Love Lies Bleeding stars Kristen Stewart and Katy O’Brian
RICH LOPEZ | Staff writer
Rich@DallasVoice.com
GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, has released the findings of its 13th annual Studio Responsibility Index this month — and it didn’t look all that great.
The index examines films released in the 2024 calendar year from the 10 top studio distributors — A24, Amazon, Apple TV+, Lionsgate, NBCUniversal, Netflix, Paramount Global, Sony Pictures Entertainment, The Walt Disney Company and Warner Bros. Discovery — including subsidiary distribution labels and majority-owned streaming services. The big picture results? LGBTQ content is at a three-year low.
And that sucks big time. But it’s Pride Month, so let’s focus on what positives we can.
Within its findings, GLAAD also listed approved films that passed its Vito Russo Test, named after the GLAAD founder. Deciding on what to watch or thinking of hosting a Pride movie night? Get started with these films, all of which feature meaningful queer inclusion to celebrate both Pride and the cinematic works themselves.
Love Lies Bleeding (A24): A romantic thriller set in the ’80s, this film follows gym manager Lou and her budding relationship with Jackie, a bodybuilder passing through town. The two women strike up an intense sexual and romantic relationship, but complications arise due to Lou’s criminal family and Jackie’s steroid abuse. The core narrative centers on a love story between two women and never wavers from it, a rarity seen in this genre. The film stars Kristen Stewart, Katy O’Brian and Ed Harris. Stream on HBO Max.
My Old Ass (Amazon): This dramedy follows 18-year-old Elliot during the summer before she leaves for college when a trip on mushrooms causes her to see her 39-year-old self. The older Elliot warns the younger Elliot to stay away from a boy named Chad. Younger Elliot doesn’t think it will be a problem as she’s only been attracted to women. This nuanced and layered bi protagonist fills a representation void, and the film shows Elliot’s world where her identity is accepted and gives her space to figure out what that identity is. Starring Aubrey Plaza and Maisy Stella. Stream on Prime.
Drive-Away Dolls (NBCUniversal): This comedy follows two lesbian best friends, Marian and Jamie, as their road trip to Tallahassee goes awry due to a mysterious package in the trunk of their rental car. The film is, overall, extremely queer and allows lesbian characters to lead the story in an unabashed comedy where they are in on the joke. The film stars Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan. Rent on Prime or AppleTV.
Fancy Dance (Apple TV+): Jax, a woman living on the Seneca-Cayuga reservation in Oklahoma, tries to uncover what happened to her missing sister. Early in the film, Jax goes to a strip club and has a sexual encounter with another woman, Sapphire. These two have an ongoing relationship, cementing Jax’s identity as a queer woman. Queer Indigenous women are a group so rarely seen in the media, and this film told Jax’s story with heart and compassion. Starring Lily Gladstone. Stream on Apple TV+.
The Radleys (Lionsgate): This British film follows the titular family of vampires who refuse to drink the blood of others until their Uncle Will comes to town. The film’s narrator is Rowa Radley, who tells the audience he’s gay in a voiceover at the start. He has a crush on his classmate Evan, who is bisexual, and eventually asks him out. During their date, Rowan struggles to stop himself from harming Evan, so he leaves, but then later finds out that Evan has been bitten by Will. Though Will is the villain of the film, he is not the only queer or bi+ representation nor does his queerness define his villainy. Also, it’s gay vampires! The film stars Damian Lewis. Stream on Tubi.
Discover more passing films — or figure which films to maybe stay away from — by reading the full Studio Responsibility Index at GLAAD.org/SRI/2025.