What If Love Isn’t As Simple As You Thought?
Kitty Song Covey always thought she had love figured out. I mean, she was literally the queen of matchmaking. She’d been in love with Dae for years, and moving to Korea to be with him felt like the grand romantic gesture she was destined for. Love was easy, right? Boy meets girl. Girl falls for boy. They live happily ever after.
But what if that wasn’t the whole story?
That’s the question XO, Kitty dares to ask as Kitty finds herself drawn to someone she never expected—Yuri. And suddenly, everything she thought she knew about herself is flipped upside down.
The Rollercoaster of Realization
Falling for someone new is complicated enough. But when that someone is another girl, and you’ve never thought of yourself as anything other than straight, it’s terrifying.
Kitty doesn’t wake up one day and have a big, dramatic realization. No, it’s way messier than that. It starts as curiosity, then confusion, then maybe even denial.
“Okay, so maybe I think Yuri is… cool. That doesn’t mean anything, right?”
But the heart doesn’t work that way. It doesn’t care about labels. It just feels.
The moment Kitty finally admits it to herself is raw and real:
“I like boys. I like girls. I like… people. And that’s okay.”
And for so many young people watching, that moment hits hard. Because figuring yourself out isn’t always clear-cut. Sometimes it’s messy. Sometimes it’s scary. And sometimes, it takes falling in love with the “wrong” person to realize that maybe, just maybe, they were right for you all along.
What If People Don’t Accept You?
Here’s the thing—Kitty’s world is relatively accepting. But that’s not the case everywhere. For a lot of people, being anything other than straight still means dealing with judgment, whispers, or even outright rejection.
She confesses her fears to Q, her openly gay friend:
“I feel like I’m betraying who I used to be. What if people don’t see me the same way?”
His answer is everything:
“You’re not changing, Kitty. You’re just discovering more of yourself. And that’s never a bad thing.”
But in real life, not everyone gets that kind of reassurance. In some parts of the world, being openly LGBTQ+ is still dangerous. Families turn their backs. Schools don’t talk about it. Friends suddenly become distant.
That’s why shows like XO, Kitty matter. They show young people that they’re not alone. That their feelings are valid. That love—no matter who it’s for—is never something to be ashamed of.
Why XO, Kitty Is a Game-Changer for LGBTQ+ Representation
It’s Real. Kitty’s bisexuality isn’t some side plot or a phase—it’s a journey, full of doubts, realizations, and growth.
It Starts Conversations. Whether it’s with friends, family, or even just within yourself, Kitty’s story makes it easier to talk about these things.
It Smashes Stereotypes. Bisexuality is often misunderstood in media, reduced to “indecision” or “experimenting.” But Kitty’s feelings are real. Her love is real. And that’s powerful.
The Hard Truth: The World Still Has a Long Way to Go
As much as we’d love to say that the world fully embraces all identities, that’s just not the reality. In many places, LGBTQ+ people still face discrimination, bullying, or worse.
Kitty’s struggle—though subtle—is something a lot of people can relate to. That fear of coming out. The worry that people will see you differently. The pressure to stay silent just to keep things “normal.”
A particularly emotional moment in the show is when Kitty nervously asks her dad, “Would you still love me the same if I… wasn’t who you thought I was?”
And his response? The kind of response every “coming out” kid hopes to hear: “You’ll always be my Kitty. Nothing changes that.”
For those who don’t get that same love in real life, seeing it on screen is a reminder that they deserve it.
So, What’s Next for Queer Representation in YA Media?
XO, Kitty proves that audiences are ready for more authentic LGBTQ+ stories. And we need more: more queer protagonists, more diverse experiences, more happy endings. Because queer people deserve love stories just as much as anyone else.
And to those who are still figuring themselves out—who feel lost, scared, or unsure—just remember:
You don’t have to have all the answers today. It’s okay to take your time. And no matter what, who you are is valid.
If you’ve ever felt the same way as Kitty, confused, scared, or unsure, you’re not alone. Your journey is yours to embrace, and every step matters. Have you ever had a moment of self-discovery that changed the way you see yourself? Share your thoughts, your fears, or even your victories, because your story deserves to be heard.
