First Kiss
In a reflection of queer media, we might associate its roots with shows like The Corner Bar, Queer as Folk, or Will and Grace. Would you be surprised if I told you that the first gay smooch on American television, was hosted by none other than Dawson’s Creek? It’s a production that I, like many fans, have a love-hate relationship with. Like many 90s dramas, the show made a wild and melodramatic production out of the coming out story of one of their main characters, Jack.
While this was a heartwarming trope in media, its continuance is ready to come to an end. Productions like Glee, The Prom and Love, Simon did a lot of important work humanizing the queer community, but I would argue that we’ve reached a point of acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community that doesn’t require a performative “coming out” tradition anymore.
More Gay Media
Although there are several communities, specifically religious communities, that continue to aggressively reject queer identities, GLAAD research reveals that, as of 2023, there is a supermajority of non-LGBTQ Americans (84%) that agree that LGBTQ individuals deserve equal rights. However, many non-LGBTQ Americans express that they are not familiar with the community’s culture or how to describe LGBTQ individuals. Media can help with that!
GLAAD concluded that “When people are exposed to LGBTQ people and experiences in media, it changes hearts and minds and shifts culture and sentiment.”
According to their research, non-LGBTQ adults are 30% more likely to be comfortable with LGBTQ people in comparison to people who are not exposed to queer media. Media, especially fictional entertainment, has the power to reveal new perspectives to the masses. Visibility of the queer community normalizes their existence (not that it should have to be).
Different Queer Media
As I introduced, most previous queer stories have been heavily focused on the social requirement of “coming out.” This is an often-emotional process that can pull of the heart strings of people who are not tolerant of queer identities. By revealing how difficult the process is for queer individuals, people began to have more empathy for the community.
However, based on GLAAD’s statistics, I think this plot has been pretty thoroughly explored. While this is still a relevant event in many cultures, it’s time that not every queer story is a coming out story. This process has begun, but I look forward to seeing it increase.
Similar to a male-gaze in media, we can see a straight-gaze (there’s a pun in there if you listen for it). The “straight-gaze” involves majority of straight characters with a few token-gay characters. Queer characters fulfill stereotypes that might not always be negative but are not very accurate.
Trans Characters
The trans community is in what I would deem their first wave of real media representation. Even now there aren’t really any popularized trans characters. Trans actors are scrutinized for the roles they play and often are a main point of controversy for any parts they do take. For example, actress Hari Nef occupied a very small role in the Barbie (2023) movie, but her presence was a large topic of discussion purely based on her trans identity.
There are several productions with very minor trans roles and productions made for the trans community that have just not reached the level of prominence that shows like Glee did. I fear that popularity was instrumental for a widespread movement of acceptance for gay individuals.
Media Recommendations
I would be doing Hari Nef an injustice if I did not recommend her show Transparent. Baby Reindeer and The Umbrella Academy are the only other two that come to my mind, but I cannot say that either of them does the trans community the justice they deserve.
As far as queer visibility in media, I am again happy to report that more and more shows do not feel the need to dramatize the coming out story of every gay character. However, Sex Education, which I have recommended before, reflects multiple different stages of the coming out process in a way that does not entirely define the characters. It is also so beautifully done and made me cry so hard, I cannot leave it out of this list. The show First Kill (although the production is not as good as it could be) features two lesbian main characters who never feel the need to heavily reflect on their coming out. The Rookie, a recent binge watch of mine, is a reflection of this new era as well. Several of the characters are gay or bisexual, and the show does not use up anytime to ponder on the legitimacy of their sexualities. They simply are.
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