1. "One Day At A Time"

This show does not only feature a few gay characters and a gender non-binary character, but also touches on several important topics such as mental health, immigration law, racism, xenophobia, drug addiction, and so much more.

Netflix canceled it way too soon, but after a ton of backlash on social media, Pop TV recently picked it up for a fourth season. We call that queer power!

2. "Faking It"

"Faking It" follows Karma and Amy, two best friends who attend a high school in Austin, Texas where students who are typically outcasted are the popular ones. Karma and Amy, who are both straight, decide to pretend to be a couple to gain praise and recognition, but along the way, one of them realizes she may not be pretending. This show is criminally underrated, and you should definitely consider checking it out on Hulu.

3.. "Brooklyn 99"

"B99" is quite simply the funniest show I have ever seen. The characters are goofy, witty, and have strong, unwavering bonds with each other. It is so entertaining to watch them interact. Your enjoyment will likely be heightened by the amazing representation: several people of color, LGBTQ characters, and women. The show just finished its sixth season, and all of them are on Hulu.

4. "The L Word"

I've always described this show as a sort of queer woman's right of passage. "The L Word", which follows a group of queer women living in mid-2000's Los Angeles, rivals daytime soap operas in its dramatic and over-the-top plot lines. There's cheating, there are scandals, there are secrets, there's murder. Is it ridiculous? Yes. Is it well-written? No. Did I enjoy every second? You bet. There's nothing quite like the bond forged between two people who despise Jenny Schecter. It is available to stream on Netflix and Hulu.

5. "Orange Is The New Black"

The representation in this show? Unmatched. You got your Ls, your Gs, your Bs, Ts, and Qs, not to mention numerous people of color, neurodivergent characters, low-income characters, and a cast made up almost exclusively of women. "OITNB" does not just present us with these diverse characters, but shows us how the system has failed them. If you haven't given it a watch, pull up Netflix right this second. Trust me, you will not regret it.

6. "Glee"

Glee is just a feel-good show. It's animated and cheesy, and it empowers all of its characters to feel comfortable as themselves. That's just what you want to watch when the real world feels cruel and unaccepting. Brittany and Santana? The cutest. Plus, that time Sue married herself? Comedic gold. It's available to stream on Netflix.

7. "Buffy The Vampire Slayer"

A show with an LGBTQ main character is great by today's standards, but it was unheard of in 1999 when "Buffy" aired its fourth season. "Buffy" is my all time favorite show, and one that paved the way for the current state of representation on network television. You can watch all seven seasons on Hulu.

Including LGBTQ characters allows the real world to be more accurately reflected in media, and encourages empathy in viewers. These shows are doing the important work of pushing boundaries and helping to create a more accepting and understanding society.