Homosexual representation in TV and film has relied heavily on stereotypes. Gay men were often portrayed as effeminate and lonely, interested only in sex. Lesbians were depicted as masculine or pursuing straight women. More recently, some shows have featured more nuanced gay characters, though stereotypes still persist. Bisexuals are commonly portrayed as confused, experimenting, or promiscuous. While some stereotypes reflect certain realities, diversity exists within all groups and broad stereotypes can promote misunderstanding. There is no single experience for those of any sexual identity.

2. SEXUAL IDENTITY IN TV DRAMA
Can you tell
theirs?

3. HOMOSEXUAL REPRESENTATION
Many gay-themed movies have made their way into the lime-light and gay characters
are popping up in dozens of mainstream movies e.g. Brokeback Mountain
“Many media outlets portray gay men as overly effeminate”
“The belief that all gay men desire to be women or are feminine.”
“Gay loved ones are condemned to a life alone without children”
“Mothers in retrospect regret being too close to their sons, thinking that is what
"made" them gay.”
“Drifting from one sexual liason to another, they end up old and alone.”
“Gay people are flamboyant , feminine characters.”
All gay men will die of AIDS
Represented as often feared, pitied or being the subject of laughter
The idea is that its just a phrase.
Gay men are only concerned with sex
Gay men do professions like fashions, material design and hair styling
Gay women do jobs such as sports and military and are butch
Lesbians commonly represented as pursuing heterosexual women.
Gay men and women are often depicted as suffering family rejection

4. IN THE 50’S...
People saw homosexuality as if it were a disease. They had television adverts
warning young boys to beware of homosexuals; in the advert a gay man is in a
car and makes a young man get in. There is a voiceover of people saying that
you should beware of homosexual men as they are predators and groom young
boys.

5. HOW COULD SEXUAL IDENTITY BE
REPRESENTED?
HOW CAN YOU POSITION THEM AGAINST EACH
OTHER?
What do they look like?
Wear?
Sound like?
Do for a living?
How do they behave?
Sexual Identity
1. Homosexual man Vs Heterosexual man
3. Homosexual woman Vs Hetrosexual woman
Consider linking the micro elements – how would you represent this identity?

6. Stereotypical?

9. STEREOTYPES OF HOMOSEXUALS
What is the stereotypical representation of a homosexual?
How might a homosexual be juxtaposed by a hetrosexual?
How is sexual identity represented through the 4 micro elements?

10. SOPHIE AND SIAN –
Homosexuality on TV
CORONATION STREET

11. STEREOTYPES ABOUT BISEXUALS
People deny that bisexuality is real
They are confused, undecided, dabblers, insecure, experimenting or
“just going through a phase”.
People are either „gay, straight or lying‟
They are promiscuous
They are greedy

12. STEREOTYPES ABOUT HETEROSEXUALS
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

13. IS THERE TRUTH IN THIS REPRESENTATION?
Gay women are often – but not always – „manly‟ or „butch‟. They can dress
and act like men and this is the way that they are often represented in
the media.
Gay men are often very camp in reality; they can speak with a lisp and be
interested in fashion. Although this stereotype is less relevant as
„metrosexual‟ men are appearing – straight men who are womanly and
care about their appearance.
Straight couples who get married more often than not go on to have
children and stay together for a long time but this isn‟t always true;
straight couples have a high rate of infidelity and divorce.