Intersectionality of Queer Female Characters in Alice Oseman’s Young Adult Series of Graphic Novels Heartstopper
Intersectionality of Queer Female Characters in Alice Oseman’s Young Adult Series of Graphic Novels Heartstopper

Summary/Abstract: The global success of Alice Oseman’s series of young adult graphic novels, Heart-stopper, may come as a surprise. Initially published as a webcomic on Tumblrand Tapas, it attracted an online audience of over 50 million views. The project’spublishing fundraising goal was met in just two hours, and Hachette Children’sGroup published Heartstopper: Volume One as a graphic novel in 2019, followedby four other volumes and extras, all released by 2023. While most readers andcritics have focused on the issues of male homo- and bisexuality in Heartstopper,this article seeks to analyse the multifaceted identities of trans and cisgenderfemale characters in Oseman’s graphic novel series through the lens of inter-sectionality, focusing on gender, sexuality, race, and ethnicity, while address-ing the call for diversity in YA literature. Remembering that young adult lit-erature often aims to raise questions about political organisation, ideal society,and the need for social change, the reading of Oseman’s Heartstopper presentedin this paper argues that it is a part of utopian young adult literature due todisregarding many issues connected to the characters’ intersections, especiallythe experiences of women of colour.

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