TikTok is a social media platform that provides the ability to view, post and share short-form videos. The application currently has one billion active viewers per month (Dean, 2024). The app can truly support all viewers ‘ interests, from dances and trendy “Get ready with me” videos to educational clips and news posts. With the rise of the social revolution and Web 2.0, many communities flourish through social media applications. Communities formed through online forums contain individuals with shared interests and beliefs, allowing them to connect and interact with one another (Martin, 2024). This paper will examine how fan edits from Netflix’s series “Heartstopper” have been posted on TikTok, which has led to important conversations about queer representation within the comment section and connected a community of individuals.

So where did the fandom for “Heartstopper” begin, and what brought it to TikTok?

Heartstopper was originally published as a graphic novel, written and illustrated by author Alice Olsen. The first volume was published in 2019, and shortly after its release, See-Saw Films purchased television rights. Once the television show had been cast and filmed, Netflix acquired distribution rights in 2022, and then it was finally released to the public. The show currently has two seasons on Netflix, covering the storyline and scenes from volumes one through four of the graphic novel. It follows the love story of Nick and Charlie, who started as friends and ended as lovers when Nick discovered his sexuality. Although it is based on the fictional lives of LGBTQ high-school students, it resonated with a large audience as it portrayed many real-life issues, such as coming out, eating disorders, broken families, bullying, mental health, gender identity and sexuality. Many people admired the show, and fans started posting edits of their favourite scenes on TikTok. The Michigan Daily (2023) has stated that “Fandom edits are the internet’s own unique form of art”, which can highly be believed to be true. The concept behind fandom edits is to evoke emotions and excitement around a certain TV show or movie, and it is an art form that can be made by mashing together montages of scenes with thought-provoking transitions and settling background music (Smith, 2023). These edits are then paired with captions discussing the issues or scenes portrayed, opening up a public space for anyone to contribute their thoughts or opinions within the comments. This is where and how the heartstopper community grew. Ari_is_Boss (2023) has posted to Reddit stating that “the people I’ve met and the friends I’ve made are amazing, and if any of you are part of the fandom, I would highly recommend sharing your passion on TikTok because the amount of nice people there is beyond amazing.”

LGBTQ history of oppression and criminalisation.

The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities have experienced many hardships throughout history. Being in love or sharing intimate moments with someone of the same gender was seen as unnatural and a sin in the eyes of organised religion and seen as illegal in the eyes of the law (Cunes, 2024). In the 19th and 20th centuries, the criminalisation of homosexuality became widespread in many countries and was often based on religious teachings. Laws that illegalised unnatural acts and sodomy led to the arrest and prosecution of many people who identified as queer. These laws were put in place to shame and oppress LGBTQ individuals and would often lead to severe punishments such as imprisonment, torture or even death. Long before social networks existed, LGBTQ people would connect with their community through hidden bars, often run by the mafia, to make money, as dancing with a same-sex partner was prohibited by law in many bars across the world (Cunes, 2024). A pivotal moment in the LGBTQ movement to decriminalise homosexuality was the Stonewall riots. A secret gay bar run by the Mafia in the heart of New York City was raided by police on 28 June 1969, which led to a 5-day long protest and riot demanding human rights issues for LGBTQ people to be solved (Cunes, 2024). This movement influenced many queer people to stand up for their rights and push for decriminalisation in their countries and is believed to have led to the decriminalisation of homosexuality in some American States, Canada, Australia, parts of Europe and Asia. This has even led to the legalisation of same-sex marriage in many countries throughout the 21st century. Although there has been very good progress in the ideologies and legal outcomes around being queer it is still illegal in some countries and regions. Many openly LGBTQ individuals still face prosecution and imprisonment in countries such as Egypt, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and many more places. Pakistan and Mauritania’s laws allow death by stoning as a means of punishment for sexual acts between the same sex, Iran’s laws impose the death penalty as punishment and Tanzania and Zambia sentence life imprisonment (Human Dignity Trust, 2024).

LGBTQ representation in the media, television and film.

With the decriminalisation of homosexuality in many Western countries came a rise in representation in the media and television. A study completed by Stephen Winkler (2021) demonstrates how both negative and positive portrayals of LGBTQ individuals in the media can influence the formation of stereotypes and perceptions. It suggests that increased positive representation of LGBTQ people in television and media may lead to greater support from allies (Winkler, 2021). Early stereotypes portrayed LGBTQ characters in television and film as minor characters with only comedic roles that lacked authenticity and depth (Thompson, 2021). Due to the lack of accurate and serious representation of LGBTQ characters many writers and actors within the industry have demanded authentic storytelling about the lives and struggles of the LGBTQ community. In more recent years there has been a large increase in films and television shows across a wide range of genres starting to show more accurate representations of queer love and identity, such as “Brokeback Mountain” (Campbell and Carilli, 2017). Current TV shows and movies have featured complex and multidimensional LGBTQ characters, exploring their relationships, struggles, and triumphs in better ways, while also showing communities and friends. While there has been large progress in the way that queer characters are represented in shows and films there is still an evident contrast in the number of television shows and films featuring LGBTQ main characters compared to their straight counterparts. Most romantic comedies focus solely on heterosexual couples, leaving a significant gap in representation for LGBTQ individuals (Schaefer, 2021). This lack of diverse storytelling means there aren’t enough shows and films being produced to offer support and representation for young LGBTQ people who are seeking relatable characters and narratives. A study by Isabel Baskin (2017), delves into the intricate dynamics of how lesbian, bisexual, and queer women engage with television content, utilizing media portrayals of queer female characters as essential instruments for comprehending the details of queer sexuality and the surrounding communities. Baskin (2017) explored viewers’ interactions with these representations, aiming to shed light on the versatile roles that media plays in shaping perceptions, identities, and connections within the LGBTQ+ community.

Communities and social media.

Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok serve as virtual gathering spaces where people from diverse backgrounds can come together to form communities, exchange ideas, and engage in conversations on a wide range of topics (Akram and Kumar, 2017). These online communities play a significant role in facilitating communication and fostering a sense of belonging, particularly for marginalized or geographically dispersed groups (Utilities One, 2023). Long before social media and social networks communities used to be defined as groups of people in close physical proximity who have shared interests and cultural identities, these members of communities were familiar with each other and their real-world lives. Nowadays, due to social media, communications are not limited by geographic constraints and can consist of members from all around the world. Due to this connectivity, the traditional qualities of shared interests and cultural identities are no longer the defining factors of communities. Web 2.0 is the belief that the web has completely transformed into a different system, the beliefs underline that web 2.0, starting in the 21st century, has transformed the way individuals run their daily lives. The “new” web contributes largely to social evolution and social media, with the theory underpinning the hypothesis that “Web 2.0 is inherently social” (Alemu and Stevens, 2015). Web 2.0 and the rise in social evolution are all due to advancing technologies and applications. A case study of “BookTok” which examines communities and cultures on TikTok by Jessica Maddox and Fiona Gill (2023) found that TikTok’s communities are some of the strongest online groups that connect thousands of people through public posting and commenting. Online “Publics that are restructured by networked technologies … are simultaneously a space and a collection of people” (Boyd, 2010).

LGBTQ individuals forming online communities

LGBTQ individuals have been fostering characteristics of the community since the earliest days, but social media and networking have enhanced their connectivity. “The most common social media platforms used by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer and/or questioning (LGBTQ) youth are Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Snapchat.” (Berger et al., 2021). The involvement of LGBTQ youth with social media empowers them to tap into social support networks, nurture their identities and understanding of gender, and enhance their sense of happiness and mental health within a secure environment (McInroy et al, 2019). A review of 26 scholarly journals discussing matters of LGBTQ individuals was completed by Matthew Berger et al, (2022) which concluded that 72% of qualitative studies explored the common idea that social media among LGBTQ adolescents is used to help connect with other LGBTQ individuals for support and a sense of community. Chapter 14 from the Digital Cultures, A Global Perspective Book (2022), discusses how TikTok has become a place for LGBTQ people to express identity, empowerment and representation. The formation of queer digital cultures and online communities has placed the opportunity for LGBTQ activists to come together in cyberspaces and discuss important issues affecting community members, such as a lack of representation for the queer community (Kataria, 2022 p. 2317).

Heartstopper’s online community

As Kit Connor stated in an interview, Heartstopper, “blew up the way that it did because queer people need the representation that we [LGBTQ individuals] sorely miss a lot of the time.” (BAFTA, 2023). I have collected some comments from TikTok fan edits of the TV series, “True representation”, “Please it’s the way this is a collective experience”, and “Why can’t there be more shows like this… showing our real lives and problems”, “Only show that truly connects with me and represents my struggles.” Through these comments, individuals have the ability to reply to them in acantinue the important conversations of queer representation. Through just typing the word “Heartstopper” into the search bar thousands of fan edits will appear with hundreds of comments engaging in discussions about the importance of queer representation, emphasizing its impact on visibility, acceptance, and empowerment within mainstream media. Kataria (2022) states that “fan intimacy can increase queer visibility (p. 251), which the Heartstopper fan community have proven to be true. The show and the community are not just targeted at youth, it has also helped many mature aged adults come to terms with their sexuality as it was their first time seeing true queer representation. The BBC released an interview that stated a woman in her 40s came to terms with her sexuality through watching the Heartstopper TV series, she wrote that it was not just the TV show itself but the online community it provided her with that helped her discuss important issues and lost feelings she had been oppressing for a long time (Saunders, 2023). The Time (2023), also released an article stating that “Heartstopper Helped Young Fans Around the World Come to Terms With Their Sexuality.”


Conclusion

Overall, it can be seen that TikTok fan edits of the Netflix series “Heartstopper” have sparked the formation of an online community within the comment section, providing a platform for LGBTQ individuals to engage in discussions about the significance of queer representation. The “Heartstopper” series truly is a beautiful show that captures the essence of life as a queer teenager and has caused a ripple effect of online communities helping to support one another through many walks of life. The communities that have been fostered through TikTok and the public space of commenting have captured the minds of many individuals who are raising concerns about the lack of queer representation in hopes to create a brighter future for the next generation of LGBTQ individuals seeking support online.


References

Akram, W., & Kumar, R. (2018, March). A Study on Positive and Negative Effects of Social Media on Society. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323903323_A_Study_on_Positive_and_Negativ e_Effects_of_Social_Media_on_Society

Alemu, G., & Stevens, B. (2015). Web 2.0 – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. Www.sciencedirect.com. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/social-sciences/web-2-0

ari_is_boss. (2023, December 18). I love the heartstopper fandom on tiktok sm. Reddit; Ari_Is_Boss. https://www.reddit.com/r/HeartstopperAO/comments/18kwlfy/i_love_the_heartstopper_fa ndom_on_tiktok_sm/?rdt=35981

BAFTA. (2023, February 6). Let’s Connect with Kit Connor & Gracie | BAFTA Kids. Www.youtube.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuaQMrAq3Rk

Baskin, I. (2017). “How else would I know what queer is?” The impacts of the representation of queer women on television. Scholarship.tricolib.brynmawr.edu. https://scholarship.tricolib.brynmawr.edu/items/78cad6db-10a1-4bcc-89b7-079f8785f437

Berger, M. N., Taba, M., Marino, J. L., Lim, M. S. C., & Skinner, S. R. (2022). Social Media Use and Health and Well-being of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Youth: Systematic Review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, https://doi.org/10.2196/38449

Boyd, D. (2010). Social Network Sites as Networked Publics: Affordances, Dynamics, and Implications danah boyd. https://www.danah.org/papers/2010/SNSasNetworkedPublics.pdf

Campbell, J., & Carilli, T. (2017). Locating Queerness in the Media: A New Look. In Google Books. Rowman & Littlefield. https://books.google.com.au/books?hl=en&lr=&id=wnQqDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA11& dq=lgbtq+television+representation&ots=7LuiQRTIvU&sig=28Df3tQvU7x45VNU2q3QaH KxlAY#v=onepage&q=lgbtq%20television%20representation&f=false

Cunes, C. (2024). BEING QUEER: LGBTQ HISTORY, SOCIAL MOVEMENTS AND CULTURAL EVOLUTION THROUGHOUT TIME IN NORTH AMERICA. https://prism.ucalgary.ca/server/api/core/bitstreams/362f6b9d-3f2c-4e5b-8a74- c73f35c0579e/content

Dean, B. (2023, March 27). TikTok User Statistics (2023). Backlinko. https://backlinko.com/tiktok-users

Human Dignity Trust. (2023). Map of Countries that Criminalise LGBT People. Human Dignity Trust; Human Dignity Trust. https://www.humandignitytrust.org/lgbt-the-law/map-of- criminalisation/

Kataria, G. (2022). LGBTQ Digital Cultures–A Global Perspective. Sexuality & Culture, 26(6), 2311-2317. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-022-09985-3
Maddox, J., & Gill, F. (2023). Assembling “Sides” of TikTok: Examining Community, Culture, and Interface through a BookTok Case Study. Social Media + Society, 9(4)https://doi.org/10.1177/20563051231213565

Martin, M. (2024, February 5). The Top 17 Best Online Community Platforms in 2023. Thinkific. https://www.thinkific.com/blog/best-online-community- platforms/#:~:text=An%20online%20community%20platform%20is

McInroy, L. B., Craig, S. L., & Leung, V. W. Y. (2019). Platforms and Patterns for Practice: LGBTQ+ Youths’ Use of Information and Communication Technologies: C & A. Child & Adolescent Social Work Journal, 36(5), 507-520. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-018- 0577-x

Smith, R. (2023, April 9). Fandom edits are the internet’s own unique form of art. The Michigan Daily. https://www.michigandaily.com/arts/fandom-editors-are-social-medias-very-own- Oscar- worthy-filmmakers/

The Impact of Network Connectivity on Social Inclusion in Cities. (2023). Utilities One. https://utilitiesone.com/the-impact-of-network-connectivity-on-social-inclusion-in-cities

Thomson, K. (2021). An Analysis of LGBTQ Representation in Television and Film. Bridges: An Undergraduate Journal of Contemporary Connections, 5(1). https://scholars.wlu.ca/bridges_contemporary_connections/vol5/iss1/7/

Winkler, S. (2021). Media’s Influence on LGBTQ Support Across Africa. British Journal of Political Science, 51(2), 807-826. https://doi.org/10.1017/S000712341900019X

Zeng, J., Kaye, B., & Wikstrom, P. (2022). TikTok: Creativity and Culture in Short Video | Wiley. In Wiley.com. Wiley. https://www.wiley.com/enau/TikTok:+Creativity+and+Culture+in+Short+Video-p- 9781509548927