This document summarizes the history of queer representation in media from the 1920s to today. It discusses early films that included queer coding or subtext like Wings from 1927. It then outlines how the MPPC and the Code of Practices for Television Broadcasters from the 1930s-1950s banned explicit queer representation. The document also discusses negative depictions of queer characters as villains and the founding of GLAAD in 1985 to advocate for fair media portrayal of LGBTQ people. Finally, it highlights milestone sitcoms, shows, and films from the 1990s onward that included positive queer characters and representation.

1. A Multigenre Research Project discussing Queer Representation in Media
Don’t Say Gay
Walter F. Estrada Lopez

2. Traced back to 1513 meaning
peculiar or eccentric
Previously a derogatory term
Umbrella Term for members of the
LGBTQ2S+ people
Since 1980 durning the Aids
Pandemic and Gay Rights
Movement the word has been
reclaimed to be more positive
Queer

3. In 1927 “Wings” was set in World War I
and focused on the lives of two soldiers
and best friends, David Armstrong
(played by Richard Arlen) and Jack
Powell (played by Charles Roger).
Armstrong and Powell deliver an
emotional goodbye in the film’s closing
scene when Armstrong is lying in a
hospital bed with minutes to live. Powell
takes his friend’s hand and the two hold
each other in their arms until Powell
kisses him
Wings

4. The film featured slave boys sleeping
with kings and an empress being
disrobed by women. This upset Catholic
organizations and led to the formation
of the National Legion of Decency in
1933.
The Sign of The
Cross

5. The National Legion of Decency was
dedicated to identifying movies that
they believed opposed Christian values.
The Legion of
Deceny

6. The MPPC and the Code of Practices for
Television Broadcasters forbade queer
representation.
The MPPC, which lasted from 1931 to 1968,
banned “any sort of action involving or
reference to sexual transgressions and
other taboo subjects, forcing gender
fluidity and homosexuality in particular to
be othered.”
The MPCC and The
Code of Practices
for Television

7. The Code of Practices for Television
Broadcasters was established in
1952.
The Code was created by the
National Association of
Broadcasters and lasted until 1983.
When the Code was first written in
1951, it labeled homosexuality and
bisexuality as a “sexual
abnormality,” similar to the way one
would label a disease.
The Code of
Practices for
Television
Broadcasters

8. When characters may not be explicitly
stated to be queer, but there is enough
subtext available for an audience to
read them as queer. Instead of
explicitly being queer, they are coded as
being queer.
Queer Coding

9. When a piece of media hints at
queerness being present in it, but
doesn’t actually include any queer
representation. It is usually done to
draw audiences into a piece of media,
specifically queer audiences, and is
ultimately very harmful.
Queer Bating

10. Joel Cairo, a supporting character,
a villain.
Describe as having smaller bones,
dark skin, and smelling like flowers
Joel Cairio was called a "fairy"
Joel Cairo was slapped until he bled
The Maltese
Falcon

11. Queer Characters were depicted as
thieves, pedophiles, Nazis,
murderers, rapist and every kind of
other villain imaginable.
Queer Characters were seen as
deviant, silly, or evil
Gay Women were conniving and
crazy
Gay Men were deranged
transvestites
Negative
Depictions

12. in the 1970s it was one of the first
sitcoms to feature a gay character
In the Episode "Judging Books by
Covers"
All in the Family

13. In 1985 GLAAD was form in a
response to the New York Post's
grossly defamatory and
sensationalized HIV and AIDS
Coverage
GLAAD is Leading the conversation.
Shaping the media narrative.
Changing Culture
GLAAD

14. In 1994 Rosanne aired a Lesbian Kiss.
GLAAD launched a campaign to ensure
it would be aired.
Rosanne

15. In 1997 Ellen DeGeneres came out on
her show Ellen
Ellen

16. Will and Grace premiered in 1998
It focused on the main Characters
Will Truman, a Gay Lawyer, and his
best friend Grace Adler.
The Show was one of the first
Sitcoms to depict a Gay Character
in a positive light.
Will and Grace

17. LogoTv Launched in 2005, it was
dedicated to LGBT audiences
In 2009 RuPaul's Drag Race
Premiered
LogoTv and
RuPauls Drag
Race

18. RuPaul's Drag Race now has 14
Seasons and various Spinoffs
Worldwide
RuPaul's Drag Race has won 25
Primetime Emmy Awards
RuPaul's Drag
Race

19. We're Here
Love Simon
Pose
The Owl House
The Proud Family: Louder and
Prouder
Queer Media
Today

20. Everybody Say Love!
Queer Media is Love and
Acceptance