A Very Short Recent History of LGBTQ+ Media Representation

graphic by: Emily Qian LGBTQ+ representation matters, and one of the most influential settings for representation is in the media. It provides a place for LGBTQ+ individuals to contribute their unique experiences and points of view while also showing younger generations that they are just as important, worthy, and welcomed as characters who are cisgender and heterosexual. “LGBT representation is important, first and foremost, because it normalizes being LGBT,” says Emma Tully ’24. “Seeing an LGBT character on TV, young children all over the world, some of whom may be questioning their gender or sexuality, others who are just growing and learning new perspectives, can see characters who are gay or trans or non- binary and see that that is normal and okay.” Historically, television has caused American social change far more than film and literature. In 1977, about a year before the first gay protagonist was featured in mainstream television in the groundbreaking sitcom “Will and Grace,” Ellen DeGeneres officially came out as lesbian on her eponymous sitcom. Both shows garnered negative public attention, and A Very Short Recent History of LGBTQ+ Media Representation

according to Ellen, her sitcom was cancelled because she came out. Despite these challenges, both shows made gay and lesbian characters appear as real, complex protagonists, rather than being relegated to the sidelines and presented as comic relief. They also paved the way for other networks to introduce shows centered around LGBTQ+ characters. This includes the 1999 British series, “Queer as Folk,” which was the first hour- long show devoted almost exclusively to the lives of gay characters, the 2004 Canadian series “The L Word,” the first show to revolve around complex lesbian characters, and of course, the wildly popular “Modern Family.” “LGBTQ+ kids are raised by many types of parents, most of whom are straight and cisgender. Having LGBTQ+ representation in the media shows kids that they are valid, that they are normal, and that they are not alone. Furthermore, this representation can teach other people about the LGBTQ+ community, and good representation can help to dispel harmful stereotypes.” said Nate Howard ’21. However, television shows and movies are often active perpetrators of these stereotypes, such as the idea that bisexual people are confused, promiscuous, liars, villains, or “going through a phase”. For example, in the highly influential hit show “Sex and the City”, the main character Carrie Bradshaw alleged that bisexuality was “a layover on the way to Gaytown”, and even the aforementioned “The L Word” proclaimed it as “gross”, reflecting the hostility toward bisexual people which has historically existed in the LGBTQ+ community. “It’s really harmful when the only queer representation we see in mainstream media perpetuates those stereotypes,” said Hanako Moulton ‘21. “It’s not just that any queer representation is important, but it’s also important to consider what kind of representation it is.” However, a quick peruse of Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Hulu will acquaint you with a vast array of Bi+ (a term denoting anyone who is not attracted to a singular gender) characters, such as David Rose from “Schitt’s Creek,” Rosa Diaz from “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” Ilana Wexler from “Broad City,” Eleanor Shellstrop from “The Good Place,” and Annalise Keating from “How to Get Away with Murder,” among many others. While the on-screen representation of more diverse sexualities has progressed, transgender and gender non-conforming people have lacked recognition of their identity and existence in the media. While instances of cross-dressing have been prevalent in comedic movies since the Golden Age of Hollywood and earlier — i.e., “Some Like It Hot” — being transgender has often been associated with mental disorders and villainy. In the past two decades, transgender characters have been introduced into television and film, but have been mostly A Very Short Recent History of LGBTQ+ Media Representation

played by cisgender actors. For example, Coach Beiste in “Glee,” played by the actress Dot- Marie Jones, and Maura Pfefferman in “Transparent,” played by Jeffery Tambor. Though it still remains a rarity, Laverne Cox of “Orange is the New Black,” Lachlan Watson of “The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina,” and Nicole Maines of “Supergirl” are all trans performers who depict trans characters in the shows’ universes. While representation has increased significantly, especially in the past decade, non-binary people, those on the asexual spectrum, and other groups in the LGBTQ+ community continue to encounter very little mainstream portrayal. “Seeing LGBT representation in the things you love can make you feel less alone, because, regardless of where you live and how accepting your environment is, you can see someone like you in the thing you are reading or watching and feel a connection and a hope,” said Tully. “Accurate and diverse representation is vital because it connects to more kinds of people, normalizes more things that are stigmatized and discriminated against, and overall just makes mass-consumed media appealing to more people.”