What Berena means to me and what it has done for
my well-being and mental health as been
unbelievable.
Berena has given me hope that I'd be able to find
romance and such a deep love when I'm older and
wiser. It's given me a chance to be part of something
so influential and powerful.
It's rare to find a LGBT relationship on
mainstream television in the UK and though
the major soaps such as Emmerdale,
Coronation Street and Eastenders deal with
this issue the characters involved are usually
aged between 18-35 which isolates a select
group of viewers and though I am only 25
myself I find that disheartening for my
future.
Being able to watch a slow burn romance build from a
friendship to a beautiful love between two women
aged over 50 is a gift that we aren't blessed with as
much as we should be and it has had an impact on all
ages. Berena has been an outstanding example of
representation that has given so many women the
courage to evaluate their sexuality and come out to
their friends and families.
I have been part of so many fandoms whether
they be for a heterosexual couple or a gay or
lesbian couple but I've never felt so strongly
about a 'ship' as I have about Berena and that
is a testimony to the impact this relationship
has had on me and others that have watched
this romance from the beginning. It has given
me hope for the future that I'll be able to find
such a love in later life.
I hope that Berena lives on should Jemma
Redgrave not be asked to come back to Holby (fools
if they don't) but I think we, as a fandom, and
myself, as a Berena follower, will always keep the
faith. Long Live Berena!
Sarah Briggs