I’m justo popping here to say a few things
When I first started watching Glee I did so for two reasons: 1) in really enjoyed musicals so a tv show where you could have that every week seemed something groundbreaking. And 2) I could somehow tell that there was going to be some gay content. I had no idea that it would become so important in my life.
Eventually my parents started watching too... it became our Thursday night tradition. But then I discovered fandom and everything that came with it, so I started watching it on my own so I didn’t have to wait a few weeks for the episode to air in mexico. But my mom kept watching.
So we both experienced Santana’s coming out.... and we did so in very very different ways but I know it almost the same impact, for our own reasons.
For me it was hope. Hope that my voice and the voice of so many others seeking out representation could be heard. Hope that things could get get better some day. Hope that love was out there waiting for me, and in a perfect world, maybe just one song away. For my mom it was probably something close to confusion at first and then empathy. I’m positive that this was the start of her journey towards acceptance.
So it may sound like I’m overstating this but I believe it wholeheartedly: If it weren’t for Naya, I wouldn’t have the life I have right now. I would be less happy, less confident and would still be looking for that hope I found in a stupid show about show choir.
So thank you Naya, wherever you are.