LGBTQ+ Representation in Media

By Theerada Kaewubon 

Diversity with Representation

There are a few stars and artists who are in the LGBTQ+ community. LGBTQ+ representation in the media is important because people need to see people who are like them on screen. It shows there are people like them who are being represented and seen. However, sadly it seems the most represented people seem to be white gay men. Now, that isn’t wrong but there is almost no diversity. Most shows have minuscule roles even though there are about 9 million people who identify as LGBTQIA.

Despite all of that, the future is improving! According to The Verge, diversity in LGBTQ+ roles went up by 8.8%. But even if there is diversity, sometimes these characters are overlooked, made a background character, in only one episode and then thrown out.

The Problem with Films & Shows

Films actually have a bigger problem with LGBTQ+ media representation, not for the amount of screen time characters have, but because the writers are not thinking about representation deeply.

Most of the writers don't really focus on the character and their personality, the character instead is a regular background character. Now, that is okay if you mean them to be a background character, but some writers treat them as a throwaway thing. For example, in a scene in Avengers: Endgame, a gay man is in the support group in the beginning scene but only for a short moment. Most people are quite disappointed with this due to the secrecy the film held and how this small scene was their start of gay representation in Marvel. Especially since characters that they’ve already written in canonically identify as LGBTQIA. However, they are planning to bring in quite a few, which is good because there’s an arsenal of characters to bring.

Representation does not mean a person simply talking in one scene. Representation means someone who is seen and heard, interacts with people regularly, not some mannequin.

Throughout the Years

LGBTQ+ media representation has ranged from bad and good; from characters being shot, hurt, and discriminated against to depictions of people supporting the LGBTQ+ community. There has been an evolution, but let's start with recording media.

Three gay men, Frank O’Dowd, Steve Bie, and Gene Stavis started a company called “Truth, Justice, and the American way, Inc.” As a company, they created a show called "The Emerald City" (1976-1979) which covered the LGBTQ movement, politics, and culture at the time. There is also a collection called the Rudy Grillo collection (1954-1994) filled with paper items, audiotapes, photographs, and videotapes all having to do with issues in the gay community. In the paper items, essays by Rudy Grillo that dealt with gay issues. The audiotapes and videotapes had programs that were hosted by Rudy himself.

In sports, there are organizations such as The StandUp organization and You Can Play Project. Politics, all 50 states have been served by LGBTQ+ politicians in one way or another. But, of course, we have to mention the famous Stonewall riots led by Marsha. P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. All of these had led a part in the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

Moreover, some celebrities are openly a part of or support the LBGTQ community. Examples would be Hayley Kiyoko, Ellen DeGeneres, Neil Patrick Harris, Janelle Monae, and Brendan Urie.

Overall, through the ups and downs, the community still continues on. Support might not be from everyone but it’s there. The media has gotten better at inclusion and finally stopped ignoring their mistakes. The world is making up for the past it’s had with LGBTQ+ people.

Sources: The Verge, GLAAD, History.com, The Center, Gizmodo.