LGBTQ+ Representation On Our Screens

Nicole Haught (right) Proposing to Waverly Earp (left) in the TV series 'Wynonna Earp' (2016 - present day)

Switching The Narrative

For years the standard plot in a television series or movie has been - boy meets girl, girl falls for boy, they get together and live a happy life - while yes those stories are cute and make you feel good, the same story starts to get old. The narrative needs to change and it finally has started to.

After many years people are finally seeing themselves on their screen for the very first time

Let's take a closer look into the show Wynonna Earp. It's not often two people meet, fall for one another, and get engaged in a world where they fight demons but somehow Emily Andras (Show runner of Wynonna Earp) and her crew managed to do just that. When we do get the queer representation we deserve, a lot of the times it's 'secret love' or 'slow-burn-we'll-kiss-in-3-seasons-maybe' type of relationships. WayHaught (Waverly Earp and Nicole Haught's ship name) is the complete opposite. "One of the reasons why I love Wayhaught so much is because they don't have that 'oh no you're a woman, I can't do this-' phase. It was refreshing seeing them just going for it. Also, I think it might have been the first time I've seen two women flirting with each other like that on TV." Says Wynonna Earp fan Linnea, 28 year-old. Another Earp fan (kb, 27) states "Wayhaught was my first wlw ship and the one I've gotten the most attached to" Two other Wynonna Earp fans chipped in to this topic as well. Earper (Wynonna Earp fan) Sarah, 17, said "I don't think i've ever watched a show/movie with a queer character that made me feel seen, I don't think I've ever watched a show/movie like that period." She says referring to the widely loved woman-loving-woman couple on Wynonna Earp. "I remember watching glee (santana) and Pretty Little Liars (Emily) and it made me feel seen BUT I did not truly see a well represented Lesbian/Bisexual character that really represented me until Wayhaught" Javen, 21 year-old, Earp fan continues on "watching Glee and Pretty Little Liars made me truly realize I was a Lesbian. But Wayhaught made me feel truly seen and represented. Their stories are just so well done" the fan concludes.

Other series, couples, and movies that have impacted people

First picture: Santana Lopez and Brittany S. Pierce from Glee (2009-2013); Second pic: 3 couples from the movie 'Season Of Love' (2019); Third Pic: Choni from 'Riverdale' (2017-present)

"I wasn't deviant, or loveless, I was sensational."

Throughout years, I will say we have gotten some LGBT representation on our screens, whether it be a little or a lot; bad or great, we've seen it and from this point onward, the representation will only get better hopefully. A queer TV and movie enthusiast; Mel, aged 30, says "Season Of Love I think is really strong in terms of representation" she goes on to say "For Season Of Love, I like how it handles storytelling for a variety of different characters with different backgrounds and experiences without feeling forced" A 22-year-old wlw representation stan, Brave opens up of what the couple Choni (Cheryl Blossom and Toni Topaz from Riverdale) means to them. "that ship [Choni] is so important to me because it's the reason I came out." She continues on "Like Cheryl going through that [her own coming out and situation] and seeing her be strong and follow her heart and I realized that I didn't have to spend the rest of my days miserable. I wasn't deviant, or loveless, I was sensational." the stan concludes. The representation on our screens and the impact characters have on fellow LGBTQ+ members is only gonna grow on for the [hopeful near] future.