Queer characters have been a part of the media since the early 1900s, but in the past few years, TV shows, movies, and books have made leaps in providing accurate, authentic representations of queer teenagers and young people as main characters.
Although there’s been a rise in representation, we need more, especially for young people.
Children are exposed to television and other media from a young age and positive representation matters. Seeing themselves authentically represented in the media helps LGBTQ+ children and young people validate their experiences.
Queer characters on TV can provide respite, which is more impactful than many realize. A 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health said 89 per cent of LGBTQ+ youth reported seeing representation in TV and movies made them feel good about being LGBTQ+.
Unfortunately, queer representations in the media are based on negative stereotypes or seen as token representations. It is when the LGBTQ+ character either doesn’t play a notable role in the plot or doesn’t have their identity meaningfully explored. This is generally done to placate the LGBTQ+ community, recruit their viewership and increase profits, usually based on queer-baiting.
Being surrounded by the expectation and general norms of heterosexual relationships in real life and the media doesn’t allow young queer folks to discover themselves or see themselves represented in a positive light.
But now shows like Heartstopper, paint a much-needed authentic portrayal of LGBTQ+ individuals geared toward a younger audience.
Shows like that made me feel seen, which in turn helped me process my feelings surrounding sexuality.
Like many, the free time in lockdown had me thinking about it a lot, but I couldn’t put what I was feeling into words.
That was until I watched Heartstopper.
The show is a Netflix adaptation of the graphic novel series written by Alice Oseman, telling the story of the main characters, Nick Nelson and Charlie Spring, as they navigate their sexuality, crushes, friendships and high school.
Nick is a star rugby player portrayed as a stereotypical straight person. Throughout the show, he realizes he has developed feelings for Charlie and discovers he’s bisexual.
When I saw his journey and the emotions he felt. The more I thought about it, the more I thought this was something I and so many others could relate to.
In an interview with NBC News, Kit Connor, who plays Nick Nelson, spoke about the type of show Heartstopper is and how it compares to previous attempts at queer representation.
“A lot of queer representation over time, and currently, it’s very dark and gritty and just an overwhelmingly pessimistic view,” Connor told NBC News
“So, to have a show where it’s just very positive, [with] a generally positive outlook on life and being a queer teen, I think that’s an extremely important thing,” he said. “It’s a show that younger audiences can watch with their family and their parents, and that can lead to very important conversations between parents and their children.
“I think that it just basically brings society steps closer to normalizing being queer,” Connor said.
With Heartstopper filming the third and potentially final season, there is hope more shows like this will come from it because it not only assists queer teenagers in navigating their sexuality and gender identity healthily but also alleviates their feelings of isolation and contributes to the formation of a supportive community.
It also has power to humanize a marginalized community and dismantle harmful stigmas and prejudices.