The ‘Heartstopper’ Eating Disorder Storyline Fails Queer Youths in a Major Way

This piece contains details about eating disorders and self-harm.

As a gay man, I’ve always felt strange being obsessed with film and TV. I’d have friends talk about how deeply they’d resonate with particular characters, but growing up, I never really felt much of that myself. Queer representation on screen was minimal, and the few gay characters that did exist on TV (like Marco on Degrassi: The Next Generation) were typically pushed to the side in favor of straight characters. It almost felt like the thing in the world I loved most in the world wasn’t for me.

Things are very different now, and it’s wonderful to know that so many queer youths won’t feel nearly as confused or underrepresented by the projects they love watching on screen. A show I would have completely and utterly adored growing up is Hearstopper, the surprise hit that just released its second season on Netflix.

Read more at The Daily Beast.