Lesbian Visual Media ++
Lesbian Visual Media ++
A Living Archive
Abstract
Abstract
Lesbian Visual Media ++ is a growing list of movies, tv shows, and short films that contributes to a wide net of Queer Archives across the globe and internet. It was made from love and the desire to organize a watchlist that began in my notes app. Now it is transforming into an ever evolving archive on Google Sheets full of (mostly) fictional narratives that represent relationships and identities of lesbians, WLW, sapphism, and gay yearning. Stories that are written by cis-straight people all the way to queer individuals. They are related to self discovery, yearning, chemistry, sometimes the male gaze, lust, and community.
Lesbian Visual Media ++ is a growing list of movies, tv shows, and short films that contributes to a wide net of Queer Archives across the globe and internet. It was made from love and the desire to organize a watchlist that began in my notes app. Now it is transforming into an ever evolving archive on Google Sheets full of (mostly) fictional narratives that represent relationships and identities of lesbians, WLW, sapphism, and gay yearning. Stories that are written by cis-straight people all the way to queer individuals. They are related to self discovery, yearning, chemistry, sometimes the male gaze, lust, and community.
Why living archive?
Why living archive?
The term living archive provides a corrective record of history and the inclusion of Queer relationships. This list organizes the archival objects, in this case visual media, so people, like myself, can participate in the archive itself. In recent decades historians have broadened their records to include first person accounts as events happen and in their aftermath.
The term living archive provides a corrective record of history and the inclusion of Queer relationships. This list organizes the archival objects, in this case visual media, so people, like myself, can participate in the archive itself. In recent decades historians have broadened their records to include first person accounts as events happen and in their aftermath.
Why ++?
Why ++?
Both plus signs serve a purpose that expands the definition of lesbian and visual media. “Lesbian” is a term that most accurately describes the kind of content curated in this list. It actively includes but is not limited to trans identities, bisexuality, queerness in sapphicism and woman loving woman form. It is a nod to the durability of the lesbian identity despite terminology shifts over time and a deliberate turning towards it as an identity.
While “visual media” may be more intuitive I am clearly defining the term as movies, tv shows, and short films. The storylines may include lesbian storylines to varying degrees, also noted on the sheet.
Both plus signs serve a purpose that expands the definition of lesbian and visual media. “Lesbian” is a term that most accurately describes the kind of content curated in this list. It actively includes but is not limited to trans identities, bisexuality, queerness in sapphicism and woman loving woman form. It is a nod to the durability of the lesbian identity despite terminology shifts over time and a deliberate turning towards it as an identity.
While “visual media” may be more intuitive I am clearly defining the term as movies, tv shows, and short films. The storylines may include lesbian storylines to varying degrees, also noted on the sheet.
Created by Sarah Russell
2026