Everything LGBTQ2S+ coming to streaming platforms in April

With the one-year anniversary of pandemic confinement last month and isolation boredom at its peak, a handy list of LGBTQ2S+ movies and TV shows may be necessary for a quick serotonin boost. Here’s this month’s newly available shows—plus  a few older ones—screening throughout April. From cold-blooded lesbian killers to an animated alligator-human hybrid, this list is bound to have something to cure your lockdown boredom. 

Survivor’s Remorse, Seasons 1 to  4

Apr. 1 on Amazon Prime

All four seasons of Survivor’s Remorse, the American sitcom produced by LeBron James, are being released on Amazon Prime in both the U.S. and Canada on Apr. 1. The show centres around the lives of Cam Calloway (Jessie T. Usher) and his family after they move to Atlanta so that Cam can pursue his professional basketball career. Of the main characters in the series is Cam’s sister, Mary Charles (Erica Ash), also known as “M-Chuck,” who is openly lesbian and outspoken against homophobia throughout the run of the series. While detailing M-Chuck’s varied love interests, the show also touches on heavier topics like Cam’s difficulty finding a church that will accept his sister’s sexuality. 

Mapplethorpe: The Director’s Cut 

Apr. 2 on Video on Demand

The director’s cut of the 2018 American biopic Mapplethorpe, directed by Ondi Timoner, details the life of gay photographer Robert Mapplethorpe (Matt Smith) up until his death from AIDS in 1989. The director’s cut of Mapplethorpe features an all-new soundtrack, previously unseen footage of the artist’s childhood and more details about his iconic black and white photography style and process. The film also explores his relationships with iconic American singer Patti Smith, as well as art curator and collector Sam Wagstaff. 

Shiva Baby 

Apr. 2 on Video on Demand

The 2020 American-Canadian feature Shiva Baby, directed by Emma Seligman, centres on Danielle (Rachel Sennott)—a bisexual Jewish college student who attends a shiva with her family. At the funeral service, Danielle must face her ex-girlfriend Maya (Molly Gordon), and her sugar daddy Max (Danny Deferrari) with his “shiksa” wife Kim (Dianna Agron) and their screaming baby. As Danielle is forced to confront her romantic and career prospects under the intense watch of her family, friends and judgemental peers, she realizes that finding her self-worth through sexual autonomy may not be as powerful as she thinks. Xtra’s Michelle da Silva, who interviewed Seligman for our new “Speed Date” video, calls the comedy “Uncut Gems for bisexual women with liberal arts degrees.”

Carol

Apr. 3 at 9:45p.m. EDT on TCM and Apr. 20 on Amazon Prime

The gorgeous 2015 drama Carol, which garnered six Oscar nominations (though none for its out director Todd Haynes), is based on the 1952 novel The Price of Salt (republished as Carol in 1990) by queer author Patricia Highsmith. Set in the 1950s, the movie stars Cate Blanchett as Carol, a glamorous woman in New York searching for a doll to gift her daughter. She goes into a Frankenberg’s department store and is persuaded to buy a train set instead by the employee, Therese (Rooney Mara), who is also an aspiring photographer. The two women cannot ignore the sparks that fly between them, setting the stage for an affair with disturbing consequences. 

Seeking Dolly Parton

Apr. 5 on Revry

The LGBTQ2S+ romantic comedy Seeking Dolly Parton, directed by Michael Worth, follows a lesbian couple, Charlie (Kavey Barnfield) and Cerina (Anya Monzikova), who decide they want to have a baby. Before taking the big step, the two women find themselves essentially adopting Cerina’s ex-boyfriend, Josh (Michael Worth), to serve as a test run. When old feelings resurface and new feelings arise, this unique family dynamic forces each of them to confront their own “closeted” emotions—and Charlie and Cerina’s decision to use Josh as a sperm donor becomes a much more complicated choice. 

Four Weddings and a Funeral 

Apr. 6 at 10 p.m. EDT on TCM

Despite its outdated gender roles, this 1994 foppish crowd pleaser from director Mike Newell should be celebrated for its depiction of gay couple Gareth (Simon Callow) and Matthew (John Hannah)—the healthiest and happiest relationship depicted in the film… well, until one of them dies (hence the funeral in the title).

The GLAAD Media Awards 

Apr. 8 at 8 p.m. EDT on Youtube and 10 p.m. EDT on Hulu 

The cast of Glee will reunite in honour of the late Naya Rivera, who portrayed Latinx queer teen Santana Lopez on the show. Hosted by Niecy Natch, the 32nd annual event features special guests Bob the Drag Queen, Dan Levy, Katy Perry, Sam Smith, JoJo Siwa, Bretman Rock, Shangela and more. 

Everything’s Gonna Be Okay,  Season 2 

Apr. 9 on Hulu and Freeform (U.S. only)

Everything’s Gonna Be Okay is about Nicholas (Josh Thomas), a neurotic 25-year-old Australian who goes to visit his widowed father and two teenage half-sisters, Matilda and Genevieve, in America. During the visit, Nicholas learns that his father is terminally ill and wants him to become his sisters’ guardian. After their father dies, Matilda and Genevieve learn to cope with their grief and the new reality of their half-brother being responsible for holding it all together. Matilda, who has autism, also begins to explore her sexuality. 

Ride or Die

Apr. 15 on Netflix

Ride or Die is the live-action film adaptation of the manga series Gunjō by Ching Nakamura. The thriller follows Rei (Kiko Mizuhara), a lesbian in her 20s who discovers that her former classmate Nanae (Honami Sato) is in an abusive relationship with her husband. Overcome with her love for Nanae, Rei decides to kill Nanae’s husband. Disgusted by her crimes, she focuses on Nanae’s safety. In the midst of the turmoil, Rei and Nanae turn to each other for love and intimacy. 

Arlo the Alligator Boy 

Apr. 16 on Netflix

The animated musical Arlo the Alligator, directed by Ryan Crego, follows Arlo—a half-human, half-alligator—who leaves his sheltered life in the swamp after learning he’s from New York City. He ventures to NYC in search of his long lost father and meets many colourful characters along the way, including a sassy gay puffball. Arlo the Alligator stars the voices of Michael J. Woodward from season 16 of American Idol; Mary Lambert, singer of “Same Love”; queer icon Jonathan Van Ness; American actress Jennifer Coolidge and more. The Netflix premiere will be followed by a 20-episode TV series called I Heart Arlo that will be available to stream.

Modern Persuasion 

Apr. 17 on Hulu and iTunes

The 2020 update of Jane Austen’s Persuasion, co-written and co-directed by gay director Jonathan Lisecki (Gayby), follows boutique marketing agency rep Wren Cosgrove (Alicia Witt), a career-driven woman who’s trying to find true love in Manhattan. She reconnects with her ex-boyfriend from college when he tries to hire her company—and things get complicated. In the midst of this mess, her protective aunt tries to set her up with Tyler (Christopher O’Shea), who runs a rival agency. To make things even more complicated, when Wren meets her ex-boyfriend’s colleague Sam (Dominic Rains), romantic sparks immediately fly. Suddenly, the girl searching for love is faced with three possible suitors.

Thelma 

Apr. 17 on Hulu

Thelma, the Norwegian supernatural thriller from 2017 directed by Joachim Trier, tells the story of Thelma (Eili Harboe), a lonely and sheltered young woman who lives under the protection of an ultra-religious Christain family. Struggling to make friends after moving to Oslo for university, Thelma begins to experience unexplained seizures. When she falls for another student named Anja, she discovers she has psychokinetic powers. 

Mare of Easttown

Apr. 18 on HBO and Crave

The seven-episode series Mare of Easttown from Brad Ingelsby (Run All Night) stars Kate Winslet as Mare Sheehan, a small-town detective investigating a local murder. Mare became a detective because of her father, who passed away when she was 13. She experienced a rocky relationship with her mother (Jean Smart) growing up. As Mare investigates the murder, she must navigate motherhood, past traumas and a new relationship with Shiobhan Sheehan (Angourie Rice), a queer Australian character. 

Couples Therapy, Season 2

Apr. 18 on Showtime and Crave

The entire second season of the critically-acclaimed docuseries Couples Therapy will be released on Apr. 18. The series gives viewers an inside look into weekly therapy sessions with world-class therapist Orna Guralnik. After eight months of counseling sessions, Guralnik guides three new couples who are working through intense conflicts: A single mother who’s unplanned pregnancy forces her to examine if she actually wants to be with the father; a woman who confronts her husband for failing to provide a good life for her; and the raw trauma of near-fatal alcoholism reveals unexpected consquences for a young gay couple. The second season also sheds light on at-home isolation during the pandemic as the couples examine and reflect on the profound changes in their relationships. 

RuPaul’s Drag Race, Season 13 finale

Apr. 23 at 9:30 p.m. EDT on VH1, Crave and OutTV 

(To be confirmed; the date makes sense given this season has 16 episodes.)

We are a few weeks away from finding out who will be crowned America’s Next Drag Superstar in season 13 of RuPual’s Drag Race. This season has kept viewers on their toes with two groups competing since the beginning, a number of double-saves and a Drag Race COVID-19 documentary that premiered a week before Snatch Game. Will the next drag superstar be from the “winners circle,” or will it be one of the “pork-chopped” queens? At this point, it’s anyone’s crown. 

93rd Academy Awards

Apr. 25 at 8 p.m. EDT on ABC

Will the queer Superbowl find relevance this year? Do we still care? This will be the third Oscars ceremony in as many years without a host since Kevin Hart bowed out of hosting in 2019 following backlash for his homophobic jokes and tweets. For the first time ever, part of the annual awards show will be held at Los Angeles’ historic Union Station for an intimate in-person event, in addition to its usual venue at the Dolby Theatre. Despite being more diverse on other fronts this year, queer representation is particularly lacking: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and The United States Vs. Billie Holiday are the only nominated films featuring a queer main character.

I Lesb You

Apr. 26 on Revry

For Lesbian Visibility Day, LGBTQ2S+ streaming platform Revry is releasing three lesbian flicks. The first one, I Lesb You, is directed by Chilean filmmaker Patricia Albornoz, an advocate for Indigenous and queer rights. The 2016 short follows four stories from one wild night at a lesbian bar in Santiago. 

The Night is Ours

Apr. 26 on Revry

The Night is Ours, directed by Aubree Bernier-Clarke, is a 2014 feature that follows a tomboy named Morgan (Bex Taylor-Klaus) who is tortured by the sudden death of her best friend Olivia (Jacqueline Emerson). At her wake, Olivia mysteriously comes back to life and the pair embark on a reckless road trip. 

Suicide Kale

Apr. 26 on Revry

The 2016 film Suicide Kale, directed by Carly Usdin, is a dark comedy that follows a new couple, Jasmine (Brittani Nichols) and Penny (Lindsay Hicks), as they have lunch with another couple. Jasmine and Penny stumble upon an anonymous suicide note in the home of the hosts and the pair decide to work together to uncover the identity of its author. 

The Great Canadian Baking Show, Season 4 finale

Apr. 4 on CBC and CBC Gem

Ten amateur bakers compete over eight weeks of challenges to be named the winner of the Great Canadian Baking Show. Among the competitors this season is Sheldon Lynn, a 25-year-old baker, software developer and drag performer from Vancouver. Lynn’s drag persona, Pangolin, is a member of Vancouver’s all-Asian drag dynasty, House of Rice.