The article reflects on the author's experience growing up during a time of severe stigma against homosexuality, especially in UK schools under section 28. This societal rejection fostered deep-seated shame among gay individuals. The narrative highlights a pivotal moment when 'Queer As Folk' aired, dramatically changing the perception of gay lives on screen. The show's portrayal of ordinary gay experiences provided hope and visibility, challenging the pervasive negative stereotypes and showing that gay lives could be rich and fulfilling, therefore reshaping the author's view of his identity.
Detentions were gay, as was double maths. Two men having sex was so gay that it was almost unspeakable, the closest analogue being supermarket-brand trainers.
The very mundanity of the conceit (gay men going to work, having one-night stands, falling in and out of love) made it feel revolutionary.
For the first time I saw gay people living gay lives, rather than acting as plot devices or cautionary tales in straight people's stories.
It was a show that fundamentally changed my perception of being gay, portraying it as a normal, everyday existence rather than a shameful secret.
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