In the heart of Los Angeles, a recent intimate dinner honored Hayley Kiyokocelebrating her debut film Girls Like Girls. This event, part of a series by Gold House and OpenTablespotlighted Kiyoko’s multifaceted career and her cultural heritage.
Kiyoko, known as the Out100 Artist of the Year in 2026is a trailblazer in the queer community. Her film, an adaptation of her hit song and bestselling book, marks her directorial debut. The project is a testament to her artistry and commitment to queer storytelling.
Reconnecting with Heritage
For Kiyoko, making Girls Like Girls was more than a creative endeavor; it was a journey of self-discovery. The film allowed her to embrace her Japanese culturewhich has historically been conservative regarding LGBTQ+ issues. She shared, “This Girls Like Girls universe has been about me really learning how to embrace my culture and my heritage because so much of my life has been hiding my sexuality.”
The film’s shooting location, Kelowna, Canadaadded a layer of personal significance. It’s where Kiyoko’s Japanese grandparents are buried, a place she visited often as a child. This pilgrimage back to her roots allowed her to create new memories and rewrite her story.
The Full-Circle Moment
The film features a scene set in a Japanese restaurant, the only one in the town where Kiyoko’s grandmother used to take her family. This detail underscores the film’s emotional resonance and Kiyoko’s connection to her heritage. She remarked, “There’s a scene in the movie where the two leads are in a Japanese restaurant and that restaurant is the only Japanese restaurant in the town where my grandma used to take us. It’s so full circle to get to celebrate this moment with you guys.”
Girls Like Girls is set to hit theaters on June 19promising a heartfelt coming-of-age story that resonates with the queer community. The film stars Maya da Costa and Myra Molloywith additional roles by Levon Hawke and Zach Braff.
Pride Month Highlights
June 2026 is a landmark month for queer cinema. Alongside Girls Like Girlsseveral other notable films and series are making their debuts. The Little Sistera French coming-of-age drama, won the Queer Palm at Cannes. Gamechangers: The Ashlyn Harris Story documents the journey of a two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion. Lesbian Space Princessan animated film, continues to captivate audiences with its vibrant storytelling.
Other highlights include A Private Lifestarring Jodie Fosterand What It Feels Like for a Girlbased on the memoir by Paris Lees. These releases underscore the growing diversity and representation in queer media.
The month also brings You Can Live Forevera tender sapphic romance set in 1990s Quebec. Directed by Sarah Wattsthe film explores themes of faith and love, offering a deeply felt emotional journey.
As Pride Month unfolds, these films and series promise to entertain, inspire, and foster a sense of community among queer audiences worldwide.
