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Queer Representation

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In this section, we explore how a heteronormative media constructs, represents, and comments on the legitimacy of Queer and transgender identities. We also explore the differences and overlaps between mainstream media and their queer counterparts.

Resources for Parents

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That's Not Me - Tutorial
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Resources for Teachers

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Who's Telling My Story? - Lesson
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That's Not Me - Tutorial
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Bias in News Sources - Lesson
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First Person - Lesson
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  • Queer Representation in the Media

    “The big lie about lesbians and gay men is that we do not exist.”-Vito Russo, The Celluloid Closet (1981)“The love that dare not speak its name became the love that would not shut up.”-Suzanna Danuta Walters, All the Rage (2001)

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  • Queer Representation in Film and Television

    When discussing media representation of various groups, especially those we consider marginalized, stereotypes are often a primary concern. But sometimes, breaking a stereotype doesn’t go quite far enough, and the issue can be a little more complicated than merely determining whether or not a character is represented in a positive or negative way. The section that follows explores different approaches to queer content by analyzing various ways that popular media have used characterized LGBTQ people.

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  • Queer People in Other Media

    Queer people have been involved in producing their own media for as long as alternative media has existed. This landscape has traditionally been dominated by print media such as zines (small-circulation, generally low-cost, publications) and pamphlets or queer film, but with the advent of the electronic age and cheaper and more accessible electronic devices for production, there’s been an explosion of queer-produced media of all kinds. The following section explores the ways that queer people have sought to claim space for themselves within media and culture.

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  • Pink Dollar Marketing and Queer Representation in Advertising

    As in other media, queer people have gained a greater and more widely visible presence within the advertising world, with ad agencies courting the “Pink Dollar”. This is not surprising, considering that the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community is a multi-billion dollar target audience, estimated to be worth around $835 billion.

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  • Strategies for Engaging with Queerness in Media

    As previous sections have shown, queer characters, situations, and themes are becoming increasingly prevalent in the media. It is sometimes difficult, though, to determine whether or not certain representations are balanced.

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  • Resources for Parents - Queer Representation

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  • Resources for Teachers - Queer Representation

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