The issue of fair and non-harmful representation of the LGBT community has become increasingly important in recent years due to the growing visibility and acceptance of these groups. Media and cultural institutions play a crucial role in shaping public opinion and attitudes towards the LGBT community through their representations of them. It is essential that they uphold certain ethical responsibilities when creating such portrayals, but what exactly are these responsibilities? In this article, we will explore the importance of ethical responsibilities in media and cultural institutions' portrayal of the LGBT community and provide examples of how these can be met.
Ethical Responsibility One: Accurate Portrayal
One key ethical responsibility for media and cultural institutions is to accurately represent the LGBT community. This includes depicting individuals from these communities as complex and multifaceted people who have a wide range of experiences and perspectives.
Rather than presenting all lesbians as masculine or feminine-presenting, it is vital to showcase a variety of gender identities and expressions within the group. Similarly, instead of portraying transgender individuals solely in terms of transitioning or surgery, it is necessary to show different aspects of their lives, such as work, family, friendships, hobbies, and interests.
Examples include the Netflix series "Orange Is the New Black," which features several characters across the gender spectrum, including Piper Chapman, a cisgender woman, Alex Vause, a bisexual woman, Suzanne Warren, a transgender woman, and Poussey Washington, a gay woman. The series explores a variety of issues affecting the women's lives beyond their sexuality, including drug addiction, imprisonment, and relationships. Another example is the film "Moonlight," which focuses on a young black man named Chiron growing up in Miami and his struggles with identity, sexuality, and relationships. Through this realistic portrayal, viewers gain insight into the challenges faced by the queer community and can see that being LGBT does not define them entirely but is just one aspect of their life.
Ethical Responsibility Two: Avoid Stereotypes
Another ethical responsibility for media and cultural institutions is to avoid stereotypical representations of the LGBT community. This includes refraining from depicting these groups in overly sexualized or exaggerated ways.
The trope of the camp gay man or lesbian woman is a well-known stereotype that perpetuates negative assumptions about queer individuals. Similarly, presenting all transgender people as sex workers or cross-dressers reinforces harmful misconceptions about their identities and experiences.
The television show "Glee" provides an excellent illustration of this ethical responsibility. While some characters are exaggerated for comedic effect, such as Kurt Hummel, a flamboyant gay teenager who loves fashion and music, others are more nuanced, like Rachel Berry, a straight character who has a crush on Kurt. The show also features various other LGBT characters, including bisexual and pansexual individuals, further demonstrating the diversity within these communities. Another example is the film "Call Me By Your Name," which explores a romantic relationship between two men without resorting to cliches or tropes. Instead, it shows how they navigate their attraction to each other while remaining true to themselves and their personal values.
Ethical Responsibility Three: Positive Representations
Media and cultural institutions must strive to create positive portrayals of the LGBT community. This involves representing them not only as individuals but also as members of families, friends, coworkers, and neighbors. It is essential to showcase the contributions made by these communities to society and highlight their resilience in overcoming discrimination and prejudice.
A good example of this can be found in the book "Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic." Alison Bechdel's memoir recounts her childhood growing up with her lesbian mother and details the challenges she faced as a result of her parent's identity.
The book also celebrates the family's love, support, and acceptance of one another despite societal pressures. Another excellent example is the Pixar movie "Onward," which includes a same-sex couple and their child, demonstrating that queer parents are just like any other parental figures. These positive representations help normalize and validate the experiences of LGBT individuals and families and can promote greater understanding and empathy among viewers.
Media and cultural institutions have an ethical responsibility to portray the LGBT community fairly and without harm. This means accurately depicting diverse identities and experiences within these groups, avoiding stereotypes, and creating positive representations that reflect the realities of life for these individuals. By doing so, they can contribute to breaking down barriers and promoting equality and inclusion for all.
What ethical responsibilities do media and cultural institutions have in portraying LGBT communities fairly and without harm?
Media and cultural institutions have an ethical responsibility to represent LGBTQ+ communities with fairness and accuracy, free from stereotypes, bias, and prejudice. The depiction of LGBTQ+ individuals should be respectful, non-sensationalist, inclusive, and comprehensive, acknowledging the diversity within these groups.