Role Models

Alice Clarke on the importance of LGBT+ representation

Following the success of It's a Sin (2021), Russell T. Davies’ decision to cast “gay as gay” perhaps is one that more directors should take. Representation really does matter, not least when it comes to LGBTQ+ people seeing themselves on screen. The need to have a role model or someone to look up to, at any age, really is vital.

Just a few weeks ago, JoJo Siwa came out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community and revealed she had a girlfriend. At 17 years old, JoJo’s audience primarily is, and always has been, children and tweens. Queer role models for people of that age are few and far between, making JoJo Siwa’s coming out even more important. Most queer people have grown up without seeing someone like them living openly and happily. Really this is testament to attitudes that have clouded society and popular culture. Now these attitudes are waning, we can see more role models feel free enough to come out.

Instagram / @meganwestieart

Until the year 2003, the notorious Section 28 was in place, prohibiting the teaching or “promotion” of homosexuality. Put in place by Margaret Thatcher’s government in 1988, a whole generation of children had even the most subtle hints to queer existence or acceptability censored from their education. In It's a Sin, we see Ash’s character, as a gay schoolteacher, is tasked with ridding the school library of any books that Section 28 would prohibit, essentially being told to obscure his own visibility.

Someone with such a young audience, like JoJo Siwa, being able to come out to an outpouring of support and now exist as a role model for other young queer people seems a world away from the censorship of Section 28. Though these steps are being made, there is still a long way to go.

Instagram / @jenniferarts.x

Young transgender and non-binary people have to deal with a complete lack of representation in the media. Not only this, but the sparse representation offered is often damaging and offensive or limited to stories that are violent and tragic.

However, there are a number of inspiring role models that have emerged in the past few years despite media reluctance to give a platform to transgender and non-binary people. In this series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK (2021), Bimini Bon Boulash and Ginny Lemon had a frank and open discussion about their experiences of being non-binary, especially in the world of drag. Notably, Ginny Lemon talks about coming from a working-class background, and how they never felt comfortable growing up.

Instagram / @jenniferarts.x

Most importantly, the conversation is between two non-binary people discussing what being nonbinary means to them. It doesn’t serve as laborious explanation for those who don’t understand. To see them thriving in the public domain gives young non-binary people figures to relate to, something so valuable for all LGBTQ+ growing up. It's important to remember though that there is still a long way to go. There are individuals that are visible, admirable and, all in all, very ordinary. Your role model can be a celebrity or person in the public eye, but they can also be anyone in your life who inspires you or makes you feel comfortable with who you are.