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1. Script
opening sequence
Josh: Have you ever wondered like I have, why there aren’t
more Lesbian, Gay, Transgender and Bisexual characters
on TV and in film?
Whether LGBT characters are presented as stereotypical
and different to their heterosexual counterparts?
Why stories about the LGBT community tend to revolve
exclusively around their sexual orientation and gender
identity?
Why these characters aren’t even played by LGBT actors?
Hi, I’m Josh Phipps, and I’ve been studying media for two
years and these are just some of the questions I’ve come
up with during my studies.
In this film, I will be investigating the extent to which
these groups ARE underrepresented, and the effects this
has on viewers and society.
title sequence
Voiceover: LGBT Representation in the media, what is the truth
transition
Voiceover: Can you name any films or TV series with LGBT characters
in?
Student vox pops
Voiceover: Can you name any LGBT actors?
Voiceover: GLAADS “where we are on TV” report for 2016, found
that: of the 895 series, regular characters expected to appear on

2. broadcast prime time programming, in the coming year, only 43, or
4.8% were identified as LGBT. This is the highest percentage of LGBT
series regulars, GLAAD has ever found. There were an additional 28
recurring LGBT characters.
Do you think this is enough?
Josh: Through our research, we’ve discovered that the majority
of portrayals of LGBT characters are negative. We’ve
come to Solihull Sixth Form College, and are speaking to
assistant principal Sonia Wood, who specialises in
diversity and equality to see what her opinion is on the
matter, and how colleges are trying to eradicate this
issue.
Josh: What is your opinion of the LGBT community in media
such as Television and Film
Sonia Wood Speaking
Archival footage
Voiceover: Do you think that LGBT characters are underrepresented
in the media? If so, why?
student vox pops
archival footage
Julie maitland interview
Josh: I totally agree with what Julie was saying about the
media, they do get it wrong quite frequently, with little
retribution. In addition, the forum she mentioned
sounded like a great way for students to express

3. themselves and their opinions freely, another thing which
I didn’t realise existed.
Voiceover: If this topic isn’t considered taboo anymore, why is the
representation still not accurate. Many LGBT characters
are still used as a token persona in a narrative, with
stereotypical attributes and mannerisms. I think this
needs to change.
Josh: Later in the programme, I will be speaking to media
expert Molly Waterhouse, who has first-hand experience
in the music industry. She will be telling me about what
issues she’s faced due to her sexuality. Make sure you
stay tuned.