{"id":77667,"date":"2019-01-27T20:25:34","date_gmt":"2019-01-28T01:25:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/how-rent-made-my-younger-self-believe-in-a-better-tomorrow\/"},"modified":"2019-01-27T20:25:34","modified_gmt":"2019-01-28T01:25:34","slug":"how-rent-made-my-younger-self-believe-in-a-better-tomorrow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/how-rent-made-my-younger-self-believe-in-a-better-tomorrow\/","title":{"rendered":"How ‘Rent’ made my younger self believe in a better tomorrow"},"content":{"rendered":"

How ‘Rent’ made my younger self believe in a better tomorrow<\/b><\/p>\n

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As Fox prepares to air a live<\/a>, televised revival of\u00a0Rent, it\u2019s important to consider the show\u2019s impact on the LGBTQ community.\u00a0Throughout the United States, many LGBTQ individuals continue to struggle to find acceptance in their communities, accept their sexual or gender identity, and overcome isolation.\u00a0The diverse and star-studded cast for the upcoming airing of Rent: Live\u00a0<\/em>will surely provide not only a night of fantastic entertainment but much-needed representation for many like it once did for me.<\/p>\n

I remember it like it was yesterday: belting out the notes of Take Me or Leave Me<\/em> in a church basement during my weekly voice lesson. After months of asking, my voice teacher finally let me perform the musical I had been listening to non-stop: Rent<\/em>. Growing up in a small town and conservative family, the media I was permitted to see was limited. However, there was one loophole in my parents\u2019 media restrictions: character research. As a theatre actor, I often had to research the characters I\u00a0played, which is how,\u00a0on a cold January day, I found the movie that changed my life.<\/p>\n

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Let’s go out TONIGHT to #RENT<\/a> \u2014 live<\/a> at 8\/7c on @FOXTV<\/a>! pic.twitter.com\/o1Tz32hgbt<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 RENT on FOX (@RENTonFOX) January 27, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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In case\u00a0Rent: Live\u00a0<\/em>on FOX is the first time you’ll see a rendition of\u00a0Rent,<\/em> a quick recap is in order: The musical itself is a contemporary twist on Giacomo Puccini\u2019s opera \u201cLa Boheme.\u201d Set in New York City,\u00a0Rent\u00a0<\/em>features six main characters struggling with poverty and discrimination. Yet despite their struggles,\u00a0Rent<\/em>\u00a0is a story of hope.\u00a0Developing this iconic musical for a mass television audience\u00a0increases visibility for critical issues that still plague the LGBTQ community, offering a glimpse into recent queer history suddenly accessible to more young viewers than ever before.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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While attending a small religious high school, I did not know of any other openly LGBTQ+ students. Media that featured representation of queer characters was my only window to a more hopeful and accepting world–one that I dreamed of one day living in. During Rent’s<\/em>\u00a0two hours and fifteen minutes, I was transported to a world where diversity was beautiful yet\u00a0complicated. As an isolated student struggling to accept my sexual identity, I finally had characters I could relate to. Like the main characters fought through oppression, I\u00a0was surrounded by homophobic sentiments in my hometown. More than anything, I found the hope that can only come from a promise of a better tomorrow. While the main protagonists faced adversity, they built a supportive community that offered love and acceptance.\u00a0The idea of one day finding a community that loved as fiercely as this group of friends in Rent<\/em> gave me the hope I so desperately needed to persevere through my increasingly hostile environment.<\/p>\n

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Community representation in media is of great importance, as younger generations turn to entertainment to find respite and relatable characters that face similar struggles. Further,\u00a0Rent\u00a0<\/em>continues to push the boundaries of traditional media representation of the LGBTQ community by featuring multiple aspects of the community as a whole. It\u2019s safe to say that you won\u2019t want to miss\u00a0Rent: Live<\/em>, tonight, January 27, on FOX.<\/p>\n

\"\"Kate Warner is a GLAAD Campus Ambassador <\/strong>and junior\u00a0at Point Loma Nazarene University studying psychology.\u00a0Kate is excited to work within the intersection of religion and LGBT+ issues. She is especially passionate about working to make various religious orientations more accepting for those of the LGBT+ community as she serves on several social justice and ministry positions.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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January 27, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Issues:\u00a0<\/div>\n