November 24, 2020 | Arts / Entertainment

Yep, there will be queer Christmas rom-coms this year

Each year, several cable and streaming services release a collection of sappy Christmas-themed romantic comedies. This year alone, Hallmark contributed 40 new movies to the already massive list of G-rated treacle. Lifetime and Paramount are also getting into the act.

In previous years, most of the movies were very white (and we are not referring to the snow) and very straight. Hallmark and Lifetime promised to do better when it comes to representation, but they did not go into detail.

As this year's releases were revealed, there were a few movies that featured Black leads, an interracial coupling, and yes, even a few queer-fronted specials.

“Diversity and inclusion [are] a top priority for us, and we look forward to making some exciting programming announcements in the coming months, including announcements about projects featuring LGBTQ storylines, characters and actors,” said George Zaralidis, vice president of network program publicity at Hallmark’s parent company, Crown Media Family Networks.

We're not talking about an avalanche of inclusiveness; still, it seems we are moving in the right direction.

Lifetime's The Christmas Setup features real-life couple Blake Lee and Ben Lewis. Lewis plays Hugo, who heads home to spend Christmas with his mother (Fran Drescher). His mom decides to play matchmaker and invites over Hugo’s high school friend and crush Patrick (Lee). But when sparks start flying between the two, Hugo gets word of a potential move abroad. WHAT WILL THEY DO??

Hulu is also bringing out the festive feels, with the romantic comedy, Happiest Season.

The official synopsis:

Meeting your girlfriend’s family for the first time can be tough. Planning to propose at her family’s annual Christmas dinner — until you realize that they don’t even know she’s gay — is even harder. When Abby (Kristen Stewart) learns that Harper (Mackenzie Davis) has kept their relationship a secret from her family, she begins to question the girlfriend she thought she knew.

Dan Levy of Schitt's Creek fame is also in the movie.

Yesterday, Hallmark aired The Christmas House starring Jonathan Bennett and Brad Harder. Bennett plays Brandon, waiting with his husband Jake (played by Harder), for confirmation on a pending adoption. At the same time, Brandon's brother Mike (Robert Buckley) is reconnecting with a former (female) flame.

Paramount is also getting in on the game, adding some cowboys to your Christmas. Dashing in December, features Juan Pablo Di Pace, Peter Porte, Andie MacDowell, and Caroline Harris. A New Yorker heads back to his tiny hometown to sell the family ranch, only to fall for a handsome local.

So, when you need a break from all that amazing porn out there, you now have some ideas of what to watch during the holidays.