Why We Need Better Representation

LGBT communities like all communities want to be included, to be seen and feel seen and to know that they are represented. Unfortunately, they have been severely underrepresented over the years, a recent GLAAD study showing that “Of the 773 series regular characters scheduled to appear on broadcast scripted primetime television this season, 70 (9.1 percent) are LGBTQ” (GLAAD Media Institute, 2020-2021). Not to overlook that the small amount of representation they have received has often been a misrepresentation or uses harmful stereotypes, either to poke fun at or villainize them, which often has harmful repercussions in not only the way LGBT are treated but the opportunities they are given.

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Figure 1 Pie Chart showing character breakdown. (GLAAD Media Institute, 2020-2021)

 

Therefore, meaning that the issue is not just a case of increasing representation and opportunities for LGBT people in media but also making sure that those representations are not harmful and reflect LGBT people accurately. Not only to make sure that LGBT+ people can feel that are being represented fairly and accurately, but they are being seen and included. This is also important for young LGBT people, who often look to media sources for their own representation and to gauge how they are viewed by outside society, a point that Holly Mallet writes in her Backstage piece.

            “I’d spend hours binging entire seasons of shows I’d never heard of or watching special fan edits on Youtube which only included the scenes between the characters who were gay. I wasted so much time watching utterly awful content, often in languages I don’t speak, just for that feeling of being ‘seen’.” (Mallett, 2019)

Representation like this can be a lifeline, especially when going through the difficulties of understanding their place in the world and how they are seen. Representation is also important to educate Heterosexuals and how they view the LGBT community. Often negative portrayals have a direct influence on how people treat the LGBT+ community. Things such as stereotyping, villainizing and making them the punchline of jokes leads to abuse and discrimination in real-life situations.

 

How Do We Better Represent?

So how can we positively represent the LGBT community? Employing LGBT actors for LGBT roles goes a long way on this front, as they can provide the kind of depth and submersion that straight actors would find hard to portray through lack of real-life experience. But let’s not forget, it’s not just on-screen roles that are needed. LGBT directors, producers and writers are also incredibly important in making sure that the roles written for these actors are accurate and do the community justice. As they are more likely to write roles where the characters have substance to them and show complex character development i.e., they are defined by more than their sexuality or what they associate as. Mainly as these writers, directors and producers once again have lived through these experiences and can give the type of depth and reality that Heterosexual media staff often struggle to obtain. Another important note is that where media does not contain staff of the LGBT community, feedback from the LGBT community should not only be sought but highly encouraged and listened to. As these are the people that once again have lived these experiences and are the best to share their stories and perspectives.

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The Need For Straight Allies

When LGBT content is released in media, Heterosexual people should be allies in helping their fellow LGBT community members be seen and included by supporting and encouraging their inclusivity. Seeing them as more than the Hollywood stereotypes or punchline and as the complex and diverse people that we all are. Not boycotting or censoring material but allow them to have an equal role and standing as their Heterosexual counterparts. This way we develop as a society and progress, rather than excluding. Which can only be a good thing.

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Bibliography

Cook, C., 2018. A content analysis of LGBT representation on broadcast and streaming television. Tennessee: University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

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GLAAD Media Institute, 2020-2021. Where We Are on TV, s.l.: GLAAD Media Institute.

Mallett, H., 2019. backstage.com. [Online]

Available at: https://www.backstage.com/uk/magazine/article/why-lgbt-representation-in-theatre-film-tv-is-still-so-important-68498/
[Accessed 16 March 2021].

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Media Smarts, 2014. Queer Representation | MediaSmarts. [Online]
Available at: https://mediasmarts.ca/digital-media-literacy/media-issues/diversity-media/queer-representation
[Accessed 16 March 2021].

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Ramin Setoodeh, E. W., 2019. Inside the State of LGBT Inclusion in Hollywood - Variety. [Online]
Available at: https://variety.com/2019/biz/features/lgbt-inclusion-hollywood-entertainment-industry-1203246534/
[Accessed 16 March 2021].