SKAM: You’re Not Alone
The Norwegian show SKAM’s success internationally, and specifically in the US, can be attributed to the third season, which saw the main protagonist, Isak Valterson, struggling to figure out his sexuality while sorting out his feelings for the new boy at school, Even Bech Næsheim. Prior to the legalization of same-sex marriage in the US in 2015 and even more after the legalization, there has been a call for more LGBTQ+ representation that accurately depicts the LGBTQ+ experience. However, often this isn’t the case and instead, many gay characters and same-sex relationships are portrayed in a stereotypical light. The main reason SKAM’s third season gained such popularity in the US was because its depiction of gay characters and same-sex relationships didn’t rely on stereotypes and instead painted an accurate picture of the experience, leading many people in the US to watch the show. SKAM’s depiction of gay characters and same-sex relationships is important because it gives LGBTQ+ people, who for so long have not had and still rarely have accurate representation, a chance to see themselves on screen in a positive light.
For context about LGBTQ+ sentiments, many Scandinavian countries are quite progressive when it comes to their policies and laws concerning LGBTQ+ people and those laws highlight the way most people in Scandinavia feel towards LGBTQ+ people. Norway specifically is one of the most progressive countries when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights and in 2009, they became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage in Scandinavia and the sixth in the world. Since then, their acceptance towards LGBTQ+ people has only increased with even the Norwegian Lutheran Church embracing same-sex marriage in 2015 and allowing their pastors to conduct ceremonies for same-sex couples (Fouche). Norway has also been consistently ranked as one of the safest places for LGBTQ+ people to work and as recently as 2020, Norway has shown that they will continue to protect the lives of LGBTQ+ people by prioritizing LGBTQ+ refugees. State Secretary for Integration Affairs in the Ministry of Education, Grunde Kreek Almeland stated that “‘in many countries, you are not free to love who you want’ [so] ‘we are now changing the guidelines for the work of transfer refugees so that [LGBT] person…should be given priority’” (Holroyd). Essentially, since the legalization of same-sex marriage in Norway, sentiments towards LGBTQ+ people haven’t wavered. However, in the United States, this isn’t the case. The legalization of same-sex marriage occurred in 2015 under the Obama administration, but under the Trump administration, the rights of many LGBTQ+ people don’t seem as safe anymore with the healthcare of trans people being threatened in 2020. Because of how normalized and accepted LGBTQ+ people are in Norway, it isn’t odd for gay characters to be the main characters and it’s often accepted. However, in the United States, there is a definite split on the issue of LGBTQ+ people and while more awareness and acceptance is coming from younger generations, it’s still a contentious issue in the country, which is probably why the representation of gay people in American media is a lot different than the representation of gay people in Norwegian media and why SKAM translates so well to American audiences who are LGBTQ+ or allies of the community. American viewers are able to see a presentation of multiple gay characters and a healthy gay relationship that doesn’t have to hold back because of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments and doesn’t rely completely on stereotypes.
One of the reasons SKAM is so successful with LGBTQ+ audiences in the US is because it has a diverse representation of LGBTQ+ people. The three main characters who are LGBTQ+ are Isak, the main protagonist of the season, Even, Isak’s love interest, and Eskild, Isak’s roommate. Apart from identifying themselves with different labels, their personalities are all different. The main contrast is between Eskild and Isak, who are both gay but present themselves differently. Eskild presents himself more femininely and is seen as more stereotypically gay. In many different scenes throughout the season, he presents this way, like in episode 2 when he asks Isak’s opinion on a guy he is going on a date with. He also engages in activities that are seen as stereotypically feminine, like when he is gossiping with another character, Noora, and playing with her hair. Isak, however, presents himself more masculinely and is seen as less stereotypically gay. He dresses very masculinely, wearing snapbacks and cargo shorts, and doesn’t put much thought into his appearance. This is shown in episode 4 when he is wary about jumping into the pool and Even teasingly asks him if it’s because he is worried about messing up his hair and he replies against the idea in a slightly incredulous manner. Beyond Eskild and Isak, there is also Even, who tends to present himself somewhere in the middle. Whereas Eskild acts the way he does because it’s who he is and Isak tries initially to present more masculinely than he might be because he’s afraid of being perceived as gay, Even does what he likes regardless of societal norms. He dresses the way he does and enjoys being an artist and filmmaker, not because he thinks it’ll make him seem a certain way but because that’s just who he is. Having multiple LGBTQ+ characters with different personalities as SKAM does is appealing to American audiences because oftentimes, gay characters in American media are portrayed in a very stereotypical light and have no personality beyond those stereotypes. With the three LGBTQ+ characters on the show, they are able to see representation that shows that not all gay people are the same. It’s also appealing for American viewers to see multiple gay characters of importance in a show because in many cases, American TV shows will only have one gay side character. Overall, the differing personalities of the various LGBTQ+ characters not only give LGBTQ+ viewers representation, but it also plays against the stereotypes of gay people, which tends to be the normal outline for gay characters.
SKAM’s discussion of and deviation from stereotypes contrast quite a bit from that of many American TV shows, which often have characters who are caricatures of gay stereotypes. Nowadays, LGBTQ+ representation in American TV shows is increasing, but rarely are the LGBTQ+ characters main characters and as side characters, they are characterized in a stereotypical manner. One example of a gay character built off of stereotypes in American television is Kevin Keller from Riverdale. Kevin’s character is somewhat feminine, and while this in and of itself is fine, there doesn’t seem to be any further characterization for him, making him a static character made up of stereotypes (Gilchrist and Reynolds). I argue that his gayness is used as a plot device to push the story forward for the main characters. Examples of this include when he is sneaking around with a boy in a forest in the first episode and they stumble upon the dead body that is the cause of the mystery in season one. Another example includes almost any interaction he has with Betty, where he perfectly embodies the gay best friend trope, one that uses his character to push for the development of other characters but refuses him that same development. This portrayal of gay characters is very prevalent in American media because the majority of Americans, especially older ones, aren’t really prepared to see gay people be the main protagonist. But because Norway’s progressive attitudes towards LGBTQ+ people contrast to America’s, they allow SKAM to defy the stereotype of the feminine gay and the gay best friend. At first glance, it might seem like Eskild is a perfect example of both of these tropes, especially because he is a side character used to help push the development of characters like Isak. However, the difference between Eskild and Kevin is that Eskild has a deeper characterization beyond being gay. In episode 5, when Isak says he isn’t gay like Eskild is and that he won’t be wearing mascara and tights or going to Gay Pride, Eskild truly shows his personality. Eskild states that the reason he is the way he is is because it’s his identity. He likes dressing up and wearing makeup because it’s who he is. He then calls Isak out by saying that while Isak may look down on gay people who present more femininely, those people risk getting beaten up and murdered every day because they would rather be themselves than fake being something they’re not. Eskild’s deeper characterization draws in American viewers because oftentimes in American TV, there are gay characters who present more femininely but they have no deeper personality beyond presenting this way. In defense of Eskild’s femininity, he explains to Isak and the audience why some gay people choose to present more stereotypically. This is important to American viewers because it’s a chance for them to understand that presenting more stereotypically gay is not an easy thing. Many people face scrutiny for it and it reflects the real-life experiences of many people. For many LGBTQ+ viewers, it’s also a chance for their experiences to be reflected on screen. While Eskild might appear to fall into many tropes of gay characters, this scene shows that his character goes beyond that.
The show further discusses the stereotypes placed on gay relationships and gay people by pointing out that often times, many women fetishize relationships between men. The main form of fetishization we see in society is straight men fetishizing relationships between two women. This is often for their own sexual pleasure and occurs more openly, which is why it seems more common. However, straight women can fetishize romantic relationships between two males as well. This is problematic because it plays into the stereotypes of gay people and is often not a sign of tolerance, despite it seeming that way. Straight men who tend to fetishize relationships between two women also tend to have an aversion for men who are attracted to men and straight women who fetishize relationships between two men tend to have an aversion for women who are attracted to women.
SKAM highlights the problems with this fetishization in the third episode when a character, Emma, states that she loves gay men because they’re so funny. Even responds to her in this scene by saying that that’s a superficial statement and a generalization that has similarities to saying all Muslims are terrorists. Emma argues back, saying that she was stating a positive thing about gay men and while Even’s example is extreme, he is correct. I argue that Emma stating that all gay men are funny is taking away any individuality and personality that gay individuals have and showing that she just views them all as one and the same. Later on in the show, a character, Vilde, states that she loves gay people and it’s great that Isak is gay. While this may seem like a positive thing, the implication in the scene is that she loves gay men, and while that doesn’t necessarily mean she isn’t accepting of gay women, it means that she views all gay men as the same and probably feels positively about them because of the gay best friend stereotype. These scenes are important, especially for non-LGBTQ+ viewers to see because it shows why this behavior is harmful, even if the stereotypes being said are positive. This definitely appeals to LGBTQ+ viewers because in American media, there is not often this level of discussion of the fetishization of gay people and by seeing Even defend himself and other LGBTQ+ people even though Emma’s stereotype was positive, it validates the feelings of LGBTQ+ people who are often relegated to the role of being the gay best friend because gay people are “so fun” and “so feminine.” This in turn isn’t good because it relegates gay people to the sidelines, making it seem like gay people should be the side characters.
With SKAM’s discussion of sexuality being led by the main protagonist that is gay rather than a side character, it normalizes the idea of being LGBTQ+. At the beginning of the season, Isak’s character is struggling with coming to terms with his sexuality, resulting in him becoming very angry and going deep into denial. However, as the season goes on and his relationship with Even picks up, he comes to terms with his sexuality and he begins to come out to the people he is closest to. When he comes out to his friends and family, none of them make a big fuss about it, treating it as if it’s completely normal, which is not a luxury many people have. Coming out is a big deal for almost all LGBTQ+ people and in many cases, friends or family might not be entirely accepting. However, for Isak, the most stressful it gets is when a girl he was flirting with gets mad at him when people start to find out he is gay. She isn’t mad at him for being gay but rather for leading her on, which is completely valid. At no point is Isak seen as odd for being gay and while this might be attributed to Norway’s progressive attitudes towards gay relationships, it’s a breath of fresh air for American viewers who might’ve experienced people scrutinizing them or supposedly accepting them but looking visibly uncomfortable when the topic of their attraction is brought up. Isak’s friends accept him immediately and even allow him to talk about his relationship with Even with them, which is not something all LGBTQ+ people are given. The way that Isak’s friends and family treat him appeals to American viewers, especially LGBTQ+ viewers because not everyone’s friends and family accept them but watching the show and the good relationships between Isak and his friends and family allows LGBTQ+ viewers a level of escapism. It also provides them with a level of comfort to know that there are genuine allies out in the world who accept LGBTQ+ people with open arms. Overall, the normalization and support of LGBTQ+ identities in SKAM allows for the show to focus on Isak and Even’s relationship and Isak’s character development throughout the rest of the season.
The focus on the third season is about Isak discovering his sexuality and getting into a relationship with another man. However, the show doesn’t entirely focus on the struggles of being gay, which is a relief for LGBTQ+ viewers. While stories about the struggle of being LGBTQ+ are important, they can be exhausting for LGBTQ+ viewers to watch. Movies and TV shows are a way for people to escape their reality for a bit, and it’s not entirely fun if the only media that includes LGBTQ+ representation also only discusses the struggles of being gay. Many LGBTQ+ people have to struggle with defending their identities and sexualities on a daily basis and it’s exhausting if they are confronted with those same struggles during their attempts to just relax and enter fantasyland. In the first half of the season, Isak is seen having a conflict with himself about his sexuality but by the middle of the season, he has accepted his sexuality. The conflict then shifts to his relationship with Even and them trying to figure out where they stand with each other. This is a very mundane idea that has been told time and time again in many different forms of media. However, it’s still fairly new for LGBTQ+ people because often same-sex relationships are seen as different from heterosexual relationships. In SKAM, however, that’s not the case. Isak and Even experience the same problems heterosexual relationships might face like miscommunication and awkwardness. While some might argue that Isak and Even’s relationship is an unhealthy portrayal of a gay relationship because it starts with Even cheating on his girlfriend, I think the cheating cannot be attributed to Isak and Even being gay and is another conflict that occurs regardless of gender. I also argue that the show’s casual reaction to Isak and Even getting together while Even is still with his girlfriend, Sonja, means that Norway’s perspective on Even and Sonja’s relationship is different than an American perspective. Americans might view this as morally incorrect, but it’s somewhat implied that Even and Sonja have a somewhat open relationship, which further proves that Isak and Even’s relationship isn’t an unhealthy portrayal because they are never truly cheating on anybody. However, this part might not translate as well to American viewers because Norwegians tend to have more progressive views about relationships and are more open to varying types of relationships. Overall, their issues aren’t about if people will accept their relationship or not. This is important for LGBTQ+ viewers because in most American media that discusses people discovering their sexuality and getting into same-sex relationships, the characters are worried about if people will accept them, like in the movie Love, Simon. However, SKAM’s portrayal of Isak and Even’s relationship as having the same problems as any heterosexual relationship normalizes not only same-sex relationships but also allows LGBTQ+ people to see a normal, everyday portrayal of their relationships. While this might not be entirely realistic, because unfortunately, same-sex couples do tend to face scrutiny, TV isn’t always realistic and allowing Isak and Even to have the same relationship conflicts as straight couples helps further normalize LGBTQ+ relationships, showing that they aren’t that different from straight relationships.
Overall, SKAM’s success in the US can be attributed to how appealing it was to audiences that were seeking proper LGBTQ+ representation. For American viewers, SKAM was able to fill a whole in the TV space that other American shows hadn’t been able to fill. Many popular films and TV shows in the past couple of years have tried for LGBTQ+ representation and while they have pushed the boundaries, there have always been certain problems. With Love, Simon, a movie often praised for its LGBTQ+ representation, many people have said it seems like a story appealing to straight people. With Call Me By Your Name, people have had a problem with the age gap between the two main characters, Elio and Oliver, who were 17 and 24 respectively. SKAM’s depiction of discovering one’s sexuality and getting into a same-sex relationship had neither of these problems nor did it feed into stereotypes. The show normalized being LGBTQ+ and while one could say that the limited amount of external conflict Isak faced from people because he was gay was unrealistic, it appeals to American viewers, and more specifically LGBTQ+ American viewers who might want to just escape into a show where there is a world where being gay isn’t seen as a bad thing to the outside world. The depiction of Isak and Even’s relationship was also similar to many straight relationships, further normalizing the fact that there aren’t many differences between straight and gay relationships, despite differing life experiences. Julie Andem’s SKAM did so well among the American viewers that watched it because it gave LGBTQ+ viewers proper representation and also gave them a world where they aren’t seen as different or odd for their sexuality and their relationships, something that is still severely lacking in American TV shows today.
