The arc of representation for LGBTQA+ characters in high-profile American cinema is not one that shows constant increases in representation as the years go on, but rather an interesting spike in the 1990's followed by the 21st century sending the idea of queer characters getting to be regular participants in major American films crashing to the ground. A number of 1990's films like The Birdcage made one think things were turning around for the better but unfortunately, queer representation was limited to the arthouse sector in the 2000s save for
Brokeback Mountain and (kind of)
Bruno. It's only recently that major American studios have started to make a small sampling of non-arthouse fare with queer protagonists again, films like
Love, Simon or the upcoming Kristen Stewart/Mackenzie Davis rom-com
Happiest Season.
