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25 reasons Queer as Folk is essential LGBTQIA+ viewing today

By Marco Saveriano

MIAMI - MARCH 26: (L-R) Actors Randy Harrison, Scott Lowell, Michelle Clunie, Hal Sparks, Robert Gant, Sharon Gless and Thea Gill pose for a photo at the "Queer As Folk" fourth season premiere at the Delano Hotel March 26, 2004 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)
MIAMI - MARCH 26: (L-R) Actors Randy Harrison, Scott Lowell, Michelle Clunie, Hal Sparks, Robert Gant, Sharon Gless and Thea Gill pose for a photo at the "Queer As Folk" fourth season premiere at the Delano Hotel March 26, 2004 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images) /
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Queer as Folk (2000-2005). Photo Credit: Showtime

Gay marriage and commitment in the LGBTQIA+ community

This is something already touched on a lot on this list so let’s just get right to it. Queer as Folk explored many different forms of relationships, so let’s start with the big one: marriage.

At this time in 2000, marriage equality had yet to pass in the United States so most “married” couples in the LGBTQIA+ community were not technically married. They would be committed to one another and have commitment ceremonies, and usually their union would be considered a civil union if anything. From the beginning of the series, the most stable, monogamous couple we’re presented with is Melanie and Lindsay, who welcome their son Gus into the world in the series premiere.

They make their relationship official — or as official as they could make it — during season 2. The entire gang pitches in to make sure it’s a beautiful day, even if there are some issues to overcome, like the fact that Lindsay’s parents refuse to help her pay for it (but paid for her sister’s weddings, plural).

Michael also gets a taste of commitment when he meets Ben and the two start dating seriously, and, as you now know, adopt Hunter. Their relationship has its ups and downs over the series, but on season four, while they’re in Toronto for the Liberty Ride fundraiser, Ben proposes to Michael, and the two get married in Ontario, where it became legal in 2003. And speaking of Toronto, at the end of the series, Mel and Lindsay make the decision to move their family there so they can live somewhere that is more gay-friendly.

The show’s other resident couple, Justin and Brian, come really close to getting married, which was shocking considering Brian refused to be monogamous for so long and claimed marriage was for “straight people”, which leads us to the next slide…

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