Seven legendary Black LGBTQ+ characters played by LGBTQ+ actors

In honor of Black History Month in the UK, we want to elevate the voices of a too-often silenced community. The LGBTQ+ community would not have achieved the progress it has over the past half century if not for the vital contributions of Black queer figures. Here are 7 characters played by LGBTQ+ actors who help reject this oppressive silence, providing confident, proud portrayals of Black queer life.

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Eric Effiong – Sex Education

With a role in the award-winning Barbie movie, and even being cast as the newest Doctor Who, Ncuti Gatwa is quickly taking the world by storm. But it's his initial portrayal of the eccentric beauty that is Sex Education’s Eric Effiong that has left a huge impact on queer viewers. Playing the role of the lead character’s best friend, it would have been easy for Eric to be another quirky gay sidekick, existing only in stereotypes and cliches. But the nuanced depth with which Gatwa plays him launches him to the unquestionable star of the show.

With storylines focusing on the impact of religion on his sexuality, the difficulties faced with his family and school bullies, how valued he feels towards his friends and, fittingly, his gradual understanding of educational sex topics, this tremendous character is a key example of representation done to perfection. Passion, time and care were put into creating the character of Eric Effiong, and it shows. All four seasons of Sex Education are available on Netflix now.

Elektra Evangelista – Pose

Said with all the love in the world for every character in this show - but Pose would be nothing without the indispensable inclusion of Elektra Evangelista. Performed to perfection by Dominique Jackson, this hardened character initially comes across as cold-hearted and needlessly cruel to her fellow LGBTQ+ outcasts. But as viewers delve deeper into her past, we learn that she has had to fight her whole life simply for the right to exist in peace. Every difficult decision she made was out of love for the community she found sanctuary in, eventually learning to soften up around those who care for her.

Perhaps the most iconic aspect of her character is her unparalleled sharp wit. Elektra provides the show’s greatest comebacks, ready to leave any transphobe that comes her way absolutely devastated. Jackson’s commanding voice and hilarious delivery will ring in your ears for hours after watching, in the best possible way.

Moira Strand – The Handmaids Tale

Hulu’s The Handmaids Tale offers a terrifying glimpse into an alternate reality where fertility is at an all-time low, causing America to be taken over by a far-right religious totalitarian government called Gilead. Elisabeth Moss plays June Osborne, a woman forced to take the role of a Handmaid, and bear children for the leaders of the regime. Fighting for freedom alongside her is Moira Stand, who must hide her lesbian identity as Gilead has forbidden LGBTQ+ identities of any kind.

Naturally, this horrifying scenario inspires immeasurable rage in every viewer. So, it’s the struggle for justice that keeps people watching – and Moira is right at the heart of it. Samira Wiley portrays this fight with such brutal honesty and a unique depth that resonates with the show’s huge audience. Seeing how Moira consistently rejects the fascist system and spends every single day trying to help her friends only makes her all the more admirable, in a show that bleeds courage with every episode.

Bill Potts – Doctor Who

Doctor Who is a camp, flamboyant show with an over 60 year history of LGBTQ+ writers and a large queer fanbase. So, it may come as a surprise to find out that the first openly gay companion character only arrived on our screens in 2017, with the wholesome, soulful Bill Potts. Other LGBTQ+ characters have featured in the show of course (e.g, the 51st century pansexual Captain Jack Harkness, who went on to lead spin-off Torchwood), but this marked the first time that a lesbian character played a full-time assistant to the lead role.

Pearl Mackie’s portrayal of Bill Potts is nothing short of heartwarming. Her inquisitive nature, her keenness for adventure, and her intrinsic kindness are just some of the qualities that made Whovians fall in love with her straight away. With time travel still playing a predominantrole, the show sensitively tackles how a Black, queer woman navigates historic periods, whilst also keeping in tune with the natural positive outlook Doctor Who provides. Coupled with Peter Capaldi’s incarnation, the Twelfth Doctor, this teacher and student duo made for one of the most enjoyable relationships in the show.

Doctor Who continues its journey in Black, queer excellence with the casting of Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor. Gatwa discussed how his identity and queerness intersect earlier.

Kwame – I May Destroy You

Rising star Paapa Essiedu played a multi-layered role in Michaela Coel's incredible comedy drama I May Destroy You. Focusing on the impact of sexual assault and the process of coming to terms with it, Coel's empowering drama puts pure character writing at its center. Essiedu's character Kwame faces his own struggle, associating his assault with his identity and displaying signs of internalized homophobia.

It’s a difficult story to tell, and even more difficult to watch unfold, but it is immediately evident that the storyline is depicted with empathy and care for anyone who has experienced a similar situation. Kwame's journey is incredibly performed, and his bond with lead character Arabella is refreshingly realistic. Perhaps the most underrated entry in this list, if you haven’t seen I May Destroy You, you’re missing out!

Elle Argent – Heartstopper

Possibly the most unabashedly happy queer show on the planet, Heartstopper lived up to its title and stopped the hearts of millions of viewers upon its release earlier this year. Based on the equally adorable set of graphic novels by Alice Oseman, this series offers a delightful range of LGBTQ+ identities, with powerful storytelling and an utterly wholesome cast. Among them is Yasmin Finney's character Elle, a trans girl who is the bright and funny best friend of lead characters Charlie and Nick.

This show is a refreshing depiction of the teenage transgender experience, in that it does not feature any tragedy or rejection of any kind. Elle lives a happy life in an all-girls school, quickly making friends with other queer students, and slowly but surely falling in love with the token straight guy of the group, Tao. The third series, which debuted on Netflix this year, only develops this blossoming relationship, offering trans viewers a rare example of genuinely happy, love-filled representation, but with a nuanced and honest perspective too.

Roscoe Babatunde – It's A Sin

The cast and crew of Channel 4 AIDS drama It’s A Sin were completely blown away by the success of the show in 2021. Writer Russell T Davies expressed his genuine surprise that the series went beyond a niche audience of those who experienced the epidemic in the 80s, instead reaching a global audience and spreading awareness to help people who suffer from HIV/AIDS. An essay could be written on the many achievements of the show, but for now we’ll focus on the spectacular performance of Omari Douglas as the fiercely funny Roscoe Babatunde.

The show tells the story of a charming group of LGBTQ+ friends who live in a house share called The Pink Palace. One of these friends is barman Roscoe, who simply oozes confidence, kindness and loyalty throughout the show. His story focuses on the strained relationship with his family, many of whom do not accept his sexuality, and of course his experience of living through the AIDS epidemic. Douglas’ performance will make you laugh and cry and everything in-between, and remains a distinct highlight of an already sensational drama.

Read similar myGwork articles here:

Black History Month: 12 Influential Black LGBTQ+ Voices

The Best TV Shows with Authentic Bisexual Representation

Heartstopper's Yasmin Finney Wants To Be First Trans Bond Girl

Actor Ncuti Gatwa Comes Out as Queer

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