LGBTQ+ Representation in Heartstopper by Alice Oseman: a Guidebook for Figuring Out Your Sexual Identity ⋆ Wonderfully Bookish

When I picked up the first volume of Heartstopper by Alice Oseman last year, I hadn’t read a single one of Alice’s books. Cut to now (May 2020), and I’ve read every single one of them. In this post, let’s chat about the LGBTQ+ representation in Heartstopper.

There’s just something about Alice’s books that feels so addictive and so real, like you’re getting a glimpse into the life of real people on their journeys through life, figuring out who they are, who their friends are, and overcoming struggles that we all face as teenagers.

But out of any of them, the Heartstopper books have a special place in my heart. I’ve read all three volumes now and I am ready to preorder the next one as soon as I possibly can. I’ve made videos talking about these books on my BookTube channel – I’ll embed those at the end of this post if you’re interested in hearing my (rather rambly) thoughts about why I loved them so much.

Today, I’m joining some of my friends – Sarah and Sophie, Lois, and Jaz – in sharing the Alice Oseman love. We all adore her and her books, so we thought it’d be fun to post something on the same day all about them!

LGBTQ+ representation in Heartstopper by Alice Oseman

Gay? Bi? Ace? A Chat About My Own Sexuality

Sexuality is confusing. It can often be scary. For some people, knowing what sexuality you identify with doesn’t require a second thought; but for others, deciding to fully embrace it can feel like a big ol’ leap of faith into the unknown.

It’s not just black and white, either. I sometimes think it’d make it a heck of a lot easier if there was just straight and gay. But then you add bisexual, demisexual, asexual, aromantic, and a whole load of other identities into the mix, it can feel like a whole new kettle of fish – especially if you’re trying to figure out how you feel, or where you belong.

For me, this internal debate has gone on for years and it sometimes feel unending, like I’ll never quite figure it out. And that’s OK, I guess. But sometimes, I just want to know where I fall on the spectrum, just to keep my confused brain quiet. One day I’ll be 100% certain that I’m bisexual and everyone is beautiful. The next day, I’ll think to myself, “but all of that is just aesthetic attraction. I don’t actually want to date all of those people.” And the cycle continues.

It’s difficult when people say it isn’t important; that the right person will come along, and it won’t matter anymore. But when these thoughts are circling in your head, sometimes on a daily basis, it can feel a little bit overwhelming; like you’re trying to find the answer to an impossible question.

I’ve actually made a whole video talking about this in the past, so if you want to watch it, here it is:

For people like me, reading books and watching films with LGBTQ+ characters can often help make things feel a heck of a lot less confusing. When you read about characters who are facing the same struggles as you, it makes you feel slightly less alone. And that’s why the LGBTQ+ representation in Heartstopper is so important.

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What is Heartstopper?

If you’re not aware of the Heartstopper books are, they’re a series of graphic novels written and illustrated by Alice Oseman (in case you hadn’t already guessed). They follow the story of Nick and Charlie, two teenage boys who are navigating the struggles of high school, relationships, and general life.

Charlie is gay, and practically everyone knows this after an incident where he was accidentally outed to everyone by a friend of his. Nick, on the other hand, has a harder time coming to terms with his sexuality. He’s a rugby lad, and there’s often a stigma around sports players coming out as gay (which, personally, I think is completely ridiculous that that’s still the way the world is). Charlie tries to help him come to terms with it, and they form a relationship that just makes me die because it’s so cute and I love these precious beans so much.

On the surface, Heartstopper is the love story of Nick and Charlie. But when you get into it, it’s so much more than that. These books explore the stories and the identities of so many different characters. Each character with their own unique, individual identity gets their own chance to shine.

There’s Charlie, who is confidently gay; Nick, who thinks he’s bisexual but needs some time to figure it out; Tara, Nick’s old crush, who is a lesbian, and in an adorable relationship with Darcy, who is trans; and a whole host of other minor characters who each in turn have their own identities and each deal with them in their own way.

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LGBTQ+ Representation in Heartstopper

Without further ado, let’s chat about the LGBTQ+ representation in Heartstopper, and how I think it’s a great guidebook for coming to terms with your sexual identity.

One thing I especially love, and I talked about this in my Volume 3 video review, is that we don’t only see the teenagers explore their sexuality and relationships; we also see adults coming to terms with it, too.

In the third volume, we see two of Nick and Charlie’s teachers also dealing with their own feelings; both are gay, but one of them only came out in his twenties while the other (I think) has known for a lot longer. It’s so important to note that this isn’t only something that teenagers go through; adults face these same struggles, too. Heck, I’m 25 and I still have no idea, despite actively thinking about it since I was 17.

Alice Oseman has this magical ability of featuring so many different people with their own complex narratives and identities, without feeling like she’s trying to tick every box just for the sake of representation (otherwise known as token representation)—and the Heartstopper series is a perfect example of this.

What is Token Representation or Tokenism?

So many books try to include token representation. Tokenism happens when people in minorities are written into books or media to create the impression of inclusiveness and diversity, when it actual fact, these characters have no real depth or are pushed to the sidelines, often forgotten a moment later.

Heartstopper does the opposite of this. There are so many characters of varying identities and each one brings their own story and their own life to the series. Each character feels important and included. I’m pretty sure that if you were to read these books, you’d see yourself represented in at least one character in some way—and that just feels so special.

There’s something for everyone, and no matter where you are in your life. Whether you’re sure and confident of your identity, you’re halfway to figuring it out, or you have no clue whatsoever, Heartstopper makes you feel like you’re not alone. And sometimes, that’s all you need to shut those annoying thoughts down for a little while.

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How About You?

Do you resonate with these feelings? Do you often find yourself wondering where you fit, and if you’ll ever figure it out? Has the LGBTQ+ representation in Heartstopper helped you feel seen?

As some people say, you might figure it out eventually when the right person comes along and you’ll realise those thoughts don’t matter anymore. Or maybe you’ll realise you don’t want a relationship at all, and you’re perfectly happy that way. Maybe you’ll go through several relationships before you settle on something that feels most comfortable for you.

Whatever happens, it’ll be OK. But until then, stories like these have got your back.

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“Matilda’s strong young mind continued to grow, nurtured by the voices of all those authors who had sent their books out into the world like ships on the sea. These books gave Matilda a hopeful and comforting message: You are not alone.”
Matilda, Roald Dahl