What Love Simon Means To Me

So I was lucky enough to see an early screening of Love, Simon about a month ago and I love it so godamn much ahhh. I wrote a spoiler free review here but the post I’m going to be writing today is a little more personal and is a little discussion post about how much Love, Simon means to me

I’ve been seeing a lot of people say that Love, Simon is not what gay teens need. I’ve seen a lot of people complain about how it’s unrealistic for a gay teen to have such a positive coming out experience, that they’re sick of watching movies about white privileged teens who have no problems in their life. And like yeah I get that some of these complaints are valid, I’m not saying that they’re not but Love, Simon is so important. I think it’s so important to show that even someone who is privileged, who is white, who has loving parents can struggle with coming out. I think it’s important for gay teens to see the cliche unrealistic reality that straight people get in Hollywood. No it’s not completely perfect (it kind of is tho) but it’s an amazing first stepping stone and I can’t wait to see what comes after Love, Simon.

“Okay yeah Hannah that’s cool but why does it mean so much to you?”

Because I’m gay. To be more specific, bi.

So yeah I’m bi but I’m not out to anyone and it’s not because I’m ashamed or scared of what people will say, it’s just because it’s not a part that I find really relevant to people getting to know me. Like yeah I like girls and guys and other genders but like I’m not going to tell everyone that I start to get to know that I love asparagus so why the fuck is who I am romantically attracted to any different ? And like yeah if I ever do fall in love with a girl and like starting dating her then of course I’ll tell the ppl around me but until then it’s not something that I’m going to make a big deal out of. If someone were ever to ask me outright I would tell them but again I don’t think it’s something that I’m ever going to tell anyone unsolicited. I am not at a point in my life where romance is an aspect of my life so my romantic orientation really isn’t that big of a deal.

So while Love, Simon doesn’t portray my experience as a queer teen, the emotions and feelings that Simon goes through are so relatable and he raises such a good point at one point in the movie. Why do only gay people have to come out? Why the fuck is straight the default. It should not be straight until proven otherwise, people should stop assuming other people’s fucking sexualities. It’s so frustrating and it just hurts so much. I showed one of my friends the trailer of Love,Simon because I was really excited for it and I wanted to share the love but he was kind of a huge asshole about it and was like “Why are you so excited for this movie? You’re not even gay.” Number one that’s fucking stupid, you don’t need to be gay to love the beauty that is Love,Simon. And number 2 how about you don’t assume my sexuality. This is a person that I kind of lowkey hate and makes me feel like shit so I’m not going to come out to him?? But jut because I haven’t told someone that I’m gay doesn’t mean I’m not? If I don’t say I’m straight then don’t fucking assume I am. Straight needs to stop being the default and I really hope that Love, Simon changes people’s mindset on what is the default. It hurts so much to have people assume your sexuality.

Obviously this movie doesn’t mean as much to me as it does to mlm but like still when the pickings are slim even the slightest representation that reminds you of your experience is important. I can’t believe that there’s a major motion picture that has a happy gay love story. Everyone deserves a great love story. And while I am extremely proud of who I am, I sometimes forget that. This movie is so important and I really hope that I get to see a movie with a character closer to my identity one day. I don’t know if I’ll be able to survive that though and may just die from happiness.

Have you seen Love, Simon yet? If not, are you going to?