Identification with lesbian characters: Reception processes of heterosexual and homosexual audiences from a mixed method approach

Abstract

Introduction: This research explores the identification of homosexual and heterosexual men and women receivers with lesbian protagonists of audiovisual fictions, in Spain. Methodology: The study uses a mixed method, consisting of two independent investigations whose results are interpreted together: a quantitative investigation determines the magnitudes of the effects, and a qualitative one explains the reasons for them. Results: The results show that the sex of the receivers does not affect the magnitudes of identification, but the reasons for identification. However, results show that the sexual orientation of the receiver does affect identification. Finally, they show that the reactions of heterosexual men are significantly more indifferent to lesbian characters and the stories set in lesbian communities. Furthermore, the investigation finds that the principal weight on identification derives from the affective empathy with characters. Discussion and Conclusions: The application of a mixed methodology provides depth. The use of scales in the identification of quantitative data collection requires the participant to take a position within the range of values available, but interviews of a qualitative method can reveal the extent of meanings attached to these values. As expected (H1), the content of fiction affects lesbian identification characters. The morally virtuous protagonist induces greater identification, and it is produced by similar reasonsamong populations of different sex or sexual orientation. In addition, there are reasons to refute the gender of the receiver"s affected identification with lesbian characters (H2). It also confirms that there are differences in the identification based on the general sexual orientation (H3). These differences, however, do not happen only in the general magnitudes, but in the motivations for identification. The personal resonance evoked by stories and the similarity of the stories with their own experiences, are the two important factors for homosexuals´ identification. In addition, we find that homosexuals and Revista Latina de Comunicación Social # 069-Pages 275 to 306 Funded research |

Lesbian Sex in Mainstream Cinema and Audience Enjoyment

“…This is also corroborated by other data obtained in our investigation: (1) women of this sample learned more about lesbian sex than men; (2) women manifested they had not viewed explicit sex between women as much as men stated to have, and (3) women reported to a greater extent that they went to the cinema because they had known, via marketing and other sources, that the movie contained lesbian sex scenes. In fact, we found differences between lesbians/bisexuals and other groups in stating that they had attended the movie because they were attracted by the sex scenes, which in turn also confirms that there is curiosity about the representation of lesbian sex in non-pornographic dramas (Soto-Sanfiel et al 2011, 2014a. Future studies might investigate whether the representation of explicit sex can be ''normalized'' through public socially accepted consumption.…”

“…In contrast, homosexual men explain that, despite enjoying the interludes of lesbian sexual intercourse in a movie, they prefer heterosexual sex scenes. Indeed, some gays specifically state that when viewing heterosexual sex scenes to increase their level of enjoyment, they fantasize about the female protagonist being a man (Soto-Sanfiel et al 2011, 2014a. Apart from such quasiexperimental research, there is a general lack of investigation into the audiences' specific psychological responses to lesbian characters in mainstream entertainment.…”

“…6 In Brazil, companies refused to distribute it on blue-ray. 7 In this paper we aim to expand the results of Soto-Sanfiel et al (2011, 2014a and to understand in more depth how the enjoyment of movies about lesbian protagonists relates to the sexual orientation and gender of the audience. In addition we ask to what extent the availability of explicit lesbian sex in the cinema mediates audience responses.…”

“…However, the reasons for these positive reactions differ considerably depending on the sexual orientation of the audience (Soto-Sanfiel et al 2011, 2014a. Lesbians explain that these scenes activate memories of personal experience and they enjoy the novel experience of viewing lesbian sexual activity in non-pornographic drama.…”

“…Apart from such quasiexperimental research, there is a general lack of investigation into the audiences' specific psychological responses to lesbian characters in mainstream entertainment. Meanwhile, lesbians are being increasingly represented in the media, warranting further study to be conducted on audience reactions (Soto-Sanfiel et al 2011, 2014a.…”