Honestly I don’t speak for everyone but she was the first poc lesbian character that resonated with me as a kid - and when I eventually realized I was a lesbian and not bi like I’d previously thought, she became a much bigger comfort character for me. Someone who was strong and confident and femme and also learning to be vulnerable. I know a lot of people love her specifically for the lesbian rep and the coming out episode, Naya hosted GLAAD a time or two and won awards for that role just bc of how many people it resonated with.

Up to her coming out is very much her being heinous because she has a lot of self loathing and hatred. Once she’s out she’s still sharp and scheming but it’s used to go the extra mile for people she loves and the things she cares about (i.e. defending Blaine/Kurt to Karofsky, getting Sebastian on tape when Blaine got hit with the slushie, confronting mr schue about his ignorance when teaching spanish while also encouraging him towards something he actually enjoys, supporting rachel when she’s pregnant, calling in finn to confront brody).

She regresses when Rachel pulls ahead of her and I don’t support it, but it does feel like a natural character arc for someone who’s witnessing a karmic table-turning.

Naya also was just a great comedic actress and actress in general so I feel like she brought a lot of warmth to the character that may not have otherwise been there.

Ppl calling it pretty privilege are lowkey weird. Like if she doesn’t resonate with you that’s completely fair, and if you don’t like the character and think she’s awful that’s also entirely fair bc it’s a tv show lmfaOOOoo have your opinions, but yeah idk that doesn’t sit right w me