With rising LGBTQ+ hate, we need Glee’s unapologetic characters now more than ever
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A Christian abstinence club leader gets pregnant. A loud and proud gay man doesn’t change for anyone, even when the world tells him not to be different. An annoying, yet talented loser believes in herself when no one else does. These are just a few characters from William McKinley High School.
Glee was more than just a silly show about teenagers breaking out into cringy musical numbers — it was a cultural phenomenon. The show brought a new age of inclusivity. There were teenagers from every walk of life, including Artie, who became disabled after an accident; Becky, Sue Sylvester’s right hand woman who just happened to have down syndrome; and Unique, one of the first transgender characters on TV.
It also showcased not just straight romances, like Rachel and Finn’s, but broadcasted both gay and lesbian relationships. It even had a double gay wedding. This show brought representation to the screen in an age where LGBTQ+ content was hard to come by.
While there is no research to prove that Glee caused more LGBTQ+ acceptance in society, there was a shift in public opinion of gay marriage while it was airing. In a 2009 study published by Pew Reaserch Center, only 37 per cent of the American respondants supported gay marriage, but in 2015, 57 per cent supported it.
Even though Glee probably wasn’t the sole reason why there was a change in public favour, it’s no shock that representation matters. During the time when Glee first aired, there was a lack of LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream media. But by 2015 there were 58 recurring LGBTQ+ characters across mainstream television, compared to 25 in 2009. I know that Glee didn’t cause this jump in representation, but in my opinion, it paved a way for more representation in the media.
If you are too young to remember or just didn’t care at the time, Glee was extremely popular in the early 2010s. At its height, Glee brought in 10 million views per week in the U.S. alone. The first six albums from the show were all certified triple platinum and hit number one in the States. Glee Live! In Concert!, which toured across America, Canada, England, and Ireland, was ranked 16th in 2011’s top concerts and made over $40 million. It was right behind Justin Bieber, just to give perspective.
Even though it’s been almost 10 years since this musical-comedy show last aired its final episode, the remnants still haunt us to this day. The most recent example is “Rose Turn” sung by Kurt Hummel (Chris Colfer) that is in almost every video on my for you page . Glee is still relevant to this day.
I know I can’t write a Glee piece without addressing the elephant in the room, the tragedies that happened off-camera. Mark Salling, who played the loveable character Puck, died by suicide after pleading guilty to two child pornography charges. Beloved Victoria-raised actor Cory Monteith, who played Finn, passed away in 2013 and Naya Rivera, who played Santana, died in 2020. All these tragedies have sparked rumours of the “Glee Curse.”
The “Glee Curse” name is ominous and has caused backlash online. I think it adds an extra layer to rewatching the shows. While I can’t say the same for the death of Salling, it brings some comfort to know a part of Monteith and Rivera will live on throughout the show.
Recently, it feels like not much has changed in terms of LGBTQ+ acceptance since 2009. In America, there has been a rise of anti-LGBTQ+ extremism which has led to violence against the queer community. Between June 2022 and April 2023, GLAAD reported 356 incidents of hate, which coincides with the legislation targeting the LGBTQ+ community. Canada is no different with LGBTQ+ hate attacks rising nearly 60 per cent between 2019–2021.
This hate directed to my community makes me nostalgic for the days where change felt in reach. Seeing a gay man be completely himself even after being relentlessly bullied or two cheerleaders being able to fall in love gave me teenage me hope that I could be in love or be myself like they were. While I am out and accepted now, it’s hard not to let outside perspective get me down at times.
Glee did make an impact on our society. I miss feeling that the world can change again, and I wish Glee would make a comeback. Not just for the Olivia Rodrigo covers (those would slap), but because I need a show that has unapologetic characters being themselves. I want to see the New Directions making it to nationals one last time.
