Virginia Beall, Elon University

As the popular streaming service continues to renew shows centered around queer men, shows that feature their female counterparts are continuously left behind.

Maria Merlo, Eastern Michigan University

The musician is becoming the artist people love to hate. His fashion doesn’t deserve the criticism, but his acting skills definitely do.

Virginia Beall, Elon University

The Bury Your Gays trope is a disgrace to all media.

Aunna Beranek, Columbia College Chicago

Since the lesbian vampire show’s release last week, audiences have mixed feelings about its success.

Aunna Beranek, Columbia College Chicago

Though audiences love the television adaption of the graphic novel, its supposed ‘revolutionary’ queer representation sacrifices WLW characters to benefit MLM relationships.

Rebecca Trevathan, University of Texas at Austin

Navigating dating apps, even those made for queer women, is extremely difficult in a heteronormative environment.

Tori Walz, Eastern Michigan University

The people who fall under the ‘+’ part of LGBTQ+ are often forgotten, and as a result, people may struggle to find the word they need to describe a core part of who they are.

L.R. Staples, Sarah Lawrence College

Safe social spaces are crucial for members of the LGBTQ+ community, but some of these spaces are slowly disappearing.

Zach Terrillion, Oberlin College

Both featuring LGBT+ main characters, ‘Love, Simon’ and ‘Portrait of a Lady on Fire’ showcase the difference between films that ask for acceptance and those that urge liberation.

Aubrey Doerr, Chapman University

The Scandanavian bedroom pop artist blew away fans with her 2018 release ‘i wanna be your girlfriend.’ Now popping up all over TikTok, she’s poised to dominate.

Audrey Martin, Boston University

Since the release of Taylor Swift’s eighth studio album, some fans have been speculating about possible double meanings in songs like ‘betty.’

McKenna Uzelac, Columbia University

Known for playing Santana Lopez on the popular show, the actress’s untimely death last month shocked millions of fans across the world, sparking a celebration of her Latina LGBTQ+ character.

Katie Klear, Columbia College Chicago

For some, figuring out how to tell the world who they are is a wonderful, liberating step, but it may not be the right choice for all.

Kaitlyn Nuebel, University of Pittsburgh

These role models from the LGBTQ+ community have helped me become a more authentic version of myself.

Katie Klear, Columbia College Chicago

In attempts to combat the lack of diversity, writers from non-marginalized communities often miss the mark when writing about groups they don’t identify with.

McKenna Uzelac, Columbia University

As June begins and protests over racial injustice continue, it’s important to make space for queer black literature.

Emerson Holmes, Lindenwood University

Diversity can be hard to find in the accepted literary canon, but literature is full of LGBTQ+ representation if you know where to look.

Study Breaks Writer

When it comes to content, borders don’t exist.

Michele Mendez, Temple University

Marvel films have an increasing amount of gender and racial diversity, so why not add queer representation to the mix?

Sema’Jay Hall, San Francisco State University

Netflix’s lack of queer shows featuring strong characters leaves viewers to wonder the future direction regarding sexuality representation.

Ashley Wertz, University of Pittsburgh

New safe-search restrictions on the site block certain LGBT+ videos, sending negative messages to viewers about homosexuality.

Olivia Wickstrom, Portland State University

I fell in love with a woman for the first time in my life, and here’s why it’s made me the happiest I’ve ever been.