Best gay, queer, lesbian and bisexual kisses on screen in TV and films

If, like myself, you’re a sucker for love and affection, then intimate and sex scenes between your favourite TV and film characters must be your kryptonite. We’ve all let out quiet gasps, held our breath, smiled fondly or even squealed when two love interests kiss. But, because they're still so rare, love and kissing scenes are even more special when they’re performed by queer characters.

It’s not often that we get to see saucy or romantic scenes including LGBTQ+ characters but as this sight slowly but surely becomes more normalised on our screens, we present the best queer, lesbian, bisexual and gay kisses in TV and film.

Moonlight: Chiron and Kevin

This list isn’t ranked in order but I had to put Oscar-winning film Moonlight first. As viewers watch the main character grow from shy, innocent Chiron into teenaged Chiron who comes to terms with his sexuality and then self-assured, adult Chiron, we can’t help but be protective over him. This makes his relationship with love-interest, Kevin, all the more captivating. Queer desire being shown between African-American men just isn’t the norm across TV and film, so when Chiron and Kevin share an intimate first kiss (and a little bit more) while alone on a beach… just, goosebumps.

POSE: Damon and Ricky

Damon and Ricky are complete opposites in TV series, POSE, but the pair find each other after Damon is thrown out by his homophobic parents, taken in by house mother, Blanca and exposed to the glamorous LGBTQ+ ballroom culture of the 1980s. When alone together, Damon is shy, telling Ricky he has never kissed anyone before, while Ricky is confident and experienced. Ricky twirls Damon around and attempts to put him at ease before kissing him for the first time.

Orange is the New Black: Poussey and Soso

Arguably an unexpected coupling, character Poussey and Soso end up being pretty perfect for one another. Poussey’s laidback, calm and warm demeanour mellows Soso out, who binge-worthy OINTB initially portray as an irritating character who won’t stop talking. In the early stages of their relationship, they have a serious conversation about whether this is enough for Soso, who isn’t used to dating women. After some reassurance and "I love you’s", they share a quick but sweet kiss.

Sex Education: Eric and Rahim

Eric is everyone’s favourite character in the comedy-drama TV series, Sex Education, right? He’s openly gay, loud and hilarious and deserves all the love and kisses in the world, but develops a strange, secret relationship with his bully, Adam. So, when new student Rahim joins the school and sets his sights on Eric, he finally gets sincere love. Their first date takes place in an arcade where they have a dance off and Rahim makes the first move out in public, much to Eric’s surprise, but delight.

Euphoria: Jules and Rue

Although the characters of Euphoria are complex, it is not often that you see love stories involving trans girls and cis girls. After a really rough night, Jules visits Rue at her bedroom window and asks to stay the night. I’m a sucker for cinematography and the build-up before kissing scenes and this particular scene revolves (literally) with both girls laughing and joking together at school and then sharing their first kiss in Rue’s bed.

Atypical: Casey and Izzie

When Casey and Izzie meet in Atypical, they initially don’t get along, but that frosty connection quickly turns into something quite sweet, like a ‘will they, won’t they’ kind of moment. Before they first kiss, Izzie confronts Casey about her feelings (for the second time). Casey had been avoiding her after she pretty much confessed her feelings for her, but Casey interrupts Izzie’s confrontation by kissing her while they’re on the outdoor school track at night. Finally!

Schitt’s Creek: David and Patrick

David is one of the funniest characters of the lovable TV sitcom, Schitt’s Creek, but he’s also quite closed and untrusting, inviting his friend, Stevie to his date with Patrick. Once Stevie convinces David that she’s intruding on their date and Patrick is clearly into him, she leaves and the men have a lovely evening alone together. Patrick drives David home and David is the one who leans in to kiss Patrick. The best thing about this scene is that Patrick admits that that was his first kiss with a man, thanking David for being the one to make the first move. It’s a very pure moment and the first kiss of many for these two lovebirds.

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