Best of the decade: What were the top 10 LGBTQ+ shows of the 2010s?

American Horror Story (FX, 2011-present)

In 2011, Ryan Murphy broke ground by creating one of the first anthology horror series that included LGBTQ+ characters that weren’t present just to be serial killer fodder. A far departure from his Glee days, in American Horror Story Murphy takes horror movie aesthetics, like haunted houses and witch covens, and intertwines them with dramatic storylines. Each season takes place in a different time and different location, although there are random Easter eggs that tie all of the seasons together. Some elements from of every storyline included in the show are loosely based on actual events. Every season we’re introduced to a new cast of characters played by both new faces and returning actors such as Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, and Emma Roberts.

Up until the past ten years or so, queer people have had little, if anything, to do in traditional horror movies aside from being a random extra who gets killed off within the first twenty minutes. There was even a time when LGBTQ+ characters, especially trans people, were depicted as mentally unstable serial killers (looking at you Sleepaway Camp and Silence of the Lambs). AHS has worked extremely hard to counter that scenario, but making queer characters a main part of the story, even having a handful of them being the hero, or the final girl, of the season. The series has also featured gay icons like Lady Gaga, Cheyenne Jackson, Billy Porter, Joan Collins, Jessica Lange, and Chaz Bono.

Despite the sometimes sexually graphic and violent content, the root of each season typically has some emotional resonance. Most recently in AHS: 1984, the child of a wrongfully convicted serial killer is reunited with his deceased family members when they appear as ghosts at a haunted summer camp. It’s a whole big thing. Female empowerment abounds in each season as well, particularly in AHS: Apocalypse when the AHS: Coven witches return to save the world and defeat the son of Satan. We sometimes miss Rachel Berry and Brittana, but we’re sure thankful to have Miss Robichaux’s Academy.