Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Groundbreaking LGBTQ+ series has lots of heart, sex, drugs.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Queer as Folk
What's the Story?
QUEER AS FOLK (2000–2005) is a groundbreaking dramatic series that centers on the lives of five gay men living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The American adaptation of the British show of the same name features comic book lover Michael Novotny (Hal Sparks), sexually promiscuous ad exec Brian Kinney (Gale Harold), artist Justin Taylor (Randy Harrison), former Mississippi native Emmett Honeycutt (Peter Paige), and accountant Ted Schmidt (Scott Lowell). When they're not working or hanging out at Babylon, their favorite club, they each focus on their own personal, and often complicated, relationships. These include friends like Lindsay Peterson and Melanie Marcus (played by Thea Gill and Michelle Clunie, respectively); Michael's mom, Debbie (Sharon Gless), a proud and active PFLAG member who serves as the group's matriarch; and later, Ben Bruckner (Robert Gant). From romantic tensions and raising a family to coping with homophobia, violence, and rejection, they try to enjoy life and stay true to themselves while relying on each other to keep going.
Is It Any Good?
This entertaining, soapy drama was the first hour-long series in the United States that centered on the gay community. Queer as Folk's storylines about relationship woes, professional conflicts, family tensions, and internal struggles are contextualized within gay culture. The day-to-day pursuits of the characters reveal some of the many political and social obstacles the community faced at the time, many of which are still being grappled with today.
The series has its share of campy moments and sexual exploits, and the writing improves as the seasons go on. Viewers will note how it approaches many of its themes from a decidedly gay male point of view (a fact which led to Showtime's The L Word in 2004). Nonetheless, one can appreciate how Queer as Folk broke the boundaries of mainstream adult dramas, and the important place it has in American television history.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the way the LGBTQ+ community has been portrayed in the media over the years. What are some of the stereotypes used to characterize members of this community? Has the use of these generalizations reduced over the years?
What do you think the long-term impact of Queer as Folk has been on American television?
How do the characters in this show demonstrate compassion, courage, and empathy? Why do you think these are important character strengths?
TV Details
- Premiere date : December 3, 2000
- Cast : Hal Sparks , Gale Harold , Peter Paige
- Networks : Showtime , Hulu , Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Activism , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Empathy
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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