From Strictly to It’s A Sin and Sex Education: How 2021 became a landmark year for LGBT TV – and long may it continue
metro.co.ukLondon’s gay scene, packed with sweaty dancefloors, unapologetic sex and an entire community of beautiful LGBTQ+ people buoyant with love and freedom, unaware that a deadly virus was silently killing them.It was the show that had everyone talking when it was released in January.
As the nation entered another lockdown, one which for many would be the toughest yet, Channel 4 unleashed its most impactful LGBTQ+ series since Davies’ breakout hit Queer as Folk 21 years ago.
Hunger for LGBTQ+ television had reached starving point. It had been totally absolved from terrestrial television, but in Davies’ trailblazer, it returned with a roar, breaking records for Channel 4’s streaming service All 4 and became the biggest new drama of the year.
As well as inspiring thousands of people to get tested for HIV, no doubt saving countless lives, it was the first domino to fall and start a new chapter for LGBTQ+ people on screen; from involvement in reality TV series – aside from Love Island, the show which still calls us a ‘logistical difficulty’ – to the visibility of trans and non-binary people breaking through with blisteringly brilliant shows such as Feel Good, Sex Education and Sex and The City reboot And Just Like That, one of the most anticipated and precious new series of the year.
