Like so many of you, Santana Lopez, Brittana, and in turn, Naya Rivera herself, meant so much to me during a very pivotal time in my life.
When Glee premiered, I had just come out to my mom a few months before as a bisexual woman who had fallen in love with - and started dating - her female best friend. But at that point in 2009, I hadnāt told anyone else. Coming out was a long drawn out process for me. I was not immediately comfortable coming out to all my loved ones and I wasnāt immediately comfortable being āoutā in all the various spaces I inhabited routinely.
But, over the 6 years Glee aired, I watched Santana and Brittanyās story unfold and found the strength to speak my truth to more and more people. I became infinitely more comfortable in my own skin. I was able to come out to my entire family and all my friends. Eventually, I was able to come out at work.
When Brittana broke up on screen in 2012, I bought the auctioned off Brittana tissue box that Naya and Heather both signed. To my utter delight, Naya and Heather were both incredibly gracious. They didnāt just sign the tissue box, they decorated the box in drawings and Brittana related sayings at my request.
By the time Brittana got married on screen in 2015, my own wedding to my best friend was set to follow less than a month later. At our wedding reception we played Nayaās versions of Valerie and Songbird.
During our first year of marriage, I splurged on the Glee props auction and bought several screen worn outfits important to Santanaās (and Brittanaās) journey. My wonderful wife didnāt bat an eye at how excited I was to have Santanaās wedding dress, among other things. She knew how much Brittanaās story meant to me. How meaningful it was to watch two best friends fall in love, come out to their friends, and make it to their happily ever after. My love story with my wife wasnāt exactly the same as Brittanaās, but some of the big story beats were the same.
Needless to say, I am heartbroken over this news about Naya. My heart aches for her son, her parents, her sister and brother, and all her friends. She means so much to so many people. Beyond those that personally know her, she helped an entire generation of queer women accept themselves and live their lives openly and authentically.
While I donāt want to give up hope prematurely, all signs are pointing to a devastating outcome. Naya, thank you for all you gave to your fans - and to the Brittana fandom in particular. If we have lost you, I hope that you have found peace. I hope that, wherever you are, you are able to see the enormous impact you had on so many lives. My thoughts, prayers, and love are with your family and all those that love you. Especially little Josey.