Societal Trends & LGBTQ+ Visibility - Queer expression is becoming a trend, but queerness itself is not; queerness has always existed and is now being discovered rather than invented [33][34] - Society is growing more lenient, allowing queer people to feel more comfortable expressing themselves [34] - The traditional concept of "the norm" is expanding and becoming more fluid, impacting the definition of queerness [35][36] Historical Context & Evolution - Ancient Greek societies had same-sex relationships without specific labels, and Native American cultures recognized two-spirited people with gender identities outside of female or male [4][5][6] - The 20th century saw both progress and setbacks for LGBTQ+ rights, including the Stonewall Riots in 1969 and the removal of homosexuality from the APA's list of mental illnesses in the 1970s, but also the HIV outbreak in the 1980s and the "don't ask, don't tell" policy in 1996 [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] - Media depictions of queer culture in the late 20th century, such as "Farewell My Concubine," "Ellen," and "Will & Grace," marked a significant increase in mainstream recognition [15][16] Contemporary Representation & Identity - Studies show a steady climb in the percentage of the population identifying as LGBTQ+ [17][18] - 21st-century media features both tragic and light-hearted representations of queer experiences, with a growing trend toward normalizing queer identities and showcasing happiness [19][20][21][22][23] - There is a rise in gender non-conforming identities, with 11.1% identifying as non-binary, and the increasing acceptance of diverse gender expressions [26][27] Conclusion & Call to Action - The ultimate takeaway is to choose love, cherish the ability to express oneself, and put love into the world [42][43][44]