Bisexuality?

Bisexuality is a gray area in the discussion of the LGBT community. Usually it is brushed off as 'confusion' or 'a phase,' many refuse to acknowledge it as a from of sexuality. In the media, we see celebrities like Kristen Stewart labeled as 100% straight or 100% gay. Stewart has previously been spotted wih a male partner; however, it was released that she currently has a female partner. The media isn't sure what to do with this information, as magazines call her former partner/current partner a 'phase.'

"When society is confronted with an identity that intentionally challenges us by refusing to adhere to frameworks we understand, we don't know what to do with it."
"The media is unable to acknowledge any form of sexuality that falls outside the neat boxes of straight, lesbian, and gay. This is a phenomenon often described as "bisexual invisibility," one that might as well extend to "queer invisibility.""

Although I believe labels are superficial, it is unacceptable for one of these labels to be ignored/scrutinized simply because it is ill-understood. This lack of representation and scrutinization of a group is extremely detrimental to young adults' ability to understand themselves.

Transgender Representation

As representation of gay and lesbian couples continues to grow since the early 2000s, representation of transgender men/women is still embarrassingly low. The first gay character appeared in 1977 on a show called Soap, followed by a lesbian character on All My Children in 1983. Now, discussions/representation of the LGBT community makes up most of the content on ABC, FOX, NBC, and CBS. But transgender representation remains at a stand still, as GLAAD reports that there are no constant trans characters on broadcast TV. GLAAD plans to expand it's analysis of representation to online-platforms, i.e the Netflix Orginial Series, Orange is the New Black.

"“desensitizing people to the shock of seeing a gay couple on TV, [softening] the blow for people who are, quote unquote, not ready for that, says Saum."

"The goal is to “[take] the novelty out of it,” she says. “To normalize it as life."

I was unaware that GLAAD did not take online-platforms into account. I am curious about their commentary of Laverne Cox's character and whether it would 'pass' the representation test. Hopefully, we will see the same trend of audiences becoming 'desensitized' to gay couples with transgender people, too.

Reports from GLAAD

Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), an organization that strives to promote acceptance and understanding of the LGBT community, reports that the representation of gay and lesbian people has been scarce and inaccurate. Seven studios were taken into consideration, each one earning a less-than-adequate rating. Gay men are represented much more frequently than lesbian women, Male LGBT characters outnumbered female characters 64 percent to 36 percent, and transgender men/women are almost never represented. GLAAD uses a Vito Russo Test, a test that requires a film to meet certain criteria, i.e. characters not being defined by their sexuality, and only seven out of seventeen passed.

“The advocacy organization found that, of the 102 releases from 7 major studios, only 17 included characters that identified as lesbian, gay, or bisexual”

“Transgender characters received the least (and most offensive) representation”

I was not aware that GLAAD existed, but I very much appreciate their work. It is good to know that this organization speaks out and conducts these studies. Simply having representation is not good enough, sexuality, gender, etc. should be portrayed realistically and equally.

Gays on TV: It's All In the Family

With TV shows like Glee, Grey’s Anatomy, and Modern Family featuring gay, lesbian, and transgender characters, people are becoming more tolerant toward the LGBT community. In the beginning, some more-conservative viewers were concerned with this representation of homosexuality and spoke out claiming it made same-sex relationships seem “desirable.” Among the shows that portray homosexual couples, Glee earned te most backlash. Dan Gainor, representing the Media Research center said, “merely pretends to be a show for young people” while actually serving as an “assault on traditional values and morality.” But there has been a shift in tolerance and complaints have decreased significantly sincethe 2000s. Producers like Shonda Rhimes (Grey's Anatomy) and Christopher Lloyd (Modern Family) are shocked at how quickly public opinion has changed.

"In five separate studies, Mr. Schiappa and his colleagues have found that the presence of gay characters on television programs decreases prejudices among viewers of the programs."

"That warning would not appear today, as complaints about gay characters on shows like “Modern Family” and “Glee” barely ever bubble to the surface."

I'm overjoyed that this positive representation is changing the perspective on the LGBT community. State after state grows more tolerant, allowing same-sex marriage, and a main catalyst are these TV shows. I too am surprised at how fast opinion has changed and am hopefull that the influence of this representation continues to yield positive responses.