Entertainment
Remembering Naya Rivera’s impact on LGBTQ+ youth year after her death: ‘She helped change the world’
Naya Rivera had an important impact on LGBT+ community (Picture: Rex)
Today marks the first anniversary of the death of actress Naya Rivera, and in honour of her memory, it is important to remember the barriers she broke for LGBTQ+ people.
Rivera died aged 33 on July 8, 2020, after going missing on a trip with her five-year-old son Josey.
She had rented a pontoon boat at Lake Piru but when staff found the overdue vessel later that afternoon, only her son was on board.
Five days later, Rivera’s body was recovered from the lake in California, with her cause of death being ruled as an accidental drowning.
Rivera became a household name when she played the role of Santana Lopez on Glee. Santana started out as a hot cheerleader with a quick wit, but over the course of six seasons, she became so much more than that.
Her character navigated a variety of storylines but the one that resonated with viewers the most, was her coming to terms with being a lesbian. Rivera became an inspiration for lesbian, bisexual and questioning viewers, especially young Latinx and Black fans.
Santana and Brittany went from best friends to wives (Picture: FOX Image Collection via Getty)
The late 33-year-old actress was a strong supporter of the LGBTQ+ community and championed diversity, with her legacy being one of equality and inclusion.
In the last series of the Fox show, Santana married fellow McKinley cheerleader Brittany (Heather Morris), and their relationship was a core part of the programme.
The couple had a loyal following, as they broke barriers and made television history.
While representation in TV has improved over the years, Santana and Brittany’s storyline gave LGBTQ+ people a voice at a time when they often didn’t have one.
The actress never shied away from her queer female fandom or her onscreen relationship. She offered unwavering support for her lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer fans, spoke out in interviews and hosted the GLAAD Media Awards.
Santana and Brittany went from friends to wives (Picture: FOX Image Collection via Getty Images)
Santana broke the mould on Glee (Picture: FOX Image Collection via Getty Images)
The Trevor Project, which focuses on suicide prevention in the LGBTQ+ community, was also important to Rivera.
She understood the impact her role had on the queer community, which she made clear in an open letter she wrote for Billboard in 2017.
‘I have been so incredibly fortunate to portray a character on television that has meant so much to so many within the LGBTQ community. Off screen, I am a woman who stands in support of equality, and equal rights for all,’ she wrote.
‘It has been one of the great blessings in my life to receive such love and touching stories as a result of my portrayal of Santana Lopez on Glee.‘
Her importance to the community is also something show creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Ian Brennan acknowledged, which they addressed in a statement following her death.
Fans fell in love with Santana and Brittany (Picture: FOX Image Collection via Getty)
They said that while Naya was responsible for a variety of iconic Glee musical performances, her greatest Glee legacy is ‘the humour and humanity’ she brought to Santana’s relationship with Brittany.
‘It was one of the first times an openly lesbian, high school relationship was seen on network television and Naya understood what “Brittana” meant to the many young women who were seeing themselves represented on television for the first time,’ they said.
‘Naya always made sure that Santana’s love for Brittany was expressed with dignity, strength and with pure intentions. Naya was always moved by the girls who reached out to her to tell her how much Santana and Brittany’s love affected them.
‘Naya’s obligation to them – and to all of her fans was obvious. She had the rare combination of humility and endless confidence in her talent.’
Over the years, fans of Rivera’s portrayal of Santana have shared how important her character was to them.
‘Naya Rivera had so much [sic] impact on me, and she is still one of the reasons why I am able to speak up for anybody whom I can help. Her representation of Santana Lopez on Glee was exceptional, and has had a great impact on LGBTQ+ teens,’ one person wrote on Twitter.
Another said they ‘cannot begin’ to describe the impact Rivera had on their life.
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‘Through her portrayal of Santana, I was able to accept myself for who I am. She made me understand that it’s okay to love whoever you want to love,’ they said.
‘I’m glad I had the privilege of having her as an LGBTQ+ representation onscreen throughout my childhood. You are deeply loved and will be dearly missed.’
It’s not an exaggeration to say Rivera helped to shape, change and save lives during both her career and her personal life.
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