Lgbtq representation in media
The good and the ugly of Diverse representation in movie and television
Over the years, LGBTQ+ inclusion has become increasingly more prominent in television and clip. For the most part, this is a great thing, especially when it’s done well. However, that is not always the case.
A few projects possess made poor shots to incorporate it, leading to poor and occasionally insensitive LGBTQ+ representation.
Here are some examples of when representation works, as well as when it doesn’t.
The good
Released in , “Will & Grace” was groundbreaking for LGBTQ+ representation on TV. The exhibit was one of the first flourishing series to movie openly gay characters, although it did face some criticism and backlash for stereotypical portrayals. Despite the controversy, the show helped to normalize the presence of gay characters on television in a time where it wasn’t very popular or accepted.
“But I’m a Cheerleader,” a comedy starring Natasha Lyonne as a closeted sapphic cheerleader who gets sent to a conversion camp, was released in Once again, this production was released before LGBTQ+
In Focus: LGBTQ Representation in Entertainment and Gaming
The GLAAD Media Institute provides consulting services to a variety of industries, including show (film, television, gaming, theater, and music). GLAAD began working with the amusement industry in , a year after its founding. GLAAD also conducts study about the industry, including quantifying and analyzing inclusion in film and TV, fielding studies, evaluating statistics, and developing metrics to strengthen the organization’s mission to accelerate acceptance for LGBTQ people. GLAAD’s Amusement Media team not only works with entertainment media companies to encourage impartial , accurate and inclusive advocacy of LGBTQ people, but also to advocate for increased representation of LGBTQ people behind-the-scenes in the industry. This process involves meeting with executives and showrunners, reading scripts, assessing rough cuts and sharing notes with creatives, pitching story ideas, consulting with writers, directors, and producers, working with talent to better inform them about portraying LGBTQ character
In the vast landscape of media, representation matters. It shapes perceptions, influences identity, and has the dominance to either reinforce stereotypes or challenge them. For the LGBTQ community, inclusion in media has been a journey of evolution, from invisibility and caricatured portrayals to nuanced, legitimate characters that reflect the diverse spectrum of lgbtq+ experiences.
From Shadows to Spotlight
Historically, the portrayal of LGBTQ characters in film, television, and literature was a bleak reflection of societal attitudes. These characters were often relegated to the margins, if they were present at all. When they did appear, they were frequently depicted through harmful stereotypes. Villains were given effeminate characteristics, insinuating that deviation from the norm was inherently vile. Comedic roles often reduced LGBTQ characters to mere punchlines, their identities the butt of the joke. Tragic figures, on the other hand, were portrayed as doomed souls, their sexuality or gender self a source of their downfall. Such portrayals not only perpetuated misconce
Where We Are on TV
There were more LGBTQ women than men on broadcast for the fifth year running. Of the 64 LGBTQ characters on primetime scripted broadcast, 35 (55 percent) are women, 27 (42 percent) are men, and two (three percent) are nonbinary. Of these characters, 20 (31 percent) are lesbians, 10 (16 percent) are bi+ women, and five (eight percent) are queer women. One of the bi+ women is also trans. There are 24 (38 percent) gay men, two bi+ men (three percent) and one straight trans man (one percent). There are two nonbinary characters on broadcast, both who have undefined sexual orientations.
The percentage of both bi+ men and women decreased year over year, and there was a slight decrease in lesbian representation as well. Trans men, women, and nonbinary characters all decreased from the previous study, both in number and percentage.
For the past four years, there has been a slant toward women characters on cable. This year, the numbers have dramatically shifted to favor men. Of the 77 LGBTQ characters counted on primetime scripted cable, 27 (35 percent) are women, 47