LGBTQ+ Representations in Media

Lesbian: A woman who is attracted to other women.
Gay: A man who is attracted to other men; can also refer to women who are attracted to women.
Bisexual: A person who is attracted to both men and women.
Pansexual: A person who is attracted to individuals regardless of their gender.
Asexual: A person who experiences little or no sexual attraction to any gender.

Transgender: A person whose gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth.
Nonbinary: A person who does not identify exclusively as male or female.
Genderfluid: A person whose gender identity varies over time.
Intersex: A person born with physical sex characteristics that don’t fit typical definitions of male or female.

Documented variance in sexual and gender identities across cultures and history.

Development of sexology: A field studying human sexuality scientifically, often categorizing identities of sexual orientation and gender.

Identity formation and the Stonewall Riots of 1969, which were pivotal in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in the USA.

Expansion of identities recognized within the LGBTQ+ spectrum, now often referred to as LGBTQIA+ (adding Intersex and Asexual).

Media shapes norms: The portrayals of LGBTQ+ characters and stories in media can influence societal standards and perceptions.
Influences attitudes and belonging: Representation can affirm identity, foster community, and enhance feelings of belonging among LGBTQ+ individuals.

Definition: The assumption that heterosexuality is the default or normative sexual orientation.
Effects:
- Invisibility: LGBTQ+ individuals and relationships are often marginalized or omitted in mainstream narratives.
- Exceptional queer characters: The notion that LGBTQ+ representation must be remarkable or extraordinary rather than normal and everyday.

Presence ≠ equality: Being visible in media does not equate to equal representation or treatment in society.
Shaped by market logic: The portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters is often driven by commercial interests rather than true representation.
Tokenism: The practice of including a small number of marginalized individuals to deflect criticism; for example, hiring a single LGBTQ+ character to show diversity while lacking depth or substance.
Stereotypes:
- Common representations include:
- The ‘Gay best friend’ trope: Often portrayed as a side character to heterosexual leads.
- The ‘tragic queer’ narrative: Stories that focus on the suffering or demise of LGBTQ+ characters.
- Villain-coded characters: LGBTQ+ individuals depicted as antagonists, which harms perceptions of the community.
- Male-gaze lesbian: Lesbians portrayed primarily for the viewing pleasure of a heterosexual male audience.

Hays Code: A set of censorship guidelines enforced in Hollywood from 1930 to 1968 that significantly restricted how LGBTQ+ characters could be portrayed on screen.
Censorship rules: Prohibited any content deemed immoral, including open portrayals of homosexuality.
60s-90s:
- AIDS stigma impacted representation of queer characters in media.
- Early TV began to introduce queer leads, although they often fed into stereotypes.
2000s:
- Emergence of streaming services leads to more diverse representations, increased trans visibility, and complex queer characters.

Definition: The corporate appropriation of LGBTQ+ imagery and culture for profit, often without genuine support for LGBTQ+ rights.

Softness, stereotype challenge: This Netflix series presents LGBTQ+ relationships in a positive, soft manner that challenges traditional stereotypes.
Tagline: "Fall hard, love harder"; marking its appealing narrative for audiences.
Availability: Premiered on Netflix on October 3.

Intersectional trans representation: This show focuses on the experiences of transgender individuals, particularly women of color, showcasing their lives and struggles in the ballroom culture.
Season: Final season aired on FX.