The term LGBTQ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning. In the past few decades, there has been an increased awareness about these identities due to media coverage. These are individuals who belong to a specific minority group that experiences discrimination because of their gender identity, sexual orientation, or behavior. LGBTQ people have faced prejudice, abuse, violence, oppression, and even death because of their identity. They were seen as social outcasts, weirdos, or mentally ill.
There has been a shift in the perception of these groups towards acceptance and tolerance. This change is partly attributed to international media portrayals. International media has helped create more awareness of these identities, thereby influencing cross-cultural perceptions of tolerance and human rights. There are several reasons why this happens, including the following:
1. Media portrayal helps reduce misconceptions about LGBTQ people. People used to believe that these identities were wrong or unnatural, which led them to hate them. With time, the media played a significant role in educating people about these identities, reducing misconceptions, and changing attitudes.
When Will & Grace came out in the 90s, it was one of the first shows to feature gay characters in mainstream television. The show helped demystify stereotypes around homosexuals and brought understanding and empathy among viewers. Similarly, Ellen DeGeneres coming out as lesbian on her talk show opened up doors for other LGBTQ people to come out publicly without fear. The media also helped increase visibility and representation through documentaries such as Paris is Burning (1990), A Fantastic Woman (2017), The Danish Girl (2015) and Call Me (2017). As a result, society started accepting these identities because they realized that they are just like everyone else, except that their sexuality differs.
2. Media portrayal influences social norms. Social norms influence how we see things, even if they do not make sense logically. Whenever we see something repeatedly, our brains get accustomed to it, and we start perceiving it differently. This is known as classical conditioning.
Seeing LGBTQ people represented positively over time has made us rethink our perception towards them. We have started accepting them more easily because there is no way to ignore this change. Also, movies, TV series, and music videos with positive depictions of these groups create role models who challenge conventional beliefs. This leads to an increased tolerance of LGBTQ communities because they seem more relatable, acceptable, and less scary.
3. International media helps break down boundaries. The internet has created a global community where information can be shared quickly. Therefore, international media plays a crucial role in influencing cross-cultural perceptions. By watching foreign shows or reading articles from different countries, we learn about the struggles faced by LGBTQ people globally. People realize that these individuals face discrimination in various places worldwide, which makes them sympathize and understand them better. The international community is coming together to support human rights, including gender equality, freedom of expression, and tolerance for all. This is partly due to media exposure, which creates awareness about issues such as LGBTQ rights. Moreover, social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc., help spread messages quickly around the globe. They are also a great tool for activists to promote their causes, bringing attention to important topics like LGBTQ rights and other human rights violations. As a result, society becomes more open-minded and supportive of minority groups.
4. Media portrayal highlights common experiences among LGBTQ people. Another significant factor contributing to media influence on cross-cultural perceptions is the common experiences shared among the LGBTQ community. Through media coverage, people have learned that members of this group experience stigma, prejudice, abuse, harassment, violence, and even death just because of who they love. They have similar concerns, interests, challenges, and hopes as everyone else.
Same-sex couples face rejection, stigmatization, and societal pressure to hide their relationships. Transgender people struggle with identity crises and often face discrimination when trying to use public bathrooms or change their names legally. These stories resonate with people across cultures because they see themselves in these identities. By sharing these struggles, the media helps create empathy and understanding between different groups, thereby reducing prejudices against LGBTQ individuals.
International media portrayals play an essential role in shaping cross-cultural perceptions of tolerance and human rights regarding LGBTQ people. The media has helped reduce misconceptions about these identities, influence social norms, break down boundaries, and highlight common experiences among members of this group. This has led to increased awareness, acceptance, and support for LGBTQ communities worldwide. While there are still areas that need improvement, such as homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia, the progress made so far should be celebrated. We must continue to advocate for more representation, visibility, and inclusion of LGBTQ people in mainstream media.
How do international media portrayals of LGBTQ people influence cross-cultural perceptions of tolerance and human rights?
In recent years, there has been an increase in coverage of LGBTQ issues by various media outlets around the world. These portrayals have played a significant role in shaping public attitudes toward sexuality, gender identity, and queer rights across cultures. Media representations often serve as a source of information for individuals who may not otherwise encounter such topics in their daily lives. Therefore, they can help shape beliefs about what is "normal" and acceptable within different communities.