It’s the most informative time of the year! In the tradition of Black History Month and Women’s History Month before it, LGBTQ+ History Month celebrates ordinary lives, extraordinary achievements, and icons that the mainstream, well… doesn’t. Of these endangered histories, we’ll never know how much has been lost irretrievably to wilful negligence and erasure. For what remains, we can thank LGBTQ+ activists, educators, and artists for their determination to preserve and publicise the amazing history of our community. And this October, we can thank Rodney Wilson (who made history of his own when he came out to his students during a high school history class in Missouri) that the US is observing its 26th LGBTQ+ History Month—and that the UK, Ireland, Canada, Hungary, Greenland, Brazil, and Berlin have all joined in since!
In the US, Canada, and Australia, LGBTQ+ History Month happily coincides with National Coming Day on the 11th, and commemorates the first March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights in 1979. But Lesflicks is a global community, and that means even more LGBTQ+ History Months to look forward to! After this month’s factual festivities, we’ll be celebrating in February with the UK and Hungary, followed by March with Ireland, and finally in June with Greenland, Brazil, and Berlin. That’s four whole months that we’ll be putting the LBQ+ in LGBTQ+ history, the Lesflicks way: with WLW on screen.
To help you celebrate with us, here’s our list of period films, biopics, and documentaries that delve into sapphic history (and one queer futurism, for good measure)—all available on the Lesflicks VOD! Let us know what you think, and tell us your favourite historical lesbian couple (or bisexual throuple, etc.—mine’s Anne Bonny, Mary Read, and Captain “Calico” Jack Rackham, the 18th century ménage à pirates) on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Counting
A promise made decades ago leads to heartbreaking results
In 1951 Violet and Milly make a love promise over a penny. In 2015, the promise comes due, and Violet must face a heartbreaking reality.
Camp Belvidere
Gin was supposed to be Rose’s mentor, only somehow the table turned and what must have been a friendship turned into a passionate love story. Astrid Ovalles takes us backwards in time, in a forbidden era for homosexuality, where the complications of the times do not prevent love from blooming wildly.
The World Unseen
Nothing can stop you from falling love
In 1950’s apartheid South Africa free-spirited café-owner Amina meets introverted wife Miriam and their unexpected attraction pushes them to question the rules that bind them. In a system that divides white from black and women from men, what chance is there for an unexpected love to survive?
Outitude: The Irish Lesbian Community
Documenting Irish lesbian herstories
Outitude is a heartfelt documentary that attempts to get to the heart of what it means to be lesbian. Featuring interviews and discussions with members of the Irish LGBTQ+ community of all ages and walks of life, Outitude delves into the lives of rural and urban lesbians, poets, writers, activists, self professed bar dykes, and queer and curious women. Telling tales of coming out, experiences of homophobia and the varied types of activism, it demonstrates the richness of the Irish lesbian community. This film is an important all-island documentary for posterity that celebrates the diversity of voices and experiences across generations.
Coleen
Inspired by the Women’s Liberation Movement in Ireland in the 1970s, Coleen is a story about a woman and her three daughters in the face of this movement.
Release date: Friday 9 October 2020
August in the City
The film is set to the theme of love and loss. Two women find themselves completely drawn to each other, but one fears the consequences from society in 1978.
Find out more about August in the City and watch the trailer.
Home
An experimental silent film about love. Also known as ‘This is What We Call Love’. Directed by Christie Conochalla.
The Love Letter
When an unopened love letter from 1945 ends up in the hands of young couple Phoebe and Faith, they not only make it their mission to deliver it to its originally intended recipient, Belle, but also end up reuniting her with Hannah, the woman she loved.
Parallel The Documentary
Race and Sexuality has never been considered one…until now
Filmmaker and Author B. Danielle Watkins chronicles being the only African-American filmmaker in the inaugural lesbian only film festival Cinema Systers Film Festival in Paducah, Kentucky, while simultaneously staying at the historic Hotel Metropolitan that was built to house the likes of Louis Armstrong and Moms Mabley, so that they could have a place of comfort in a racially motivated climate. Exploring the historic importance of the festival as well as the hotel, B. Danielle Watkins finds herself emotionally torn between the history of being celebrated and that of being shunned.
AESOP
Love or Eternity – What would you choose?
In an alternative universe, a world dominating company, AESOP, has developed a pill that ends the aging process, meaning people will not age or die of old age. Unfortunately, there is only enough for 88% of the population, so they must decide who gets it and who doesn’t. Ruth works at AESOP, helping decide who gets the pill and who doesn’t. She meets and falls in love with Marie, and eventually learns that Marie will not be eligible for the pill. The two must then make the most difficult decisions of their lives.
This article was written by:
Maya
Reviewer, Researcher, Writer, Etc
She/Her
Maya Owen writes, sings, and cares about LGBTQ+ representation, among other things.
Instagram: @mayaceliaowen
