The document discusses representation of sexuality in media, including stereotypes of homosexuals, bisexuals, heterosexuals, and transgender individuals portrayed in television dramas. It notes that stereotypes are often used because they provide a broad overview but can give the wrong impression. While stereotypes may be based on some real people, they tend to be inaccurate and unfair generalizations. The discussion considers whether media representations should move beyond rigid stereotypes and typecasting to better reflect contemporary societal values of non-discrimination and inclusion regardless of sexual orientation.

1. Representation
of Sexuality
In the Media
TV DRAMA

3. Sexuality• Sexual Orientation is a pattern of emotional,
romantic, and/or sexual attractions to men,
women, both genders, neither gender, or
another gender.

4. Stereotypes
Mind map stereotypical attributes to the
following:
• Homosexuals
• Bisexuals
• Heterosexuals
• Homophobic
• Transgender
LGBT Couples

5. HomosexualsSTEREOTYPES:
• “It’s just a phase…”
• All gay men will die of aids
• All gay men are feminine, weak, high pitched voice,
colourful clothing…
• All gay women are butch, short hair yet highly
objectified
• Gay men can’t marry or have children
• Gay best friend
• Uneven representation within a relationship
• ”Relationship” i.e. predominance of sexual
encounters
LGBT Representation

6. BisexualsSTEREOTYPES:
• People deny the reality of it
• They are confused, undecided, dabblers, insecure,
experimenting or “just going through a phase”
• People are either “gay, straight or lying”
• ”Relationship” i.e. predominance of sexual encounters
• They are promiscuous
• They are greedy

7. Heterosexuals
STEREOTYPES:
• They are always monogamous
• It is the “norm”
• “There is nothing at all wrong with heterosexuality”
• Male partners are the abusers
• Straight couples always have children
• Women raise the kids
• Women = Romantic & Men = Sexual

8. Media = Stereotypical
• Stereotypes are used in TV because they give
people a broad view of sexuality. Unfortunately, it
does often give the wrong impression.
• Stereotypes are used to make TV more interesting
– people can relate to the characters because of
people they know in real life… OR is it just from
mediation?
• Stereotypes are most likely to be found in TV
Dramas… WHY???

9. Our views
• Unfair, inaccurate?
• ‘medieval’ representations?
– Representations should mirror the ideological values of
contemporary society
• Why should people be discriminated and pre-judged
because of who they are attracted to or fall in love with?
• Now – the media is representing LGBT
• What are your views?
– Heterosexual representation = prominent
– Rigid representations = typecasting

10. History
• Homosexuals – banned in 60s – many people
would hide it and marry someone of the
opposite sex just to hide it; even if they were
miserable
• 50s – saw it as a disease (see TV ads warning
boys to beware of homosexuals) (as
predators)

11. Truth in this
Representation?
• Tessa Perkins said that there is an element of
truth in every stereotype…

12. Textual Analysis

13. Textual Analysis

14. Textual Analysis

15. Textual Analysis

16. Textual Analysis

17. Textual Analysis