Stage & Screen

LGBTQI+ theatre and cinema features queer plays and queer films on both stage and screen. They have played a significant role in the representation and visibility of the queer community. These art forms have provided a platform for us to share our stories, experiences, and struggles. They ultimately contribute to the broader movement for LGBTQ rights and acceptance.

Queer Theatre

In the realm of queer theatre, queer-themed plays have been instrumental in challenging societal norms and promoting understanding and empathy.

Modern LGBTQI+ theatre began to emerge following the struggles of the gay liberation movement. Mart Crowley’s play Boys in the Band, a gay-themed play by Mart Crowley, was staged off-Broadway in 1968. One of the first musicals to portray a gay relationship was ‘Boy Meets Boy’, first staged off-Broadway in 1975. The musical-comedy was set in 1936 in a world that normalised homosexual relationships as if they were heterosexual.

The 1970s also saw the creation of groundbreaking queer production companies in the UK, such as Gay Sweatshop, founded in 1975. 1979 Royal Court Theatre in Sloane Square, London, staged Bent by Martin Sherman. The production later transferred to the West End. Playwrights like Mart Crowley, Harvey Fierstein, and Tony Kushner were able to bring LGBTQ stories to the forefront. They addressed issues such as coming out, discrimination, and the AIDS crisis.

These plays not only provided a voice for LGBTQ individuals but also educated and enlightened audiences about the struggles faced by our community.

Queer Cinema

Similarly, queer cinema has played a crucial role in representing diverse sexual orientations and gender identities on the big screen. The early days of queer cinema were marked by underground and independent films that explored queer themes due to the lack of mainstream acceptance.

However, with the rise of the New Queer Cinema movement in the 1990s (first coined by the academic B. Ruby Rich in Sight & Sound magazine in 1992), LGBTQI+ films gained more visibility and recognition.

Filmmakers like Todd Haynes, Gus Van Sant, and Kimberly Peirce created groundbreaking works that challenged heteronormative narratives and offered authentic portrayals of LGBTQI+ characters.

These films not only resonated with queer audiences but also helped to humanise and normalise queer experiences for wider audiences.

The impact of queer theatre and cinema extends beyond mere representation. These art forms have been instrumental in fostering a sense of community and empowerment for LGBTQI+ individuals. Creating and consuming LGBTQ-themed works provides a space for us to see ourselves reflected on stage or screen, validating our queer identities and experiences.

Moreover, queer theatre and cinema have also catalysed social change, challenging discriminatory laws and policies and promoting acceptance and equality.

Queer theatre and cinema still face challenges.

However, it is essential to acknowledge that LGBTQ theatre and cinema still face challenges and barriers. Despite progress, our queer stories are still underrepresented in mainstream media. Queer artists often struggle to secure funding and distribution for their projects. Trans artists have only recently been visible in theatre and cinema, and such appearances are still minimal.

Additionally, the portrayal of LGBTQI+ characters and narratives can sometimes be stereotypical or tokenistic, reinforcing harmful tropes and limiting the diversity of queer experiences.

In conclusion, queer theatre and cinema have played a vital role in the fight for LGBTQI+ rights and acceptance. These art forms have allowed us to share our stories, challenge societal norms, and foster community. While progress has been made, there is still work to ensure that our LGBTQI+ voices are heard and represented authentically in theatre and cinema.

The role of QX Magazine

QX magazine has been amplifying queer voices for over 25 years. We have been at the vanguard of trans visibility. We are delighted to be part of the growing movement that seeks to ensure that queer stories from all corners of our community are heard on the stage and screen and shared with the broader community.

You can visit the pages below to see some of the latest queer plays and films that we have highlighted.

The Q at King’s Head Theatre, 10 – 16 April. A sumptuous swansong for...

The Q is part of Sight Unseen, a season of plays curated by Isabel Adomakoh Young for The Takeover at The King's Head Theatre. Her...
Jeffrey Schwarz director of I am Divine.

Jeffrey Schwarz on his new film “I Am Divine”.

Ahead of the release of new documentary ‘I Am Divine’, director Jeffrey Schwarz speaks to Cliff Joannou about the cult legend called Divine that...

Netflix announces Tales of the City revival with Laura Linney and Olympia Dukakis

Endlessly savvy internet TV giants Netflix have just announced that they're beginning production on a ten-part Tales of the City revival, set for release...
Barbican LGBT Pride events

Celebrating Pride: A summer of queer cinema, theatre, music and talks at the Barbican.

All the Pride and other LGBTQ+ events taking place at the Barbican this summer, from June-September, in one handy little feature.   CINEMA Queer 90s:...

Jack Off The Beanstalk

Yorkshire’sleast friendly village Upper Jumper is home to poverty-stricken farming family Jack Trott and his loquacious mother Dame Trott. The wicked Lord Fleshcreep is planning to...
End Of The Century

Peccadillo Pictures launches Peccadillo Sofa Club

Peccadillo Pictures has just launched the Peccadillo Pictures Sofa Club with all the social interaction of a trip to the cinema! Following on from...

Times Square Angel

Written by Charles Busch and starring the velvet-voiced Velma Celli, Times Square Angel is the best Christmas show this reviewer has seen so far...
death drop kitty

Death Drop sashaying back into London’s West End, 4 Mar-24 Apr.

Following rave reviews, a smash hit UK tour and two sold out West End runs, the fabulous killer comedy sensation Death Drop is sashaying...

BARE: THE ROCK MUSICAL

Despite its successes off Broadway in 2004, it’s taken eight years for London to see this rock musical by John Hartmere (lyrics and book)...

Review: OUTINGS

When the first episode of a series opens with a guy unsuccessfully trying to enter his boyfriend’s anus (first with his penis and then...

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