LGBTQ Representation in the Media

[Gemme]

Originally Posted by HowSoonIsNow

I'm taking a different angle with this post.

I am so angry about how the media is treating little Shiloh Jolie-Pitt.

The obsession with this child and her appearance is disgusting.

This fixation includes multiple articles on her appearance, as well as speculation of (even!) this child's orientation, reeks of homophobia and transphobia. Just b/c at age THREE (!?), she is not conforming to what the press/society wants her to look like, they are ALL OVER IT.

I feel gross even talking about it b/c she is just a child, but it does reveal a lot about the media and press and what happens when even a child does not conform to societal gender expectations when it comes to appearance.

Here's an article about it on After Ellen:

Shiloh Jolie-Pitt's haircut makes headlines
by Dorothy Snarker

I agree that the microscope treatment is difficult on adults, much less impressionable kids just trying to be themselves.

However, if I let my objective side take a walk and let my 'if it's in print, it MUST be true' side come to the foreground, I say flippin' excellent!

If Shiloh wants shorter hair and wants to dress tomboyish and wants to be called John and Brad and Angelina are doing it, brilliant. When I think about it, these are two of the most accepting people in the celebrity scene.

Besides, I actually prefer the shorter hair on her. It is absolutely adorable!

Now, back to the logical part of my post...yes, it's disturbing how much attention is fostered on kids in the media. Let them be, people.

Oh, and I also think that the representation our community has in the media is quite slim. There's no way to represent every branch of our community tree, but I wish they would try harder to do so and to make those characters really good and likeable. I do like Wong's character on SVU. But is being cast as a therapist the only way for our community members to receive a decent representation? Is that only field that 'good lil gay boys 'n girls' get to shine in (without becoming a caricature or stereotype)? That irritates me.