Sexuality in TV Drama

1. TV
DRAMAREPRESENTATIONS OF
SEXUALITY

2. IMPORTANT
• Firstly, It’s important to remember that gender and sexuality are not
the same thing.
• When analysing sexuality you must remember to focus on ALL aspects
of sexuality (heterosexuality, homosexuality, metro-sexuality &
bisexuality).
• Do not be discriminative in your responses.

3. Definition of Gender
The state of being male or female. The members of one or other sex.

4. Definition of Sexuality
• A name for the sexual feelings and behaviour of a person. When
applied to groups of people (e.g.heterosexuals/homosexuals/bisexuals)
ideas of social attitude and organisation are implied.

5. Representation of Sexuality
• Whilst there have been many representations of heterosexuality in TV
dramas, it is only recently that homosexuality has become a dominant
representation too.
• However, Gay and lesbian characters are often marginalised and are
seen as supporting characters.
• It is sometimes difficult for the characters to grow and develop.

6. Miss-representation
• A common media representation is to associate gay characters with
feminine characteristics and lesbians with masculine characteristics.
• The media reply on stereotypes in their representations but, this isn't
always the case.
• As society has developed, and times have changed, so has the
representation of sexuality in TV Dramas.

7. Sexual Identities
TV DRAMA

8. Sexual Identities
• The feminine Gay/Male Diva – Kurt
Hummel – Glee
• Teenage student coming to terms with
his sexuality
• This stereotype is one of the most
common within TV drama and has come
under criticism because it is a limiting
stereotype. It represents homosexuality
as a desire to be feminine.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YD_
iGRSnQbs&feature=fvst

9. Sexual Identities
• The Metro Sexual - Joey Essex
• A man who displays behaviour
stereotypically associated with
Homosexual men whilst being
Heterosexual.
• Concerned with own appearance
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS
PwqV8CNG0

10. Sexual Identities
• The Repressed Homosexual –
David Fisher – Six Feet Under
• Fears of coming out to his family
• Displays some stereotypical
attributes of gay behaviour such as
dancing in a theatrical way and
being flamboyant.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=ikQlhm6QQuA

11. Sexual Identities
• The Colourful Gay Man – Stanford
Blatch – Sex and the City
• Some feminine qualities
• Best friends with women
• Like to talk about fashion and
feelings
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
w_M3RwF2UN8&feature=related

12. Sexual Identities
• The Butch Lesbian Shane in the L
Word
• Masculine Dress
• Masculine behaviour?
• Man in the relationship?
• http://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=Z2IQQYuNmWk&feature=rela
ted
• stop at 4 minutes 5 seconds

13. Sexual Identities
• Feminine Lesbian Santana in
Glee
• Concerned with feelings and
love over sex.
• Dress feminine
• http://www.youtube.com/watc
h?v=UERsZImECTk&feature=rel
ated