<
https://theconversation.com/heartstopper-is-helping-lgbtq-fans-find-hope-and-community-across-time-and-space-287350>
"Despite the success of shows like “Heated Rivalry” and “Euphoria,” seeing
queer people on screen is still rare. Only 9.3% of characters on American TV
screens were identified as LGBTQ+ in the 2024-25 season. Around 41% of those
characters are not scheduled to return for subsequent seasons, sounding alarms
among those in the LGBTQ+ community about the drop in representation during a
period of political uncertainty.
Despite media networks’ and streamers’ unsteady support for queer characters on
TV, a few series have broken through the mainstream to demonstrate the impact
that rich, explicitly queer-focused stories can have on viewers. One of them,
“Heartstopper,” has been particularly touching for fans.
“Heartstopper” has been praised for its positive depiction of queer love,
pushing back against tropes like “bury your gays” and trauma porn that
sensationalize the suffering and death of LGBTQ+ characters. This breakout
success for queer joy in media returns for its final chapter on July 17, 2026,
as “Heartstopper Forever,” the feature-length conclusion to the three-season
Netflix show.
Adapted from Alice Oseman’s webcomic and graphic novel series, “Heartstopper”
follows the love story of Charlie, a gay boy who has a history of being bullied
for his sexuality, and Nick, a popular jock who slowly discovers his
bisexuality throughout the first season. Their friends support them through the
challenges of young love, and many make their own self-discoveries about gender
and sexuality along the way.
“Heartstopper” has been called the young adult version of “Heated Rivalry,” a
hit show about the unexpected chemistry and steamy romance between two rival
male hockey players. Instead of explicit sex scenes, “Heartstopper” has
primarily built anticipation toward hand-holding and first kisses.
But while the main characters of “Heartstopper” are teenagers, the show’s fans
span every age and identity.
“Heartstopper” has meant a lot to many people, including us – two professors in
sociology and English and queer sisters who share a love of young adult media.
So, over the past two years we have interviewed more than 50 “Heartstopper”
fans, ages 18 to 74, seeking to understand the impact the show has had on fans
and on the media more broadly.
What we’ve found is that “Heartstopper,” and other joyful queer stories like
it, can be a pivotal source of healing, community and hope for the future."
Via Kenny Chaffin.
Share and enjoy,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
