View of Queerness based on Representation
Although there has been an increase in queer representation in the media, a majority of it has been white. This applies to representation on television, film, and books. Overwhelmingly, white people are the face of queerness, leading the general public’s view of queerness to be only applicable to white people. This has major implications for Black members of the queer community, as their sexuality, gender identity, and gender expression are viewed as invalid by members outside and inside of their community and they aren’t able to see themselves represented the same way that white queer people are.
According to GLAAD’s report on TV representation for 2022-2023, only 20% of queer characters on primetime scripted broadcast television, cable, and streaming are Black. Comparatively, 47% of all queer characters on primetime scripted broadcast television, cable, and streaming are white. There has been a steady increase over time, but this year the number of Black queer characters decreased compared to last year. This also means that identities that are already less represented, like transgender or asexual identities, have an even lower chance of being a Black character. The representation of every LGBTQ identity in Black characters is much more rare because of how much smaller the percentage of Black queer characters is. In another study conducted by GLAAD, the acceptance of queer issues by people outside of the queer community increases when they are exposed to representation in the media. The issue arises because of how white the majority of representation in the media is. Non-LGBTQ people may be more accepting of LGBTQ+ people that are similar to what is shown in the media they consume because subconsciously, their idea of queerness is formed by what they see.
Since there is limited representation of Black queer creators in media, Black queer stories are less likely to be told or be told in an authentic way. The limited opportunities that are given to Black queer people in the television and film makes it so that they are not able to tell their own stories or provide their unique understanding of a subject with other creators. Even though television and film has gotten better, there is still plenty of room to improve and give more opportunities to Black queer creators. Being Black and queer is an inherently political identity and it affects every facet of a person’s experience with the world. If there is limited representation within the writing sphere, these experiences are not able to be properly explored and expressed through a fictional medium.
Outside of the media, the overwhelming view of Black sexuality is formed by stereotypes. Black masculinity is viewed as hypersexual while Black femininity is hypersexualized or sexless. These stereotypes of Black sexuality are played into by the media, and reinforce the racist view of the public. White people never have had these stereotypes, so it is much easier for them to come out of the closet and be visible. Being Black and queer pushes back against the established norm, and as a result has to fight to be seen. “The historical invisibility of LGBT African Americans reflects this double containment, both within the prison of racism that segregates Black people in part due to their alleged sexual deviancy of promiscuity and within the closet of heterosexism due to the alleged sexual deviancy of homosexuality.” (Collins 106). Although fictional characters will not get rid of stereotypes, establishing characters that push back against the norm can expose viewers to experiences they were not aware of before.
Since queerness is seen as a white experience, there is an assumption of privilege. This erases the experiences of Black queer people, as they are not afforded the same privileges as white queer people. “‘Queer’ activists focus on ‘queer’ issues, and racism, sexual oppression and economic exploitation do not qualify, despite the fact that the majority of ‘queers’ are people of color, female or working class.” (Smith 1). The media’s erasure of the Black queer experience is a reflection of the political erasure of issues that affect Black queer people. “If invisibility of sexual oppression enabled it to operate unopposed, then making heterosexism visible by being ‘out’ attacked heterosexism at its core.” (Collins 94) Although increased representation in the media will not fix political issues, it may raise awareness of experiences outside of the limited view the media provides.
A solution to this is a push for television and movies to provide more opportunities to Black queer creators and for audiences to be vocal about more representation of Black queer characters. This also involves supporting shows and films with Black queer representation by watching and discussing them online and in person. The more vocal support that happens, the more likely that studio executives will see the demand for more. There should still be critical analysis of what is being represented and the stereotypes present in the media. Blind support of bad depictions of the Black queer experience reinforces that specific representation is what audiences want to see, when it can be equally as harmful as no representation at all.
Citations:
Collins, Patricia Hill. Black Sexual Politics. Routledge, 2004.
Smith, Barbara. “Where’s the Revolution?” The Nation, 1993.
“Procter & Gamble and GLAAD Study: Exposure to LGBTQ Representation in Media and Advertising Leads to Greater Acceptance of the LGBTQ Community.” GLAAD, 24 May 2023, glaad.org/releases/procter-gamble-and-glaad-study-exposure-lgbtq-representation-media-and-advertising-leads. Accessed 30 Mar. 2024.
“Where We Are on TV Report 2022-2023.” GLAAD, 7 June 2023, glaad.org/whereweareontv22. Accessed 30 Mar. 2024.
According to GLAAD’s report on TV representation for 2022-2023, only 20% of queer characters on primetime scripted broadcast television, cable, and streaming are Black. Comparatively, 47% of all queer characters on primetime scripted broadcast television, cable, and streaming are white. There has been a steady increase over time, but this year the number of Black queer characters decreased compared to last year. This also means that identities that are already less represented, like transgender or asexual identities, have an even lower chance of being a Black character. The representation of every LGBTQ identity in Black characters is much more rare because of how much smaller the percentage of Black queer characters is. In another study conducted by GLAAD, the acceptance of queer issues by people outside of the queer community increases when they are exposed to representation in the media. The issue arises because of how white the majority of representation in the media is. Non-LGBTQ people may be more accepting of LGBTQ+ people that are similar to what is shown in the media they consume because subconsciously, their idea of queerness is formed by what they see.
Since there is limited representation of Black queer creators in media, Black queer stories are less likely to be told or be told in an authentic way. The limited opportunities that are given to Black queer people in the television and film makes it so that they are not able to tell their own stories or provide their unique understanding of a subject with other creators. Even though television and film has gotten better, there is still plenty of room to improve and give more opportunities to Black queer creators. Being Black and queer is an inherently political identity and it affects every facet of a person’s experience with the world. If there is limited representation within the writing sphere, these experiences are not able to be properly explored and expressed through a fictional medium.
Outside of the media, the overwhelming view of Black sexuality is formed by stereotypes. Black masculinity is viewed as hypersexual while Black femininity is hypersexualized or sexless. These stereotypes of Black sexuality are played into by the media, and reinforce the racist view of the public. White people never have had these stereotypes, so it is much easier for them to come out of the closet and be visible. Being Black and queer pushes back against the established norm, and as a result has to fight to be seen. “The historical invisibility of LGBT African Americans reflects this double containment, both within the prison of racism that segregates Black people in part due to their alleged sexual deviancy of promiscuity and within the closet of heterosexism due to the alleged sexual deviancy of homosexuality.” (Collins 106). Although fictional characters will not get rid of stereotypes, establishing characters that push back against the norm can expose viewers to experiences they were not aware of before.
Since queerness is seen as a white experience, there is an assumption of privilege. This erases the experiences of Black queer people, as they are not afforded the same privileges as white queer people. “‘Queer’ activists focus on ‘queer’ issues, and racism, sexual oppression and economic exploitation do not qualify, despite the fact that the majority of ‘queers’ are people of color, female or working class.” (Smith 1). The media’s erasure of the Black queer experience is a reflection of the political erasure of issues that affect Black queer people. “If invisibility of sexual oppression enabled it to operate unopposed, then making heterosexism visible by being ‘out’ attacked heterosexism at its core.” (Collins 94) Although increased representation in the media will not fix political issues, it may raise awareness of experiences outside of the limited view the media provides.
A solution to this is a push for television and movies to provide more opportunities to Black queer creators and for audiences to be vocal about more representation of Black queer characters. This also involves supporting shows and films with Black queer representation by watching and discussing them online and in person. The more vocal support that happens, the more likely that studio executives will see the demand for more. There should still be critical analysis of what is being represented and the stereotypes present in the media. Blind support of bad depictions of the Black queer experience reinforces that specific representation is what audiences want to see, when it can be equally as harmful as no representation at all.
Citations:
Collins, Patricia Hill. Black Sexual Politics. Routledge, 2004.
Smith, Barbara. “Where’s the Revolution?” The Nation, 1993.
“Procter & Gamble and GLAAD Study: Exposure to LGBTQ Representation in Media and Advertising Leads to Greater Acceptance of the LGBTQ Community.” GLAAD, 24 May 2023, glaad.org/releases/procter-gamble-and-glaad-study-exposure-lgbtq-representation-media-and-advertising-leads. Accessed 30 Mar. 2024.
“Where We Are on TV Report 2022-2023.” GLAAD, 7 June 2023, glaad.org/whereweareontv22. Accessed 30 Mar. 2024.
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