October 15, 2024 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

Here for the Queerness of “Sex Education”

This British TV show was picked up by Netflix for a second season.

Audiences stateside and across the pond rejoiced last week as it was announced that Netflix would pick up Season 2 of “Sex Education.”

According to Variety, Cindy Holland, Netflix VP of Original Content, said in a statement,“Laurie Nunn has captured the awkward teenage experience with a lot of heart and humor in Sex Education. Along with the Eleven team and executive producer and director Ben Taylor, she’s created a universally relatable series that has resonated with our members around the world.”

 

 

We are constantly bombarded with hyper sexuality on screen that it is often desensitizing. But what “Sex Education” does is make awkward and uncomfortable topics of adolescence somehow approachable. This is the show we wish we watched growing up.

With a sex therapist and author for a mother, main character Otis is navigating his teenage years with apprehension, yet determination. The show covers topics from STIs, to wet dreams, to love, to jealousy. And even homosexuality. That’s right, folks – genuine gays.

And what’s most refreshing is the way they show handles it; Rather than having few token gay charters as we often see on TV, the LGBTQ+ community is blended into the cast and plot as naturally as our actual existence. Most notably is Otis’ best friend, Eric. Yes, he’s gay and fabulous, but he is so much more. He is a loyal friend and devout to his religion, all while trying to navigate his desire to cross-dress without disappointing his family. Eric is unapologetic for who he is and he’s not shy to tell you. “Sex Education” approaches Eric and his father’s relationship genuinely and with great believability. More than anything, the father loves Eric, and worries for his safety. All he wants is for his son to be safe, no easy task when Eric is Gay bashed and beaten on the way to a concert for his birthday.

Furthering queering the show, while offering therapy to fellow students, Otis comes across a frustrated lesbian couple navigating the nuances of lesbian sex. Otis, a young and inexperienced teenage boy, admits he doesn’t quite grasp the finesse of sex between two women. So he sets out to do some “research.” Otis himself tries his very best to be respectful of the couple, so that they do not feel objectified to the male fantasy. This episode not only normalizes lesbian sex, but it makes it ok to learn about the LGBTQ+ community rather than shun or fetishize it.

It is in the details that “Sex Education” truly supports the LGBTQ community that it represents on screen. It is refreshing and relatable. Safe to say we’re counting down the days until Season 2 premieres. Season 2 is said to have eight episodes and will begin production this spring.

 

* IMAGE BELOW CONTAINS SEASON 1 SPOILER * 

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Besides, we can’t wait to see where this goes in season 2. 

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