Four Gay and Lesbian Themed Films Anyone Can Enjoy

Looking for a film that's a little offbeat? Here are four about which you may not know. Although many gay and lesbian films are sad, these four are tales of romance and friendship anyone can watch and enjoy.

Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss

Fans of Will and Grace will enjoy seeing a different side of Sean Hays as he leaves the annoying Jack persona behind in this charming, bittersweet romantic comedy. Like many people, photographer Billy (Hays) dreams of movie love, the romantic, flawless and ultimately fictional kind. He might feel it for the cute new waiter in town, Gabriel (Brad Rowe), but alas, Gabriel says he's straight. When Billy recruits Gabriel to be a model in his photo shoot, Gabriel soon disappears into the modeling world. Although he and Billy have different ideas about romance, Billy can't seem to let go.

Supporting actress Meredith Scott Lynn shines as Billy's best friend George. George has her own ill-fated affair with a psychedelically challenged young man who tries to get too close too fast. Her character also has the most sharply funny lines in the film. Memorable quote: "Freak, party of one, freak, party of one. Your table is ready."

Better Than Chocolate

As this cute and very sexy Canadian film opens, Maggie (Karen Dwyer) meets traveling artist Kim (Christina Cox) just hours before her brother and mother move in with her. The problem is that Maggie hasn't told her family she's a lesbian and she is scared to death of what will happen when they find out. As a web of relationships both sexual and platonic develops among those close to Maggie, she learns to view her mother as less of an authority figure and more as a human.

The chemistry between Maggie and Kim is hot and a straight love scene between Maggie's brother and her coworker is not to be missed. Comic performances by Ann-Marie McDonald as Maggie's uptight boss and Peter Outerbridge as a tender hearted pre-op transsexual highlight the detailed subplots.

Desert Hearts

Desert Hearts happens to be a love story between two women. But it would have been the same great movie if it was about a man and woman, two men or an antelope and a penguin; it's just a great movie. Helen Shaver stars as the New York English professor who comes to 1950s Reno for a divorce. The divorce requires Nevada residency for the summer and the ranch where several such unhappy tourists is run by misfit artist Kaye (Patricia Charbonneau)'s stepmother. Kaye and Helen form an unlikely friendship based on attraction which Helen does not understand. Audra Lindley (Mrs. Roper of Three's Company) as the stepmother nearly steals the show with such lines as "I think we'd all apply for a new past if we could."

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

Manly men Terence Stamp, Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce do star turns as drag queens in this delightful Australian film. Mitzi (Weaving) gets a surprise phone call from his wife, about whom his friends do not know. Seems she needs a vacation and Mitzi must come across the desert to look after a little mutual responsibility. Stamp as the classy Bernadette and Pearce's energetic Felicia travel along. At first Mitzi's friends clash, but when it counts they stick up for one another. The titular Priscilla is a bus which the friends paint pink. Felicia's ABBA obsession makes for one great comic moment. Memorable quote: "A cock in a frock on a rock!"