"It leaves the sensation of being on the receiving end of a solid hug." That is one critic's verdict on Heartstopper. It is the new TV show that asks a surprisingly challenging question: what if things are good, actually?

Based on a graphic novel by Alice OsemanA British writer who secured her first publishing deal at the age of just 17., the series follows Charlie, a teenager at an all-boys school who has been outed as gay. He is treated badly by his popular secret boyfriend. Then, he falls for Nick, a bubbly boy whom he assumes to be straighter than straight. Except, it turns out, he is not. 

What is so special about Heartstopper? It assumes most people (if not all) are basically kind, decent and tolerant, even if sometimes they do not act like it.

It does not shy away from the bullying, the homophobic "jokes" or the wider context of violence against LGBTQ+ people. But it remains relentlessly optimistic in showing how its characters can bear these burdens without breaking under their weight.

It depicts people who often struggle with the social implications of their sexuality, but are confident in their own LGBTQ+ identity and proud to be who they are.

For writer Owen JonesA British left-wing journalist who writes about politics and LGBTQ+ issues, mostly for the Guardian., watching Heartstopper is a mix of joy and grief. Growing up as gay in the 1990s, he writes, was a very different experience. Coming out in school would have meant "social death".

At the time, Section 28A series of laws across the UK that prevented local authorities from engaging in the "promotion of homosexuality". It resulted in self-censorship among LGBTQ+ groups. prohibited the "promotion" of homosexuality in schools, which in reality meant it was simply impossible even to discuss LGBTQ+ issues, let alone encourage acceptance.

And there was little representation in the media. Where members of the LGBTQ+ community did appear, they were the butt of cruel jokes, or the tragic victims of the HIV/AIDS pandemicA disease first reported in 1981 that causes problems in the immune system. It is often, though not always, fatal. It came to be associated with gay men and drove a moral panic.. They were rarely shown finding acceptance and love, or simply developing as human beings. Now, Jones says, LGBTQ+ children finally have a positive model. 

And this, he argues, is just what we need at a time when LGBTQ+ people feel themselves more and more under attack. 

Heartstopper has received praise for its positive portrayal of transgender children - a bold move at a time when trans people are being reluctantly thrust into the centre of the culture warsA cultural conflict between groups in a society..

For some, this is a moral panicA widespread, often irrational fear over the future of a society's values, interests or security. stirred up by bigots who want to portray trans people as dangerous predators. For others, it is a question of safeguarding children from ideologically-driven adults who want to make life-changing decisions on their behalf.

It is undeniable that the portrayal of trans people in this debate has taken a terrible toll on their mental health.

A study in 2020 found almost 98% of trans people had seen negative depictions of their community in media. Those who were frequently exposed to negative media were 18% more likely to suffer from depression.

In Heartstopper's character Elle Argent, a trans woman of colour played by Yasmin Finney, trans children finally have a positive depiction of their own lives. And that, Jones argues, could work wonders for their mental health.

Yes: When things are bad, it is easy and tempting to sink into despair and apathy. It is much harder to find the positives and champion an upbeat view of the world. Yet it is that positivity that helps others survive and thrive.

No: Things are changing for the better, but if we are too positive we risk becoming complacent. We need to keep an eye on the negatives so we can keep fighting to improve people's lives.

Or... In the world there are things that are good and things that are bad. Living a good life means finding a balance between the two.