13 Times Series and Films Brought Visibility to Queer Disability

As the number of queer narratives produced over the years increases, several productions, and even performers themselves, have pushed to tell more inclusive stories. This has extended to stories featuring queer characters. At times these narratives bring great attention to lives impacted by disability. Other times, they shine a light on how the search for purpose and love have no boundary. This week's listicle puts the spotlight on films and series that worked to bring visibility and empowerment to queer characters with disabilities. Leave a comment below if we missed any of your favorites. Warning: Spoilers Ahead!
 

 

Jonathan in Signage (2007)
The 2007 short film Signage presented a unique look into the gay community. The film festival favorite was written and directed by its star Rick Hammerly who played Lex, an aging bachelor who is forced to confront his place in a youth-obsessed queer community while out at a local bar. The 41-year-old Lex crosses paths with Jonathan (Jason Wittig), a younger man who happens to be deaf. They bond as Lex happens to know sign language due to his past dating a deaf man. Hammerly draws parallels between aging and disability in the struggles for acceptance within the queer community. Lex fears that he will be left alone as he ages due to the cultural obsession with youth and beauty, while Jonathan fears the backlash from his deaf friends who believe he shouldn't be dating someone who is hearing. 

 

Nax on Kaos (2024)
The short-lived dark comedy series Kaos explored the corrupt and arrogant gods of Greek mythology as Prometheus looks to overthrow Zeus (Jeff Goldblum) taking advantage of chaos among the gods. Among the large cast of characters in the Netflix series is Nax (Daniel Monks), a version of Astyanax, the leader of the Trojans. In addition to being depicted with hemiplegia, the physical disability shared by Monks, the character of Nax was also shown to be in a same-sex relationship with Theseus (Daniel Lawrence Taylor). In addition to being a committed lover to Theseus, Nax is shown to be a capable leader of the Trojans, even accepting surrender in exchange for the lives of his implicated brethren. While they are killed on the order of Zeus, Nax's soul later manages to escape the Underworld, further illustrating his strength. 

 

Louis-036 on Halo (2024)
Taking place in the 26th century, Halo, the Paramount+ action series based on the video game, presented the story of genetically enhanced human soldiers fighting against the evil Collective of aliens hellbent on eradicating humanity. As part of its attempt to tell a deeply human story, Season 2 introduced Louis-036 (Marvin Jones III), a trainer and mentor to the enhanced Spartans. Louis-036 was presented as a skilled soldier, despite his blindness. His relationship with his husband Danilo (Christian Ochoa Lavernia) and their work to help the Spartans in their fight, while mentoring the soldier Riz-028 (Natasha Culzac), are presented in a positive narrative that gives Riz a sense of family. The tragedy of the narrative is that Louis and his husband become casualties of the war after their three-episode stint.

 

Dylan on Station 19 (2019)
Episode 17 of the second season of the ABC drama Station 19 found the firehouse crew leaving Seattle to help battle L.A. wildfires raging out of control. This mission leads to gay firefighter Travis (Jay Hayden) crossing paths with L.A. first responder Dylan (Nyle DiMarco). There seem to be immediate sparks between the two men, as they help with triage on victims rescued from the fires. Travis finds himself in unknown territory when he realizes Dylan is deaf and he can't effectively communicate with him. Travis enlists his friend and co-worker Gibson (Grey Damon), who knows sign language, to translate Dylan's ASL. This leads to the confirmation that they are both interested, leading to a passionate kiss. The episode put a spotlight on a hearing-impaired character working to save lives as a first responder, while making a romantic connection.

 

Julian Beaumont on Queer as Folk (2022)
The cast of 2022's American reboot of Queer as Folk included Julian Beaumont (Ryan O'Connell), the brother of the show's lead protagonist Brodie (Devin Way). Julian feels the burden of his brother given his cerebral palsy, which he feels causes Brodie to treat him differently. Julian's homosexuality comes as a surprise to his brother with Brodie even hiring a sex worker to have sex with him, leaving Julian annoyed. The series empowers Julian to break free and find his independence as he strikes up a romance with Brodie's ex-boyfriend Noah (Johnny Sibilly). This connection doesn't remain a secret from Brodie for long, forcing him to reckon with his relationship with his brother and finally see him as an adult who can take care of himself. O'Connell made an impact behind the scenes as well, writing multiple episodes of the series.

 

Sam Eliot on The Society (2019)
The Netflix mystery drama The Society told the tale of a busload of teens left to rebuild their community after everyone else in their town mysteriously vanishes. Among them was gay teen Sam (Sean Berdy). The confident hearing-impaired character faced the uncertainty of his family's whereabouts and his brother Campbell's rising instability. He also found himself falling in love with football player Grizz (Jack Mulhern). Sam's confidence would take Grizz aback, as he dealt with his sexuality. Despite Sam's disability, the two found happiness and connection in their romance, with Grizz dedicating himself to learning sign language so that he could easily communicate with Sam, despite Sam's assurance that he could read lips. The series' narrative worked to show the give-and-take involved with relationships and the strength of commitment to partnership equality.

 

Marvin on Queer as Folk (2022)
The 2022 American reboot of Queer as Folk featured the recurring character Marvin (Eric Graise), a queer paraplegic living an open social life while facing a lack of romance due to his disability. He is shown to be an advocate for the New Orleans nightlife to be more accessible, as the local gay bar Babylon lacks a ramp entrance. When Marvin decides to pay for sex from sex worker Ali (Sachin Bhatt), it begins what would become a true romance as the two develop mutual feelings for one another. Marvin's storyline put a spotlight on the struggles of handicapped queer people working to be noticed by their community. The series did not shy away from realistic depictions of sexual encounters experienced by disabled queer people, showing that their imperfections may be different but also put them on equal footing with their fellow flawed gays.

 

Mark & Andrew in Mark's Diary (2019)
Based on the memoirs of its star Maximiliano Ulivieri, the short film Mark's Diary depicts the story of two disabled men who share an immediate and incredible attraction to one another. Mark (Ulivieri) and Andrew (Giacomo Curti) know that the intense feelings they've developed for one another has changed their lives, but can only flourish as a mental construct, a fantasy caused by the reality their disabilities. With a screenplay written and directed by Giovanni Coda with Marco Opp, the film takes viewers on a visual journey through the emotions of the two men, brought to life through dance in a virtual love story. The Italian art film put a spotlight on disability rights and the fight for disabled queer people to find love in an effort to move beyond disability and physicality to treasure a true human-to-human connection. 

 

Ryan Hayes on Special (2019-2021)
Created by Ryan O'Connell, the Netflix comedy Special was inspired by O'Connell's real life. He starred as Ryan Hayes, a 20-something gay man with cerebral palsy who goes on a coming of age journey of independence by moving away from his helicopter mom, taking on his first real job, and embarking on his first romantic adventures. Special's narrative highlighted both the struggles and the comedy that ensue for a young disabled man looking to establish himself in the world. The show never hid the awkwardness of sex or the negative behavior that Ryan exhibited and how his journey affected both his friends and family. As the show's primary writer, O'Connell drew back the curtain on life with disability, providing a refreshingly real portrayal of life and the search for acceptance and love, with all of the obstacles that come along the way.

 

Morgan in Morgan (2012)
The acclaimed 2012 drama follows the title character just after a bike race accident leaves Morgan (Leo Minaya) paralyzed, confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. The story follows his struggle against his feelings of uselessness and loss, just as he develops a new romantic connection with Dean (Jack Kesy). Morgan works to cultivate his new romance while also working to return to racing, despite the concerns of those around him, worried for his fate so soon after his paralysis. The conflict puts his new romance in jeopardy. The drama puts focus on the immediate trauma of disability and it's conflict with Morgan's competitive nature, leading him to attempt to prove his ability by returning to competition. In the end, Morgan has to make peace with his life, his dreams, and his ability in order to move forward and explore a future with Dean.  

 

Leonardo in The Way He Looks (2014)
The 2014 Brazilian coming of age drama The Way He Looks follows Leonardo (Ghilherme Lobo), a blind teen yearning for more independence as he matures. Leonardo looks to break free of the overprotective hovering of his parents and best friend Giovana (Tess Amorim). His blossoming friendship with new arrival Gabriel (Fabio Audi) speeds up his desire to embrace a life without as many boundaries as possible. Leonardo fights even harder to control the path of his life when the teen boys' friendship leads to first love. Writer and director Daniel Riberio presented a critically-acclaimed romance between two young men who begin to see the world in brand new ways, despite Leonardo's disability. Leonardo's desire for independence extends beyond teen romance as he also works to fulfill his dream of attending an exchange program abroad.

 

Michael Rosen on This Close (2018-2019)
At a time when television saw a rise in series about flawed main characters, creators and stars Shoshannah Stern & Joshua Feldman presented a story about typical 20-something best friends Kate & Michael, navigating their challenges in both their careers and their personal lives, told from their perspectives as hearing-impaired people. Michael (Feldman) was a talented yet uninspired writer struggling with his work while also dealing with his love life with his sometimes-toxic boyfriend Ryan (Colt Prattes). Michael & Kate leaned on one another, having developed an uncanny connection, supporting each other on their imperfect journeys to find happiness. The narrative was never shy about portraying the character's flaws, including Michael's evasion of his problems through drug use and sex and his challenging relationship with his deaf mother (Marlee Matlin).

 

Sam in S.A.M. (2020)
The UK short film S.A.M. chronicles the bond that develops between two teens, both named Sam. The 16-year-old classmates couldn't be more different. Sam (Sam Retford) is known as a school slacker, feeling unwanted in his broken home. Sam (George Webster) is popular, with a hovering family and friends looking to keep tabs on him at every turn due to his Down syndrome. When Webster's Sam spots his counterpart alone on the swings at the local park, he strikes up a conversation with him that develops into friendship, as the two express their rebellion and growing care for one another. The short film highlights the yearning of Webster's Sam for independence as he attempts to embrace his maturity, which is accepted by Retford's Sam. This leads to an awakening for both teens, after Webster's Sam learns Retford's Sam is gay, leading to a New Year's kiss.