Sexual orientation refers to emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions to men, women, both genders, neither gender, or another gender. Common stereotypes about homosexuals, bisexuals, and heterosexuals include the notions that gay men will die of AIDS, are feminine, bisexuals are confused or promiscuous, and heterosexuals will always be monogamous and have children. Historically, homosexuality was widely stigmatized and illegal until recent decades, and stereotypes portrayed gay men as predators. While stereotypes simplify perceptions for media, they often provide an inaccurate view of people's sexuality.

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

2. Stereotypes about Homosexuals It’s just a phaseAll gay men will die of AIDSAll gay men are feminineAll gay women are butchGay men can’t marry or have children

3. Stereotypes about Bisexuals People deny that bisexuality is realThey are confused, undecided, dabblers, insecure, experimenting or “just going through a phase”. People are either ‘gay, straight or lying’They are promiscuousThey are greedy

4. 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

5. Why do the media use these representations of people? Stereotypes are used in TV because they give people a broad view of people’s sexuality. But unfortunately they can give people the wrong impression. Stereotypes are used to make a TV more interesting and because people can relate to the characters because of people they know. Most likely to be found in the genre of TV dramas.

6. Our Views On This Representation I think that the representation of homosexuals is not fair and accurate. Many of today’s views are still “medieval” and not relevant to homosexuals today. Why is it fair the people should be pre-judged and discriminated because of who they are attracted to or fall in love with?

7. History Of This Stereotype Up until very recently homosexuals were widely looked down on whilst heterosexual was seen as the ‘normal’ way to be. In the 60’s being gay was even illegal and many gay men would hide it and marry someone of the opposite sex to cover up their homosexuality; even if it made them miserable.It’s unknown where the cruel stereotype of homosexuals as being ‘weird’ or ‘predators’ came from; many people even believed that they were child molesters and that gay teachers would groom children.

8. 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.

9. Is There Truth In This Representation? The theorist Tessa Perkins said that there is an element of truth in every stereotype; and this relates to the stereotypes about sexuality. 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.