The television show Glee has become a favorite of young people across the country. Many appreciate Glee for its catchy musical numbers and larger-than-life characters, yet underneath Glee’s glossy appearance is a story that defies stereotypes while challenging our pre-conceived notions of geeky students in high school.

The character of Kurt for several episodes of the season seemed to exist as nothing more than the stereotypical closeted yet feminine high school male. Yet as the season has progressed, the creators of the show have allowed the character of Kurt to emerge from behind his label and become a fully realized human being. At the beginning of the season he came out to his friend Mercedes, and several episodes later he came out to his father, in a moment that was both honest and heartbreaking. Kurt’s father works in a mechanical garage, and the writers set up the audience to think that Kurt’s father’s gruff exterior would mean that he would disapprove of his son’s gay identity. Yet when Kurt finally told him, his father stated that he had known all along, and while he may be slightly uncomfortable about his son’s sexuality, he can start to be accepting.



In last night’s episode, “Wheels”, Kurt desires to try out to sing the solo in Defying Gravity. Mr. Schuester, the glee director refuses and gives the solo to a female student. When Kurt’s dad realizes how upset it makes his son, he demands that the principle allow his son to audition, and threatens a law-suit against the school if not. Even though he stands up for him, Kurt’s father clearly is still slightly uncomfortable with the fact that his son is gay. During their talk, he asks if his son is down because of a guy, stating “I’m not ready to have that conversation.”

Later in the episode, someone call’s Kurt’s father’s garage and makes a derogatory comment about his son’s sexuality. While it barely fazes Kurt (he’s faced persecution and bullying for years because of his feminine characteristics) his father is clearly upset. Kurt blows his audition and does not get the part. His father is angry that he stuck his neck out for his son, and Kurt explains that he knew that if he got up in front of the entire school and sang a girl’s song, he and his dad would face more anonymous calls and harassment, and he knows his dad is not strong enough to handle it.

“I’m not going to hide in the closet. I’m proud of who I am. I’m just saying I love you more than I love being a star.”

Other bloggers and reporters on Amplify have pointed out the positive way that Glee discusses and depicts teenage sexuality. Glee should also be applauded for creating a real gay teenager that can pull off a laugh, yet still stay grounded in reality. In many ways, cultural politics are more successful at changing hearts and minds than any law legalizing gay marriage. Our personal lives are political, and for some teenagers who are fans of Glee, Kurt may be the first gay teenager they have met. If you are not exposed to a certain minority group in your daily life, they way they are depicted in the media is even more significant.
 
On top of that, the writers are brave enough to write a father who struggles with his son's sexuality. Positive representation of LGBTQ individuals should not mean that these characters face no problems and are always confident in their identity. Straight characters are not treated that way, and neither should queer characters. As Glee continues this season, I hope that the writers continue to explore Kurt’s challenges and moments of joy.