October 13, 2022
Season considered one of Netflix’s Heartstopper, which premiered in April 2022, earned a number of love for fictional couple Charlie and Nick. Primarily based on Alice Oseman’s graphic novels of the identical identify, the present options Charlie and Nick in addition to teen characters like Tara, Darcy, Elle and Tao. Nearly all of the principle characters are gay, lesbian, transgender or bisexual.
It has been so wonderful to see this optimistic illustration! Having a present the place a lot of the forged is LGBTQ+ is so necessary. In honor of October being LGBTQ+ Historical past Month, a time meant to concentrate on the historical past of LGBTQ+ individuals in addition to improve consciousness and visibility, I wished to provide Heartstopper a shout-out!
A Holistic View
Whereas a whole lot of exhibits now have LGBTQ+ characters, they’re usually not the main focus. We see some homophobia in Heartstopper, however we additionally see how positivity outweighs negativity. The present provides us a holistic view of what it’s prefer to be LGBTQ+ because the characters, sadly, cope with homophobia and/or transphobia, however are additionally engaged in blissful relationships and friendships similar to anybody who’s heterosexual and/or cisgender could be.
It’s OK to Query
One thing else that Heartstopper does a very good job of portraying is when somebody is confused about their sexual orientation. For example, we see Nick, who thinks he’s heterosexual, develop emotions for Charlie. He begins to do analysis about bisexuality and finally identifies as bi. However Charlie by no means insists Nick come out till he’s prepared to take action on his personal phrases.
Seeing a personality query their sexual orientation makes the present all of the extra relatable for individuals who haven’t found out how they establish. Nick exhibits us that it’s OK to not know and to discover your sexual id.
Heartstopper’s Magnificence
This present will all the time have a particular place in my coronary heart as there’s a character who identifies the identical means as I do. However extra importantly, it shines as a result of it’s a optimistic love story between two teen guys. The primary time I watched, I cried throughout nearly each episode, not as a result of it was unhappy, however as a result of I used to be and am so blissful that the present highlights all of the positivity in LGBTQ+ relationships.
Season two is now in manufacturing and I’m excited for it to return out! If you happen to haven’t seen Heartstopper but, I apologize for any spoilers and strongly urge you to observe it, throughout LGBTQ+ Historical past Month and any month!
