5 Web Series That Should Be On Your Gaydar

UPDATE Make that 6 series!

Let's face it. "Will and Grace" aside, the gay lifestyle is still largely marginalized in mainstream broadcast media. Even on cable, gay shows have been ghettoized, with most gay programming appearing on LOGO or other gay-focused channels. This is why new media is such an important forum, providing gay and lesbian filmmakers an outlet for reaching a wider audience. However, with the proliferation of online web series, the gay voice is still trying to be heard. They are a proverbial needle in the haystack compared to the hundreds, maybe thousands, of online shows. But they are out there. And some of them are absolutely FAB-tastic!

Here is a list of five gay-themed series that we think you should be watching:

ANYONE BUT ME
Website: AnyoneButMeSeries.com
Status: Currently Airing Season 2
The Gist: Vivian is a NYC teen who is forced to move away from the city, and her girlfriend Aster, when her father's 9/11 induced health problems force him to retire from his work as a firefighter. The distance proves to be a challenge for the couple (despite the fact they are a mere 30 minute train ride apart). Even though Vivian was openly gay at her former school, she finds herself back in the closet at her new school. This puts further strain on her relationship with Aster. Vivian proclaims she "needs time to figure things out." But will Aster be willing to give her the time she needs, or will she move on?

DRAMA QUEENZ
Website: dramaqueenztheseries.blogspot.com
Status: Currently Airing Season 2
The Gist: Roommates Jeremiah, Preston and Davis are three aspiring Broadway stars dealing with life, love and auditioning in NYC. Pretty much whatever can go wrong in an audition does. But these three friends are always there to console and support each other with words of encouragement and a tub of ice cream. A hilarious look at the dramas of life in the Big Apple.

GAYTOWN
Website: hulu.com/gaytown
Status: Season 2 Complete
The Gist: Imagine being the only straight man in an all-gay society? Owen loves fantasy baseball and women. How will he ever survive in a world that doesn't want him to exist? Will he ever find a job that doesn't discriminate against him? What will his friends and family think when he comes out? More importantly, will he ever get the beautiful Lina to notice him in THAT way?

GIRLTRASH
Website: girltrashonline.com
Status: Episode 11, Feature Film Currently In Production
The Gist: A highly-stylized web series about two women trying to survive the mean streets of L.A. Tyler and Daisy are best friends who manage to get themselves tangled up with sexy con artist, LouAnn. When Daisy's younger sister is held hostage by trigger-happy Monique (played brilliantly by "L Word" alum Rose Rollins) who wants LouAnn's head, they seek help from lesbian kingpin Lana, who harbors a major grudge against Tyler.

VENICE: THE SERIES
Website: venicetheseries.com
Status: Currently Airing Season 1
Special Note: Requires paid subscription to view
The Gist: This series has a bit more of a soap opera feel to it. There's a good reason for that. It was conceived by Crystal Chappell, daytime star formerly of "Guiding Light" and now "Days of Our Lives." When it was announced that GL was going to be canceled after 70+ years, Chappell felt like fans (specifically those who followed her character Olivia's on-screen romance with Jessica Leccia's Natalia - aka Otalia) would be disappointed that the couple never actually got together. Unfortunately, she didn't have the rights to the GL characters, so she created an original web series starring herself and Jessica Leccia as lesbians so that the Otalia fans would finally get to see them kiss. That was the hook. But as all soap writers know, there's no such thing as a happy couple on tv (or the web). Otalia alter-egos, Gina and Ani (Gani?), are consumed in their own relationship struggles. Ani wants a commitment, Gina can't give it to her. And the drama continues from there...

So these are our picks of shows we think should be on your gaydar. Have a fave gay-themed show not listed here that you think others should check out? Post it in the comments below.

UPDATE: WEG previewed the pilot episode of a new comedy web series called "Get Out Of The Closet." The series, slated to premiere on April 2nd, is fucking hilarious! This is definitely one series that you should have on your gaydar.