Literature, art, and media play an important role in shaping collective memories. They often present a narrow view of history and marginalize certain groups, including those who are LGBTQ+. This has been happening for centuries, resulting in a gap between historical events and their representation. As a result, many people have formed incorrect opinions about homosexuality and transgender identities that lead to prejudice and discrimination against these communities. Queer voices have made reclamation efforts towards inclusion, but there is still much work to be done. This article will explore how exclusion from literature, art, and media affects collective memory, what reclamation efforts exist, and what a fully inclusive cultural canon could look like.
Let's examine how queer voices have been excluded from mainstream culture throughout history. Throughout most of human history, homosexuality was seen as unnatural and immoral, leading to its criminalization and punishment in various cultures. Even today, some countries continue to outlaw same-sex relationships and violence against members of the LGBTQ+ community remains widespread. In addition, transgender individuals were often misunderstood and mistreated, leading to gender dysphoria, depression, and even suicide. The erasure of queer stories and experiences has also contributed to this problem. Mainstream culture rarely depicts diverse sexual orientations or gender identities, perpetuating stereotypes and misconceptions.
Collective memory suffers because it fails to acknowledge significant parts of society's past.
Historians must rely on incomplete sources when studying pre-modern societies where queer voices may not have been represented or valued. This can lead to false conclusions about historical events, such as assuming that all men engaged in sex with other men for pleasure rather than acknowledging the possibility of romantic love or friendship. It also means that people don't learn about the contributions of queer individuals, who were vital contributors to many fields but whose achievements are overshadowed by their identity.
There are efforts towards inclusion in literature, art, and media. Some authors, artists, and filmmakers have begun to create works that reflect diversity more accurately. Books like "The Handmaid's Tale" and films like "Brokeback Mountain" have helped raise awareness about issues facing LGBTQ+ communities. Transgender activists like Laverne Cox have brought attention to gender fluidity and its impact on our understanding of society. These works help challenge existing narratives and provide alternative perspectives that enrich our understanding of history.
To achieve full inclusion, however, requires changes at every level - from education systems to entertainment industries. Schools need to incorporate accurate representations of queer experiences into curricula so students understand them better. Media outlets should hire diverse creators to produce stories that resonate with audiences beyond straight, cisgender identities. And publishers should support these efforts by producing books featuring diverse characters written by queer authors. All of this would contribute to a fully inclusive cultural canon - one that recognizes everyone's story and helps us move away from prejudice towards acceptance and empathy.
Exclusion from literature, art, and media has long-lasting effects on collective memory because it shapes how we view societal norms. Reclamation efforts exist but must continue until all voices are included equally. A fully inclusive cultural canon could lead us closer to true equality for all people regardless of identity or orientation.
How does exclusion of queer voices from literature, art, and media shape collective memory, what reclamation efforts exist, and what might a fully inclusive cultural canon look like?
Exclusion of queer voices from literature, art, and media shapes collective memory by creating an image of heteronormativity that is accepted as normal and "right. " Queer people are often portrayed negatively, erased from history, or simply not mentioned at all. This can lead to the marginalization and discrimination of LGBTQ+ individuals in society, as well as reinforcing harmful stereotypes about them.