I had my first real crush on another girl when I was 15. I did not understand what this meant to myself and my sexuality. All I knew was she was cute and funny, and I wanted to be around her all the time. Looking back on my childhood, the signs were there. My undoubtful crush on Megan Fox in the movie Transformers, and how Elizabeth Swann from Pirates of the Caribbean made me feel. The fact of the matter is, I did not understand my feelings or who I was, and I believe all the confusion would have been avoided if there were more LGBTQ characters in whom I could identify with in the media I consumed. 

            LGBTQ visibility is crucial for young people struggling with the affirmation of their identity. We all need someone we can look at and say, “Hey! They’re just like me.” Adolescence is already a very confusing time for most people but especially LGBTQ youth with limited exposure to queer media. 

            According to Shelley L. Craig, Ph. D., “Identity development is perhaps the most important developmental task undertaken during adolescence.” During adolescence, people start to figure out exactly who they are. When it comes to LGBTQ youth, this is perhaps the most confusing time of their life. For me, I had no idea what lesbians were, I had no proper education on the matter, nor was it a topic of interest in the cis white household I grew up in. The reality of my sexuality did not hit until I was faced with feelings I was not equipped to handle. 

            LGBTQ history is a topic that is widely swept under the rug in school curriculums. Many teachers fear covering a controversial topic and receiving backlash or are reluctant to spend time on material unlikely to appear on standardized tests. However, facing these challenges creates a safer space for LGBTQ students in school. According to GLSEN’s National School Climate Survey, LGBTQ students in schools teaching an LGBTQ inclusive curriculum were “less likely to feel unsafe because of their sexual orientation (41.8% versus 63.3%) and gender expression (34.6% versus 47%),” in comparison to schools without the curriculum.

            Many children scared of their identity and sexuality try to reject who they are out of fear and uncertainty. In the heteronormative society we have grown up in, we have been exposed to certain values about homosexuality that can lead to internalized homophobia. The Rainbow Project, a LGBTQ health organization, explains that internalized homophobia occurs when an LGBTQ individual internalizes negative messages about their sexuality, which can result in mental illness and serious self-doubt. An increase in LGBTQ representation in the media may work to correct some of these negative images.

            Both visibility and representation are significant for developing youth. LGBTQ youth need to know that they are not alone and that what they are feeling is normal. A big part of this is normalizing homosexuality and opposing the heteronormative society we belong to. Allowing for more LGBTQ characters in mainstream media as a normality sets a standard that screams to viewers that we exist and deserve to be seen and heard. Many networks and tv shows have already stepped up to bat to display more LGBTQ individuals on screen. 

            Cartoon Network’s animated TV show, “Steven Universe,” has led the way in LGBTQ representation for cartoons and animation. The episode, “The Question,” features a same-sex marriage proposal between two major characters in the series, Ruby and Sapphire. 

            Rebecca Sugar, a non-binary bisexual woman and creator of “Steven Universe,” said, “We need to let children know that they belong in this world… When you don’t show any children stories about LGBTQIA characters, and then they grow up, they’re not going to tell their own stories because they’re gonna think that they’re inappropriate, and they’re going to have a very good reason to think that because they’ve been told that through their entire childhood.”

            In the PBS children’s show, “Arthur,” Mr. Ratburn marries another man in the 22nd season premiere, “Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone.” This episode prompted negative reactions from several conservative and religious groups. 

            According to Christian Post, some conservatives believe PBS has taken advantage of parents’ trust by including a gay wedding in a show their kids watch. Many critics believe PBS, a government funded network, is using taxpayer dollars to promote a gay agenda, glorify the homosexual lifestyle and influence the hearts and minds of their children. 

            The episode also received massive support. CBC Kids News interviewed 12-year-old Kenney Vandelinde from Ottawa who has two moms on her reaction to Mr. Ratburn’s wedding. Vandelinde said, “It’s important for kids to be exposed to same-sex couples on TV so that they know it’s an ok way to be.” Supporters also took to social media to congratulate both Mr. Ratburn and PBS. 

            LGBTQ representation in traditional youth media is crucial in empowering and validating young LGBTQ people. Visibility and representation celebrate diversity and normalizes queer people as a part of society. These youth need affirmation of their identities during the confusing time of adolescence. Educating all youth on the existence of LGBTQ peoples is vital for self-discovery and life lessons. I am hopeful that the children of future generations will have the representation I wish I had growing up. We all want to be seen and heard, and it is time for an immediate shift in mainstream media. 

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