15 TV shows LGBTQ people should binge in 2018

Schitt’s Creek (Netflix)

Schitt’s Creek, the laugh-out-loud Canadian comedy, is about the Rose family, who went from high society to losing it all. All they have left are each other, and a small town that dad Johnny bought as a joke for his son years ago and forgot about. Now they have to adapt to living in a cheap motel, mingling with the eccentric locals, and getting jobs.

What makes this show different from the others? Well, first of all, this series includes a main character who is pansexual. David Rose dates both men and women of any gender identity, and it’s never seen as a big deal. The show never had a major coming out scene, and showed David’s relationship with women, like his friend Stevie, as well as men.

There’s even a storyline that had him and Stevie dating the same guy, who was bisexual. For a show that is set in a small town, they sure are pretty liberal-minded!

Openly gay Dan Levy, who plays David and also co-created the show with his father Eugene, is proud that he can normalize this underrepresented character, especially by giving him real relationships. On the latest season, David is in a budding relationship with his business partner, Patrick.

“Telling a queer story on network TV is quite a special thing for me, so I’m quite proud of that storyline in season 4,” he told the National Post. “It’s been amazing to hear, across the board, the response to David.”

The fact that sexuality isn’t a huge deal is what makes this show so great. It’s a lighthearted comedy, and they treat sexuality and coming out the same way. LGBTQ-inclusive shows don’t always have to be depressing and morbid.