User:Rfrank8/sandbox

In general, the media should be a reflection society and different communities as well. However, according the Glaad’s 2011 We are on tv report Cbs is the most watched and most underrepresented media outlet for the LGBT people. The media purpose usually is to target the people whom they feel will be watching. The most recent census states that there are over 100 million people in America who identify as people of color ( African-American, Asian, Latino). People of color are becoming leaders but major media outlets including : newspapers, magazines, tv, etc are refusing to acknowledge their existence. This same non-existence portrayal leads to increased believed stereotypes.

When the media decides to put LGBT people in the media,they usually focus on the gay male. Sometimes ( but less often ) the lesbian female. The description of the characters usually fits what society deems as tolerable. Typically, there are 4 different types of characters. These characters will be Caucasian middle to upper class. Though they are said to be LGBT everything else about them besides their sexual orientation, reproduces a homogeneous life. Replicating everything about heteronormative people lives, makes the characters more acceptable inside the homes of many homophobic or non-supporting families.

There are four main characters that are produced the most often in media. There is the gay men. With that group, there is the over flamboyant feminine man ( like in Abc’s Modern Family). Then there is the more masculine man who doesn’t appear to be gay. Usually this character has not told people he is gay or is trying hard to pass. Most gay characters who appear in mainstream media are Caucasian and middle to upper class. Lesbians are often mis and underrepresented in the media also. Usually there are two types lesbians portrayed. There is a feminine lesbian- also known as a lipstick lesbian. The other type of lesbian will be more butch ( physically appearing ) and/or really aggressive.

Different types of lgbt are underrepresented daily. Not every gay male will be very feminine or masculine. There are many gray areas in between this spectrum that gay men chooses to be. There are also many other type of lesbians that exist that does not fit the stereotypical lesbian characters in media. Instead of choosing to be butch or feminine, many lesbians lie in between the two also. A stem is lesbain that chooses to dress girly one day and butch the next. She refuses to label herself as just one and blatantly acts and dresses how she pleases. In reality, there are many type of lgbt people other than gay and lesbian. Such as bisexuals and asexuals. These are people whom possess other sexualities and characteristics than what is portrayed. Failure to acknowledge these differences further exclude lgbt people who do not fit these characters.

As stated in Raising gays by Jason Jacobs, queer people are demanding for our culture to be more accepting of the community. In an attempt, shows like glee are created. Where most of the characters has an identity that marginalizes them in some way. Some of the characters are gay, lesbian, disabled, a minority etc. However, within these characters, are produced homonormative aspects. For example. the gay man is over feminine and as one will expect in the closet. Though, when he finally chose to tell his father he was gay, he was accepted. It may be a happy ending but for many it was sad. The character never faces some of the realistic things that may happen to people in reality who are trying to relate to them.

Many negative consequences arise from the poor representation of lgbt in media. An example of this is, when the character of glee came “out “ the closet. Many people who are gay and come out to clost to their well-known homophobic father will not have a happy ending. They will not be accepted, patted on the back and a lot of gay youth are either thrown out there house or run away. Making the characters in the media experience the opposite makes him more un-relatable to the audience (who are gay). It also creates an inaccurate suggestion to other viewers, as if coming out is really that easy.

Another consequence of misguided portrayal of lgbt people is the reinforcement of stereotypes. Many of the lgbt characters in media all resemble each other. As previously stated, not every lgbt person is the same. All lesbian and gays are not the same yet they are created that way Lgbt is not just an acronym for lesbian and gay but for people who are queer and have sexualities that are not normative. There is rarely any fictional character in the media that is bisexual. If there is, then the character is over sexualized. He/She are not able to control themselves, thus having sexual relationships with both sexes simultaneously. This could influence many people to believe that all bi sexuals are sexaully out of control.

Although there are many negative consequences that arise from lgbt portrayal in media, there are some positive consequences also. Lgbt in media could bring about more acceptance of lgbt people. This is because before lgbt appeared in media, many people had no idea of what they may be like. Because many lgbt people chose not to openly out themselves, their peers family even ( in some cases) have either no or a negative idea about what a lgbt person is like. While the person of lgbt may be misrepresented on media, at least someone knows that they aren't all evil. Trying to make the whole world gay ( which is actually what some people think ).

Lgbt in media are highly misrepresented. It usually lumps the all of lgbt people into just lesbian and gay. Then, furthermore stereotypes the lesbian and gay characters that were created. This action contradicts the whole purpose of lgbt people fictional characters. While, it may let some people know see that lgbt people are more common and close to the audience then they may realize. It still reinforces stereotypes and negative stigmas.

Rfrank8 (talk) 13:58, 21 November 2014 (UTC)