YouTube started out as another in a long line of video sharing websites that people assumed would die, but, little did we know back in the mid-2000s, YouTube was destined to become a global phenomenon that would quickly start to encroach on more traditional media.

One area that YouTube has already been doing better than film for several years now is LGBTQ+ representation. YouTube is one of the best places to find queer content for all ages and has helped me in accepting and growing in my queer identity since I first realized that I was gay, so I want to share with you some of my favorite queer YouTubers for you to enjoy and avoid life with.

1. Tyler Oakley

Tyler Oakley is a household name in the YouTube community. The Michigan-born social media mogul first started his YouTube channel back in 2007 and quickly became an internet sensation, but it wasn't until he won a Teen Choice Award in 2014 for his collaboration with the now award winning pop artist Troye Sivan that he truly started to reach supreme levels of stardom.

He is most notable for his campy humor and flamboyant personality that shines through no matter what kind of video he makes. Outside of his work as a YouTuber, he is an avid LGBTQ+ rights activist, New York Times bestselling author, talk show host, and podcast personality with his best friend, Kory Kuhl.

Favorite Video: EDWARD FORTYHANDS (ft. Mamrie Hart)

2. Superfruit

Anyone in tune with the acapella world will recognize these two; Mitch Grassi (left) and Scott Hoying (right) are also famous for being members of the Grammy award-winning acapella group Pentatonix. The two roommates are newer YouTubers but are easily some of the funniest and most entertaining I've seen pop up in recent year. Although they initially started out doing mostly Q&As and challenge videos, their most popular videos involve them doing medleys of popular artists such as Miley Cyrus and Beyoncé.

Favorite Video:HIP-HOP GOES BROADWAY

3. Connor Franta

Often called the "Prince of YouTube" by his contemporaries, Franta is another household name easily one of the most innovative creators on the platform. Although he has been active for about 6 years no, he only recently came out as gay in 2014 in what is now the second most watched video on his channel.

Originally a Minnesota native, he quit college to join the popular, and now defunct, group Our Second Life before leaving the group in order to make more creatively stimulating content. Although he still does Q&As and challenge videos somewhat frequently, his most original content utilizes his skills as a photographer, videographer, and poet.

In addition to being an award-winning YouTuber, he is also a New York Times bestselling author, LGBTQ+ rights activist, philanthropist, and runs a lifestyle brand — Common Culture — that sells coffee, music, and clothing of his own design and choosing. He is currently in the process of releasing his second book, "Note to Self".

Favorite Video: tea & games with tea & games with dodie clark clark

4. Kenny Moffitt

The self-described "queer poly vlogist" first made his mark as an intern and creator at Buzzfeed and was frequently featured in their videos involving bisexuality. After a few years, however, he left Buzzfeed and started focusing on his YouTube channel. Although he's not the most well-known YouTuber, his vlogs are incredibly engrossing and will keep you captivated while he shares his life with his viewers. He recently came out as being in a polyamorous relationship with his two boyfriends, Kyle and Jacob, and frequently involves them and their collective friends and roommates in his vlogs.

Favorite Video: How Gay Are You Challenge w/ Bria and Chrissy

5. Shane Dawson

Another YouTube veteran, Dawson is one of the most successful and influential creators on the platform to date and is also one of the most controversial due to his dark humor and tendency to parody current celebrities. He is most famous for his collaborations with other YouTubers and his podcast, Shane and Friends.

He came out as bisexual in 2015 and is currently dating Ryland Adams of ClevverTV fame. The two recently made internet headlines after getting kicked out of a veterans event hosted by Tomi Lahren when they were seen holding hands. Lahren made reference to the two in a Facebook post citing the reason for their ejection being that the two asked to take a picture with her but then jumped in front of her and started making out. However, the picture in question actually featured actor Rich Barnes and his friend, not Dawson and Adams.

Favorite Video: TASTING CRAZY PANCAKES with THE GABBIE SHOW!

6. Miles Jai

Another less well-known YouTuber, Jai is still definitely one of the most unique and eccentric. Most famous for his viral video "Like Mah Status", Jai has been making videos since he was in high school and is perhaps most notable for his Japan-inspired aesthetic and his eagerness to tear down gender roles and just do whatever makes him happy.

Favorite Video: DRAW MY LIFE: MILES JAI!

7. Hannah Hart

While not active as long as other notable YouTubers, she is among the most popular and successful to date. Primarily a food blogger, she is most known for her web show "My Drunk Kitchen" in which she cooks while drunk, sometimes with other YouTubers.

Originally a translator in Japan, she is also a comedian with her friends and fellow You Tubers Mamrie Hart and Grace Helbig, actress, New York Times bestselling author, and was a guest judge on Food Network Star. She has been openly lesbian for most if not all her YouTube career and recently released her memoir, "Buffering".

Favorite Video: MY DRUNK PUMPKIN 2014 (ft. Grace Helbig & Mamrie Hart!)

8. Arielle Scarcella

If there were ever a "Tyler Oakley" for queer women, it would be Arielle. Just as Tyler is unabashed in his sexuality, Arielle's entire YouTube personality revolves around her identity and daily journey as a queer woman. Her videos frequently explore sexual and nonsexual topics related to lesbian identity as well as how queer women interact and compare to queer men.

Favorite Video: Two Genders?

9. Alex Bertie

Although his channel does not have anywhere near the number of subscribers it should, Bertie is a YouTuber everyone should watch, queer or otherwise. Bertie, who identifies as pansexual, came out a few years ago as trans and has been documenting his experiences and the process of transitioning as a trans person along with his boyfriend, Jake, who is also pansexual and trans. This documentation includes advice and information about binding, intimacy in trans couples, the legal and biological process of testosterone therapy, and before and after of getting top surgery.

Favorite Video: 18 DAYS POST OP (Q+A)

10. Matthew Schueller

Although he's been on YouTube for several years now, he hasn't really blown up outside of other queer content creators, but he's still one of the most creative and entertaining YouTubers nonetheless. Originally creating vlogs about his travels and life as a medical student in Seattle, he eventually came out on YouTube in what is possibly my favorite Coming Out video on the platform. Since then, he now has a long-term boyfriend, fellow YouTuber Michael Lindsay, that he frequently features in his videos.

Favorite Video: TRYING JAPANESE CANDY (with MY BOYFRIEND)

11. Lucas Cruikshank

Yup. This guy. Most famous for his viral web character Fred, a 6-year-old with temper problems, an alcoholic mom, and John Cena as a dad. This viral character made him popular enough to appear on multiple kid's shows such as "iCarly" and "Hannah Montana" and even landed him multiple TV shows and movies with Nickelodeon. He later transitioned into the next generation of YouTubers where he came out as gay. He now has a boyfriend and routinely makes fun of himself and Fred just as much as you do.

Favorite Video: RECREATING THE MOST SATISFYING VIDEOS IN THE WORLD

12. Ingrid Nilsen

Although Nilsen has been a prominent force in the YouTube community, she only recently came out about a year or two ago in one of the most powerful videos I've seen in a while. She is most famous for being a lifestyle and beauty guru featuring numerous style tips ranging from makeup, lookbooks, and haircare. Since coming out, she frequently talks about LGBTQ+ topics and even got to interview former President Obama about LGBTQ+ violence and discrimination.

Favorite Video: Show And Tell with Tyler Oakley! ♥ Makeup MAYhem Day 13 2013

13. Trevor Moran

Another face you might recognize, Moran is most famous for his Apple Store dance videos and for being the kid to audition for the X-Factor singing "Sexy and I Know It". Soon after, he joined the YouTube group Our Second Life and eventually started making his own videos on his own channel. He recently came out about a year or two ago in a music video for his single "I Wanna Fly".

Favorite Video: 1000 degree KNIFE vs YOUTUBER BOOKS

14. Ricky Dillon

Another Our Second Life alum, Dillon has only recently started to amass a following, but his kooky and energetic personality makes all of his videos entertaining and fun to watch. He recently came out as asexual several months ago in an unusually serious video for his generally upbeat and fun-loving persona.

Favorite Video: CHEST & ARMPIT WAXING GONE WRONG

15. Dodie Clark

Clark is relatively new to the YouTube scene but is easily one of the most promising I've seen in recent years. She has spoken in many videos about her identity as a bisexual woman, but her most entertaining videos are those that show off her awkward humor and lovely singing voice (she's also an up and coming recording artist).

Favorite Video: anna kendrick paints my nails

Thank you very much for taking the time to share in my favorite things with me. I hope you enjoy the videos and the people in them, and if you have any of your own recommendations, feel free to leave your own recommendations in the comments below!