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Representation In The Media

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LGBTQ+ Representation in the Media
The media has become a protuberant fraction of our society today, as we rely on it for coverage on the presidential election, the weather, the traffic, and using it to form our opinions on subjects we would not know much about without it, but how does the media affect the way the LGBTQ+ community is seen and treated? From Russia to America, LGBTQ+ laws are viewed worlds apart, with Russia concocting anti-gay laws, while America sustains marriage-equality, however, did the media have an impact on this? Does absence of representation in this medium account for the misunderstanding and lack of knowledge of LGBTQ+ people? These are the inquiries I would enjoy to discus as I think it is a tremendously important …show more content…
“Clearly, for emerging homosexual or transgender kids growing up, with few if any flesh-and-blood role models they can look up to regarding these core issues, LGBT images in the media take on especially heightened importance” (Kelso). With social media being widespread amongst youth, kids who are discovering who they are for the first time need something or someone to validate them, make them feel that what they are feeling is normal and many other people around the world feel the same way. Social media has also been used as a way for activists to promote LGBTQ+ rights and issues, as well as get their voice across to places that do and do not support equality. Even investigations have proven that the media can aid people with self-realization, coming out, and feeling comfortable being themselves by providing them with role-models and inspiration (Gomillion). I personally know someone who feel the same way, with social media giving them a way to talk with someone who they can feel comfortable with. If done correctly, I believe the media can leave a enormous, positive impact on representation for LGBTQ+ people, which they desperately crave. With accurate depictions of LGBTQ+ character in movies, TV shows, and books, along with the carried support of activists on social media and people are are not afraid to be themselves, a new era could be born, with LGBTQ+ people and characters being the norm and no more bullying, …show more content…
“Homosexuality in the Media.” UtahState University, 14 July 2008, www.ocw.usu.edu/English/introduction-to-writing-academic-prose/homosexuality-in-the-media.html. Accessed 19 Mar. 2017.
Kelso, Tony. “Still Trapped in the U.S. Media’s Closet: Representations of Gender-Variant, Pre-Adolescent Children.” LGBT Life with Full Text, doi:10.1080/00918369.2015.1021634. Accessed 19 Mar. 2017.
“LGBT Character Portrayal in Media.” LGBT Finance, 23 Dec. 2016, www.lgbt.co.uk/leisure/lgbt-character-portrayal.htm. Accessed 19 Mar. 2017.
Molloy, Parker. “Why Media Matters in the Fight for LGBT Rights.” Hello Giggles, 14 Sept. 2014, hellogiggles.com/medias-important-role-fight-lgbt-rights/. Accessed 19 Mar. 2017.
Shapiro, Adam, and Megan Shultz. “Portrayal of Homosexuality in the Media.” CiteSeerX, The College of Sciences and Technology, 2009, citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.504.2837. Accessed 19 Mar. 2017.
Wong, Curtis M. “Depiction Of LGBT Characters In Hollywood Has Actually Gotten Worse.” The Huffington Post, 2 May 2016, www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/glaad-studio-responsibility-index_us_572772dce4b0b49df6abc868. Accessed 19 Mar.

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