Media portrayal of LGBT people

Historically, the portrayal of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in media has been largely negative if not altogether absent, reflecting a general cultural intolerance of LGBT individuals; however, from the 1990s to present day, there has been an increase in the positive depictions of LGBT people, issues, and concerns within mainstream media in North America.^[1] The LGBT communities have taken an increasingly proactive stand in defining their own culture, with a primary goal of achieving an affirmative visibility in mainstream media. The positive portrayal or increased presence of the LGBT communities in media has served to increase acceptance and support for LGBT communities, establish LGBT communities as a norm, and provide information on the topic.^[1]

Gwendolyn Audrey Foster stated,^[when?] "We may still live in a world of white dominance and heterocentrism, but I think we can agree that we are in the midst of postmodern destabilizing forces when it comes to sexuality and race."^[2] In her book Imitation and Gender Insubordination (1991), Judith Butler argues that the idea of heteronormativity is reinforced through socio-cultural conditioning, but even more so through visual culture which promotes homo-invisibility.^[3]

^ ^a ^b Steiner, Linda; Fejes, Fred; Petrich, Kevin (1993). "Invisibility, homophobia and heterosexism: Lesbians, gays and the media". Critical Studies in Mass Communication. 10 (4): 395–422. doi:10.1080/15295039309366878. ISSN 0739-3180.
^ Everett, A. (2012). "Introduction: Stardom in the 1990s". In A. Everett (ed.). Star decades: Pretty people: Movie stars of the 1990s (PDF). New Brunswick, New Jersey: Rutgers University Press. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 February 2016.
^ Butler, Judith (1991). Imitation and Gender Insubordination. London: Blackwell Publishing.

[:0-1] Steiner, Linda; Fejes, Fred; Petrich, Kevin (1993). "Invisibility, homophobia and heterosexism: Lesbians, gays and the media". Critical Studies in Mass Communication. 10 (4): 395–422. doi:10.1080/15295039309366878. ISSN 0739-3180.

[2] Everett, A. (2012). "Introduction: Stardom in the 1990s". In A. Everett (ed.). Star decades: Pretty people: Movie stars of the 1990s (PDF). New Brunswick, New Jersey: Rutgers University Press. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 February 2016.

[3] Butler, Judith (1991). Imitation and Gender Insubordination. London: Blackwell Publishing.

[1]

[2]

[3]