5.Media representations of sexuality

Question 1

Media representations of sexuality

Answer 1

Media representations of sexuality have historically been mostly heterosexual, with LGBT representations being largely invisible.-symbolically annihilated

Question 2

Outline key sociologists alligned with representations of sexuality

Answer 2

• Gill-gay sexualised in sanatised way
  Batchelor* et al- gay representations did not integrate into plot lines
• Craig-media constructed stereotypical isgns of gayness

Question 3

Outline Gill view on sexuality

Answer 3

Gill argues that, to avoid the risk of offending heterosexual audiences, mainstream media represent gay sexuality in a ‘sanitised’ way. Gay men are rarely portrayed in a sexualised way, but instead as stylish and attractive figures. However, this is the opposite for lesbians, who rarely appear in media content as anything other than highly sexualised, which links to the heterosexual male fantasy.

Question 4

Outline Batchelors view on sexuality

Answer 4

Batchelor et al (2009) - gay representations did appear in the mainstream media, but weren’t generally ‘integrated’ into plot lines, but rather gayness was part of the plot, seen as a source of anxiety, or as a target of teasing or bullying.

Question 5

Outline Craigs view on sexuality

Answer 5

Craig (1992) identified 3 media signifiers of gayness

1. Camp – homosexuality is associated with camp humour. Male gay TV personalities are known for a particular type of camp humor, the way homosexuality is presented in a camp way in the media reinforces negative stereotypes about men
2. Macho – An openly sexual look which exaggerates aspects of traditional masculinity,
3. Deviant – where gay people are portrayed as evil or devious, possibly as sexual predators or who feel guilty about their sexuality. Such representations seem to construct homosexuality as morally wrong.

Question 6

Outline Stonewalls research on sexuality

Answer 6

Stonewall (2011) concluded LGBT community being subjected to symbolic annihilation.

They found that LGBTs were disproportionately consigned to the status of comedic relief – their characters presented as something to laugh at. This was especially found to be the case with representations of lesbianism, frequently presented as over-sexualised and exotic, for male’s viewing pleasure.

Out of a total of 126 hours of television programmes analysed:

• 5 hours and 43 minutes focused on LGBT related issues or characters
• 46 minutes portrayed them realistically or positively.

Stonewall-majority of the coverage represented gays in particular as:

• Unhappy and distressed about their sexual orientation
• As people who had been bullied and rejected by their families

There was very little reference to lesbians or transsexuals.

Question 7

Outline how representations of LGBTQ has changed

Answer 7

There are several examples of contemporary shows which have LGBT characters , and in which sexuality is largely incidental to the plots in the show, and only part of the character’s identity, rather than them being subsumed by it, as was so often the case in early representations.

example of this on British Television isDocotor who,which has featured several gay characters in recent series.