1) Ready Player One comes out this weekend in theaters. The movie follows a young man named Wade Watts who begins his journey to save the OASIS (an incredibly popular virtual reality program) from the hands of an evil corporation. Out actress and writer Lena Waithe appears in the movie as a queer woman and online best friend to Wade. She becomes part of the team to help save The OASIS and the world within it. Check out a trailer below and click here to see GLAAD’s interview with Waithe!

2) After Louie is out in theaters and on demand today. The film stars Alan Cumming as Sam, a gay man who, while making a film about a friend that he has lost to AIDS, becomes disillusioned with the world around him. Sam connects with a younger gay man, and their relationship allows him to learn about the current gay community, and to become involved with his world. After Louie also stars out actor and activist Wilson Cruz. Check out the trailer for the film below!

3) Sundance hit The Miseducation of Cameron Post has just been picked up by FilmRise. Based off the book of the same name and directed by out filmmaker Desiree Akhavan, it follows young Cameron Post as she is sent to a gay conversion therapy camp. Along the way she meets other young people, who band together in order to fight and survive. The film stars Chloe Grace Moretz and Sasha Lane, among others. The Miseducation of Cameron Post won the coveted Grand Jury prize at Sundance, where GLAAD interviewed the cast and crew. Check out the interview below!

4) In casting news, out lesbian actress Cherry Jones has joined the cast of comedy Wine Country, Amy Poehler’s directoral debut for Netflix. The cast also boast other comedic actors including Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph and out writer and comedian Paula Pell. Another film that recently announced casting is a heist feature from Miranda July that will star out bisexual actress Evan Rachel Wood, as well as a cast including Richard Jenkins and Gina Rodriguez. The title and release date of the film is forthcoming. 

5) The trailer for season two of GLAAD Media Award-nominee The Handmaid’s Tale was released this week. This new trailer shows many returning characters including the lesbian characters of Emily and Moira, portrayed by Alexis Bledel and out actress Samira Wiley. It was just announced that Wiley will be receiving the Vito Russo Award at the New York GLAAD Media Awards. Check out the trailer for season two of The Handmaid’s Tale below, and watch it on Hulu when it’s released on April 25!

6) The Originals has just released a trailer for their final season. Over the course of their five seasons, the show has included multiple LGBTQ characters, including bisexual werewolf Keelin and gay vampire Josh. The trailer shows the Mikaelson family as they deal with more and more action and drama. Watch the season when it premieres on April 20, and until then check out the trailer below!

7) Netflix has just announced that critically acclaimed comedy One Day at a Time will be returning for season three! The sitcom includes LGBTQ characters that are well-rounded and fun to watch, and has much needed representation of queer Latinx characters. Specifically, we see young teen daughter Elena discover her own sexuality and her own relationships going forward. One Day at a Time seasons one and two are currently on Netflix to stream. Check out their trailer below. Netflix has also just announced it will be renewing Queer Eye for a second season! This remake of the life-style make over show gained popularity for its heartwarming and nuanced take on the original premise. Queer Eye season one is currently streaming on Netflix.

8) Starz has greenlit Now Apocalypse, a half-hour series co-written and directed by bisexual writer Gregg Araki. The show follows Ulysses and his friends “who are on various quests pursing love, sex and fame.” However, a supernatural twist lurks in the background. Araki is best known for writing and directing 1992’s The Living End, a gay road trip drama, which is regarded as influential in LGBTQ cinema. He currently is a writer on 13 Reasons Why and Riverdale.

9) Out singer Sia has partnered with David Guetta to bring us a new song! Titled “Flames”, the song is an inspirational pop hit, and the lyric video that was released brings us images of sunshine, beautiful trees, and sunsets. The message of happiness and empowerment was not lost, and you can watch the video here. Star of Love, Simon Keiynan Lonsdale also released a new song and lyric video titled, “Kiss the Boy.” The out actor talked about the song, saying that Love, Simon just gave him inspiration to do something that really encompassed these feelings. The inclusive video features many different couples in love. Watch it below! 

10) Todrick Hall, the beloved gay singer, actor, and YouTube sensation, has just released his new album! Forbidden includes over 30 songs and is available to purchase on iTunes, and to stream on streaming services. This album iscoming off Hall’s recent Broadway run on Chicago and his  documentary about his life and his journey, Behind the Curtain. Forbidden also has a visual component, and you can watch the full length star studded visual album below. 

11) In other music news, Hayley Kiyoko’s new album Expectations has just been released! With her first full length album, Kiyoko continues to write music and direct videos specifically about queer love stories. The singer’s tour for the album also begins on April 11. You can get tickets here, and listen to “What I Need,” off the new album featuring out queer artist Kehlani. 

12) Lemonade Summer is a short comic series written by Gabi Mendez, that provides kid-friendly queer stories through characters that are going on fun, crazy adventures. The comics include many LGBTQ characters, and different discussions of gender and sexuality, all blended into the adventurous, cute story-telling. The series is still in funding, but you can learn all about it here, and check out the Kickstarter video below!