The streaming service Hulu has a wide assortment of TV series featuring LGBTQ+ characters, themes, and stories. Hulu's considerable TV library includes several historically important examples of early gay and lesbian representation as well as more modern series with a more developed understanding of queer identities. Viewers looking for shows that prominently feature LGBTQ+ relationships will almost certainly be able to find something that suits them.
Hulu is one of the oldest streaming services, having begun in 2007 as a collaboration between three of the major US TV networks as a way for viewers to watch recently-aired shows online. Today, it is primarily owned by the Walt Disney Company, which generally uses it for releasing material too adult for its Disney+ service, with a one-third stake by NBCUniversal. Hulu is often included in bundles with Disney+ and ESPN+, and has a cheaper ad-ed subscription tier, giving it a broad subscriber base.
In addition to frequently releasing original series and movies, Hulu has extensive back catalogs from networks like ABC to FX. The following list focuses on series where queer characters and relationships are the central focus, or series that have been historically important to LGBTQ+ representation.
First Day
The Australian series First Day is a coming-of-age story told from the perspective of a 12-year-old transgender girl starting at a new school. The lead role, Hannah Bradford, is played by Evie Macdonald, the first transgender actor to play a lead role in an Australian TV show. The series has received awards and critical praise for its treatment of themes relating to identity and trans rights, including a GLAAD Media Award. Licensed by Hulu, First Day concluded naturally after two short seasons that total eight half-hour episodes.
Steven Universe
Crystal Gem Rose Quartz as he is raised by his mother's friends and slowly awakens to his own powers. The show is deals with LGBTQ+ themes both overtly and symbolically as its narratives are often queer allegories and it includes explicitly LGBTQ+ characters. Steven Universe was created by Rebecca Sugar, a non-binary woman who uses she/they pronouns, and the full series is available to stream on Hulu.
Love, Victor
Love, Victor TV series has also helped to highlight LGBTQ+ musical artists through its soundtrack.
Pose
One of several series on Hulu created by gay super-producer Ryan Murphy, Pose is about the New York City's drag ball culture in the 1980s and 1990s with a focus on the African-American and Latino communities. The series features an ensemble cast including Evan Peters, Kate Mara, and James Van Der Beek. It received considerable acclaim and awards recognition during its three-season run, including star Michaele Jae Rodriguez who became the first-ever trans woman to be nominated for an Emmy for Lead Actress in a Drama.
Sailor Moon
recent reboot Sailor Moon Crystal, also contained multiple queer relationships which were edited out of the English version when Sailor Moon was first aired in North America in the 1990s. However, the version on Hulu is the new dub from Viz which is more faithful to the original including same-sex relationships, providing a great way to explore this nostalgic favorite or see the influential show for the first time.
Skins
The UK series Doctor Who showrunner Russell T. Davies.
American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace
The second season of Ryan Murphy's American Crime Story anthology series recounts the true story of the murder of openly gay fashion maven Gianni Versace by the spree killer Andrew Cunanan. The story then travels back in time to deal with Cunanan's previous victims who were mostly gay men, as was Cunanan himself. It isn't exactly a feel-good watch, but The Assassination of Gianni Versace is a dramatically compelling l0ok into gay life during the age of Don't Ask Don't Tell.
Adventure Time
relationship between Princess Bubblegum and Marceline the Vampire Queen, by the end of the show the creators had more free reign and were able to make things more explicit. Before working on Steven Universe, Rebecca Sugar had worked on some of the story and music for Adventure Time.
Modern Family
One of the most successful TV comedies of the 2010s, Modern Family is a mockumentary story about the sprawling Dunphy family, including married couple, Cam and Mitchell. The series ran for 11 seasons and received 22 Emmy Awards, with all 250 episodes available on Hulu. While it isn't the most sophisticated show on this list, Modern Family could be a good pick for someone looking for a traditional family sitcom with LGBTQ+ representation.
RuPaul's Drag Race
RuPaul's past comments, exclusion of non-cis-male contestants, and a mixed feeling in the community regarding drag. However, more recent seasons have seen the inclusion of trans and non-binary contestants and the show has become a more positive and inclusive space.
Killing Eve
Killing Eve season 4 can theoretically be ignored.
Glee
Glee is worth checking out for the positive representation that does exist and for its place in LGBTQ+ representation history.
Will & Grace
Will & Grace is an NBC sitcom that centered on the friendship between a gay lawyer, Will, and a heterosexual interior designer, Grace. While the character of Will was sometimes criticized as stereotypical, the series was one of the first popular TV shows with a prominent gay character and helped familiarize many people with LGBTQ+ issues. Hulu includes all 8 original seasons but not the recent 3-season revival.
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