“why does representation matter? they’re shoving [insert minority] in our face!” this is why. this may be a fictional scene, but the impact is real. two scared men who see a hockey player just like them kiss a man, and helps them be brave themselves

many kids grow up closeted or hide things like mental illness and identity and are scared to be themselves. representation tells me “we are here. we see you. you aren’t alone.” just because it doesn’t represent YOU doesn’t mean it doesn’t represent SOMEONE.

im a fencer. recently the FIE placed heavy restrictions on trans fencers, and i thought id never be able to do the sport i love and be myself. but this has changed that for me. this is why representation matters, bc queer athletes will see this and think “i can do that”

@buckybarnesism exactly!! THIS is why!

i mean that imagine shane and ilya aren’t shane and ilya. just imagine 2 random people who happen to be gay and have their hobby/job and they see for the first time someone just like them do what they thought was impossible. it’s the fictional version of real life representation

yes. unfortunately this is also the reason why certain people are against representation. they want us in the closet, insecure, isolated, managable. also they are happy with the status quo. why would they want to change it. even more important that we keep fighting for it.

people shitting on episode 3

As a trans woman this show makes me feel so inspired and hopeful. Like ofc I deserve love, ofc I’ll find it some day. Ofc I will be happy.

you do! and i wish you all the love! i’m glad a show like this can touch you and make you feel hopeful. i just want to let you know i’m proud of you! ❤️❤️

thank you sweetie💗💗💗💗 I wish all the best for you too!!!!

if this happened in 2025 in male pro sports it would blow the world up too. like if it was an nba player or an nfl player kissing their partner on this stage it would get an insane amount of pushback

i wonder if shane’s parents said anything after that like what was their reaction

This! I know the books, the plot by heart and this scene nevertheless made me sad & happy & incredibly thankful at the same time. Because there’s still so much injustice and intolerance out there and seeing this scene on a TV screen: it matters. It’s only fiction but it matters.

This reminds me of that one letter exchanged between two British soldiers during WWII, when homosexuality was illegal. "Wouldn't it be wonderful if all our letters could be published in the future in a more enlightened time... Then all the world could see how in love we are".

Shane’s FACE. The hope and the heartbreak, aaaah… This story matters, dude.

its a show for women lol... This does nothing socially other than be tv slop for people who love gays XD "representation" is just a market to be filled selling shit to more white women lmfaooo

its director is a gay man who wanted to tell a love story and fought like hell to make it authentic. no the hell it was not made for white women.

you are telling me they spent millions of dollars on a show to market to gay guys who are a few million? Its by a gay guy but its made for straight women

@jocelynebenezra How is it made for straight women when none of the creators are straight omg

@crack02716304 @jocelynebenezra @grok what is fujoshi and how does it relate to the gay hockey show "Heated Rivalry"

Fujoshi is a Japanese term (meaning "rotten girl") for female fans of boys' love (BL) media, which features romantic relationships between male characters. "Heated Rivalry" is a gay romance book by Rachel Reid, adapted into a 2025 TV show about two rival hockey players who fall in love. It fits the BL genre, attracting fujoshi fans, though it's also praised for authentic queer representation.

My brother (gay) just recently told me that seeing Brokeback Mountain (weeks after getting his first girlfriend) helped him understand himself a little and why he wasn’t really happy with said girlfriend, so yeah representation does matter and helps people with themselves

Scot is ancient in gay years and rich so he doesn’t care what happens afterwards. Hollanov on the other hand are young and have allot to lose. It’s not and will not be that simple no matter what we make of it.

And this is where they made history 😭

The problem become clear when trans (especially male to female) are involved in sports due the the perception of unfairness. I’m not arguing against representation, but sports wouldn’t be as fun is perceived fairness is broken.

there’s been several studies that indicate after a certain amount of hormones and transition, there’s no difference between trans women and women in sports. that’s a fat lie by the right to try to subdue the tran community

@YaoZBird Look. You don’t have to be a biologist to understand sexual dimorphism exists. True average male is taller than the average female(in athletes the gaps even bigger) the average male is stronger, has higher bone density, I’ve head faster reaction times(but idk that one is iffy)

@YaoZBird you say this like i’m not a biologist. i have a whole bachelors degree in biology. i still read studies and there’s certain thresholds for competing in sports.

I’ve never done drugs and I’m pretty sure this is what being high feels like

If that scene amplifies to a closeted teenager or anybody that you can play sports and like guys-that there is a place for you in the world no matter who you love. If it helps just 1 person know they belong, then let it piss as many people possible off!

Whole house was GAGGED 😭😭😭

So fucking gay and retarded

The first thing I thought when I saw this scene was all the gay men, young gay boys seeing this. Imagine how they felt It’s always important to have representation

Bro what, get this garbage off my screen

this series and this episode just made me come out to my parents as a lesbian. It will forever mean something to me and I hope for the other lgbtq people watching

There’s a difference between this and then when we force upon ppl drag shows at schools and naked men on a leash at a pride parade. You’re part of the problem that is setting us back

drag queens are absolutely zero threat to children and drag is a freedom of expression

Bs. Then why is it always sexual?

@jocelynebenezra It’s not, you’re falling for anti trans propaganda to think otherwise.

@jocelynebenezra If it’s not sexual, why don’t drag queens dress as stereotypical housewives . Why do they always have huge asses and boobs ?

@jocelynebenezra Because it’s… DRAG…

@jocelynebenezra Probably shouldn’t have that in our libraries and pride parades then right? Since there’s little kids around

Once saw someone say that watching the summer hikaru died made them not homophobic. Representation matters.

And that’s exactly why they DON’T want representation. Thru don’t want us to be brave. They want us scared and in the closet. Don’t let them. We aren’t going to cower in fear ever again.

Preach girl, this shit hit home for me

But it’s not real 🤣🤣🤣 you’d rather create stories then acknowledge actual gay men

Yuna knowing her son is gay gay gay is like let the games begin

what’s next? another porn scene? you can’t try and convince me that this show actually means anything. created by women for women to drool over

This just makes my gay heart so happy bro. I felt seen, loved, and mattered.

Beautifully said 👏🏻❤️👏🏻❤️❤️❤️