As Glee draws to a close with its final episode airing tonight, I cannot help but feel nostalgic for the past 6 years it’s given me and how it’s changed television.

As well as giving me and many other people amazing life lessons as well as great characters to learn from, Glee has pushed boundaries with many of its characters and storylines.

From the outset, Glee made itself unique by showing an array of teenage characters struggling with real life issues, which made them instantly relateble to so many different people. Watching these characters grow from high school students into young adults and following the struggles of their lives has touched fans lives so personally – something few TV shows have yet to achieve in such a monumental way.

Glee was also one of the first TV shows to write a same-sex relationship between two gay teenagers and was considered groundbreaking for its time. The relationship that was established in 2010 between the characters of Kurt and Blaine has been considered groundbreaking by many people because it was something that was rarely, if ever, shown before on national television. Despite negative outcry from the media when the two teens shared their first kiss (also in 2010), the couple quickly became fan favourites and will surely not be forgotten for their positive impact on the way LGBT youth is viewed in the media today. Glee writers Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan and Brad Falchuk continued to write their relationship, which has ended up with Kurt and Blaine being happily married.

It has also touched upon other groundbreaking storylines, such as bullying, multiple same-sex relationships, teen pregnancy, a gay son coming out to a supportive father, abusive relationships, suicide attempts, eating disorders, a school shooting, sexual assault, transgender issues and mental health problems. All things which resonate with the people (and especially the youth) of today.

Glee has made people socially aware of real problems going on with teens and young adults and the issues they have to deal with whilst growing up, as well as the impact of these issues on them and others around them. The show has dealt with tough storylines extremely well and changed many lives along the way. Glee has changed television forever, moulded the minds of millions, and challenged what was deemed the social norm in the media.

We’ve watched the characters grow from teenagers to adults and learned to love and learn from them along the way. I, for one, am so, so incredibly happy to have learned so many things from this show and its cast. I’m certain Glee will have a lasting effect on me and its millions of fans and will be remembered for years to come.

Personally, I’m so thankful to the Glee fandom and the amazing friends I’ve made in it for being there for me when no one else was.

Thank you to Glee and the Glee cast for the laughter, the tears, the life lessons, the music and inspiring millions. Thank you  for teaching myself and countless others how to love, accept and believe in themselves. And most importantly, thank you for giving a voice to the voiceless.

Thank you, Glee. For everything.

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