Review of Queer as Folk

I am a straight woman who was fortunate enough to see "Queer as Folk" at the Los Angeles Outfest. I found it absolutely the best television series I've ever seen, on a par with HBO's "Oz," only more explicit and weaving comedy into the mix. The characters are painstakingly developed, and will capture your interest immediately. We all know a Stuart (arrogant sex freak hiding inner doubts and insecurities), a Vince (sweet, self-effacing, afraid to ask for what he wants), and a Nathan (15, impossibly romantic and willful). Though these are the main players, there are also wonderful supporting roles, including Nathan's concerned and sympathetic mother, his best school chum (wise-beyond-her-years "fag-hag" Donna), and Keith's irrepressible parents. The heady excitement of clubbing is captured perfectly; it made me itch to go to discos again! The production is altogether a class act. It's a shame that we here in the States are so under the thumb of the "family values" hypocrites that we may never get a series of this quality. Call your friends in England for a copy of the video, go to your local gay/lesbian center, do whatever you have to do to see this.