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Euphoria gave me the courage to come out to my friend – now we’re together
The writer describes how watching Euphoria helped them acknowledge romantic feelings for their best friend, Ellen, and gave them the confidence to express their queerness. The relationship between Rue and Jules showed sexuality as tender and liberating rather than something requiring explanation, prompting the writer to take a chance despite fears of harming their friendship.
The pair were both 17 and in their final year of school when the writer realised they were in love, although neither was openly queer at the time. After seeing the first season of the HBO drama in 2019, the writer kissed Ellen and learned that the feelings were mutual; they have now been together for six years, building a shared life around books, films and laughter.
In short
- Euphoria helped the writer accept their feelings for a close friend.
- Rue and Jules’s relationship made queerness feel possible and liberating.
- The writer and Ellen have been together for six years.
Explained simply
Euphoria is an HBO drama that depicts the lives of teenagers, including a romantic storyline between two queer characters. The way the show portrayed this relationship – as tender and liberating rather than something requiring explanation – proved influential to the writer of this account.
The writer was 17 years old and in their final year of school when they watched the first season in 2019. They had been best friends with Ellen, also 17 and not openly queer, but harboured unacknowledged romantic feelings for her.
Seeing how Euphoria depicted queer love gave the writer courage to express their feelings. When they kissed Ellen, they discovered the feelings were mutual; they have now been together for six years, building a life centred on books, films and laughter.
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