(For those confused by the jargon used in the title)
A very, very happy pride to my AAPI friends across the nation and those out of the country.
The gravity that representation holds in film and television is hotly debated, with some finding it vital, and others, trivial at best. Regardless of where one stands on the issue though, it’s a fact that as time pushes forward we’re seeing more and more queer characters on our screens. And it’s not all sunshine and roses, we’re witnessing representations who are far from one note — these gays are lovely, devious and, my favorite, a mix of both! With all that said, let’s dive into the API LGBTQ+ characters that I believe deserve a nod this Pride.
- Akeno “Aki” Menzies – “Gossip Girl” (2021)
In the words of Miss Swift, “Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, you were bigger than the whole sky. You were more than just a short time.” When the news about the (HBO) Max “Gossip Girl” Reboot cancellation broke, I fell to my knees. Not because I’d miss the tedious plot or hyper-specific pop culture references; but instead, because one character practically became alive and breathing to me: bisexual, empty-brained, skater-film-bro Aki Menzies (Evan Mock.) I was losing my real-life son. Throughout the two seasons, Aki dealt with his sexuality, was outed on national television by his Murdoch-esque father (who just wanted to score brownie points with the marginalized,) and discovered his true love was actually *loves, in the form of a throuple. Polyamory won! All Aki wanted to do was make movies, skate and have a boyfriend and girlfriend. He just wanted to vibe, which is admirable in a world full of high-society drama. I’ll miss you, but your memory lives on, Aki. May you be skateboarding in heaven.
- Basically the Entire Cast of Characters of Netflix’s “XO, Kitty” (2023)
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