It followed the lives of 5 gay men. At the center was Brian (Gale Harold), his love interest, Justin (Randy Harrison), Brian's best friend Michael (Hal Sparks), Emmett (Peter Paige) who was the 'queen' of the series, and Ted (Scott Lowell), an accountant with low self-esteem. This group also had two lesbian friends, Melanie (Michelle Clunie) and Lindsay (Thea Gill) who end up mothering both Brian's son, Gus, and Michael's daughter, Jennifer Rebecca.
The extended cast included: Sharon Gless (Michael's mother), Jack Wetherall (Michael's dying uncle), Chris Potter (Michael's love interest in Season 1), Dean Armstrong (Ted's love interest in season 1, 4, and 5), Robert "Bobby" Gant (Michael's love interest/husband in seasons 2-5), Fabrizio Filippo (Justin's love interest in seasons 2-3), David Gianopoulos (Pittsburgh Police Chief, season 3), Harris Allan (Michael's and Ben's foster son, seasons 3-5), Sherry Miller (Justin's mom), Makayla Smith (Justin's best friend), Peter MacNeill (police chief, and future husband to Michael's mom, seasons 2-5) and Matt Battaglia (Emmett's love interest/pro football player, seasons 4 & 5).
Music played an important part in the series, being that many of the scenes were shot in a gay dance club called Babylon. Also in the series was Woody's which is an actual gay bar in Toronto, Canada though the series is set to be in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. None of the shots in Woody's were actually taken in the bar. In the 4th season, the characters visited the real Woody's which was renamed "Moosie's" for the episode.
PROUD
Queer As Folk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Reflections of the fears I know I've left behind
I step out of the ordinary
I can feel my soul ascending
I am on my way, can't stop me now
And you can do the same, yeah
It's never too late to try
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
You could be so many people
If you make that break for freedom
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
Still so many answers I don't know
There are so many answers
Realize that to question is how we grow
To question is to grow
So I step out of the ordinary
I can feel my soul ascending
I am on my way, can't stop me now
You can do the same, yeah
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
It's never too late to try
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
You could be so many people
If you make that break for freedom
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
Yeah, we need a change, yeah
Do it today, yeah
I can feel my spirit rising
Change, yeah, we need a change, yeah
So do it today, yeah
'Cause I can see a clear horizon
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
Let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya
So what have you done today to make you feel proud?
'Cause you could be so many people
If you make that break for freedom
So what have you done today to make you feel proud?
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
What have you done today? What have you done today?
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
You could be so many people
Just make that break for freedom
So what have you done today to make you feel proud?
The song "Proud" by Heather Small, famously known for its inclusion in the soundtrack of the hit TV show "Queer as Folk," is a powerful anthem about self-empowerment and seizing the moment to make something of yourself. It opens with the lines "I look into the window of my mind, reflections of the fears I know I've left behind," which quickly establish the song's themes of personal growth and leaving behind the things that hold us back. The song's chorus asks the listener, "What have you done today to make you feel proud?," urging them to take action and do something worthwhile to make themselves feel good about their accomplishments. The song also emphasizes the importance of questioning and seeking answers in order to grow: "Realize that to question is how we grow, to question is to grow." Overall, the message of the song is one of hope and encouragement, that no matter where you are in life, you can always strive to be the best version of yourself.
One interesting fact about "Proud" is that it was originally released in 2000 as a solo single by Heather Small, who was the lead vocalist of the British band M People. However, it became much more widely known after it was featured in the opening credits of the American TV show "Queer as Folk," which aired from 2000 to 2005. The show, which followed the lives of a group of gay men in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was celebrated for its realistic portrayal of LGBTQ+ culture and issues, and "Proud" became widely associated with the show's themes of self-acceptance, empowerment, and community.
Another interesting fact is that the song has been covered and performed by many different artists over the years. It has been used in several advertising campaigns, including one for the 2014 Winter Olympics that featured athletes from around the world, and it was even sung by contestants on the UK reality show "The X Factor" in 2009. The song has also become something of an anthem for pride events around the world, with versions of it being performed live at marches and parades in cities like London, New York, and Sydney.
Line by Line Meaning
I look into the window of my mind
Examining my innermost thoughts and feelings
Reflections of the fears I know I've left behind
Seeing remnants of past anxieties from which I have moved on
I step out of the ordinary
Breaking free from routine and the mundane
I can feel my soul ascending
Sensing my inner being rising to a higher state
I am on my way, can't stop me now
Making progress with no obstacles to impede me
And you can do the same, yeah
Encouraging others to follow suit
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
Asking about positive accomplishments that bring personal fulfillment
It's never too late to try
Reminding that it is never too late to pursue one's goals
You could be so many people
Highlighting limitless potential for personal growth and change
If you make that break for freedom
Urging others to take a courageous leap towards liberation
Still so many answers I don't know
Acknowledging unresolved questions and uncertainties
There are so many answers
Recognizing the vast amount of knowledge and understanding available
Realize that to question is how we grow
Understanding that growth comes from asking questions and seeking knowledge
I can feel my soul ascending
Experiencing inner personal development
Yeah, we need a change, yeah
Declaring a call for transformation
Do it today, yeah
Encouraging action towards change ASAP
I can feel my spirit rising
Feeling a sense of power, passion, and purpose increasing
Change, yeah, we need a change, yeah
Reiterating the need for transformation
So do it today, yeah
Reiterating the call for immediate action
'Cause I can see a clear horizon
Seeing a hopeful and promising future ahead
Let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya
Requesting vocal affirmation of personal accomplishments
Just make that break for freedom
Encouraging others to take a leap towards liberation once again
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
Repeating the earlier question to emphasize the importance of personal fulfillment
What have you done today? What have you done today?
Reiterating the need to ask oneself about positive accomplishments
Contributed by Sadie E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Groupie Club
Official Queer as folk store with worldwide shipping:
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Lys D
God, I miss these guys more than I miss members of my own family. I demand a new season!
β€π§‘ππππ
Alexandra Hildebrand
β€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈYessssss
Ash *
Preach!
Patrick Work
There is a reboot coming on June 9 on Peacock.
Carlos Sandi
New season would be great..
the3spirit
One of the most important music moments from one of the most consequential LGBT series ever made. <3 Thank you, QAF! XOXO ;)
boris aguilar
Siempre habrΓ‘ tiempo de verla una y otra vez β₯οΈ la ΓΊnica serie de temΓ‘tica gay que amarΓ© por siempre #QueerAsFolk π³οΈβπ
Cameron O.
This show captured the feeling of what it was like to be gay in the early 2000s so well. It was really important for me to see something like this on the air at that time. I'm very happy that LGBT+ issues in the US have improved so much since this show was on, but I think it's important that queer people continue to have our own media/art (like this) rather than relying on mainstream corporate media's more sanitized versions. Gay people have sex. Sometimes it's random or kinky or otherwise nontraditional, but it's an important part of our lives and queer-themed media shouldn't be afraid to show that.
Derrek84
Well said. Exactly what's on my mind. It was life changing for me in my teens to see I'm not the only one and that this kind of life is normal. It will forever hold a special place in my heart. Unfortunately the new version doesn't work for me. Mayby I'm too old now, but it's just not that relatable.