LGBTQIA+ Representation in Media
Well there’s a hot topic, buzzword laden title. One of the biggest questions I’ve seen to date is: why? Why do we need representation for LGBT people? For better or worse, Hollywood heard.
From the upcoming Marvel Studios — currently media rumor — gay character to the gay wedding in the season 22 premiere of Arthur, we’re getting a lot of media hype. And who can forget Rosa from Brooklyn 99?
What do most of the shows currently airing that have LGBT characters in common? The LGBT characters aren’t, for the most part, main characters or the protagonist. There’s a few outliers: the sports anime Yuri on Ice’s main, canonically explicitly undefined, couple, and the thrilling espionage show Killing Eve’s bisexual villainous assassin Villanelle, for example. But all hope is not lost; according to GLAAD LGBTQIA series regular characters are up to 8.8%, and of that almost 9% it’s incredibly diverse. We’re seeing more and more POC (50%) and lesbians (28%), now hopefully these characters won’t get the refrigerator treatment.
The CW is the most inclusive network. According to the author of the article “LGBTQ Characters Are Thriving on TV While the World Burns, GLAAD Report Finds” RIESE:
“13 of The CW’s 17 current scripted offerings include LGBTQ women characters … Supergirl now has the first trans superhero on TV and … the debut of lesbian Batwoman.”
This sudden cast of LGBT characters isn’t out of nowhere. It’s in response to what’s happening in the world right now. The media takes cues from the viewership. Ultimately it’s a business decision: the execs don’t want to step in a steaming pile of you know what and lose a lot of money in the process if they lose viewership because the common person feels like they’re being pandered to or a bias is being shoved down their throats if we look at either end of the spectrum. Yes, there are homophobes and there are LGBT viewers out there that feel like networks are pushing their own agendas. Regardless where opinions stand, these media giants making waves in pop culture have figured something out that some of the less diverse networks haven’t yet: representation sells.
But why does it matter? I believe it all boils down to two things: acceptance and identity. The impact of media representation in regards to acceptance of LGBTQIA people is a little harder to define than LGBTQIA individuals finding a representation of their identity on the big screen.
In the past, gay characters were either exclusively the villain or made to be a joke (take for example Disney’s Ursula and Jafar). This damaging portrayal was in response to the views of the majority of the time. LGBTQIA people were viewed as evil, devils, sinners, you name it. This was reflected in the treatment of primarily gay male characters. With the inclusion of more out and proud characters, the media is reflecting a much more accepting society. Do we have work to do in regards to rights? Absolutely. But we’re taking more steps forward than backwards.
On a more personal level, LGBTQIA people want to see characters like them. I always knew, and took tentative steps, towards a not-straight label but I never admitted I was a big ol’ gay until I discovered slash shipping on Tumblr. I was taken by Destiel (Dean and Castiel ship, for those who are unscathed by Tumblr) and began to admit truths to myself. Little by little I grew more comfortable in my sexuality. My journey of self discovery was only further solidified by the main characters of Yuri on Ice. The show may never have explicitly shown the kiss but dammit, it was a kiss. And ice skating is gay as hell (kidding!). I know there’s a lot of other members of the LGBT community that have a similar story. This is why representation matters to me.
I’ve got a couple questions for you, dear reader: Is representation important? Is it important specifically to you? And on a much more light-hearted note, what TV are you looking forward to this season?
Cite: Autostraddle winter 2019 LGBTQIA Line-up & autostraddle GLAAD report.
