i would figure pretty much every type of queer person can benefit from watching the 1990 documentary Paris is Burning, which is about the late-80s gay & trans NYC ballroom dance subculture. whether or not you end up relating to anyone in it, it’s a really important bittersweet window into the past. connected some dots for me re: US gay history
i can maybe come up with some more personalized recommendations too if you wanna give me an idea of what types of art & media you like the most + being in touch with queer art & history is great but also i agree with #1 that it sounds like your friends were passing some type of weird petty biphobic judgment on you 😭