Ah, October! With it comes the changing leaves, cuter, warmer outfits, pumpkin pie, and a packed lineup of LGBTQ+ shows and films, each one adding depth and visibility to queer lives onscreen. More than a seasonal roundup, this month’s offerings, from Somebody Somewhere to Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan & Sara, mirror the fight for authentic representation as a lifeline for queer audiences—something we explored deeply in our recent article, Screen Time is Survival: How Queer Representation Fights Back Against Hate.
In a time when LGBTQ+ communities are under increasing political and social pressure, having access to genuine, varied portrayals of queer lives on-screen isn’t just about feel-good TV; it’s about survival, solidarity, and strength. Here’s a dive into this October’s must-watch shows and how they contribute to the ongoing battle for visibility, empathy, and understanding.
Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan & Sara — Hulu
Imagine being impersonated online, building up to decade-long deception and betrayal that impacts relationships with your fans, and ultimately, your sense of security. This real-life nightmare, told in Hulu’s Fanatical, follows queer indie icons Tegan and Sara Quin as they navigate the chilling effects of catfishing and parasocial fan culture.
For LGBTQ+ viewers, this documentary serves as a mirror, highlighting the complicated relationship between queer icons and their fans, and the blurred lines between support and possession; appreciation and appropriation. Unlike most fan-docs, Fanatical confronts the damaging side of visibility—a theme that resonates with many LGBTQ+ figures who face similar pressures in hyper-visible public spaces. As we noted in Screen Time is Survival, true representation is complex, requiring us to confront uncomfortable truths while still celebrating our icons. Fanatical does just that, challenging viewers to reflect on the ways we relate to, and sometimes consume, our own heroes.
Somebody Somewhere Season 3 — HBO Max
Somebody Somewhere has consistently been one of the most realistic portrayals of queer life in small-town America. The show’s lead, Sam, played by Bridget Everett, is deeply relatable in her awkwardness, loneliness, and humour as she reconnects with her hometown’s quiet but resilient queer community. This season, we’ll see Sam explore her queerness alongside familiar themes of grief, friendship, and growth.
For LGBTQ+ viewers, particularly those in rural areas, the show is a balm—proof that queer joy and community can thrive in unexpected places. In the landscape of queer media, often dominated by urban settings and fast-paced lives, Somebody Somewhere is a rare gem, showing that queer stories don’t need glitz to resonate. This unfiltered, unglamorous portrayal taps into what many of us have known all along: queer resilience doesn’t require big cities or epic adventures, just an honest space to exist. Shows like this push back against narrow representations, reminding us that everyone’s queer experience matters.
For queer audiences, this October’s shows aren’t just entertainment—they’re lifelines, mirrors, and sometimes even armour against a world that’s still learning to get over itself enough to see us clearly.
Velma Halloween Special & What We Do in the Shadows Season 6 — HBO Max & FX
If spooky season is all about leaning into otherness, the Halloween specials of Velma and What We Do in the Shadows give queer viewers exactly what they crave. The Velma special presents a canonically queer Velma and her friends navigating a haunted party—a setup that’s a little camp, a little creepy, and deeply relatable for anyone who’s ever felt “othered” themselves. Meanwhile, What We Do in the Shadows dives into its signature pansexual chaos, offering humour and horror without apology.
These shows tap into a long-standing connection between queer culture and horror, where themes of exclusion, transformation, and liberation run wild. They allow LGBTQ+ audiences to explore their experiences in exaggerated, imaginative ways, confronting our fears while also laughing in the face of them. Shows like these remind us, as we wrote in Screen Time is Survival, that sometimes, simply having fun while embracing our differences is itself an act of defiance. Horror can be a playground for queer creators and fans alike, turning fear into freedom and otherness into strength.
Why This Content Matters
We’re at a critical moment in the fight for queer representation. Each of these shows and films—whether exploring fan culture, small-town life, or horror tropes—expands what it means to be queer on screen. They give voice to experiences often sidelined, showing the world that LGBTQ+ lives aren’t “special topics,” but are as rich, diverse, and deserving of space as any other. As highlighted in Screen Time is Survival, representation isn’t just about “being seen”—it’s about being understood in all our messy, beautiful humanity.
These October releases remind us that queer stories don’t need to be grand gestures to be impactful. When we see ourselves reflected in nuanced, authentic ways, it’s a powerful act of validation that counters the dehumanizing narratives we encounter daily. This month’s offerings show that queer survival on screen isn’t just survival—it’s thriving in complexity, in diversity, and in fearless creativity.
With files from Autostraddle.