‘Teen Wolf’ Pioneered Queer Representation! I Don’t Think So!

July 22, 2016 Farid-ul-Haq

Teen Wolf Dylan Stiles

With Teen Wolf ending with its sixth and final season, of course a lot of websites are going to write about it. However, there’s one article in particular that just didn’t sit well with me. To make things even more unsettling it was written by NewNowNext, a website that covers LGBTQ+ news and other content!

The article in particular was written by Dan Avery. He writes “Over the past five years, the show amassed a massive and intense following and pioneered queer representations on a mainstream show aimed at young adults—with characters like Danny (Keahu Kahuanui), Corey (Michael Johnson, l), Mason (Khylin Rhambo) and Brett (Cody Saintgnue).”

Now, I’m okay with anyone saying that over the past five seasons Teen Wolf has gained a massive and intense following. Love it or hate it, the Teen Wolf fandom is passionate. And the fandom did play a role in making the show a hit during the earlier seasons. What I’m not okay with is anyone, especially a website about queer representation, saying that MTV’s Teen Wolf “pioneered queer representations on a mainstream show aimed at young adults”.

When did the show ever do that? Yes, it had the potential to be one of the best queer shows out there. But Jeff Davis and/or ‘The Powers That Be’ never delivered.

The characters that the writer went on to mention aren’t even part of the main cast. How can a show pioneer queer representation for young adults when none of the queer characters play a main role? Not to mention how unfortunately Danny’s storyline was handled as the show continued.

I could go on and talk about Jeff’s quotes used in the article, etc. but I just don’t have the time. It is like listening to a broken record at this point. This not the first instance where the cast and crew of Teen Wolf have thought of themselves as an LGBT gift or other news outlets patting them on the back. But after five years of proof that Teen Wolf has no impressive queer representation to be proud of I’ve had enough of such pieces.

If young adults and others want queer representation that actually matters then there are a ton of other shows they can watch. These are the shows that should be applauded for their work.

I expected much better from you NewNowNext.

What do you think? Is Teen Wolf a show that should be celebrated for being queer-inclusive? Let us know!

Author: Farid-ul-Haq

Farid has a Double Masters in Psychology and Biotechnology as well as an M.Phil in Molecular Genetics. He is the author of numerous books including Missing in Somerville, and The Game Master of Somerville. He gives us insight into comics, books, TV shows, anime/manga, video games, and movies.

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3 thoughts on “‘Teen Wolf’ Pioneered Queer Representation! I Don’t Think So!”

  1. I agree whole heartedly. Queer representation is not Brett being labeled as bi because he danced with a girl and a guy. Queer representation is not taking having all of one lesbian in Beacon Hills (evidently the other lesbian died so now she’s trying boys).

    Queer representation and diversity has to do with showing realistic or fantastic stories with a queer point of view. Mason has the potential to be good representation in that he has a voice that is in sync with his personality. But he’s a recent addition and one that seems to only have been added to assuage the Danny fans.

    Hopefully before Mr. Davis and co embark on another show, they take the temperature of the cultural landscape and modernize their approach to diversity and inclusion.

    1. I totally agree with you about what queer representation means, which is something that TW clearly doesn’t have, even though they like to think they do and sing their own praises. As for Jeff Davis trying to diversify and being more inclusive for future projects…well let’s hope so!!

  2. I agree they could be so much better. But with certain ships, it would be bad representation, and people refuse to see that. But Danny, Mason, Brett they’re great! They’re awesome. We could’ve had so much more. Danny having more of a role, Mason (ok mason is perf already aaanyway) being a main character maybe?? But it seems they rly don’t want representation. Not to mention the near complete nonexistence of women characters who are queer. Oh there was one. She died. And another one. She became a one note joke and baiting that stiles could be bi. Which, u kno, if anyone sees how he interacts with Scott, it’s obvious imo. But anyway, no, even if there are queer characters, will the fandom accept them? We’re talking about the same fandom that tried to boycott an episode with the most explicit (nothing v scandalous) gay interaction they’ve shown to date, bc THEIR fave was not gay and had a female love interest. Like, do we want representation, or what? Which, yes, we do! Malia could be bi! Kira could be pan. Scott is definitely bi, i mean, Posey has talked about Sciles and Scisaac kissing multiple times. But no, tw has never had enough queer rep. Ever. It tried, and it likes to make it seem bigger than it is, but until the mains are not straight… that’s not rep. And we’re in the final season, and nothing seems to be changing. In fact, they’re becoming even more cliche with their romance. Uh. (Also, am i still bitter about what they did to Arden? YES.)

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