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With the heteronormative society everyone is so used to live in, a lot of people are still
skirting around the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) equality issue and
turning a blind eye upon it. Although there has been overwhelming public support in the last
decade for gay rights such as the marriage equality act, the war is far from over as there is still a
pressing need to educate all ages on topics about gender identity and sexuality. Children, in
particular, should be the focus of this undertaking, for exposing them to the issue of LGBTQ
inequality will help increase their awareness and understanding at a young age. As this minority
group paves their way to acquire the same level of respect and privilege as their heterosexual
counterparts, the film industry is likewise doing its part in breaking the stigma through the
growing representation of LGBT characters on kids’ television programs at the turn of the 21st
century. While there arose relentless backlash about forcing the gay agenda too much on
children, this representation in media is rather a movement that should be promoted as it better
teaches tolerance, sparks significant conversations about the matter and builds a safer
encouraging tolerance of such minority group in children. Study suggests that when shows give a
realistic portrayal of LGBTQ people instead of relying on superficial archetypes, children will
know and learn how to understand them, broaden their minds and instill acceptance despite it
being different in their eyes (Ewing, n.d., as quoted in Kang, 2015). In addition, relating with
non-binary members can be limited, but if these characters are to be crafted with thought and
substance, played in a manner where they actually live a life, facing normal day to day problems
instead of being defined by their sexual identity, stereotypes can be dismantled and viewers will
have a generational shift in thinking. Furthermore, the typical argument of parents not wanting
their children to be exposed to queer-themed cartoons because it will make them gay is an
outright homophobic remark, imposing on children to perceive these people negatively. Media
merely influences the realization of the inherent identity to be assumed by the child. Sexuality is
not a conscious choice and children become whomever they are regardless of what media they
consume. With all the pressure society exerts, freely choosing to be gay sounds completely
illogical. Hence, by letting their kids watch these shows, parents can inculcate, as early as
childhood, the beauty in embracing change and importance of respecting other people’s
individuality.
Through watching programs with LGBTQ visibility, young people fighting the same
battle can spark a conversation within family and peers. Having a frame of reference like these
shows can be a starting point of tackling prevalent issues faced by LGBTQ folks. Knowing that
they are not alone, viewing media of such sort can motivate youngsters to open up about their
gender identities. Cook’s (2018) content analysis about LGBT maintains that media
representation can positively impact the LGBT group by offering a sense of community and
providing role models. When this happens, their conveyance in films can close the gap that
divides different sexual preferences, especially among the struggling LGBTQ youth, increasing
the likelihood that they would come out to their friends or families and be comfortable in their
own skin. Consistent with this notion, research found that individuals develop higher self-esteem
and a better sense of self if they can identify or relate themselves with similar traits of a
character, specifically in terms of gender (Barry, Lochman & Wohlford, 2004). Be that as it may,
television and other media continue to be influential socializing mechanisms through which
younger generations can come in contact with these once invisible minorities and change their
heteronormative mentality.
Highlighting the full diversity of the LGBTQ community on-screen pushes for a safer,
environment that fosters inclusion as it mirrors reality and gives proper recognition to the
existence of these members. According to Planned Parenthood (as cited in Pope, 2017), one out
of four families has someone in it that is lesbian, gay, bisexual, or trans. Being a great fraction,
their reflection in the media can be a means of helping the gay population gradually build a safe
space to authentically be themselves and have a voice because it serves for them a validation that
they, too, deserve to be depicted in a genuine manner just as much as everyone else. In contrast,
kids who have not had the opportunity to be exposed to the diverse presence of this stigmatized
group are more likely to bully other LGBTQ kids. Statistics from the Youth Risk Behavior
Survey (2017) reveals that students who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual are at a higher risk of
bullying compared to their heterosexual peers, leading to depression, suicide ideation and
academic consequences. As a result, they perpetuate feelings that homosexuality is not normal
and hide behind the closet because of the need to conform to the norm. To this end, the inclusive
representation of queer characters will give children a concrete picture of the truth that society is
so afraid of divulging due to fear of destroying the status quo, thus a more subtle way of
allowing the youth to realize the gravity of the issue. Challenging that it sacrifices a child’s
innocence is to no avail, for it simply opens up their eyes to the diversity of the human race. If
LGBTQs are interpreted in movies and shows in a vibrant and positive context instead of
sensationalizing their roles, young audiences, in their impressionable years, are more likely to be
swayed into accepting and empathizing with these vulnerable targets of discrimination, helping
impact in changing their attitude towards the LGBTQ community. Others dispute that with this
hopeful movement comes a rude awakening that the fight for the full inclusion of LGBTQ
media, gay people are still fighting to break the norm and to become their own person. However,
this is already a huge leap forward for the film industry that used to blatantly reject storylines
and plots of such genre. If media is a reflection of society, then there is no reason not to represent
these unique individuals who are gaining widespread attention today. Building on this idea, it can
be deduced that when more accurate portrayals of these members are emphasized and promoted
in the future, kids may be more empowered to shape their opinions and values towards respect
and acceptance, pushing for a more united and safer world. The world should be sending a
message to the new generation to celebrate diversity instead of dismissing it, to stand by gay
members of the community and tell them to slip through the cracks for in doing so, they fill in
the gaps – the missing pieces that will make society whole as it should be.
References:
Ayoub, P. (2018). How the Media has Helped Change Public Views about Lesbian and Gay
helped-change-public-views-about-lesbian-and-gay-people
Barry, T. D., Lochman, J. E., and Wohlford, K. E. (2004). The Relation Between Chosen Role
Models and the Self-esteem of Men and Women. Sex Roles, 50: 575–582. Retrieved
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/B:SERS.0000023076.54504.ca
Kang, A. (2015). The Effect of LGBT Representation in our Generation. Retrieved on February
generation/
Pope, J. (2017). What Do LGBT Characters Mean for the Future. Retrieved February 7, 2019,
from https://www.theodysseyonline.com/what-lgbt-cartoon-characters-mean-future
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance. Retrieved
its-important-have-lgbt-characters-childrens-tv-shows
TOPIC OUTLINE
Stand: LGBT Should be Represented in Children’s Media
I. Introduction
a. State the presence of the LGBTQ equality issue in today’s generation
b. Explain the need to educate people, especially the youth, on this issue
c. Introduce the role of media in representing the LGBTQ in children’s shows
d. Thesis Statement – Imply that there is a need to promote LGBTQ representation
in children’s media because of its positive effects such as teaching tolerance,
opening conversations about the topic and building a safer environment
II. Body
A. Television shows of LGBTQ themes encourages tolerance in children
a. Realistic portrayal of LGBTQ members’ daily lives allows children to
understand and accept them
b. Rebut argument of parents about these shows making their children gay which
encourages negative feelings
c. Parents should instead instill values like respecting others’ identities
B. Media programs can spark conversations about gender identity or LGBT-related
issues
a. Children are influenced to talk with family and open up about the issue
b. Character serves as a role model for gay children to relate with
c. These films increase likelihood of coming out among struggling LGBTQ
youth and gain higher self-esteem
C. It mirrors real life that fosters inclusion and a safer environment
a. Being represented creates a safe space for LGBTQ to express themselves more
freely
b. Kids unaware about the reality of the LGBTQ are more likely to bully other
LGBTQ kids.
c. Rebut the claim that it sacrifices child’s innocence
d. If exposed early, the young ones can be more easily influenced accept the
LGBTQ community as compared to when they are older
III. Conclusion
a. Television shows can help children change their perspective about LGBTs
b. If media reflects society, then LGBTs should also be represented
c. Accurate depiction of LGBTs will lead to greater respect and a safer world
d. Pose a challenge to the world to teach children to embrace diversity instead of
rejecting it