Stereotype or Success?

Abstract

The current content analysis of prime-time network television during the fall of 2001 seeks to identify the representation of Gay male, Lesbian, and Bisexual characters in shows known to have one reoccurring homosexual character based on the theories of Clark and Berry. Clark (1969) established four stages of media representation for minority groups: non-representation, ridicule, regulation, and respect. The findings of the study support the premise that Gay males and Lesbians have passed Clark's stage of non-representation and have progressed into the stage of ridicule and some are moving into the stages of regulation and respect. Berry (1980) devised three periods based on the television portrayal of Blacks: The Stereotypic Age, The New Awareness, and Stabilization. Results were mixed, with only a partial support of the hypothesis that Gay males and Lesbians had advanced beyond The Stereotypic Age.

Perspectives of LGBTQ emerging adults on the depiction and impact of LGBTQ media representation

“…Although still underrepresented, there has been an increase in the visibility of LGBTQ people within traditional media (Bond, Hefner, and Drogos 2009;Davis 2008;Dhoest and Simons 2012;Fouts and Inch 2005;Hillier and Harrison 2007), including many television shows (both scripted and reality) with LGBTQ people as central characters or ensemble cast members (Raley and Lucas 2006;Sender 2012). According to a report by GLAAD (2015), LGBTQ representation in mainstream media is expected to continue to rise.…”

“…According to a report by GLAAD (2015), LGBTQ representation in mainstream media is expected to continue to rise. Over time the depictions of LGBTQ people in traditional media have become increasingly positive, with prime-time comedy and drama television shows representing lesbian or gay characters in similar ways to their non-LGBTQ counterparts (Dhoest and Simons 2012;Raley and Lucas 2006). Perhaps unsurprisingly, there are also a growing number of LGBTQ writers and producers contributing to the creation of this content (Sender 2012).…”

“…From the first representations of LGBTQ identities on television in the 1960s to contemporary representations, LGBTQ people have consistently been stereotyped as comic relief, villains and/or criminals, mentally and/or physical ill, and victims of violence. These stereotypes remain prevalent and may contribute to ongoing societal homophobia and heterosexism (Davis 2008;Padva 2008;Raley and Lucas 2006). Newer stereotypes -such as that of the young, affluent, well-educated, urban gay male -also predominate contemporary representations.…”

“…Thus, media representations may have a significant impact on young people's identity development and presentation (Raley and Lucas 2006). However, research has shown LGBTQ young people continue to be characterized by mostly negative or stereotypical representations (Evans 2007;Farrell 2006), dominated by themes of vulnerability and victimization (Marshall 2010).…”

The Effects of Portrayals of Gay Men on Homonegativity and the Attribution of Gender-Based Descriptors

“…Gay-themed comedy on programs containing queer characters is often hurtful and homophobic and may perpetuate negative stereotypes (Hart, 2000). Raley and Lucas (2006) found that gay male or lesbian characters tended to most often be in the ''ridicule stage of representation'' in which they are the butt of their own jokes (p. 31). Unlike characters such as Jack from Will & Grace or Kurt on Glee, the character Max Blum on the television show Happy Endings is a well-rounded gay male character, represented in stereotypical and nonstereotypical moments.…”