Happy Black History Month! While consuming all things Heated Rivalry is the only thing that’s been keeping me moderately sane the past couple months, our collective devotion to the show and its characters shows how much we need queer love stories with happy endings. All kinds of queer love stories, not just stunningly beautiful cis men. (And yes, those boys are stunning as fuck.)
So in honor of February, I wanted to round up some Black love stories in books and movies. Turns out, movies and TV that end well for the Black queer characters are HARD to find. I hope that changes. We deserve sunshine too.
Books
Speaking of rivals, Outdrawn by Deanna Grey follows two Black comic book illustrators, Noah and Sage, as they are forced to collaborate.
Work For It by Talia Hibbert is a steamy, angsty rivals-to-lovers small-town romance featuring a broody city boy and a shy farmer. Yes, please!
How Long ‘Til Black Future Month by NK Jemisin is a great speculative fiction short story collection that includes several queer characters, particularly in one of my favorite stories ever, “The Effluent Engine.”
Flirting Lessons is romance heavyweight Jasmine Guillory’s first sapphic romance, and although it’s not my favorite book of hers, it has a lot of the classic Guillory chemistry and banter. Plus, I love a “teach me how to date” trope and flirty bartender Taylor is the perfect teacher for the professionally self-assured but socially awkward Avery.
Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers has been recommended to me for years, and I will get to it this year! It’s the story of usually high-strung Grace, who drunkenly marries Yuki one night in Las Vegas and has to navigate life with her new wife.
Movies
Watermelon Woman is a classic lesbian film written, edited by, starring, and directed by Cheryl Dunyes and is the first feature film directed by a Black lesbian. It’s a funny, heartfelt portrayal of a woman making a documentary about a maybe-queer silent film star while navigating her own complicated romantic life.
Rafiki is the story of two young Kenyan women who fall in love and find joy despite the homophobia of their hometown. Written and directed by Wanuri Kahiu, it was the first Kenyan film to be shown at Cannes.
The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls In Love, directed by Maria Magenti and starring a young Nicole Ari Parker, is a coming-of-age love story between a popular girl (with a boyfriend) who befriends a blue-collar lesbian.
Happy February, stay Black and stay queer!
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