‘Sheer outrageousness’: writers on their favourite LGBTQ+ movie characters

Guardian writers have highlighted their favorite LGBTQ+ movie characters, moving beyond traditional portrayals to embrace more complex and vibrant figures. El Hunt, writing for The Guardian this week, championed Corky from the 1996 cult classic film Bound as a standout character. Corky, an ex-con turned plumber, is depicted as unapologetic and visible, a rarity for queer representation at the time of the film's release. Hunt notes Corky's iconic labrys tattoo, her preference for dive bars, and her eventual escape with a new partner in a Chevy pick-up as elements that defined her as a queer heartthrob. The influence of Corky's character is seen in more recent films such as Bottoms and Love Lies Bleeding. This selection reflects a broader trend of appreciating queer characters who embody a wider spectrum of identities and experiences, from those grappling with self-discovery to those involved in more dramatic or unconventional narratives.