The depiction of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals in mass media has undergone significant changes throughout history. From being portrayed as comic relief to tragic victims, from unseen minorities to mainstream icons, from villains to heroes, from outcasts to allies, there have been several shifts in public opinion about LGBT people that are reflected in their representation in television shows, movies, books, magazines, newspapers, music, art, advertising, and other forms of media. While some may argue that this is due to changing societal attitudes towards homosexuality and gender nonconformity, others suggest that it is also influenced by historical events, political policies, cultural movements, technological advancements, economic factors, legal restrictions, social norms, and individual beliefs. The impact of these patterns on society can be seen through how they affect public perceptions of LGBT individuals, shape laws and regulations regarding civil rights, impact healthcare access and services for LGBT patients, influence education curriculums, and contribute to hate crimes against them.
In the past, LGBT characters were often stereotyped or ridiculed in mainstream media, with little nuance or complexity. They were presented as aberrations from a heteronormative worldview or simply ignored altogether.
As society became more accepting of diversity, representation of LGBT individuals began to improve. This was evident in the 1960s when Hollywood films such as "The Children's Hour" and "Boys in the Band" explored homosexuality and gender identity respectively, but the portrayals remained one-dimensional and depressing. In the 1970s and 80s, television series like "Ellen", "Soap Opera Digest", and "Degrassi Junior High" provided positive depictions of gay characters who struggled with coming out and fitting into society. As the AIDS epidemic swept across America, movies like "Parting Glances" and "Longtime Companion" brought attention to the crisis while documentaries like "The Celluloid Closet" highlighted the history of cinema's negative representations of LGBT people.
In the 1990s, we witnessed an increase in visibility of queer individuals on TV shows like "My So-Called Life" and "Queer as Folk", which explored their lives and relationships in detail. These programs paved the way for groundbreaking shows like "Will & Grace" and "Ugly Betty" that challenged normative ideas about masculinity and femininity through humorous storylines featuring non-binary characters. The rise of social media also allowed LGBTQIA+ creators to produce their own content online, leading to greater nuance and complexity in storytelling.
"Orange Is the New Black" featured transgender women protagonists who were portrayed as complex humans rather than mere caricatures or punchlines.
Even with these improvements, there are still disparities in representation. According to a recent study by GLAAD, only 54% of major studio films released in 2019 had LGBT characters, compared to 67% in 2018.
Most of these roles were played by cisgender actors rather than transgender ones, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and erasing diverse identities. Similarly, many media outlets continue to misgender transgender individuals or fail to provide accurate information about gender diversity, reinforcing misconceptions that can lead to discrimination and violence. This is problematic because it limits opportunities for LGBT individuals while also affecting public perceptions of them.
To address this issue, media companies should hire more queer writers, directors, producers, actors, and other professionals behind the scenes to create authentic stories that reflect real life experiences. They must also ensure that they use respectful language when reporting on topics related to sexual orientation and gender identity.
Policy makers need to enact legislation that protects LGBT rights and promotes inclusivity in education curriculums. By doing so, we can create a society where all people feel valued regardless of their sexual or gender identity.
What patterns emerge in the representation of LGBT people in media history, and how do these influence societal attitudes and policy?
Mediated images are powerful tools for conveying stereotypes and attitudes about sexual minorities. Historically, there has been an overwhelmingly negative portrayal of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) characters in media texts that often reiterates prejudicial notions such as criminality, dysfunctionality, immorality, and gender deviance.