In recent years, we have seen a sea change in how queer and trans people are represented in modern media. Shows like “Pose” and “Transparent” have brought the experiences of queer and trans people of color to the forefront, while movies like “The Danish Girl” and “Boy Erased” have helped to humanize the transgender experience for a mainstream audience. Even shows that do not explicitly focus on queer or trans characters, such as ” Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and “Schitt’s Creek,” have included queer and trans characters as part of their ensemble casts. 

While this increased representation is certainly cause for celebration, it is important to also consider the potential challenges that come along with it. As digital platforms become increasingly important in how we consume media, it is important to consider how these new platforms will impact the representation of queer and trans people. Will we see more shows like “Sense8” that feature a diverse cast of LGBTQIA+ characters, or will we see a return to more traditional forms of representation? 

The history of LGBT representation on television is one that has largely been hidden from view. For much of the early history of television, queer and trans characters were either invisible or relegated to stereotypical supporting roles. This began to change in the late 1960s with the debut of show such as “All in the Family,” which featured one of television’s first openly gay characters, but it would be many years before queer and trans people were truly represented on television. 

It was not until the early 2000s that we began to see real progress being made in terms of LGBT visibility on television. In 2003, Showtime’s hit series “Queer as Folk” became one of the first shows to focus exclusively on the lives of gay men. The following year, ABC’s “Desperate Housewives” featured a lesbian couple as part of its ensemble cast. And in 2005, NBC’s “Will & Grace” ended its eight-season run with over 16 million viewers tuning in to watch the series finale. 

Since then, we have seen an explosion in LGBT-inclusive programming, with more shows than ever before featuring queer and trans characters in starring roles. Shows like “Orange is the New Black,” “Transparent,” and “Pose” have redefined what it means to be LGBT on television, while movies like “Moonlight” and “Call Me by Your Name” have introduced mainstream audiences to stories about queer love that they might never have otherwise experienced. 

What does the future hold for LGBT representation on television? It is impossible to say for sure. However, if the past is any indication, we can expect to see more shows and movies that feature queer and trans characters in leading roles. With any luck, these new productions will help to continue humanizing the LGBT experience for mainstream audiences and make room for even more stories about LGBTQIA+ love and life.

References:

Cook, Carson, “A content analysis of LGBT representation on broadcast and streaming television” (2018). Honors Theses.

Thomson, Katelyn. 2021. “An Analysis of LGBTQ+ Representation in Television and Film.” Bridges: An Undergraduate Journal of Contemporary Connections 5, (1). https://scholars.wlu.ca/ bridges_contemporary_connections/vol5/iss1/7

Author: Eike Gantois