Noah Schnapp

Noah Schnapp started off 2023 in the best way: living in his truth. Literally five days into the new year, the actor, best known for playing gay character Will Byers on the popular Netflix sci-fi series Stranger Things, took to TikTok to publicly acknowledge his own sexuality. And in that short time span, has become a shining beacon of pure queer joy.

After his public coming-out, the actor even got to celebrate his first Pride in New York City as an out-and-proud member of the community, looking exuberant as ever as he danced in a fountain with other queer folks, enjoying life and living in the moment.

Although most young people aren’t navigating the same spotlight (and scrutiny) as a celebrity like Schnapp does, a lot of LGBTQ+ youth can and do see him as an example of how openly and loudly living as your most authentic self makes life so much better, despite its challenges. And he has Will to thank for that.

Speaking to Variety in August, Schnapp said that without the help of Will’s own journey in Stranger Things, he might not have had the courage to explore and accept his own, thus further proving the importance of good, meaningful representation.

“Once I did fully embrace that Will was gay, it was just an exponential speed towards accepting it for myself,” he said. “I would be in a completely different place if I didn’t have Will to portray, and to embrace and help me accept myself.” @noahschnapp