an in depth analysis of television drama and how sexuality is represented in it

2. Sexuality: “A person’s capacity for sexual feelings” (OpenStax College 2012)”
In modern day society it has been more commonly
known as an every day topic and less of a ‘taboo’ to
talk about. Somebodies preferences or sexual
orientation is something seen as acceptable by the
masses and since the legalisation of gay marriage
homosexuality is celebrated more often.
But the topic of sexuality isn't just exclusive to homosexuals, heterosexuals too
express their preferences just as much. And with such expressive individuals
conventions and stereotypes are thrown about. In modern day society most
homosexual men are expected to be fairly effeminate, shy in large masculine groups
and are also expected to maintain a non manual occupation while also being clean
cut and confident in their body (often revealing much skin). Heterosexual men are
often represented in the media as masculine men of a range of body types, often
working manual labour jobs, hitting on women and incredibly outgoing. The are
clearly widely varying perceptions. However such stereotypes have been known to
be broken in drama

3. Sexuality is often represented in television
drama in subtle mannerisms, for example,
A homosexual man may be given a slight
lisp as to extenuate the stereotype that he
is in face a gay man
Genres of Sexuality in Drama:
• Romance
• Techno thriller
• Drug Thriller
• Period Drama
• Anime Thriller
Examples:
• American Horror Story
• The Street
• Hollyoaks
• Downton Abbey
• Black Butler
This can also
be seen
expressed in
many lesbian
characters
Lesbian women in television are often
portrayed as ‘butch’, being depicted to
have short hair and sharing many
aspects of the heterosexual men
portrayed in television however much
like the homosexual male stereotype it
has been known to be broken
Stereotypes perpetuated in Television of homosexual men:
• Feminine mannerisms
• lisp
• Shy in heterosexual areas or groups
• Dressed fashionably
• Enjoys dance music/going to gay bars
• Campy attitude
Stereotypes perpetuated in television of homosexual
women:
• Butch mannerisms
• Fairly Outgoing
• Short hair

4. The Street:
In this clip (in which I have included a link) of the Television drama ‘The Street’ we see many of the
stereotypes of the ‘homosexual man’ broken down. For example it is seen here that Homosexuals
can work manual labour jobs too, however this is also contradicted by the shame illustrated by said
character at being homosexual and refusing to call the police about the assault he has endured.
The action of the assault is also a stereotype perpetuated , stating that due to the social
‘abnormality’ of being a gay man.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5F-cqQ1Uwk
The scene first starts in what appears to be a stereotypical manual labour workplace, something deemed very
heterosexual by an un-expecting audience. The camera is at eyelevel to illustrate the comfortable essence the
audience should feel, using slow shots that last for an extended period of time to connote the idea that the workplac
is entirely different from the following scenes and that there are no distractions there (as so visually for the
audience). The director has purposefully chosen to use such shot types and camera movement along with the calm
sounds to create a sense of mis-en-scene. The boss hands out pay slips to the men whilst covered in grime and
wearing builders attire, hyperbolizing the perpetual stereotype that heterosexual men must be masculine. Charlie is
shown to have ill confidence as he mutters under his breath to the other key character (key because he has a large
The two men (including Charlie) share a look
at each other that evokes a sense of
understanding. This is a medium close up
shot at eyelevel, however Charlie exhibits
stereotypes of a shy person which ties into
the perceptions of homosexual men in
television.
There is a large contrast in the second scene
when they camera is unsteady, using fast
movement as the dance music in the club
proceeds to play This illustrates the mass
difference between the ‘lifestyle’ of a
homosexual man compared to the workings of
a heterosexual workplace, almost forcing with
such a technique..

5. Screenshots:

6. An interesting concept of the scene shown is that Charlie’s experience makes him fall back into his
reclusive and shy nature (a forced stereotype of homosexuality), forcing the idea that homosexuality
is still incredibly differing from that of a heterosexual lifestyle. The extreme close up of the side of
his face is an unnatural shot which connotes the idea that he felt incredibly uncomfortable and
conflicted in the ‘gay club’. That he in fact identifies more with a heterosexual lifestyle as he shows
no signs of pain of being hurt in the long drawn out scenes made to illustrate the social norm of

7. The following is a list of Television dramas
that explores Homosexuality:
• American Horror Story
• Hollyoaks
• The Street
• Downton Abbey
• Supernatural
• Orange is the new
black
• TorchwoodThis list is of television dramas That
explores raw sexuality in general:
• American Horror Story
• Game of Thrones
• Scott And Bailey
• The Walking Dead
• Misfits

8. Can you think of any scenes from television dramas that suggest a theme of
sexuality and if so which scenes?
Activities:
List as many shows as you know that explore homosexuality…
Create a list of stereotypes you’d expect to see in a television drama relating to
sexuality…