Pride Month is finally here, and it is just about the right time to celebrate queer visibility in media. Although Netflix could be doing a lot more with queer representation, given how big the streaming platform is and how they present themselves to be inclusive, they still have a lot to offer, particularly when it comes to TV series.

LGBTQ+ representation in TV has come a long way in the last decade. There were plenty of LGBTQ+ shows ahead of their time in the 90s and 2000s, but the 2010s proved to be the decade during which queer stories and characters moved towards the mainstream. Indeed, LGBTQ+ TV shows are no longer considered a niche category. In fact, a GLAAD study showed that the past year alone saw a record-high representation of queer stories on the small screen. To celebrate this achievement, especially during Pride Month, here are eight LGBTQ+ TV series you can now watch on Netflix.

8 Tales of the City

Based on the novel of the same name, Tales of The City is a 2019 mini drama series, which focuses on Mary Ann who returns to San Francisco to reunite with her friends, as well as all the people living in an apartment complex. The show explores the lives of transgender people and how they deal with their feelings pre-transition and all the confusion that comes with it. Many argue that the show would have been better if Mary Ann (the cis character) had less screen time, allowing for a full focus on queerness, but the Netflix series nonetheless managed to win the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Limited Series at the 31st GLAAD Media Awards.

Related: These Are Our Favorite LGBTQ+ TV Characters of All Time

7 The Untamed

Despite being a global critical success, The Untamed is one series that many might not even have — sadly — heard of. Starring Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo, the Chinese TV series is based on a danmei novel Mo Dao Zu Shi, which tells an explicit romantic story between two soulmates cultivators who try solving mysteries from the past together. Given the predominantly anti-LGBTQ+ mindset of China, the series was censored with homoerotic subtext rather than explicitly telling the queer story. There are 50 episodes on Netflix and believe us when we say that you should give it a watch. Not only is the plot beautifully told, the aesthetics are extremely pleasing to the eye.

6 One Day at a Time

One Day at a Time is a sitcom circling around a Latino Cuban-American family living in Los Angeles, which tackles the important issues of homophobia, immigration, mental health, gender identity, and racism that Latinos face on a daily basis. Despite its success, the show was canceled by Netflix after its third season. Nonetheless, One Day at a Time has been nominated for numerous major awards, such as a Primetime Emmy and a Critics' Choice Television Award. It's disheartening that Netflix claims to want more LGBTQ+ and POC characters on its platform, but whenever they do have them, they don't renew the series. It's a huge reminder that no one knows bitter disappointed better than the queer audience.

5 Orange Is The New Black

As one of the first original Netflix series, Orange Is The New Black used to be the most watched and the longest-running original Netflix series back in 2016. This drama-comedy series is based on Piper Kerman's memoir about her experiences at a minimum-security federal prison. The show stars a variety of different women from different ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities, and each of their characters have their stories told. The women characters are written with so much depth that you can't help but fall in love with each one of them.

4 Young Royals

Young Royals is a Swedish teen drama series revolving around Prince Wilhelm of Sweden and his gay teen romance with his classmate Simon and all the drama that comes with it. The creator Lisa Ambjörn is said to always create a comfortable environment for the actors to act in front of the cameras, explaining why there's no behind the scenes bloopers. Given the fact the story's told from the Prince's perspective, we get to see what it's like to be a closeted teen as a public figure, from panic attacks to how differently he acts around Simon versus in public. The series became a hot topic online upon its release in July 2021, and, per Digital Spy, it's already been renewed for season two, set to be released later this year.

Related: 8 Best International LGBTQ+ Movies to Watch

3 Sense8

We've talked about Sense8 many times before, but it's important to highlight just how crucial this TV show was and is for our generation. The show from the Wakowski siblings was canceled by Netflix after its second season, but not before leaving a huge mark on the streaming platform. Eight different characters from all around the world are telepathically connected and can draw on their strengths and skills to help each other out in daily situations. Sense8 goes way beyond the barriers of gender, sexuality, and race since every character can experience what it feels like to be someone else. From establishing shots that cost thousands of dollars to a love triangle finally getting resolved with polyamory, the show has it all.

2 It’s A Sin

Set from 1981 to 1991 in London, It’s A Sin depicts a group of gay men and their friends, living in the era of the HIV/AIDS crisis in the UK. The show was initially difficult to sell to broadcasts because no one wanted to get involved with a so-called "controversial" topic. However, despite all the prejudice, It’s A Sin was named the most binge-watched show on the All 4 streaming platform. It also created an upsurge of HIV testing across the country. The characters are both brilliantly written in a fun way, the parties are exhilarating, and the tragedies devastating. Series creator Russell T. Davies is surely a master of his craft.

1 Heartstopper

Last but not least, the most recent popular LGBTQ+ coming-of-age British TV series Heartstopper. Based on a graphic novel of the same by Alice Oseman, the series was also written by the same woman. The plot centers mainly on Charlie, who falls in love with his classmate Nick Nelson, but it also explores other characters such as Tao, Elle, Tara, and Darcy. It managed to become one of the Top 10 series in English Netflix series in two days only. It's been announced that the series has been renewed for a second and a third season, so we definitely have stuff to look forward to.