In my last post, I touched down on queer representation in media and how it’s lacking; specifically covering the topic of queerbating. Well, to keep the same topic going in my second post, let’s talk about some great queer representation!
Firstly, let’s discuss some criteria; what even makes representation good?
Well, after some extensive research (i.e. a single google search) I have come to the conclusion that good queer representation requires a few things:
One must develop their queer character well. Don’t let the discussion of their identity end at their coming out; elaborate on it! Make it a vivid part of them. This aspect of them matters and should be talked about!
Once you’ve got your well-rounded, developed character, add another one! Or two, or three! I’ve always found the miniscule number of queer people in a series confusing; especially when they already have one! Many, many settings in which these shows, movies, or books take place are widely diverse, such as cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, etc. but yet, show only one queer person; highly unrealistic. Introduce some more!
The final aspect of having versatile or well-balanced queer characters is to not be afraid to add some more to their identity! Intersectionality is a huge part of many queer folks’ lives! Don’t be afraid to make a character gay AND transgender, or non-binary AND asexual! They don’t have to be just one thing!
Now that we have a checklist going, let’s get into some media that is undeniably deserving of the title “good representation!”
One popular Netflix original that came out just earlier this year is the hit show Heartstopper, based on a favored webtoon by the same name which came out in 2016, then became a paperback graphic novel, with the first volume published in 2019! The whole series is written by a fabulous queer author, Alice Oseman, who has also written a few other series, some set in the same universe as that of Heartstopper and some not!
Heartstopper takes place in the modern-day U.K. and, although switches POV’s many times throughout the series, is mainly focused on the character Charlie Spring, a gay teenage boy, and the struggles he faces as well as his growing relationship with fan-favorite Nick Nelson. Heartstopper checks off many of the criteria accumulated in the earlier paragraph; they go past the “coming out” stage of Charlie, and many other characters’, sexuality; they show the challenges he faces as a result of his identity, as well as multiple growing queer relationships! Secondly, Oseman doesn’t just stop with Nick and Charlie either; they include a diverse group of queer identities; going from Charlie’s identity as a gay man, Nick’s as a bisexual man, Elle Argents’ as a transgender woman, a lesbian couple, and another “mlm”, or man-loving-man relationship between two staff members at Nick and Charlie’s school.
The webtoon is still ongoing as well, so I’m sure she won’t stop there either! Oseman is additionally not afraid to show the development of accepting one’s identity; she beautifully writes heartfelt scenes in which characters are forced to acknowledge their identities and work towards their own acceptance, prior to having to even worry about the acceptance of others. Often times the hardest person to “come out” to and the one who is the most unaccepting of your identity is the most important one; yourself
Good, positive, and well-written queer representation is out there, and it’s incredibly unfair that we have to search so hard to find it; but ultimately, many of the titles are unequivocally worth the trouble.
Even though I love the Heartstopper series, I’m glad that your post was more focused on how good queer representation in the media can be accomplished, and used Heartstopper as an example. I honestly think I watched that show because it was being advertised on my Netflix page, and I’m so glad that I did. Even though the episodes were only about 20-30 minutes in length, they were so captivating and able to convey themes and tell the story they wanted to share so effectively. One thing I appreciated was that each queer character’s personality was not entirely focused on them being queer (which I find to be a common trait in media with queer representation). It really sucks to see a lot of media try to promote diversity, and then the “diverse” characters have no personality other than their “diversity factor”: it is so unrealistic! I’m glad that Heartstopper, among many other media, is able to bring such vivid and real characters to life that are so dimensional. I can’t wait for the next season!
I think we all have probably watched a movie or show where an LGBTQ character just seems unrealistic and is just kind of there to be there. When showing a character that is apart of the LGBTQ community I think it’s very important to give them appropriate representation so people don’t have a false sense and don’t assume anything wrong. I have also watched some shows that do a good job on elaborating on LGBTQ, the show “The Fosters”. The fosters in my opinion does a pretty good job of showing Jude and his struggles with being gay.
I’ve noticed a lot in media and novels that there is really is only one LGBTQ character in lots of shows, which again shows that Hollywood sometimes only uses these characters to make money. Throughout high school and in college I’ve known tons of people that are LGBTQ and friends with lots of them, it’s unrealistic that shows with large casts only have one gay character and this should be worked on in media. I thought this blog did a great job of bringing attention to this issue, and will hopefully help LGBTQ characters be better represented in shows and novels!