May 2021: Here’s What’s New and Gay on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, HBO Max and Peacock – Autostraddle
It’s May Day and everybody is wondering the same thing: what is landing upon our television screens via streaming services that appeals to our interests as homosexuals, bisexuals, pansexuals and otherwise-identified humans who love to watch stories on a screen??? Specifically what can I locate on Hulu, Netflix, Amazon, Peacock and HBO Max???!!?!! What is streaming in May 2021!?! There’s simply one way to find out and it is to read this post.
Netflix May 2021 Streaming for Gays, Girls and Theys
Last month was a prime time to be a queer woman on Netflix but this month, it’s a great month to be a gay man on Netflix: a new season of Special, a documentary about controversial LGBT rights activist Peter Tatchell, a based-on-true events film about gay culture in Mexico at the turn of the century, a new superhero series with a gay male lead! Not quite so good for the girls. Here’s a list of the odds that may or may not be in our favor.
J.T. LeRoy (2019) – May 1
JT Leroy was a persona invented by author Laura Albert (Laura Dern) and played by her sibling-in-law, Savannah Knoop (Kristen Stewart) who wrote a lot of books that did very well and then it was exposed that he was not real! “Justin Kelly’s JT LeRoy is not a great movie,” wrote Drew in her review. “In fact, it’s pretty bad. And yet in so many ways it’s the perfect JT LeRoy movie, the inevitable conclusion to this whole twisted saga.”
Jupiter’s Legacy: Season 1 (Netflix Original) – May 7th
Based on the graphic novels, Jupiter’s Legacy is “an epic superhero drama that spans decades and navigates the complex dynamics of family, power and loyalty.” Richard Conrad/Blue Bolt, one of the series leads, is gay. Humberly Gonzalez, a practiced hand at playing gay (Utopia Falls, Ginny & Georgia), is playing Gabriella/Neutrino, who is queer in the graphic novels although nothing on that tip has been confirmed thus far for the new series. Netflix’s gay content twitter account The Most tweeted today that “Anna Akana kicks ass as sword-wielding baddie Raikou” but I can’t find anything indicating she’s a queer character, perhaps y’all can fill me in!
The Dance of the 41 (2020) (Netflix Original) – May 12
Inspired by actual events, this Mexican arthouse film follows the secretly gay congressman who marries the daughter of the then-president of Mexico, and centers around the events leading up to and following 1901’s “The Dance of the 41,” a ball for gay men, illegally raided by police, in which many guests dressed in women’s clothing. It was the first time homosexuality was discussed widely in the Mexican press. It does not seem like there are any gay women in this film but like also it’s very gay, so???
The Upshaws: Season One (2021) (Netflix Original) – May 12
This new sitcom about a blended family from Wanda Sykes and Mike Epps looks really good but is Wanda Sykes gay in the series? I do not know! The Upshaws was not included in Netflix’s “Streams in Gay Guide” but there is likely only one way to find out: watching the show.
Halston: Limited Series (2021) (Netflix Original) – May 14th
Ryan Murphy’s latest for Netflix covers the life of fashion designer Roy Halston Frowick, although it is unclear if there will be any lesbian or bisexual characters. Josephine Baker is listed as a one-episode character on imdb.
Army of the Dead (2021) – May 21st
Las Vegas suffers an intense zombie outbreak, inspiring a group of mercenaries to venture into the quarantine zone to pull off the greatest heist of all time. This is relevant to our collective interests because as you may know, Tig Notaro was late-added to the film, replacing Chris D’Elia.
Master of None: Season 3 (Netflix Original) – May 23
This final season of Aziz Ansari’s Master of None focuses on Lena Waithe’s character, Denise, and her relationship with her girlfriend. It is called “Moments in Love.” Let the Lena Waithe discourse begin!
Lucifer: Season 5B – May 28th
Season 5B of Lucifer will likely see Maze either fighting to prove she has a soul or trying to pretend she doesn’t care if she does or not. Either way surely our favorite bisexual badass from hell will break bones and hearts in equal measure.
New Stuff For Queer Women Etc on Hulu May 2021
Pose debuts this month on FX on May 3rd, but does not seem to be part of FX on Hulu.
I Am Cait: Season 2 – May 1
The reality show following trans celebrity Caitlyn Jenner is dropping its 2016 season on Hulu.
Bound (1996) – May 1
This lesbian noir classic from the Wachowskis follows Violet (Jennifer Tilly), the femme fatale seeking an exit from her relationship with her mafioso boyfriend and Corky (Gina Gershon), a butch ex-con who looks really great in a tank top. Together they are scheming to get some of that sweet sweet mafia money.
Shrill: Season 3 (Hulu Original) – May 7
The (sadly) final season of Shrill continues to follow Annie, a character inspired by writer Lindy West who juggles bad boyfriends and bad workplaces and searching for self-confidence. Her best friend/roommate, Fran (Lolly Adefope), is a lesbian and we love her. Season 3 promises Fran and Emily taking their relationship to the next level and Fran getting a job at a salon. Trans actress Patti Harrison is also returning to the program for all the laughs we can handle.
A Perfect Ending (2012) – May 15
This mediocre lesbian film stars Jessica Clark as Paris, a high-price escort who begins a little situation with a wealthy middle-aged wife, Rebecca (Barbara Niven) who is having conflicts with her husband and also has never had an orgasm!
Mosquita y Mari (2012) – May 15
A “quiet and big-hearted” coming-of-age film about two very different girls — Mari Rodriguez is street-wise from a struggling family and Yolanda Olveros is a sheltered only child whose parents have high hopes for her future. They are thrust together by unexpected circumstances and then what happens? FEELINGS.
Reaching for the Moon (2013) – May 15
Miranda Otto and Glória Pires play American poet Elizabeth Bishop and Brazilian designer Lota de Macedo Soares, two headstrong women who had a very dramatic affair. As Drew wrote on the Best Lesbian Films ever list, “It’s a film about depression, substance abuse, and the creative process — and how all three affect romantic relationships.”
Tru Love (2013) – May 15
A Candian film about 37-year-old “serial bed hopping lesbian” Tru who is bounding aimlessly through life when she meets Alice, a 60-year-old widow visiting Tru’s friend, her busy lawyer daughter, Suzanne. Sparks fly! There are complications with Suzanne! I watched this entire film and retained not one moment of it, but your mileage may vary.
The Bold Type: Season 5 Premiere (Freeform)- May 27
After a bad Season 4, The Bold Type returns for its final lap in the sun with a short six-episode season. Jane, Kat and Sutton will allegedly be “on the brink of defining who they really are and how best to leave their mark on the world,” Nikohl Boosheri is recurring as our dear favorite character Adena El-Amin.
Amazon Prime Gay Stuff In May 2021
Bound (1996) – May 1
As aforementioned in the Hulu section. Big effort from Amazon this month!!!
HBO Max Queer Content Coming in May 2021
Frida (2002) – May 1
Salma Hayek got an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of surrealist Mexica artist Frida Kahlo in this biopic mainly focused on her relationship with husband Diego Rivera. Bisexual Kahlo has many affairs with women including Josephine Baker (Karine Plantadit-Bageot) and Tina Modotti (Ashley Judd), who also had an affair with Diego!
Legendary: Season 2 (HBO Max original) – May 6
This ballroom competition show that pits ten Houses against each other in a battle for a $100,000 grand prize returns for a second season with guest judges including Demi Lovato, Adam Lambert, Tiffany Haddish and Amiyah Scott. Jameela Jamil, Leiomy Maldonado, Megan Thee Stallion, and Law Roach return as main judges.
Lesbian Character on Peacock in May 2021 Alert
Girls 5Eva: Season One (Peacock Original) – May 6
This series from Tina Fey about a girl group with one hit in the ’90s who are given a second shot at fame in 2021 features Paula Pell as one of the group members who is also by the way a lesbian. Busy Phillips is in this, I feel like everybody loves Busy Phillips yeah?