This document provides definitions of gender and sexuality and discusses the representation of various sexual identities in television shows. It begins by distinguishing gender from sexuality and listing different aspects of sexuality. It then examines common stereotypes of gay, lesbian, bisexual and heterosexual characters. These include the gay diva, repressed homosexual, colorful gay man, butch lesbian, and feminine lesbian. The document notes how representation of sexuality has become more prevalent recently due to social changes like gay rights movements and same-sex marriage laws. It concludes by suggesting note-taking elements to analyze representation in a film clip.

1. Representation of Sexuality
Lesson objective
• To analyse the representation of sexuality within a
clip.
Starter
• Complete your feed forward task. Each of you have
also had a sheet stuck into your books for future
analysis of representation (we will go through this).
• I expect this structure to be used in the future.

2. Gender vs. Sexuality
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
• Metrosexuality
• bisexuality

3. DEFINITION OF GENDER
GENDER
The state of being male or female. The
members of one or other sex.
- Oxford English Dictionary

4. DEFINITION OF SEXUALITY
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.
Nelmes, J., Introduction to Film Studies (Routledge 2007)

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.

6. • 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.
*Marginalised;
- downgraded, disregarded, side-lined
Representation of Sexuality

7. 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

8. • The Metro Sexual – Darren Osbourne
(Hollyoaks)
• A neologism of metropolitan and
heterosexual.
(1994, Mark Simpson, The Independent)
“Metrosexual man, the single young man
with a high disposable income, living or
working in the city (because that’s where
all the best shops are), is perhaps the most
promising consumer market of the decade.
In the Eighties he was only to be found
inside fashion magazines such as GQ. In
the Nineties, he’s everywhere and he’s
going shopping.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H
SPwqV8CNG0
Sexual Identities

9. • 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
Sexual Identities

10. • 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/watc
h?v=w_M3RwF2UN8&feature=
related
Sexual Identities

11. Sexual Identities
The Butch Lesbian
Shane in the L Word
• Masculine Dress
• Masculine behaviour
• ‘Man’ in the relationship
• Adopts a male-inspired
persona

12. Sexual Identities
Feminine Lesbian
Santana in Glee
• Concerned with
feelings and love
over sex.
• Dress feminine
http://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=UERsZI
mECTk&feature=rela
ted

13. Sexual Identities
Heterosexual Identity?
• Can you establish what would be considered a
stereotype of heterosexuals?
• Why is it not as pre-defined as the other
varieties we have seen?

14. Shift in Representation?
• What has happened in recent years which has
made the representation of sexuality more
prevalent on TV?
• What happened last week…?

15. Shift in Representation
• The Gay Rights movement
– Same sex adoption
– Civil partnership (2005)
– Legally accepted marriage (2014)
– Serve in the military as openly gay
These changes help to shift social attitudes and perceptions
and programmes are shifting to diversify and embrace
characters of differing sexual preferences to show the
diversity of Britain.

16. January 2012 Exam Extract

17. Note-Taking
• Camerawork
• Editing
• Sound
• Mise-en-scene

18. Sexual Identities
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPBE6YNoP5w
How is Sexuality represented in the extract from Fingersmith?