"No one lives just one article or one headline of a life. There's more."

 

Last Call may be a true-crime docuseries, but it doesn't pigeonhole itself as such; the advocacy for humanizing LGBTQ+ people is undoubtedly at its helm. The series expands past the context of each crime, giving testimonials and evidence of the lives, struggles, solidarity, and fears of the community. It acknowledges the efforts of the New Jersey State Police whilst shedding light on the inherent biases of society, law enforcement, and media when responding to crimes against gay people. Interviews with family members, detectives, and activists round out the narrative, ensuring that the lives lost are not forgotten due to shame, hatred, or sensationalism.

The first episode, though thorough, seemingly falls shy of how queer folks with intersectionalities are affected by the hateful and deadly discrimination in the community. Thankfully, episode two immediately centers on Anthony Morrero, a gay Puerto Rican sex worker. His is a delicate case, so kudos to the producers for taking it seriously. They even interview Anthony’s bisexual grand-nephew, Antonio, who strives to have an open dialogue with the rest of his family. Even though Anthony's family can't fully come to terms with the life he led, Antonio wants to remind them that he was much more than who he was attracted to and didn't deserve such a heinous death.