Sex in cinema can be exploitative, cheesy, pointless, and/or totally erotic. But when it comes to representation of LGBTQ people in cinema, sex scenes have the power to hold a mirror up to audiences who see themselves reflected in the action on screen. For queer filmgoers, sex scenes on the big screen have often been an entry-point to understanding one's own attractions and desires.

Throughout queer cinema history, there have been important sex scenes that have advanced representation. From Desert Hearts' honest portrayal of healthy lesbian desire, to Moonlight’s Oscar-winning depiction of attraction and shame, to BPM’s insistence on showing that the AIDS epidemic couldn't strip gay men of their basic humanity, sex scenes have been integral in the evolution of LGBTQ cinema.

Below is The Advocate’s curated — by no means comprehensive — list of films with important sex scenes that changed how we were seen and how we see ourselves.