Celebrate PRIDE Month with these LGBTQ costumes from the big and small screen on display...

Visibility and representation matters, and in this day and age when people are trying to eliminate DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion), challenge hard-fought rights, brand our content unsafe to watch and eradicate trans people, it matters even more. For this PRIDE Month I thought I'd share some screen-used costumes from LGBTQ movies and television shows that celebrate gay, lesbian and transgender icons and queer stories.

Elton John costumes from Rocketman

First up are these movie costumes from 2019's Elton John biopic, Rocketman, which starred Taron Egerton as the out and proud music legend.

Fans of the British singer, songwriter, pianist and HIV/AIDS activist can also enjoy these other Rocketman film costumes previously temporarily on display the Downtown LA's FIDM Museum.

Billie Jean King film costume

from Battle of the Sexes

Next up is another LGBTQ icon, this time from the world of sports, tennis champ Billie Jean King's costume from the 2017 movie, Battle of the Sexes.

Emma Stone played the lesbian tennis legend and trailblazer in this retelling of the 1973 tennis match between her and male ex-champ Bobby Riggs.

You can also check out more sporty costumes from Battle of the Sexes previously on display at ArcLight Hollywood cinema and the FIDM Museum.

Carol film costume exhibit

For more lesbian fare, here's a cool costume exhibit at the ArcLight Hollywood for the 2015 historical romantic drama, Carol, which starred Cate Blanchett as the titular character and Rooney Mara as her lover, based on Patricia Highsmith's 1952 novel, The Price of Salt.

Be sure to get a closer look at these Carol film costumes designed by Sandy Powell on display.

Milk movie costume exhibit

Having just celebrated Harvey Milk Day on May 22, I'd be remiss not to share these screen-worn costumes from the 2008 biopic, Milk, the story of the murdered proud activist and first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California, as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977.

This important and symbolic victory for the LGBT community was marred by his assassination, but his legacy and inspiration lives on.

The acclaimed film won two Oscars, Best Actor for Sean Penn for his portrayal as the gay pioneer and the other of gay writer Dustin Lance Black for Best Original Screenplay.

Be sure to check out more Milk movie costumes and props on display, in addition to these on display at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Phastos film costume from Eternals

In 2021 Brian Tyree Henry played the MCU's first openly gay superhero as 'Phastos' in Marvel Studios Eternals movie.

Not only did the genius wield the cosmic powers of technopathy and invention, but he was shown in a committed gay relationship raising a child together.

Be sure to check out more screen-worn costumes from Eternals on display at Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre.

King Valkyrie film costume

from Thor: Love and Thunder

Even though Phastos was depicted as openly gay on the big screen, Tessa Thompson's bisexual 'Valkyrie' actually made her debut in 2017's Thor: Ragnarok, reprising her powerful role in subsequent Avengers and Thor movies.

If you're a fan of the MCU character make sure you check out her other Valkyrie film costumes on display.

The Danish Girl movie costume exhibit

I know that some people criticize early LGBT films and TV shows for not casting transgender actors in trans roles, but it's true to say such films as 2015's The Danish Girl paved the way for more authentic casting on the big and small screen (and helped inform my education, exploration and understanding of the trans community).

Eddie Redmayne was nominated for Best Actor for his portrayal as 'Lili Elbe', one of the first transgender women to undergo sex reassignment surgery in the 1920s.

You can also check to more costumes designed by Paco Delgado for The Danish Girl on display.

Transparent TV costume exhibit

Amazon Prime's critically-acclaimed Transparent, although flawed, also brought the trans experience into the mainstream when it started in February 2014.

The comedy-drama starred Jeffrey Tambor (a cisgender man later to be accused of sexual harassment on set) as a trans woman called 'Maura' and revolved around the self-absorbed Los Angeles family, the 'Pfeffermans', and their reactions and lives after learning the truth about their parent and husband.

These screen-used costumes from the TV series were Emmy-nominated for the sophomore season of Transparent.

Pose TV costume exhibit

Another trailblazing television show that enjoyed great cultural success and acclaim was FX's 1980s New York City queer ball culture drama, Pose.

The ball culture scene with its 'Houses' and 'House Mothers' boasted the most transgender and gay cast members on a primetime drama (including Dominque Jackson, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Indya Moore,  Hailie Sahar, Angelica Ross and Billy Porter), plus a diverse writing, production and directing staff behind the scenes.

Pose's costumes were also Emmy-nominated for its debut season, so be sure to enjoy more of them on display at the FIDM Museum in 2019.

RuPaul's Drag Race TV costumes

And finally for this collection of LGBT wardrobes, how could I not shine a light on undoubtably the most famous drag queen of all time, RuPaul.

RuPaul's Drag Race premiered on LGBT cable channel Logo in February 2009 and has since spawned eighteen seasons of the reality competition series, plus an All Stars format and other country spin-offs, helping to make drag a part of mainstream culture and propel many Drag Race contestants to global superstardom, including Trixie Mattel, Jinkx Monsoon, Diana Del Rio, Bob the Drag Queen, Alyssa Edwards and many, many more.

This trio of main stage judging gowns were worn by RuPaul and were captured on display at the Drag Race Hollywood pop-up store in 2017.

Fans of Mama Ru and the iconic show can also check out more RuPaul's Drag Race gowns on display in West Hollywood storefront windows and at the FIDM Museum.

This PRIDE season be sure to be safe, loud and proud. Make sure you support political candidates that champion LGBTQ equality and rights, and stop buying from companies and brands and visiting countries that throw our community under the bus to curry favour from fascist regimes.

HAPPY PRIDE!

Ajak, Sersi and Kingo movie costumes from Eternals on display...

Marvel Studios Eternals introduced audiences to a whole new race of diverse super-beings to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2021. Tasked by the god-like Celestials with protecting Earth from the predatory Deviants, their number included their leader, the wise cosmic healer 'Ajak' (Salma Hayek), the empathic matter manipulation 'Sersi' (Gemma Chan) and the multi-generational Bollywood star 'Kingo' (Kumail Nanjiani) who blasts cosmic rays from his hands. These long-lived extraterrestrial beings and their fellow Eternals discover their mission since their arrival on the planet in 5000 BC may have a more sinister purpose. 

Ajak costume worn by Salma Hayek,

Sersi costume worn by Gemma Chan

and Kingo costume worn by Kumail Nanjiani

in Eternals

This trio of Eternals movie costumes were photographed on display at Downtown L.A.'s FIDM Museum on March 22, 2022.

I'd previously seen ten screen-worn costumes from Eternals on display at Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre, but it's always great to see them outside of reflective display cases.

Costume Designer Sammy Sheldon Differ, director Chloé Zhao and Head of Visual Development Ryan Meinerding all had a hand in the final look of the Eternals super-suits.

For more MCU wardrobes on display at this free exhibition, be sure to also check out these Black Widow movie costumes, and for more recent MCU movies you can also enjoy these Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness costumes.

Eternals movie poster

Eternals movie costumes on display...

The big screen adaptation of Jack Kirby's Eternals introduces audiences to ten new super-beings in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. These long-lived cosmic Eternals are tasked by the god-like Celestials with protecting Earth and its burgeoning human population from the predatory monster-like Deviants. These screen-worn costumes from the Marvel Studios movie directed by Chloé Zhao were photographed together on display at Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre on November 10, 2021.

Ikaris costume worn by Richard Madden in Eternals

Super-strong 'Ikaris' can fly and shoot cosmic rays from his eyes, think 'Superman' without the cape.

Sersi costume worn by Gemma Chan in Eternals

The empathic 'Sersi' loves humanity and has the ability to transmute matter with her touch.

Sprite costume worn by Lia McHugh in Eternals

The mischievous 'Sprite' is thousands of years old, yet looks like a child, and has the power to cast illusions.

Kingo costume worn by Kumail Nanjiani in Eternals

Multi-generational Bollywood star 'Kingo' can shot cosmic blasts from his hands.

Gilgamesh costume worn by Don Lee in Eternals

Many legends have been inspired by the strongest Eternal, 'Gilgamesh'.

Thena costume worn by Angelina Jolie in Eternals

'Thena' is an elite, graceful warrior who can conjure weapons out of cosmic energy to battle her foes.

Phastos costume worn by Brian Tyree Henry in Eternals

'Phastos' is an incredible inventor and is also the first openly gay MCU superhero.

Makkari costume worn by Lauren Ridloff in Eternals

The super-speedster 'Makkari' is the MCU's first deaf superhero and she creates sonic booms when she runs.

Druig costume worn by Barry Keoghan in Eternals

The aloof and disillusioned Eternal 'Druig' can control the minds of others.

Ajak costume worn by Salma Hayek in Eternals

'Ajak' is the leader of the Eternals and uses her cosmic power to heal, plus she can also communicate with the Celestial 'Arishem'.

Head of Visual Development, Ryan Meinerding, was responsible for the initial concepts for the Eternals super-suits, whilst Sammy Sheldon Differ was Costume Designer on the movie (she also worked on Ant-Man).

Be sure to click through and take a closer look at all ten of these cool superhero costumes.

Eternals movie billboard

Lia McHugh's Sprite costume from Eternals on display...

In Marvel Studios Eternals, ten immortal super-beings are tasked with protecting humanity from monstrous predators named Deviants. Arriving aboard their starship Domo in 5000 BC, each Eternal has their own cosmic powers and skills. Even being thousands of years old, the Eternal 'Sprite' (played by Lia McHugh) is cursed with eternally looking like a twelve-year-old girl and is not-so-secretly in love with 'Ikaris'. Originally depicted as a boy in Jack Kirby's Marvel Comics series, she has the power to project life-like illusions to distract and confuse friends and enemies alike.

Sprite costume worn by Lia McHugh

in Eternals

This costume was photographed with nine other Eternals movie costumes in the cinema lobby of Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre on November 10, 2021.

The initial design concepts for the Eternals super-suits came from Ryan Meinerding, Marvel Studios Head of Visual Development, with input from Costume Designer Sammy Sheldon Differ and director Chloé Zhao.

For more MCU film wardrobes previously on display at the El Capitan Theatre be sure to also check out these Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings costumes, these Captain Marvel movie costumes, these Avengers: Endgame costumes and these Black Panther movie costumes, to name but a few.

Eternals movie poster

Kumail Nanjiani's Kingo costume from Eternals on display...

Marvel Studios newest movie is the saga of the Eternals, a race of immortal super-beings who have lived on Earth and shaped its history and civilization. One of the Eternals tasked with protecting humanity from the predatory Deviants is 'Kingo' (played by Kumail Nanjiani), imbued with the ability to project cosmic energy projectiles form his hands. Attracted to fame, he has become a Bollywood legend in India over the decades. To hide his ageless life he has pretended to be his own great-grandfather, grandfather and father, following in their Bollywood legacy as a famous movie star, dancer and director. He is served by a faithful human valet named 'Karun' (Hairsh Patel), who documentary-style records the Eternals present day reunion.

Kingo costume worn by Kumail Nanjiani

in Eternals

This screen-worn costume was photographed alongside nine other Eternals film costumes at Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre on November 10, 2021.

Sammy Sheldon Differ was Costume Designer on director Chloé Zhao's MCU film, and initial concepts for the super-suits came from Ryan Meinerding, Marvel Studios Head of Visual Development.

For more of the Costume Designer's work you can also check out these Assassin's Creed movie costumes, this Ant-Man movie costume, these movie costumes from The Imitation Game and these Annihilation movie costumes.

Eternals movie poster