Guardian Writers Pick Their Favourite LGBTQ+ Movie Characters for Pride Month
To mark Pride Month, Guardian writers have shared their favourite LGBTQ+ movie characters across film history. Among the picks is Corky, the swaggering ex-con turned plumber from the 1996 cult classic Bound, highlighted for her unapologetic lesbian identity. The selection spans a wide range of queer characters, from gritty criminals to teens exploring their identity.
From gritty criminals to teens coming to terms with their identity, pride month sees Guardian writers on their most beloved queer charactersForget about dimly lit period dramas where miserable women with no access to electricity gently sob in their heaving corsets and accidentally-on-purpose brush hands in the trembling candlelight; overblown, bombastic heist-capers and brooding, butch anti-heroes are far more up my street when it comes to lesbian cinema. What, after all, could be more intensely gay than immediately committing to a life of crime with someone you’ve only just set eyes on? My favourite of the entire bunch has to be the swaggering ex-con turned plumber Corky, who helps to save Violet from the clutches of her mob boss husband in 1996’s cult classic Bound. Though we first meet Corky trussed up in a literal closet, the metaphor doesn’t play out how you might expect: unapologetic and visible in a time when few films explored queerness full stop, she flexes a labrys tattoo, spends her down time swigging beer in grotty dive bars, and eventually drives off into the sunset, her new partner-in-crime in tow, in a beaten-up Chevy pick-up. The sheer simplicity of Corky as a queer heartthrob was, somehow, ridiculously ahead of its time, and her magnetic influence has played out everywhere from Bottoms to Love Lies Bleeding. El Hunt Continue reading...
Polish fathers are legally entitled to extra weeks of parental leave, benefits worth thousands of zlotys and special workplace privileges — yet many are unaware these rights exist. Recent data shows that Polish men are increasingly taking up parental benefits, though take-up remains below potential. The full range of entitlements available to fathers in Poland is broader than most realise.
Poland's pram manufacturing industry is in freefall, with half of all companies having closed or pivoted to other businesses. Chinese price competition and declining birth rates have reduced demand by several percent compared to previous years. The country's main pram-producing region is bearing the brunt of the collapse, according to daily Fakt.
Inbank tops June's annual deposit ranking with a 4.10% interest rate, offered with no additional conditions. Unusually, three of the top-10 banks have raised their rates this month, bucking the prevailing downward market trend. This marks a positive shift for savers looking for safe, fixed-term financial instruments in Poland.
Last week saw a wave of digital scams targeting Poland. The manufacturer of Ozempic suffered a 1.3 TB data breach, while fake emails impersonating Allegro targeted online shoppers. Fraudsters also deployed a counterfeit mBank app and launched phishing attacks originating from university email accounts.
Polish mortgage law gives banks 21 days to issue a lending decision, but Expander Advisors experts say this deadline is largely fictitious in practice. During periods of high demand, waiting times stretch considerably beyond the legal limit. The type of employment contract held by the applicant is among the less obvious factors that can further affect processing speed.
The Milwaukee Bucks are trading Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat in a massive deal. In return, the Bucks receive Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, three first-round draft picks including the No. 13 pick in Tuesday's draft, one pick swap, and one second-round pick.
Kylian Mbappé has reached 100 caps for France while scoring 16 goals in just 16 World Cup matches. Commentators are increasingly labelling him "Mr World Cup," arguing the tournament seems tailor-made for the French star's style and ambitions.
A new report projects that artificial intelligence could grow Poland's GDP by up to 12% over the next decade, though it would simultaneously reduce tax revenues. In other news, the United States has suspended sanctions on Iranian oil, and Poland's Central Communication Port (CPK) plans to raise the new airport's capacity to 44 million passengers per year.
The Trump administration spent $14.7 million painting Washington's Reflecting Pool "American flag blue" ahead of the US 250th anniversary celebrations. Within weeks, the paint began peeling and algae turned the water green. Trump has threatened prison for anyone who "vandalises" the pool, even as the deterioration stems from the renovation itself rather than any act of vandalism.
Oklahoma claimed the Men's College World Series title Monday night, defeating North Carolina in the winner-take-all Game 3 for their first championship since 1994. Relief pitcher LJ Mercurius delivered another clutch bullpen performance to seal the victory. North Carolina's uncharacteristic pitching struggles proved decisive in the loss.
Poland's tax authority is increasingly using simplified, remote audit procedures instead of traditional on-site inspections, launching 19 new procedures per minute. The remote verification method is proving highly effective at catching irregularities. Most entrepreneurs surveyed give positive ratings to the relatively new approach, despite its growing reach and intensity.
Google is pushing its Gemini AI assistant onto Android devices without explicit user consent. Regulatory relief appears to be on the way, likely in the form of EU rules aimed at curbing manufacturers' ability to force-install applications. The source does not specify the exact regulations or their timeline, but frames the development as a response to user complaints about unwanted software.
Research shows that an infant's body position — whether lying on their back, tummy, or sitting up — significantly affects how they perceive and explore the world around them. Different postures provide babies with distinct sensory perspectives and learning opportunities. The findings suggest that caregivers should vary infant positioning to support healthy cognitive and physical development.
The United States has waived oil sanctions on Iran, allowing Tehran to export crude oil priced in US dollars for the first time in decades. The move comes amid ongoing US-Iran diplomatic talks, even as Tehran disputes claims made by Vice President JD Vance regarding nuclear inspections. The waiver marks a significant shift in American policy toward Iran's energy sector.
A journalist tested whether it's possible to survive a full day in Los Angeles on the equivalent of 100 Polish zloty (roughly 25 USD) — and it worked, just barely. The city's stark contrasts were impossible to ignore: luxury cars worth as much as Polish apartments parked next to encampments of thousands of homeless people. The writer succeeded but said he had no desire to repeat the experience.
Iraqi fans in Philadelphia expressed pride and joy after their team's FIFA World Cup match against France, despite the loss. Kylian Mbappé and France proved too strong for Iraq, but supporters said they were simply thrilled to see their country competing at the World Cup. The match was played amid stormy weather, which did not dampen the fans' spirits.
Three students were killed and seven others wounded in a school shooting in the central Philippines, a rare occurrence in the country. Authorities have opened an investigation, with bullying being examined as a possible motive behind the attack. The Philippines has strict gun laws, making school shootings extremely uncommon there.
The Blu-ray format celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Once seen as a symbol of the film industry's greed, it has become a refuge for movie lovers tired of VOD subscriptions and ever-changing streaming libraries. The physical disc is experiencing a renaissance among collectors and cinephiles.
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington D.C. has turned green with algae following a renovation ordered by the Trump administration. CNN reported that high phosphate levels triggered a significant algae bloom at the landmark. Jon Stewart mocked the situation on "The Daily Show," quipping: "Did they replace the water with Mountain Dew?"
Argentina defeated Austria 2–0 in their second group-stage match at the 2026 World Cup. Lionel Messi scored both goals, despite earlier missing a penalty kick. Former manager Juergen Klopp was among the first to congratulate him after the final whistle.
Comments
Loading…
Swipe up
⚡
You're all caught up
You've seen all the latest stories. Check back later for more.
Comments
No comments yet — be the first to weigh in 👇
No comments yet. Be the first!