The way that media portrays queer people has significant impacts on how society views them. Media has often perpetuated negative stereotypes about queer individuals that can lead to increased discrimination and violence against these communities. These depictions can also affect the way in which policies are created regarding sexual minorities. Queer individuals may face difficulty coming out due to their fear of being judged or misunderstood.
They may internalize these stigmatizations and have lower self-esteem. This could result in decreased mental health, addiction, and homelessness.
Legal Policy
Media portrayals of queer individuals have been used to justify laws against LGBTQ+ people. In 1986, the Supreme Court ruled that sodomy is illegal based on "public morality" and "conventional morality," which was defined as "based on a long-standing tradition." This ruling allowed states to criminalize same-sex relationships regardless of consent. Many people believed this decision would make it harder for queer individuals to obtain employment, housing, and medical care. The case was later overturned in Lawrence v. Texas but led to an increase in prejudice against LGBTQ+ people.
In 2004, Massachusetts became the first state to legalize same-sex marriage after the Goodridge v. Department of Public Health ruling. Since then, many other countries have followed suit.
Some still criminalize same-sex relationships.
Nigeria, Uganda, and Brunei all prohibit same-sex relationships and punish them with up to death penalty. There has also been backlash against transgender rights, such as the recent bills in Tennessee and Arkansas restricting access to gender-affirming care for minors. Media coverage of these debates often focuses on fears about the sexuality and safety of young people rather than the real issues at stake.
Self-Concept
Stigmatization of queer identities can lead to decreased mental health outcomes among marginalized populations. Queer individuals may struggle to come out due to fear of rejection or discrimination. They are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. They may feel shame and guilt about their identity that affects their self-esteem. This could lead to substance abuse and homelessness. In a study by the Williams Institute, 51% of surveyed LGBTQ+ youth reported experiencing homelessness due to family rejection. These experiences can be traumatic and contribute to long-term psychological distress.
Queer individuals who do not conform to traditional gender roles may face even greater stigma. Transgender women may be seen as sexually predatory or exploitative. This contributes to increased violence against transgender women of color. Intersex individuals may be denied medical care and forced into rigid gender roles. Asexual individuals may face ridicule and misunderstanding from both cisgender and nonbinary communities. Pansexual, bisexual, and omnisexual people may be viewed as promiscuous or deviant. All of this leads to internalized oppression, which is defined as "the process through which members of an oppressed group come to believe in the negative beliefs of the dominant culture."
Media portrayals of queer identities have consequences for public perception, legal policy, and the internalized self-concept of marginalized populations. The way media portrays these communities shapes how society views them. This can lead to negative policies and attitudes towards them, such as criminalization of same-sex relationships and bills restricting access to gender-affirming care. Queer individuals are also at risk of mental health issues, addiction, and homelessness. It is important that media representatives accurately reflect these communities and combat harmful stereotypes.
How does media stigmatization of queer identities influence public perception, legal policy, and the internalized self-concept of marginalized populations?
Research shows that the media's portrayal of LGBTQ+ people can have significant consequences on their mental health, social support networks, and access to resources. Negative depictions of sexual minorities in mass media can increase prejudice and discrimination against them by normalizing stereotypes and encouraging negative attitudes towards them.