User:Rlocker1/sandbox

People who grew up watching television who were lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, watched for characters who represented them. Typically, people who watch television would watch to escape from reality. A coping mechanism is how to describe this action, and it can either be a good or a bad thing for the person. This helps someone avoid dealing with complicated issues in their life and allows them a chance to relax before fixing anything.

Sometimes, people seek characters they can heavily relate to. For example, the character being in the LGBTQ+ community, a poor home life, or maybe a critical group of friends. By using a television show they can avoid using a dangerous coping mechanism, however, if used too much it can lead to a shock in adult life.

An important thing representation can do is lead to a community being formed. A community where viewers can start platforms such as blogs or TikTok and discuss the show they are watching. This allows people to connect and find a home within their choice of media. Along with this, it helps with coping with stressors as they have an outlet to talk and vent about issues in their life or show. By joining a community, young LGBTQ+ members can find the skills to find their place within the major community.

Coming out is a milestone of being a part of the LGBTQ+ community. Within the mainstream media, they used it in plotlines in shows, movies, and video games. The game Second Life, where the player can choose how to feel and can experience the process. Media shows how to find yourself through characters, through dramatic plotlines that pull at one’s emotions. While trying to come out, being more comfortable with one’s self becomes the most important thing, and a community becomes a helpful hand. Media shows how having trusted friends and family is ideal for coming out, as it can be a laborious process for some individuals. With only friends and support systems, they can find a home when they cannot in person.

A role model can help through coming out, and that falls heavily within the LGBTQ+ community. Finding a character who you can relate to or look up to is important for anyone no matter gender, race, age, or sexuality. Children use characters they see as people they can use during play, such as imitation. High schoolers may not use the characters for play, but as ways to make weight decisions to how the characters may react.. These media role models can make up a huge contribution to someone’s personality, value, and attitude. But they are not always positive and can have a negative effect on the person, leading to bad choices. These characters can be a sense of pride for people in the community. The characters who can be a representation of the LGBTQ+ community are important as it leads to community and comfort.