LGBTQ+ representation in media in the form of characters in books, movies, TV shows, etc. is extremely important. It makes people of the community (especially, but not limited to, children and teenagers) feel less alone.

It makes us feel less like there's something broken in us and gives us a word to describe what we're feeling.

The earlier in life that someone realizes their gender and/or sexual and romantic attraction, the easier it is for them to accept themselves. When you’ve known yourself for longer, you have an image of who you are fixed in your mind, and it’s easier to add to an image of yourself when you’re already figuring yourself out at a young age than when you’re older and think you already know everything there is to know about yourself.
Becky Albertalli talks about this in her book, Simon vs the Homosapiens Agenda, when Simon comes out to Abby (who he’s known for a shorter time) before he does to Leah (who he’s known for years) and it holds true not only for the image others have of you, but also for the image you have for yourself.

To people who think representation is "forced", imagine how we feel, seeing only cishets in media while growing up.

To those who say their kids are "turning gay" because of it, your kids were already probably gay, they now know how to express what they felt because they had the right words, rather than suffocating themselves by forcing themselves into a box that doesn't fit.

If I hear one more person complain about genuinely good LGBTQ+ representation in popular media, I’ll have some choice words to say.