Positive LGBTQ+ representation in film and television has long been central to both my personal concerns and my work. As a queer person and filmmaker, I am deeply interested in the ways screen narratives can shape how queer lives are understood, both by society and by queer audiences themselves. This commitment also informed my bachelor’s dissertation, which examined the importance of positive LGBTQ+ representation in audiovisual media.

The progress made in recent years remains fragile. Greater visibility and acceptance have also provoked increasing hostility from homophobic and transphobic sections of society. Anti trans rhetoric is gaining ground in the United Kingdom and the United States, while legislation restricting the discussion of diverse sexualities and identities in schools, as well as attempts to ban drag performances, continues to spread.

In this climate, visibility matters more than ever. Meaningful representation can have a profound effect on the psychological wellbeing of queer people, particularly young people who may lack supportive communities or role models in their everyday lives. Seeing complex and affirming queer characters on screen can help them understand their experiences, feel less isolated and imagine a future in which they are able to live openly and fully.

My dissertation grew out of my broader interest in LGBTQ+ representation in film and television. In it, I examine why positive portrayals of minority communities matter and how the images presented on screen can have a tangible impact beyond the media itself. I explore recurring forms of negative representation and harmful tropes before considering what meaningful and positive representation might look like.

This question does not have a simple or definitive answer. Research into positive LGBTQ+ representation remains limited, and the needs and experiences of queer communities are too diverse to be reduced to a fixed set of rules. To explore these complexities in practice, I use the Netflix series Heartstopper as an extensive case study.

My continued engagement with LGBTQ+ representation has given me the critical and analytical skills to support projects dealing with queer characters and narratives. I am able to assess how representation is approached, identify potential problems and contribute to the development of work that feels nuanced, responsible and authentic.