Bridgewater, Va. – Over the past decade, there has been an increase in the amount of representation of LGBTQ+ individuals in the media, and members of BC Allies have suggestions for books and TV shows they believe include good representation. 

Senior Kylee Lorio recommends the HBO Max show “Euphoria.” 

“Euphoria” is about the struggle of a young drug addict, Rue, and her friends trying to navigate high school, love and addiction. The show includes multiple characters who are in the LGBTQ+ community, including Rue, the main character, who is a nonbinary lesbian in a relationship with Jules, a transgender woman. 

Junior Garret Estep, president of BC Allies, recommends the Hulu TV show “Pose.”

“Pose” is a drama series set in the 1980s, and it focuses on people in the LGBTQ+ community who are a part of  New York City’s underground ballroom culture. Many of the actors are in the LGBTQ+ community, as well.

The book “Red White and Royal Blue” by Casey McQuiston is suggested by Senior Kylie Chisnel. 

“It talks about the son of the president of the United States and the son of the British monarch falling in love and what major craziness ensues,” said Chisnel.

Another book she recommends is “The Bone Spindle” by Leslie Vedder. 

“The Bone Spindle” is an adult fantasy inspired by fairytales, namely “Sleeping Beauty,” and one of the two main characters, a woman named Shane, has a romantic storyline with a woman named Red.

“I think it’s important to have representation because everyone deserves to have someone represent them, and it also makes it a more realistic overarching story to life,” said Chisnel. “You’ll have TV shows and it’s like ‘you’re telling me not a single person in this entire universe is gay? Come on, man.”