Gay representation

Cultural touchstones such as Heartstopper and Pose become shows that people can relate to and are empowering stories that deeply resonate with audiences who are LGBTQ+. According to the American Prospect, “one of the earliest rifts between advocates for trans rights and those leading the charge for gay and lesbian rights happened when L&G rights leaders were willing to sacrifice protections for trans people in the 2007 Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA), a touchstone event in the longstanding and unacceptable betrayal of transgender rights to gay and lesbian causes” (American Prospect).

A member of the transgender community recalled that during a queer event: “I introduced myself as nonbinary and this very cis gay man said ‘You don’t look non-binary’… It’s the assumption [that] you have to look a specific way to be non-binary.” (Genderit). Bi+ characters represent 19 percent (27) of regular and recurring broadcast LGBTQ characters, an increase of one percentage point from last year” (GLAAD).

And yet, despite this growing number, there are still perpetuated stereotypes in the media that seems to follow the LGBTQ community everywhere.

Queer: A Graphic History. It’s Not About the Dress: A Brief History of Transphobia in Horror Movies. https://glaad.org/sri/2024/executive-summary/

Gomillion, S. C., & Giuliano, T. A. (2011). LGBTQ+ characters were also part of mainstream cinema and television programs. Sexual orientation differences in the self-esteem of men and women: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The biggest issue is tokenism, that is, representing LGBTQ+ people for the sake of diversity and not much beyond that. Psychology of Popular Media. The shows Modern Family and Schitt's Creek played a pivotal role in normalizing LGBTQ+ relationships, presenting them as ordinary and relatable.

Inclusive media can decrease prejudice and increase acceptance in populations that are not highly personally exposed to LGBTQ+ individuals.

Embracing intersectionality in media leads to more representative narratives that could be more easily understood by people from all walks of life.

Active Challenges in Representation

Despite all this, the representation of LGBTQ+ individuals in media still has a long way to go. GLAAD | GLAAD Rewrites the Script for LGBTQ Acceptance.

From effeminate men to promiscuous females and queer villains, early Hollywood thrived off prejudice. The media enhances self-acceptance and encourages community building by telling meaningful stories that reveal the full scope of LGBTQ+ experiences. In Elsevier eBooks (pp. This being the case, representation in the media for LGBTQ+ individuals would be able to either defy the stereotypes placed on them or exacerbate their negativity.

In the past, mainstream media focused on white, cisgender gay men, leaving all other identities either marginalized or erased. A Brief Measure for Assessing Generalized Anxiety Disorder. When the media portrays multidimensional characters as LGBTQ+, it provides a sense of belonging and reduces the feelings of isolation, especially in young people trying to understand themselves.

https://doi.org/10.23736/s0391-1772.18.01995-7

Phillips, J. (2006). These portrayals normalize diverse experiences while also creating role models that inspire confidence and pride in embracing one's identity.

Conversely, toxic or stereotypical depictions are also harmful to the process of identity formation. They argue that even if these is misrepresentation, the show is still acknowledging their existence and therefore, at least for now, was acceptable.