Ncuti Gatwa's portrayal of an openly gay, Nigerian-Ghanaian teen celebrated the intersection of queer and Black identities . Milestone Films for LGBTQ+ Youth

Cinema has seen a rise in "coming-of-age" stories specifically centered on gay protagonists: Gay teens on TV: A timeline - Entertainment Weekly

The Evolution and Impact of Gay Teen Representation in Media

This character featured in primetime's first onscreen romantic kiss between two men .

Kurt's storylines transitioned from being a punchline to a central protagonist, earning critical acclaim and a Golden Globe for actor Chris Colfer .