As the 1990s approached, films began to offer more positive portrayals of LGBTQ people, often as the loyal best friend/confidante, with characters beginning to be more fleshed out, having lives rooted in their sexuality but not necessarily ruled only by it (i.e.
Fried Green Tomatoes, 1991). Straight society could identify with the queer search for happiness despite facing oppression and traditional values (i.e. The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, 1994).
One remaining taboo was public displays of affection and intimacy, especially two men kissing. That hurdle would be overcome in the 2000s (and even lampooned in the 1998 indie