I'm in that weird section where being LGBTQIA+ was accepted but still sort of looked down upon (like I grew up learning to say "that's gay" whenever something bad happened or something I didn't like happen, if that helps put a stamp on when I grew up). And I love Heartstopper, I actually just finished reading the first two volumes of it and I watched the show when it came out. But admittedly, I am slightly jealous that kids nowdays can see representation on tv, and not just gay and straight people, but bisexual characters, pansexual, trans and nonbinary. If I had the language I have now that would've helped me as a kid.

But ultimately, I am so happy that kids are now getting tv shows and movies where they can see themselves. I just hope that for us 25+ and older can get some representation. I want to see more elder LGBTQIA+ folks on my screens. Because, I mean as you would know, so many of our elder died unnecessarily because the government didn't care about us. We've lost so much history. And being able to see old LGBTQIA+ folks means that we're here. And that we can grow old and beautiful.

I've felt weird about how I'm not even 30 and my hair is greying, but I watched some TikToks where elder queers have said "Grey means you're here". And as a queer person with depression, I take that to heart.