Bad Queer Character Tropes That Heartstopper Subverts:

Bad queer character tropes that Heartstopper subverts:

- Queer character says/does homophobic things to repress their feelings and protect their straight image: Nick is confused about his sexuality, but he never turns to homophobia or toxic masculine behavior in order to ward off rumors about his sexuality

- Queer character breaks up with partner because they’re closeted: Charlie breaks things off with Ben because he doesn’t actually care about Charlie and is emotionally abusive, not because Ben is in the closet. When Nick and Charlie start dating, Charlie respects Nick’s desire to keep things a secret for the meantime.

- Queer character must be “flamboyant” or display “effeminate” or “tomboyish” traits: Heartstopper demonstrates that there is no “one way” to be queer or straight. For example, Tao (the “token straight friend”) is the most “extra” and dramatic character. Additionally, Nick’s interest in traditionally masculine activities such as rugby does not preclude him from being queer.

- Someone catches queer couple being intimate and outs them to everyone: Isaac walks in on an affectionate moment between Nick and Charlie but never says anything about it, even if he can detect the attraction between the two of them. No one walks in on Charlie and Nick sharing their first kiss in public at the bowling alley. They can just enjoy the moment together!

- Queer character pretends or tries to be straight by dating someone of the opposite gender: While Ben does fit this trope, Nick subverts it when he cancels his date with Imogen and tells her that he doesn’t have romantic feelings for her. And contrary to expectations that Imogen might be jealous and retaliate in some way, she accepts that Nick doesn’t like her and appears to be supportive of his relationship with Charlie at the end of the show.

- Parents reject their child when they come out: Charlie’s parents are seen being supportive of him and expressing concern about potential bullying. When Nick comes out to his mum, she is completely accepting, telling him she loves him, hugging him, and apologizing for saying anything that made it difficult to confide in her.

- Female characters kiss for the enjoyment of male characters: When Nick sees Tara and Darcy kiss at Harry’s party, he is empowered to pursue his own feelings for Charlie and be himself. He doesn’t objectify or fetishize them in any way.

- Trans characters can’t be in straight relationships: Tao and Elle clearly have feelings for each other, and her being trans doesn’t matter in the slightest!

- Queer character must signal acceptance of their identity through dramatic public announcement: Nick could have done this by kissing Charlie in front of all the other students after running off the field during Sports Day, but instead, his moments of self-acceptance are quiet, intimate celebrations (e.g., Nick telling Charlie he is “definitely bisexual” and saying “Oh my god, I like you so much. And I love liking you” to Charlie on their beach date)

 Feel free to add more!

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When I‘m about to rewatch Heartstopper for the 4th time

Nick Nelson: *making heart eyes at Charlie* I really like you.

Charlie Spring: *in delighted shock* You LIKE me?!?

Nick Nelson, who by that point had literally lost track of time texting Charlie until super late at night on multiple occasions, invited Charlie to come round to his house "to meet his dog", but it was really just a ploy to spend time playing Mario Kart together and babble about how good Charlie is at everything, commented on his hair cut and told him it looked good completely unprompted while playing with his hair, continued to play with his hair while they frolicked adorably in the snow together, took a million selfies with Charlie in said Snow Frolic, had the most obvious bisexual panic while sat on the drum throne with Charlie, told Charlie he wished he didn't have to leave Charlie's house, then told Charlie he looked "so cuddly" in his blanket and hugged him for a full ten seconds, begged Charlie to go to Harry's birthday party with him, blew both Imogen and Harry off to hang out with Charlie at Harry's party, explicitly told Charlie he'd rather hang out with him than his stupid year 11 "friends", grabbed his hand and raced him somewhere quieter to talk in private, pretty much told Charlie he had a crush on him, said "yeah" when Charlie asked if he would kiss him, then proceeded to kiss him not once but twice, ran to Charlie's house in the pouring fucking rain to kiss him again and tell him he was "having a proper, full on Gay Crisis", held his hand under the art table during lunch, was the only Rugby Lad that went to check on him after he got a bloody nose during a game, immediately said "yes" to going to Charlie's birthday party, showed up to the arcade with a grin on his face and a cute little gift bag in hand, joked about how he "thought Charlie liked his arms" while bowling, hugged him for a full twenty seconds after overhearing Tao tattling about his date with Imogen to Charlie, and then presented him with an adorable and slightly hand-made framed photograph from him and Charlie's Snow Frolic: *slightly confused, heart eyes infinitely intensified* Wasn't that obvious?