October marks LGBTQ+ History Month, a time to recognize the role models, civil rights movements and contributions of queer and transgender folks to our collective communities.
As the month opens and National Coming Out Day approaches on Oct. 11, the Charlatan’s editors and contributors have rounded up our favourite films, albums and other mediums created by queer artists.
Explore some of our recommendations, and find your own art from an LGBTQ+ artist to continue consuming work from queer creators this October and beyond.
Alexa MacKie: Arts Editor, Vol. 55; Managing Editor, Vol. 54
LGBTQ+ History Month pick: All of us Strangers, film directed by Andrew Haigh
I’ve never seen grief more accurately, poignantly portrayed than in queer director Andrew Haigh’s All of us Strangers.
The ever-sweet Andrew Scott and tormented Paul Mescal play cryptic lovers, both living lonely lives inside an eerie, darkly-lit London highrise. Meanwhile, Scott’s character routinely visits his childhood home, where his parents, who died in a car crash, seem to be living peacefully as if nothing ever happened.
Haigh’s screenplay is seeped in rich, emotional dialogue that bridges artistic narrative flow with realistic conversations. The film portrays an ebb-and-flow gay relationship built upon a deep understanding of one another. Then, it pairs that emotional connection with questions about belonging and what it means to heal and move on.
It’s a heartbreaking movie that I’ve only seen twice but it reminds me of the beauty in stirring, trusting LGBTQ+ relationships.
Zoe Pierce: Sports Editor, Vol. 55
LGBTQ+ History Month pick: Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You, album by Ethel Cain
Seeing three instrumentals and a 15-minute closing track might not be everyone’s cup of tea when getting into an album, but I think Ethel Cain’s artistic choices on Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You creates a beautiful 10-song record that will definitely appear on my Spotify Wrapped.
My favourite part of the album is the many different ways you can interpret each song. I’d especially encourage listening to “Nettles,” the first single, and thinking about what the lyrics mean to you. I’ve seen countless opposing interpretations, and I think that’s a real testament to Cain’s strong writing.
“F*ck Me Eyes” and “Waco, Texas” (the 15-minute track) are my other two favourites, songs I wish I could go back and experience again for the first time.
In April 2025, Cain became the first openly transgender musician to land a top 10 album on the Billboard charts with her debut album, Preacher’s Daughter, which came out in May 2022.
At a time when trans rights in the United States are facing setbacks under President Donald Trump, it feels especially powerful to witness a trans artist achieving the highest levels of success. Her international tour, currently underway, is also partnering with The Ally Coalition, donating one dollar from every ticket to organizations supporting the trans community.
Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You will go down as one of the strongest pieces of storytelling on an album and without question, go down as my favourite album of 2025.
Abyssinia Abebe: Features Editor, Vol. 55; Podcast Co-host, Vol. 54
LGBTQ+ History Month pick: “Ocean Eyes,” a song by Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish’s “Ocean Eyes” is a song that always stays with me.
While not explicitly a queer song, Eilish has openly embraced her queer identity. The song’s ethereal tone and vulnerable lyrics capture the tenderness of first love.
Listening to it year-round is a reminder to honour the emotions that connect us, no matter who we love. The dreamy production paired with Eilish’s delicate vocals creates a sense of floating. For me, it’s a song about vulnerability, about being swept away by feelings that are bigger than you can fully put into words — except the amazing Eilish did it!
“Ocean Eyes” has touched listeners across identities because of its emotional honesty and impact. During LGBTQ+ History Month, it’s a reminder that art doesn’t always have to shout to be powerful — sometimes the quietest expressions of love are the ones that stay with us the longest.
Usman Karimi: Volunteer Contributor, Vol. 55
LGBTQ+ History Month pick: Illinois, album by Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens has cemented himself as one of the most influential and important artists of his generation. To me, the album that captures the pinnacle of his artistic abilities is his magnum opus, Illinois.
On the surface, this album is a sprawling, lush and incredibly detailed celebration of the titular state. It explores historic events like the Black Hawk War and the Great Chicago Fire, as well as more recent occurrences such as UFO sightings and the crimes of serial killer John Wayne Gacy Jr. — but that’s only the surface.
The real heart of the album lies in the juxtaposition between these outlandish, larger-than-life stories and Stevens’s own personal life. For every “Jacksonville,” there’s a “Casimir Pulaski Day,” where the focus shifts from the richness of Illinois to the untamable depths of the human heart.
The album evolves from a sweeping narrative into a personal space for Stevens to reflect on his struggles with identity, lost love and mortality. Both sides, the expansive and the intimate, blend together seamlessly to form an album that truly speaks to the human experience, beyond a singular state or person.
Marissa Meilleur: Culture & Community Editor, Vol. 55
LGBTQ+ History Month pick: The Fosters, TV show created by Peter Paige and Brad Bredeweg
Although I haven’t watched The Fosters in years, I remember it often for its strong representation of the LGBTQ+ community in a time when queer characters in mainstream TV were few and far between.
The Fosters follows – you guessed it – a foster family, led by queer couple Stef Foster and Lena Adams. The multiracial family includes a biological child, adopted children and foster children, which also provides intersectional representation for non-nuclear families.
As the characters go through their everyday lives, plot lines with the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender characters often shed light on queer experiences with identity and discrimination.
The Fosters is a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream TV. From featuring the first male same-sex wedding to appear on daytime TV, to broadcasting the youngest same-sex kiss, this show made history.
Sophia Laporte: Volunteer Contributor, Vol. 55 and Vol. 54
LGBTQ+ History Month pick: I Saw the TV Glow, film directed by Jane Schoenbrun
Immediately when thinking of a pick for LGBTQ+ History Month I thought of I Saw The TV Glow, a film that came out in the summer of 2024 and completely rewired my brain.
Seeing Jane Schoenbrun’s film with dozens of others, the audience sat stunned and moved by the end of the film before bursting into applause.
If you haven’t seen it, I Saw The TV Glow follows teenaged Owen, a quiet and introverted boy who befriends the young Maddy over their shared love of fictional late night television show The Pink Opaque. Both feel more connected to the show’s main duo than their own lived realities and troubled home lives. Owen is faced with a tough decision when he’s given an opportunity to explore a different reality and identity inside The Pink Opaque.
The film has received thorough praise for its exploration of queer themes and transgender identity. Some of my favourite parts of I Saw The TV Glow included the feature of original song “Claw Machine” by Sloppy Jane and Phoebe Bridgers, its many vibrant and colourful callbacks to ‘90s television and a moment where the fourth wall is broken as the audience reads a colourful message on the sidewalk meant just for them.
Main actors Jack Haven and Justice Smith put on incredible performances. The film’s ending is the source of most of its mixed reviews, but I believe it’s a part of what makes the film such a visionary creation and as important as it is to LGBTQ+ audiences.
Elissa Mendes: Editor-in-Chief, Vol. 55; Opinions Editor, Vol. 54; News Editor, Vol. 53
LGBTQ+ History Month pick: The discography of Ethel Cain
If Americana-gothic-horror turned into a person with hauntingly beautiful vocal talent, that human being would be transgender artist Ethel Cain.
Her siren song of a voice is ethereal with unbelievable range, and my favourite track is, without shame, her summer anthem “Crush.” Cain’s vocal talent is matched only by her lyricism, bringing stories about identity loss, grief and personal growth.
There is something deeply comforting about the beauty and range in her raw, unsettling work — soothing listeners in her ability to find allure in our strange shared reality.
Kyla Silva: Volunteer Contributor, Vol. 55 and Vol. 54
LGBTQ+ History Month pick: She Drives Me Crazy, novel by Kelly Quindlen
Enemies to lovers? Check. Fake dating? Check. Forced proximity? Check. Lesbian romance with a happily-ever-after ending? Check.
Kelly Quindlen’s She Drives Me Crazy is a perfectly-paced young adult rom-com novel, making it easy to take down in one sitting.
Full of witty banter and the sporty rivalry of a cheerleader and basketball player high school romance, Quindlen breathes new life to classic tropes. I live for enemies to lovers, and the main characters Scottie and Irene deliver!
Through characters full of realistic flaws and charm and drama that picks up at every page turn, it’s the teen romance young lesbian and sapphic girls deserve.
Maia Tustonic: News Editor, Vol. 55 and Vol. 54
LGBTQ+ History Month pick: Bite Me, album by Reneé Rapp
As a fan of Reneé Rapp since her early Broadway days, it’s a delight to see her second studio album be unapologetically loud, messy and queer.
Bite Me, released in August 2025, embraces themes of independence and sexuality in 12 songs uplifted by Rapp’s signature powerhouse vocals. Rapp tells a story — summed up in lead single “Leave Me Alone” — of letting go of her “Good Girl” persona (track six of the album) to dance, make mistakes and enjoy young adulthood.
At the same time, the album follows the pitfalls Rapp stumbles into along the way, encapsulated in tracks chronicling passionate and tumultuous relationships, like “Mad” and “Sometimes.”
The album recounts the ups and downs of being a 20-something — a message that resonates with many of us. My personal favourite songs include “Why Is She Still Here?,” “Shy” and “I Think I Like You Better When You’re Gone.”
Daniel Fraser: Opinions Editor, Vol. 55
LGBTQ+ History Month pick: Queer, film directed by Luca Guadagnino
Luca Guadagnino’s Queer is a romantic drama adapted from a William Burroughs novella.
Set in 1950s Mexico City, it follows William Lee (Daniel Craig), a gay and substance-using American expat who falls in love with younger man Eugene Allerton (Drew Starkey).
The movie’s surreal visuals and anachronistic soundtrack (including Prince and Nirvana) all blend together to create a haunting exploration of desire, loneliness and identity.
Queer is a gut-wrenching portrayal of self-hatred, capturing the tension of living authentically in a repressive era.
Grace Hawkes: Volunteer Contributor, Vol. 55; co-op student, Vol. 54
LGBTQ+ History Month pick: Black Polish’s discography
Black Polish entered my radar through their EP Out of Place.
With intensely honest anthems that alternate between head-banging bops and heart-wrenching ballads, Black Polish encapsulates a queer coming-of-age filled with all-consuming crushes and the uncertainty and restlessness of youth. Personal favourites include “Sophie” and “Baby Tonight,” which keep you coming back with their playful, infectious energy.
Their most recent album, Forest, takes a more introspective turn, exploring their connection with gender, sexuality and mental health. Conveyed through soft, clear vocals floating above ethereal and creative instrumentals, the album remains accessible to anyone through its raw vulnerability and undeniable beat.
Standout songs include “Graves” and “Void,” whose haunted melodies, intense backing tracks and cutting lyricism pierce the heart.
Cassandra Bellefeuille: Social Media Manager Vol. 55, News Editor Vol. 54
LGBTQ+ History Month pick: Portrait of a Lady on Fire, film directed by Céline Sciamma
Portrait of a Lady on Fire is one of the most moving queer films I’ve ever seen, and it’s stuck with me since the first time I watched it in high school.
The film tells the story of two women in 18th-century France. Marianne, a painter, and Héloïse, the reluctant subject of her portrait. The two fall deeply in love within the confines of a brief, stolen period of freedom.
What makes the movie so powerful isn’t just the romance, but the way Céline Sciamma captures intimacy. Every glance, silence and gesture is weighted with meaning. The film explores themes of love, memory and art’s power to preserve fleeting connections.
For me, this movie is a reminder that love, even when marked by loss, is filled with beauty, depth and dignity.
Naeema Abdullahi: volunteer contributor, vol. 55; co-op student, vol. 54
LGBTQ+ History Month pick: City of Ghosts, Tunnel of Bones and Bridge of Souls, a novel trilogy by V.E. Schwab
Most popular for her New York Times bestselling novel, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, Victoria “V.E.” Schwab is a queer author from California.
Their newest adult fantasy book, Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, has already captured hearts, following three queer women across centuries as they are transformed into vampires.
However, her three-part middle grade series featuring City of Ghosts, Tunnel of Bones and Bridge of Souls is often overlooked, but remains my favourite.
The books follow Cassidy Blake, daughter of parents who travel the world filming a documentary about ghosts. What her parents don’t know is that Cassidy can cross over the veil separating the world of living from the world of the dead.
Her parents’ work takes Cassidy to famously haunted cities: Edinburgh, Paris, and New Orleans where her adventures make for a chilling, unforgettable storyline.
Though aimed at middle graders, Schwab’s commitment to detailed world building, thoughtful character development and a fast-moving plot makes the books guaranteed to get any reader out of a slump.
Something about the simple nature of a good ghost story that awakens our inner child makes the series enjoyable for readers of all ages.
Simon McKeown: Photos Editor, vol. 55
LGBTQ+ History Month pick: “Incomprehensible,” song by Big Thief
In Big Thief’s most recent album, Double Infinity, Adrianne Lenker sings about Ontario three times. Let me tell you: that made my brain explode because not even I knew about Old Woman Bay.
Okay, that’s a fan-boy-tangent for another time.
Formed nearly a decade ago, listening to Big Thief, with Lenker’s lyrics at the helm, is like peering into her private life. It’s an intensely intimate vignette into love, loss, vulnerability and Thunder Bay, Ont.
In the foggy past, Lenker has loosely identified herself as queer, recently announcing a relationship with singer-songwriter Staci Foster. Her identity has vividly shaped Big Thief’s musical output which has rightfully revolutionized indie-rock.
Admittedly, I’ve seen her live once and will never live it down. Writing about it now, I might see if I can see her again . . .
Michael McBean: News Editor, vol. 55
LGBTQ+ History Month pick: Schitt’s Creek, TV show created by Dan and Eugene Levy
My pick has to be Canada’s own Schitt’s Creek, a heartfelt sitcom that shifted queer representation on TV.
What makes it special isn’t just the sharp writing or eccentric characters (shout out to Moira Rose) but how it shows a same-sex relationship without trauma. Co-creator Dan Levy’s choice to create a town free of homophobia allowed David and Patrick’s love story to flourish.
It made me so happy to see what started as a small CBC show thrive on the international stage.
On a personal note, I love rocking my Rose Apothecary sweater, and I even got to visit the motel set. This show will always be a favourite of mine.
Georgia Looman: Managing Editor, vol. 55
LGBTQ+ History Month pick: Rina Sawayama’s discography
Rina Sawayama, who I was introduced to in 2020, with her electric “XS” music video, is one of my favourite artists.
I love the storytelling and unique visuals in her music videos and songs, as well as the authenticity of her music. You can tell it was inspired by her real-life experiences as a pansexual Asian-British woman and her journey of self-discovery.
Some of my favourites are “This Hell,” “Hold The Girl,” “Catch Me In The Air” and “Cherry.”
I appreciate how she experiments with a variety of sounds, styles and genres, and how each song is bursting with colour and personality. She awakens different emotions with her music and the accompanying music videos go deeper into the story she’s trying to tell.
As someone who feels that music videos are just as important as the song, I couldn’t be happier.
Alisha Velji: Graphics Editor, vol. 55, 54 and 53
LGBTQ+ History Month pick: The Owl House, a TV show created by Dana Terrace
One of my favourite shows is The Owl House, an animated series created by Dana Terrace. On the surface, it’s a whimsical fantasy about Luz Noceda, a human girl who stumbles into a magical world called the Boiling Isles, but what makes it stand out is its heart, storyline and representation.
Luz is a bisexual Latina teen, and her relationship with Amity, a rival-turned-love interest, is one of the first openly queer romances in a Disney Animated cartoon. Seeing their story unfold with such joy and authenticity was incredibly meaningful. Also, it’s not just them: many main and side characters are queer, which makes the show feel even more like a celebration of identity, difference and love in all its forms.
Beyond its groundbreaking representation, the show’s art style is stunning, silly and dreamlike, full of strange creatures and vibrant settings that feel both cozy and otherworldly.
The Owl House isn’t just fun to watch, it’s magical, affirming, and the kind of show I’ll recommend to anyone, especially during LGBTQ+ History Month.
Lisha Lao: Copy Editor, vol. 55
LGBTQ+ History Month pick: Less, a novel by Andrew Sean Greer
Andrew Sean Greer writes Less, a gorgeous story about love, self discovery and the meaning of life itself.
The gay titular character, Arthur Less, is a self-described middle-aged, failed author who spends the novel running around the world avoiding his heartbreak. He struggles and fails as much as he succeeds weaving a complex narrative filled with care and comfort.
What stands out to me is the resilience and sincerity Greer brings us through the protagonist; an older gay man who’s lived and continues to live. I’ve never experienced a story, a comedy at that, with so much heart.
Less will have you laughing at his antics and shortcomings, cheering at his accomplishments, but most of all, reflecting on your place in the world and those who have fought for us to live the life we have now.
Because what’s more important than love —for all people always.
Featured graphic by Alisha Velji/the Charlatan
