Queerness is a term that refers to people who do not identify as heterosexual, cisgender, or gender-conforming. It includes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, nonbinary, intersex, pansexual, asexual, and many other identities. Mainstream media often portrays these groups negatively, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and creating unfair social norms. This representation perpetuates structural power dynamics and moral hierarchies, which can have devastating effects on individuals' lives and society as a whole. This essay will explore how mainstream media representations of queer people contribute to this problem and offer solutions for positive change.
The history of media portrayals of LGBTQ+ individuals is long and complicated. In the early days of radio and television, queer characters were rarely seen at all.
When they did appear, they were often portrayed as deviant and dangerous, as in films like "The Children's Hour" and "Strange Interlude." These portrayals reflected societal attitudes toward homosexuality during a time when it was illegal in most states and could lead to jail time. As laws changed, media portrayals became more progressive but still largely negative, focusing on themes such as AIDS and violence against LGBTQ+ people. Today, some shows like "RuPaul's Drag Race" celebrate queer culture positively, but others continue to focus on negative stereotypes.
One common negative stereotype is that queer people are promiscuous or hyper-sexualized. Shows like "Will & Grace" and movies like "Brokeback Mountain" suggest that LGBTQ+ people are prone to excessive sex and casual relationships. This perpetuates the idea that non-heteronormative sexuality is inherently immoral and unhealthy, leading to stigma, discrimination, and violence. It also suggests that only straight people can have healthy, committed relationships, reinforcing heteronormativity.
Another negative stereotype is that queer people are mentally ill or abnormal. Movies like "Boys Don't Cry," for example, portray trans individuals as trapped in their bodies, struggling with gender identity disorder, which is not an accurate representation of transgender experience. This suggests that being transgender is wrong or shameful, contributing to high rates of depression, suicide, and violence against transgender people.
These stereotypes create moral hierarchies, where queerness is seen as inferior or deviant, and cishetness (cisgender heterosexuality) is seen as normal and desirable. They contribute to structural power dynamics by reinforcing societal beliefs about who deserves respect, love, and acceptance. This leads to a range of negative outcomes, from job discrimination and housing instability to physical and emotional violence.
LGBTQ+ youth are more likely than their peers to experience bullying, harassment, and assault at school, increasing the risk of mental health problems, substance abuse, and suicide.
Positive media representations of queer people can help counteract these effects. Shows like "Pose" and movies like "Love, Simon" show queer characters as complex individuals with diverse interests, relationships, and life experiences. These representations humanize queer individuals and challenge harmful stereotypes, reducing stigma and promoting empathy. Positive portrayals also demonstrate that non-heteronormative sexualities are valid and healthy, helping reduce self-stigmatization among LGBTQ+ people.
These positive representations often focus on white, wealthy, cisgender gay men. Transgender women, bisexuals, intersex people, and other marginalized groups remain underrepresented in media.
Even positive portrayals can be harmful if they rely on tropes such as coming out stories or tragedy narratives that perpetuate victimhood and suffering.
Mainstream media representation of queer individuals perpetuates structural power dynamics and moral hierarchies, leading to serious consequences for individuals and society. To create lasting change, we need a broader range of positive portrayals, featuring diverse characters with complex lives and relationships. We must also recognize that queerness is not a monolithic identity but encompasses many identities and experiences. By doing so, we can work towards a more just and equitable world where all people are valued and respected for who they are.