As crazy as this world currently is I’m filled of love and gratitude for what I believe is a rolling momentum toward progress. I try to keep abreast of all narratives, especially in this dichotomous and often toxic culture, but as a Gen Xer, I have seen many decades now and lived most of them out and proud. And as much as things ebb and flow regarding progress, representation has evolved, and that alone will help in ways you just might not really forsee yet.
For example, (and FYI spoilers do lie ahead) as the world watched the finale of Stranger Things, it came as no surprise to most of us that Will Byers was gay. My alerts went off in the first episode as Will’s attention to Mike was palpable. The show’s thematic nuances to the 1980s Montauk Project mysteries resonated close to my own little NYC queer heart, and spotting that unrequited love and attention was second nature years ago. But who cares? Gay characters are peppered throughout most media these days, right? Maybe these things mattered back when it was mainstream Ellen or Roseanne Barr’s averted lesbian kiss, but we all watch our own channels now. It’s hard to even find a movie I can get the kids to sit through without their scrolling through You Tube at some point during a monologue or slow pan.
What struck me in the Stranger Things finale was how it felt for me to watch Will deal with the fact that he knew Mike was straight. It feels insane to go through that alone, and to be mixed up with feelings of love and friendship - it can ruin all support systems in a flash. It can hurt to the core and it can make you really angry. And just like Will said - it can turn a person’s heart. In case you didn’t know, it’s our hearts are truly steer our lives.
Watching and recognizing that conundrum happen on screen in a setting I recognized as familiar, and hearing Will say that he knew it was his issue, but that he would be alright. It felt like a release. Really, watching a representative of your deepest feelings navigate those feelings successfully - that can be everything.
Just like Will we are out of our closets. Republicans don’t care who we sleep with. Maybe some might still believe representation turns people, but those are definitely the ones who are already repressed. Everyone knows who Mitch McConnell is really interested in and why he’s so bent on oppressing it. Sure we have value problems but it’s hard to argue 10% or the planet is just wrong.
You really can’t stop knowledge and representation. Heated Rivary hit HBO Max with a vengeance QAF (Queer as Folk) left as a wake decades ago. Only this time, it influenced the real world directly and immediately. Hockey player Jess Kortuem credited the series with inspiring his outing just days ago. And discussion regarding the complexities of cultural and political homophobia resonating from a differently-abled and Russian hockey player relationship are unfolding at water coolers as we all strive to discuss something that doesn’t make us furious or terrified.
We all need to take a breath. Find what you’re grateful for. Build from there. Stranger Things was almost a great finale. And ours doesn’t have to be on its way.