10 LGBTQ+ TV Shows So Good, Even Your Straight Cousin Can't Resist

1. Will & Grace (1998-2020)

Hear ye, hear ye! In the Big Apple, a straight woman named Grace and her gay best friend, Will, exist side-by-side, their friendship blurring the lines of love and platonic affinities. Grace's rich assistant, Karen, and Will's flamboyant friend, Jack, provide layers of humor and drama. These two? They're the spicy salsa on an already savory nacho. Will they find lasting romance? Not with each other, but oh, what a ride!

2. Queer as Folk (1999-2005)

Queer as Folk leaps out of the closet and onto our screens, introducing a group of friends living in Pittsburgh. From the twentysomething Michael to the reckless and young Justin, the tapestry of their stories is woven intricately. Relationships? Yeah, they're complicated. Heartbreak, love, activism; all make appearances. It's the gay Sex and the City, just, dare I say... better?

3. The L Word (2004-2009; 2019-present)

Ever seen a web, each strand connected, each story intertwined? That's The L Word, showcasing the lives of a group of lesbian friends in LA. Bette and Tina grapple with relationship issues while Shane, the perennial playboy, dashes through love affairs. Love triangles, business ventures, familial woes – this show's got it all. And Marina? She's the catalyst setting things in motion.

4. Orange is the New Black (2013-2019)

Step into a women's prison, where a tale unfolds of Piper Chapman, a privileged New Yorker sentenced for her decade-old crime of transporting drug money. In the clink, old flames rekindle when she meets her ex-lover, Alex Vause. But wait, there's more! From transgender tales with Sophia to young love stories with Daya and Bennett, it's more than just a prison – it's a universe. And, who can forget Red and her kitchen? It's not MasterChef, but it's close.

5. Pose (2018-2021)

A ballroom beckons. Welcome to the late '80s, early '90s New York City ballroom culture where the LGBTQ+ community competes for recognition and acclaim. Electra, Blanca, and Angel; they are but some of the characters that give life to this series. The House of Evangelista, born out of love and defiance, becomes a home for many. Yet, with the AIDS epidemic in the background, shadows linger. The stakes? Higher than a pirouette in heels.

6. Sense8 (2015-2018)

Do you ever wonder what it's like to be connected to someone else's mind? Welcome to Sense8, where eight strangers from around the globe share a psychic link. Riley, the DJ; Lito, the actor with a secret; Nomi, the transgender hacktivist... Their stories run parallel, yet intersect in mysterious ways. Chased by those who see them as a threat, can this diverse group overcome adversity and discover the secrets of their connection?

7. Sugar Rush (2005-2006)

Zoom into the life of 15-year-old Kim, navigating her way in the coastal town of Brighton. Aha! A crush. On her best friend, Sugar. Kim's coming out, teenage angst, and quirky family form the crux of this tale. But with Sugar's wild ways and Kim's innocence, things are anything but straightforward. Love's sweet, but sometimes it's just a Sugar Rush.

8. Transparent (2014-2019)

Picture a family, seemingly normal, until the patriarch, Mort, has a revelation: he identifies as a woman, Maura. The Pfefferman clan's reactions? A mishmash of support, confusion, and personal revelations. Dive deep into each member's life – from Sarah's exploration of her sexuality to Josh's relationship woes. It's a family tree, but with more branches than you'd expect. The roots? They run deep.

9. Gentleman Jack (2019-present)

Set the clock back to 19th-century England. Anne Lister, not your average landowner, is on a quest. What's the mission? Marriage to a wealthy heiress. But twist! She's open about her desire for women. Through her coded diaries, we journey alongside Anne, understanding her challenges and conquests in a society that's not quite ready for her brand of fierce.

10. Schitt's Creek (2015-2020)

Imagine being filthy rich and then... poof! Broke. The Roses, once mega-wealthy, now find themselves in the titular town of Schitt's Creek. David, the pansexual son, navigates love with the quirky Patrick. Alexis, the socialite daughter, rebuilds her life. The parents? Trying to adapt. It's like watching a phoenix, except it's a whole family, rising from... well, Schitt.