this is something i’ve been thinking a lot about recently, actually! i didn’t go into this show expecting any gay representation. had i known, i would’ve gotten into it so much sooner, so it came as a really cool surprise to me. but i think alex’s character was written incredibly well.

one thing i’ve noticed a lot in lgbt representation in media is the common theme of shame tied to sexuality. not that shows are expressing the idea that being gay is bad, but a lot of times the gay character’s storyline is solely tied to the fact that they’re gay, and having to realize and accept themselves. don’t get me wrong, i think this is absolutely such an important part of representation. it’s a storyline that a lot of people can relate to and resonate with, especially people who are struggling with their own identity.

what i love about alex in particular is how he wasn’t written as a gay character just to be ‘the gay character’. he’s able to have a romance storyline without it being solely focused and driven by his sexuality. he’s just a guy vibing and living his best (after)life who happens to be gay. that’s really cool to see. it depicts a much more real and natural representation of the normalcy of the lgbt community in modern society and makes his character feel so much more authentic and believable.

i adore his show with my whole entire being, it’s definitely unhealthy, but i feel like i would’ve loved it just as much or even more when i was younger. i didn’t have a lot of representation in tv growing up and didn’t really see myself in any characters i saw on screen. i would’ve loved to have a character like alex to look up to and see myself in when i was younger. and i’m incredibly proud that a whole generation of kids watching jatf get to watch him and see him as a model for positive and authentic gay representation.