Sex Education: 8 Ways The Show Did LGBTQ+ Representation Right
Ever since it premiered in 2019 January 2019, Sex Education has continued to expand the representation for LGBTQ+ voices and storylines, quickly becoming one of the most progressive shows on television. Furthermore, its empathy and delicacy when discussing these issues cemented its place as a landmark for the queer community.
The show doesn't shy away from asking relevant questions and challenging its viewers' opinions. Whether it's addressing issues of identity, self-love, or sexual exploration, Sex Education remains committed to including diversity among its central stories, providing some of the best LGBTQ+ characters and storylines in recent years.
8 Florence Opening Up About Her Asexuality
Even though she was a minor character in season two, Florence's scene with Jean was one of the highlights of the entire show. Asexuality is, perhaps, the most underrepresented sexual orientation in mainstream media. Plenty of people still struggle to understand it, let alone accept it, and shows and movies remain reluctant to address it in the way they do with other sexual orientations.
Jean is one of the best parental figures in Sex Education, and she deals with every issue with refreshing earnestness. This approach makes her therapy scenes remarkably honest and enhances the characters' vulnerability. The moment Jean shares with Florence, where she explains asexuality in an empathetic yet straightforward way, is significant for millions of people struggling to understand their desires. She also dispels the myth that asexual people don't want to form emotional bonds. It's a short but powerful scene that cements Sex Ed as one of the most honest shows on streaming.
7 Jackson & Cal's Relationship
Season three introduced Cal, a non-binary student who immediately forms a bond with Jackson. The two become closer throughout the season, developing an intense attraction that eventually ends in a kiss. After considering for a while, Jackson realizes he isn't ready for a queer relationship, and the two decide to remain friends. However, it's clear to everyone watching that their story is far from over.
To this day, there's a blatant lack of representation for non-binary people in the media. When they are part of the conversation, it's usually in the form of a "very special episode," in which a non-regular character appears to address the issue, then disappears into the ether for the remainder of the season. Cal's place as a series regular allows the show to explore the character throughout several episodes. Still, season 3 of Sex Education didn't explore Cal's storyline outside of their relationship with Jackson, so they definitely should in season four.
6 Layla & Cal's Connection
Speaking of Cal, they weren't the only non-binary student at Moordale. Layla is a noticeably more demure character who complies with Hope's hurtful policies out of fear. She agrees to wear the girl's school uniform but admires Cal's defiance of such retrograde practices.
Layla didn't get the spotlight until the season's last episode. Audiences get a glimpse into a non-binary person's perspective, even if it's somewhat superficially. Layla and Cal connect through their shared experiences, and Cal even shows Layla a less painful way of binding their chest. It's a short but powerful scene that might seem fleeting to others but is a landmark in representation for the LGBTQ+ community. The show should take the time to explore and develop Cal and Layla's friendship in season four while exploring other aspects of non-binary people's lives.
5 Rahim Explaining Gay Sex
Rahim is one of the best characters introduced in season 2 of Sex Education. A mature and knowledgeable teenager, he arrives to shake things at Moordale with his decisively straightforward approach to addressing relevant issues. During Mr. Hendrick's awkward sex ed lesson, Rahim asks about gay sex, challenging the teacher to talk about lubricants and safe sex practices.
Even though gay characters are more common in shows and movies than any other member of the LGBTQ+ community, topics like gay sex are hardly ever discussed. Furthermore, practices like douching are almost always ignored, perpetuating confusion in teenagers. Sex Ed takes the time to explain what douching is, how it works, and when is it necessary. Like other scenes in the show, it's brief but meaningful. One of Sex Ed's strengths is that it treats these issues delicately but doesn't frame them as "special" or out of the ordinary, but rather as aspects of everyday life.
4 Ola Coming To Terms With Her Pansexuality
Ola wasn't exactly popular when she came into the picture. Fans saw her as an unnecessary obstacle between Otis and Maeve, and some immediately disliked her. Season two shifted things when Ola developed an attraction for Lily. The show then had Ola break up with Otis and take the time to understand her feelings before pursuing a relationship with Lily.
Ola is one of the few openly pansexual characters in television. Furthermore, she's also a leading player in Sex Ed and has meaningful storylines unrelated to her sexuality. This particular aspect is crucial for representation, as it allows the character to have an identity outside of her sexual practices. The show treated Ola's pansexuality naturally, without making a big fuss about it; for example, her father, Jakob, accepted her relationship with Lily without hesitation. Ola's journey was one of the best parts of season two, and fans can't wait to see what's in store for her in season 4 of Sex Education.
3 Lily & Ola's Relationship
Speaking of Ola, her relationship with Lily remains one of the sweetest in Sex Education. The two support and encourage each other, never once trying to change themselves to fit into the relationship. Lily's notoriously quirky and creative personality might be off-putting for others, but Ola loves and embraces it, encouraging her projects, whether they're avant-garde school plays or writing contests.
Their dynamic is arguably the sweetest out of all the show's relationships and one of the healthiest in any teen show. It's also worth noting that they are the only couple still together. Through thick and thin, they are there for each other. Their relationship isn't perfect, but they are learning along the way, and that's ultimately the best they could do.
2 Eric's Season 1 Storyline
Eric is Sex Education's funniest character, by far. Whether he's playing the french horn or encouraging ditty pigs to wash their hands, he is a hurricane of energy and positivity that becomes contagious. Eric always was open about his sexuality and expressed himself through his clothes and makeup but also struggled with his identity. During season 1, he even tries to change it and adopt a more traditionally accepted behavior. He eventually returns to his previous self, better than ever and ready to take on life's challenges.
Adolescence is a notoriously confusing time, moreso for LGBTQ+ teenagers struggling to understand their sexuality. Eric's struggle was extremely relatable for millions of gay teens. The storyline also provided some much-needed encouragement by ending on a positive and hopeful note, especially in times as uncertain as these.
1 Adam's Entire Character Arc
Adam Groff began as a seemingly prototypical bully, plagued with insecurities and self-loathing. However, the show took great care of his development, evolving him over time into a young man on the verge of discovering who he is, to the point where he arguably became the best character in Sex Education. What makes Adam's story so compelling is the underlying themes of pain and confusion. The show didn't shy away from challenging Adam for his past mistakes but also allowed him the space to learn, accept, and eventually atone for them.
Much of season three then focused on helping Adam come out of his shell and become a more caring person learning how to express his feelings in healthy ways. It was a tremendously moving journey capped off with a heartfelt poem that surely brought tears to more than one viewer. And even though the season ended in heartbreak for him, it also set the stage for a powerful season four arc in which he discovers his identity as a bisexual young man. And considering Sex Education's track record, every fan is eagerly anticipating this particular storyline.