being the first-ever LGBT+ shelter in North America which was also the first organization in the US to be run by a trans woman of color. Marsha's contributions toward the first Pride parade preceded it by an entire year- the first pride parades came a year after the stonewall riots to commemorate it. Her legacy will live on through her acts and is celebrated by members of the LGBT+ community alike every pride.
With that out of the way, being trans during pride month can hold a lot of meaning for a lot of people, especially given the incomparable history led by transgender women that helped to shape the LBGT+ community today. Pride itself has a long history rooted in defying gender normalities and cisgender, heteronormative ideals. That, in it itself, is a lot to be proud of- let alone each individual's transgender experience that brings more color to personal pride. It is something to celebrate, our own continuation, contribution, and resistance to oppression. For those who are out as transgender, gender non-conforming, genderqueer, nonbinary, or identify anywhere outside of the cisgender binary, just being yourself and expressing your gender identity is a way of celebrating this. And it is momentous to do so! However, of course, it's not the only way; going to pride parades, celebrating with friends, or having your own celebration is just as good, if not more fun. Going to pride marches, participating in pride events or activities, and any form of activism are great ways of acknowledging and indulging in the history that brought us here.
Reaching out for help
Photo by Stormseeker on UnsplashBut, of course, there is always the other side of the coin because this can be extremely difficult for some due to past experiences or traumas. And for others, this is not an option because (and unfortunately, more often than not) coming out is not a safe, viable option due to age, location, and often the stiff political climate that makes transgender people stay hidden. So while there is a lot to celebrate and be proud of, we must also be prideful for those who are unable to be. Because in addition to the rich history of activism and change, there is still an extreme deficit and predisposition to suicide and murder. According to some of the most recent research, the transgender suicide rate is up to 43%, and once every three days, a transgender person is murdered, with transgender women of color being the most likely victims.
Efforts to calculate and track transgender murder rates are often hindered by laws and data collection, therefore reported numbers may not be the best representations. Alongside these statistics come very scary legislation, such as House Bill 151 and HF 184 that allow the 'inspection' of young girls' genitals in an effort to keep transgender girls from participating in sports. There are also bathroom bills, pronoun and name bills, and medical care acts that are trying to strip away our rights. The huge dark cloud of oppression still hangs heavily over many transgender people within the United States and is much worse elsewhere in the world.
But, these are all reasons to be more prideful as well. Trans people have historically risen above and fought to be themselves- and admit the oppression, we will continue to do so unapologetically. So despite all the sorrowfully realities we face, we must take them in stride and use them for our pride, We need to keep them in mind not just to remember the reality but to be able to say, "This is what we deal with and yet, we use it to fuel our pride." Because the reality is that we are all making history just by existing and that is something to celebrate. So take pride in everything and for everyone, especially for those who may not be able to themselves. Pride month is a time to celebrate ancestors, self-discovery, friendship, and much more, so if you are able to, do so!
Activism has always and will continue to be a huge part of pride until there is equity for every minority group. So consider using these resources to continue your activism of change towards trans rights and equality. You can do so by contacting your legislators regarding your local anti-trans legislature. Or if you are able, donate to funds that support transgender persons legally! And if you're unable to do either and are in need of support, here are a few resources that may help: The Trevor project; 1-866-488-7386 Trans Life Line; 1-877-565-8860.
Author's Note: It is important to not only recognize and acknowledge the deep-rooted history that transgender individuals had in creating equal opportunities and rights for the LGBTQ+ community but also recognize the deep-seated oppression that continues to plague the transgender community today, despite best efforts towards equality, justice, and freedom. When discussing Pride Month or any celebration of LGBTQ+ individuals, give credit where credit is due.
- 5 Things That Happen When People Come Out as Trans - OutVoices ›
- Transgender Representation in Media - OutVoices ›
Best LGBTQ+ Movies on Hulu
Are you always wondering what to watch right now? These are some of the best LGBTQ+ movies streaming on Hulu right now and for good reason. They range from LGBTQ historical settings to romance to LGBTQ+ documentaries.
If you're looking for more movies, check out what's playing on Netflix, Revry, Here TV, and Amazon Prime.
Happiest Season
hulu Original movie Happiest Season
Photo courtesy of Hulu
Abby has dated Harper for nearly a year when Harper invites Abby to her family’s home for Christmas, and Abby happily accepts taking it as the perfect opportunity to introduce herself to Harper’s parents and propose to her. Except that Harper is not out to her family yet, and begs Abby to play along, pretending they are just roommates. This movie is a great queer take on the holiday trope, it’s heartwarming and a happy ending like this one on a lesbian movie was overdue. It is directed by lesbian director Clea DuVall.
Duration: 102 minutes.
Year: 2020
Country: US
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The Miseducation of Cameron Post
The Miseducation of Cameron Post
Photo courtesy of Hulu
Cameron is caught with her secret girlfriend at homecoming in 1993 and is sent by her aunt to God’s Promise conversion therapy center. She becomes friends with Jane Fonda and Adam Red Eagle, two “disciples” who, like her, do not believe in the center’s message. But conversion therapy affects everyone differently, and it’s not easy for Cameron to adapt to her new reality. This movie is based on the great 2012 novel by Emily M. Danforth of the same name, and it is directed by bisexual director Desiree Akhavan. It is intense, dramatic, and emotional.
Duration: 90 minutes.
Year: 2018
Country: US
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Saving Face
Saving Face on Hulu
Photo courtesy of Hulu.
Wil is a young surgeon of Chinese descent living in New York; her mother, Gao, keeps playing match-maker at every party, trying to get her daughter the desirable son of one of her friends. It is at one of those parties that Wil meets Vivian, a professional dancer whose mother has gotten divorced and is pitied by the community and whose father is Wil’s boss at the hospital. As Wil and Vivian start dating, in secret since Wil’s closeted to her family, Wil’s mum moves in with her daughter, having been kicked out of her own father’s house for being pregnant at 48, and not married.
This movie is a great tool for challenging Chinese stereotypes, and a great love story with a happy ending. It was Alice Wu’s first movie as a director, and she has fought hard to have it bilingual, casting actors and actresses who are Asian and could speak both Mandarin and English.
Duration: 91 minutes.
Year: 2004
Country: US
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Portrait of a Lady On Fire
Photo courtesy of Hulu.
Marianne is a painter in the eighteenth century who is called to a remote island in Brittany to paint a portrait of Héloïse, a woman in an arranged marriage to a Milanese nobleman who was promised to her sister. Héloïse had previously refused to be painted, as she did not want to get married, so Marianne pretends she is there to accompany her on walks, memorizing her features and painting her in secret but soon enough their bond changes.
This movie is passionate, dramatic, and sensual. It is directed by Céline Sciamma and has won the 2019 Queer Palm in Cannes.
Duration: 120 minutes.
Year: 2019
Country: France
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The World to Come
Photo courtesy of Hulu.
Abigail lives on a farm with her husband, far from anyone else. She has recently buried her child, four-year-old Nellie, and is grieving when she sees Tallie, the wife of their neighbor. The two women start spending their time together, with Tallie visiting Abigail almost every day and helping her with her duties. Their relationship blossoms into a romance, with the two women finding relief from their solitude in each other’s company, until Tallie’s controlling husband gets in their way.
This movie is set in the late nineteenth century in the state of New York; it is historical, emotional, romantic yet sad, and tense. It is directed by Mona Fastvold and has won the Queer Lion at the 77thVenice Film Festival for best LGBTQ-themed film.
Duration: 98 minutes
Year: 2020
Country: US
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Flee
Flee by Jonas Poher Rasmussen
Photo courtesy of Hulu
Amin is being interviewed by a long-time friend, director Jonas Poher Rasmussen, who is making a documentary about Amin’s life, from fleeing Afghanistan to being a refugee in Denmark. Amin has not told the details of his story to anyone yet, including his fiancé Kasper. Amin then goes on to explore his trauma.
This movie is an adult animated documentary, truly directed by Jonas Poher Rasmussen, telling the story of a man under the alias of Amin Nawabi. It has won many awards, and it was nominated three times for an Academy Award.
Duration: 90 minutes.
Year: 2021
Country: Denmark
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God’s Own Country
God's Own Country
Photo courtesy of Hulu.
Johnny lives on a farm in Yorkshire with his father and grandmother. The keeping of the farm mainly falls on his shoulders, as his father has suffered a stroke; during his free time, Johnny likes to drink and engage in unattached sexual intercourse with other men. During lambing season, he hires Gheorghe, a Romanian migrant worker, as extra help. As they start spending more time together, Johnny lets go of the austerity he has always been used to.
This movie is inspiring, hopeful, and a bit tense; it was directed by Francis Lee and has won many awards, including the World Cinema Directing Award at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival.
Duration: 106 minutes
Year: 2017
Country: UK
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Supernova
supernova
Photo courtesy of Hulu.
Sam and Tusker have been together for twenty years when they decide to take a trip across England to visit some friends and family. Tusker has been diagnosed with early dementia and is writing a book that he refuses to show to Sam. During the trip, Sam finds out that Tusker has been having trouble writing: the decline of his illness might not be the only thing his partner has been hiding. The movie is romantic, contemporary, and a bit sad; it features Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci as main actors and it is directed by Harry Macqueen.
Duration: 93 minutes
Year: 2020
Country: UK
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Crush
Photo courtesy of Hulu.
Paige is an artist who is about to get into the art college of her dreams, when KingPun, a graffiti artist, starts smearing the school and frames her; being accused of tagging, Paige is almost suspended. She cuts herself a plea deal: she will join the track team in order to avoid suspension until she finds out who KingPun really is. Track team co-captains are twin sisters Gabby, for whom Paige has had a crush since elementary school, and AJ. Soon Paige will discover that her feelings have been orbiting around a different person, and her first love will come as easily as the inspiration she was looking for.
This movie is a great high school drama picture, in a school where everyone says gay and is full of queer characters. It is heartwarming and silly and important in a time when lots of queer kids cannot be themselves in their own realities. It is directed by Sammi Cohen, and the writers and main actresses all identify as queer.
Duration: 92 minutes
Year: 2022
Country: US
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Grandma
Grandma
Photo courtesy of Hulu.
Elle is a lesbian poet and a widow, a self-described misanthrope, who gets a visit from her granddaughter Sage asking her for help to come up with $630 by that afternoon to get an abortion. They get on a road trip across Los Angeles to collect the money from people who own them a favor. This movie is lighthearted and feminist. It is directed by Paul Weitz and features Lily Tomlin.
Duration: 79 minutes.
Year: 2015
Country: US
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Booksmart
booksmart
Photo courtesy of Hulu.
Amy and Molly are best friends, they are very smart and they are not popular among their peers. On their last day of high school, they decide to break all of the rules and enjoy their time as teenagers, so they head to Nick’s house party, where they both try different things for the first time, and hope to have a chance with their crushes, Amy’s a girl named Ryan and Molly’s Nick himself. It was directed by Olivia Wilde, and it was her first directed movie.
Duration: 105 minutes.
Year: 2019
Country: US