5 Movies That Technically Didn’t Make Us Gay (But We Still Like To Imagine They Did)
Pride Month is officially upon us, but that doesn’t mean we explicitly have to watch every lesbian drama that made its artsy debut at Cannes.
We’re claiming these five mainstream films as part of an ‘Honorary Gay Canon’ whether they played a clear role in our sexual awakening, or we simply realized they did long after the fact.
Bend It Like Beckham
Keira Knightly in a sports bra, bob, and headband co-opted the beloved titular footballer’s iconic look, and just took it to a whole other level. While I think attraction to the British actress spans the entire spectrum of sexuality, the LGBTQ community has claimed her character Jules as their own, even if she did confirm to her mother that she was not, in fact, a lesbian. Luckily the film did have plenty of gay representation in Jess’ friend Tony, and her own metaphorical ‘coming out’ as a soccer player. Bend It is one feel-good classic you can watch again and again.
Pirates Of The Caribbean
Like I said, it doesn’t matter your sexuality, in 2003, everyone across the globe was changed forever when we simultaneously realized how much hotter Keira Knightly became when she ditched the 18th century corsets and gowns and donned baggy pirate clothes in this Jerry Bruckheimer mega-hit based on the beloved Disney theme-park rides. While she went on to become the queen of the period drama, including other explicitly queer roles, this film still deserves honorary gay status.
The Mummy
You cannot convince me that Rachel Weisz’ hieroglyphic-reading librarian leading lady was created for anything other than the female gaze. The straight men can drool over Anck-su-namun and her gold body paint all they want, but Evelyn Carnahan was and always will be for the gays. We love her equally in her 1920s British garb and her dessert veils. She’s the only one in the party who is actually capable of finding the treasure, amidst a sea of reckless, gunslinging men, and it’s for this reason she will forever steal the show in our hearts.
Coyote Ugly
Sure, the queer community already has Lost and Delirious and Imagine Me & You, but we’re calling dibs on Piper Perabo’s mainstream breakout hit too. We love rewatching shy Violet Sanford coming into her own at the female run bar, and following her dreams of becoming a singer. The 2000s fashion trends, LeAnn Rimes soundtrack, and Tyra Banks cameo just elevate what would already be a cult classic to another level.
Jennifer’s Body
Do I even have to explain myself with this one? The kiss between Amanda Seyfried and Megan Fox aside (as iconic as it was), this film carried a metaphoric weight in the wake of the exploitative media narratives Fox endured after her role in the Transformers films. Instead of being objectified and victimized, her role as Jennifer Check put her in the role of predator, not prey. She was a woman to be feared, not one who had to be afraid of the world. It was powerful back in 2009 as it does now, and will always have a place in the honorary gay canon.
