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.

[Soon]

Originally Posted by Gemme

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.

Totally agree with your words I underlined.

What I don't agree with is the fact that the media is so concerned as to what this could MEAN for Shiloh's possible gender/sexual orientation.
This is how (not) far we have come in terms of anyone--even children--transgressing what society thinks is appropriate gender norms.

(and then you see them celebrating and praising Suri Cruise for her little heels and dresses; it's messed up).

[Soon]

One More Lesbian: The Lesbian Media Site

About One More Lesbian:

Our mission here is really two fold, the first is visibility. In the LGBT community, we often complain about the fact that we do not have enough/correct representation in the media. While we believe this to be true, there are also many films, TV shows, and web series around the world that do represent us in all of our colors. The Internet has given us the ability to explore and experience video content around the world, but unfortunately the word “lesbian” has also become synonymous with pornography on almost all of the various video sites…which brings us to the second part of our mission – accessibility.

We’re constantly sifting through the various video search engines to find true lesbian content for OML, but we’re really only as strong as our members, viewers, and community help us be. A great deal of what you see is submitted by viewers like you. Nothing makes us happier than to find a new film, character, or music video that we’ve never heard of…and this is exactly the reason for this site. We want any woman or girl anywhere in the world who seeks representation and affirmation, to land on OML and find it here. At last count, we’re now viewed in 186 different countries. Many of these countries are a part of the “3rd World” where such content is neither broadcasted, screened, sold, or rented. One More Lesbian welcomes everyone but it is created by lesbians for lesbians and bisexual women. We ask all of you to help us grow by submitting any content you have produced or have stumbled upon.

[Artdecogoddess]

Fascinating thread! I really enjoyed read it. Thanks to all who posted.

I have a strong memory of the first lesbian I saw on tv was also on All in the Family. Edith's aunt dies and she inherints a silver tea service. The aunts's partner goes to Edith and explains why the tea set is so important and asks if may have it instead.

I remember that Edith's initial confusion and then dawning awareness was priceless and meant to be for a laugh - yet she also very compassionately returned the tea set to the woman. I remember thinking - at age 7 or so - wow - that was the right thing to do. Its a powerful pop cultural memory and a good media portrayal, I believe.

[Greyson]

Last night I went to see Prodigal Sons. It is a full feature documentary film about Kimberly Reed a MTF Lesbian born and raised in Montana.

Maybe because I come from a large family that of course has its dysfunction this film spoke to me on many levels. Kimberly also has an adopted brother, Marc, who suffers from a brain injury and is estranged from his sister Kimberly.

The film reached across the standard fare and went a little deeper. Sibling rivalry, domestic violence abuse, adolescence, death, grief, hiding, deflection and facing some of the demons head on with authenticity and still hope.

This film IMO, portrayed a Transwoman and her family in a very forthright, real way, and with humanity. The film shows Kimberly not only as a MTF but as a human being with family and her journey in moving through the plethora of issues that come with transitioning.

I think LGBTQ people were portrayed fairly and with depth. It showed that Kimberly is so much more. She is not merely some social experiment and/or rebel. The fullness of much of her past and current life was captured.




http://http://www.prodigalsonsfilm.com/drupal/index.php

[Soon]

Vote Now for the Top 50 Lesbian/Bi TV, Film, and Web Series Characters

Despite the bleak reality of the disappearing lesbians on primetime television last year, 2010 is already looking a little better, with a new crop of lesbian/bi characters turning up in starring and recurring roles. The same is true of lesbians on film, with some high-profile movies featuring lesbian characters already making the rounds at mainstream and LGBT film festivals this year.

That's why we think it's the perfect time to consider those lesbian/bi characters that have made a lasting impression on us all. Whether they were struggling to come to terms with their own sexuality, juggling too many women, or trying to figure out how to use their powers for good instead of evil, there have been many lesbian/bi characters in film, television, and even in web series, who have made us laugh, cry, scream, and, sometimes, scratch our heads wondering "What the hell just happened?"

When it comes to all of these scenarios, we're not naming names — but we hope you will.

In our first annual survey of the Top 50 Lesbian/Bi TV, Film, and Web Series Characters, we're asking you to name your favorite fictional characters of all time. So while you probably have your current favorites, please dig deep into your own personal pop culture vault and try to include even those who aren't currently on the air or big screen, and maybe even those who just seem to be in eternal syndication.

The characters you choose can be from any genre of scripted film, television or web series, and from US or international shows and films. Votes for reality stars or other "real" people won't be considered. We're strictly looking for your votes on the best fictional characters.

It's up to you to decide exactly what criteria you use to determine the "best." All we ask is that you limit your choices to female characters (we leave the men for the folks over at our brother site, AfterElton.com who are conducting their own poll here).

We suggest you ask yourself what characters have moved you in a significant way? What characters do you think changed the way viewers view lesbians and bi women &mdsah; or impacted subsequent TV portrayals of lesbians and bisexual women? Or maybe it's simply a question of what characters struck you as the most "real" and the most expertly written and performed?

You can enter up to 10 names in the form below but keep in mind a couple of rules. First, no ballot stuffing. Ballots with the same character name listed more than once will be discarded. Also, only one vote per ISP address will be permitted. Only the last form submission from an ISP address will be counted. Thiis poll is open to all of our readers. Feel free to encourage your Facebook friends and Twitter followers to weigh in too!

Voting will be open until midnight March 5th and the results will be posted on March 15th.

[Soon]

Call to Action:
Tell Life & Style That Focus on the Family Aren't "Experts" in Raising Children

Dear GLAAD Supporter,

The latest issue of Life & Style, a popular celebrity gossip magazine with a readership of almost 1 million, features a cover story that claims that actress Angelina Jolie is turning Shiloh, her daughter with Brad Pitt, into a boy. They cover asks "Is it harming the three-year-old?" referring to the child's short haircut, pants and polo shirt.

The article cites several so-called “experts,” like Glenn Stanton from the virulently anti-gay Focus on the Family who says: “They need help, they need guidance of what that looks like. It’s important to teach our children that gender distinction is very healthy.”

When a magazine like Life & Style slaps this mixture of intrusive tabloid sensationalism and judgmental stereotyping on its cover, it can make life difficult for young people who are in the process of coming to terms with who they are.

The magazine needs to send a message to its readers — many of them parents — that they should not reject their children simply because they don’t happen to conform to Life & Style’s narrow gender stereotyping.

None of these “experts” has the qualifications to claim what is healthy or unhealthy for Shiloh. Rashad Robinson, Senior Director of Media Programs for GLAAD says, “We believe media has a responsibility to differentiate between credible authorities and politically motivated (and usually self-proclaimed) experts like Focus on the Family’s Glenn Stanton.” Life & Style magazine only adds to the sensationalism of the article by giving a platform to Stanton.

"Life & Style is way off the mark with this outrageous coverage," Robinson adds. “Targeting children for ridicule about the way they dress is unacceptable, regardless of their parent’s celebrity status.”

In response to the cover story, The National Center for Transgender Equality told the Advocate, “The length of Shiloh's hair or the clothes she wears are really matters for her and her parents to decide; this is a family that is known for their fashion, says Justin Tanis, outreach manager for NCTE tells The Advocate. “What's important here is that every child, including Shiloh, has the opportunity to express herself and explore her world in a way that is safe and nurturing for her. Our society needs healthy, well-rounded children whose interests and tastes are as diverse as the children themselves[s]. Shiloh — and all other children — deserve the right to be themselves in ways that feel right to them as they learn and grow.”

GLAAD contacted Lindsay Ferraro, the Publicity Manager of Life & Style, to voice our serious concerns about this story. The magazine’s response was dismissive and showed no concern for the impact of the cover story’s sensationalism on all children and families.

We urge community members to voice their concerns directly to the magazine.

Contact:
Dan Wakeford, Life & Style: Editor-in-Chief
dwakeford@bauer-usa.com

Lindsey Ferraro, Life & Style: Publicity Manager
lferraro@bauer-usa.com
(201) 569-6699 x 648

Sarah Drabick
Life & Style: Associate Publicist
sdrabick@bauer-usa.com

The headquarters for Bauer Publishing (which includes an Entertainment Division that is the home of Life & Style and InTouch) is:
270 Sylvan Avenue
Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632

Tel: (201) 569-6699
Fax: (201) 510-3297

[hpychick]

HowSoonIsNow, what a great thread. I think it raises a good deal of questions, and perhaps we won't solve the *GLBTQ in the Media* issue here, but it's a great forum to discuss.

As I read through the posts, I am both touched by the stories and a little concerned with some of the narrow-visioning displayed. We are so very quick to attack the media for the lack of GLBTQ representation.

Was it really so long ago that married heterosexuals were even allowed to share the same bed on television? Was it so long ago, that they were allowed to kiss, or hold hands? When I was a child, I recall my parent's outward disapproval of a particular episode of Leave it to Beaver where the Beave held hands with a girl and let her kiss him on the cheek. And these were kids!!!! My parent's were outraged that this display of affection was being shown on television.

I remember Ozzie and Harriet, as well as June and Ward, and Luci and Desi all sharing separate twin beds. I always wondered if they pushed the beds together when the doors were closed. LOL.

My point here, if it isn't obvious, is that perhaps we need to give it time. The U.S. and its media has "come a long, baby." Is it where it needs to be, or even should be in our communities' eyes? Definitely not. But it is *somewhere* dear people of GLBTQ identities. It is somewhere that it wasn't 10 years ago; hell, even 5 years in many cases.

As with all things, give it time. I believe a lot has and still is being done to bring *us* to the public eye. I know it will continue, and it will grow, and yes there will be mistakes along the way - but it is all carving the path for and to our representation in many forums.

[Bit]

I think the first sympathetic portrayal I saw of a Transwoman was on Ally McBeal. Anyone remember her name? (I had a hard time just remembering Ally's name, lol...) One of the lawyers fell in love with her and even considered dating her after he found out she was trans, but he couldn't sustain the relationship.... and the show was about as honest as I've seen, portraying not just his reaction, but also her pain. I was amazed.

[Forgetmenotfemme]

Happy birthday media God blessed us on this day