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By: Gregory Fluty

Consequences of Irresponsible Media: LGBT Acceptance
Public media has inhibited social acceptance of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
(LGBT) individuals while promoting political divide within communities across the globe.
Various types of media have perpetuated a reality of homosexual individuals that is very
inaccurate, as well as damaging to societal tolerance and the evolution of human understanding.
The portrayal of LGBT individuals in the media has long been a grossly manufactured
inaccuracy. Throughout the past three decades, the LGBT community has endured social unrest
within a world that projects a false reality upon society. Social taboo, ethical variance, and
moral theory have contributed to the disadvantages that LGBT individuals encounter daily.
The first instance of homosexuality displayed mainstream television occurred on a
daytime soap opera aired in Australia in 1972. This soap opera Number 96 featured a
homosexual character in a recurring role; this character was played by Joe Hasham. Meanwhile
in the United States, the year of 1978 took the entire country by storm, as Robin Tyler became
the first open lesbian on US television (Love 469). Robin Tyler appeared as a guest on a
comedy special aired by SHOWTIME, and hosted by Phyllis Diller. Later in the same year,
Tyler released her own bit of comedy in a production of her own, Always a Bridesmaid, Never
a Groom. This occurrence was a landmark in LGBT culture, and signified a great
accomplishment for many who saw little hope in the advancement of public acceptance (Love
469).
Since the beginning of television, producers and broadcasting companies have held a
monopoly of sorts concerning the power to influence (Dill 5) individuals on a mass scale. This
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extreme level of influence was upheld with a degree of caution over time, however, eventually
disintegrated into the desire for power, ratings, and monetary gain. As homosexuality began to
emerge from the underside of a pre 1970s culture, oppression weakened and ignorance
blossomed. Since this era, media entities across the globe have portrayed homosexuality in an
irresponsible fashion, often with little to no acknowledgement of any wrongdoing. Depictions of
LGBT individuals by media outlets often propose a stereotypical view of an extremely
exaggerated reality, which innately causes the formation of bias and assumptive comprehension.
Correlations of ethical disconnect and social boundary (Dill 6) has caused many
fluctuations in the acceptance of LGBT individuals while inhibiting the advancement of equality.
Broadcasting companies were in a position of power to assist the evolution of our communities
while creating a nationwide urge for acceptance of minority groups. Instead, these companies
introduced our culture to the unforgiving world of stereotypes. This control of the public was a
gross manipulation of power and has often been viewed as the initiation of the Culture War
(Edgell and Tranby 179).
Stereotypical views relating to the effeminate homosexual male and the masculine
lesbian female began to emerge from media as a staple of comedic relief. This resulted in the
LGBT communitys public embarrassment and increase in negative public opinion. Like many
other minority groups, LGBT individuals have been rigorously exploited throughout all aspects
of media via the magnification of supposed traits and/or characteristics. Ambiguous dialogue
focused on a comedic return has been a mainstay in homosexual characterization throughout
history. Many media entities consider gender bending a prime importance when displaying
homosexually related content to the public.
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Homosexual males have often endured debilitating ridicule in result of this public
inaccuracy. These men are often proposed as effeminate, flamboyant characters with speech
tendencies that strongly resemble that of a high school cheerleader. Aside from the appearance of
homosexual men in the media, insinuations of lacking integrity and innocuous intent are used to
discredit the homosexual male, while leaving him viewed as a threat in public view.
Irresponsibility and promiscuity have mandated the role of homosexual characters while urging
the public to accept this view of homosexuality in a general sense.
Homosexual women have not escaped the onslaught of public humiliation and false
portrayal of their own supposed characteristics. Throughout the reign of stereotypical
assumption, media entities of all types have influenced the prevalence of the notion that all
lesbian women happen to be masculine creatures with distinct body odor emanating from
beneath a tank top, while adjusting their trucker hat and wiping sweat from their brow. In
contrast, most homosexual women do not resemble this description at in any way and are in fact,
very normal. This public view of lesbian women has entertained the public for many years,
even though the sheer inaccuracy of this portrayal is highly polluted with agenda from media
outlets and the ignorance of audiences.
With the increase of media attention on the LGBT community occurring after the
Stonewall riots in 1969- an era of extreme social uprising and evolution of societal structure
(Carter 129). Media entities quickly referred to these separate events as one singular social
movement. Contrary to popular belief, the Stonewall riots were composed of several incidences
(Carter 1) over a period of time, not the media and/or public portrayal of one social movement
(Meyer and Rohlinger 139-140).
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The misrepresentation of homosexual individuals commonly seen on television, news
media, radio, etc. have been the cause of public scrutiny directly related to the LGBT community
in the concern of HIV/AIDS. Uneducated individuals whom had access to the public eye often
promoted this illness as a byproduct of homosexuality without providing evidence to support
these statements. The relentless accusations regarding the origin of HIV/AIDS and the
advancement of such across the globe are continually expressed by many public voices, in spite
of factual rebuttal. False information as well as the perpetual solidification of LGBT stereotypes
in media ultimately molded the future for LGBT individuals and societys lack of understanding
a diverse community.
Media is used by political figures to reach individuals across the US by broadcasting the
candidate main goals or beliefs; sometimes they merely broadcast the things people want to hear.
Political viewpoints have been used in many instances to approve or disapprove of the many
social issues we encounter continuously. Conservatism within news media in its early stages
presented itself as an avenue for gathering political support during many elections across the US.
In addition to solidifying a candidates stance in these elections, political opinion has become a
major dividing factor among communities nationwide. Numerous forms of media began to
emerge from the abyss and created a culture attuned to the likeness of right wing political
influence.
In elections across the US, candidates have long employed the controversial debate of
equality and civil rights. Homosexuality, being a prime component of civil discussion, has
become a dividing concept between political parties. The ballots cast and decisions made by
citizens across the US in any electoral vote are considered the voice of America. The concept
of majority rules is highly flawed, representing nothing more than political influence and
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manipulation by mass media. Although many citizens of the US believe that they have weighed
the advantages and disadvantages of supporting or denying support of an issue, the reality is that
most individuals remain oblivious to the effects of influential public media. These citizens refute
the possibility of their stance on a matter could be influenced by media of any kind and hold
indefinitely to the proclamation as a personal belief.
Government influence and control has long limited the freedom of LGBT individuals.
Throughout history, the LGBT community has strived to maintain a level of importance and
equal protection in the face of the US government. Much advancement has been made over the
past decade in equality and social acceptance, leaving LGBT individuals with a glimmer of hope.
On the forefront of the debate concerning homosexuality, is the proposal of marriage equality.
With the approval of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) on September 21, 1996 by
then president Bill Clinton, marriage equality for the LGBT community seemed to be impossible
at best. Enduring the discriminatory federal regulations of DOMA, LGBT individuals and
supporters alike continued their acquisition of equality have achieved acceptance in many states
across the US. Although some states and the District of Columbia have declared equality for
marriage of same sex partners, DOMA prevents federal acknowledgment of such. The quest
continues for LGBT individuals and those who offer their support in equal desire to repeal the
Defense of Marriage Act in its entirety.
Public debates on homosexuality lead to heightened disagreements while further
separating humanity from itself. The combination of political arguments, religious influence, and
emotion is a very sensitive matter to all whom discuss it. The many cultural differences within
the United States have created a large melting pot of opinions (Edgell and Tranby 178) and
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lifestyles, creating controversy and favor in some cases, which have molded the regulations of
marriage, parenting, and homosexuality. The media stronghold of public influence has been a
tool used in the disadvantage of families and individuals alike for many generations. Those who
display variance from social norms are seen as outsiders in the eyes of the majority.
In the US, individuals appear divided in their opinions on the matter. Social triggers and
traditional family stereotypes (Edgell and Tranby 178) hold major investment in this. Acceptance
into a community seems dependent on conformity of behavioral characteristics and gender roles
consistent within that community. Strongly coinciding with societys generalized view of
acceptable individuals (Ghaziani 104), in some instances may as a less difficult life path.
However, Legality and acceptance of relative homosexual issues within the United States vary a
great deal across the nation. A large portion of citizens project approval of a liberal existence and
choose not to interfere with same sex parents or families whom wish to share their lives with one
another in the best interest of their child, while only some areas approve of adoption for same sex
couples.
The acceptance of a homosexual individual by family, friends, relatives, etc. has become
one of the single most important aspects of an LGBT individuals journey from realization to
resolution. Various forms of media perpetuate an idealization of LGBT individuals
characteristics, thus initiating a negative self- identity or inaccurate association (Ghaziani 101) of
many LGBT individuals. These struggles can often introduce turmoil and strife into the lives of
those who identify themselves as homosexual.
In conclusion, mass media has been a driving force in the formation of inaccurate
portrayals of LGBT individuals, which strongly fuels societys inability to cope with diverse
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culture and evolution of human understanding. Portraying a minority group in a manner that
represents closed-mindedness and inability to expand ones social boundaries has created unrest
in the realms of litigation, politics, social justice, and ethical treatment (Dill 58). These instances
have coined themselves a perpetual downfall, a downfall that has proven to be increasingly
difficult to correct. The media has the ability to be an advocate in the lives of liberal individuals
and pave the way for advancement in our social and ethical beliefs (Edgell and Tranby 80). The
evolution of our societal norms within the US is of prime importance and must be protected from
irresponsible actions and detrimental influence of the media.
As individual entities, we must be aware that our society is constantly being ushered into
a new era with new accomplishments as well as new obstacles. A single action is the root of
social change, which later evolves into a social movement. This occurrence inevitably introduces
modern social progress over time (Ghaziani 102). The result of progression in society rests in
human contemplation of social structure, leading to evolution of the current era and eventually
results in advancement of human kind and social acceptance in its entirety (Meyer and Rohlinger
147).
LGBT supporters and allies have long battled the inaccuracies and assumptions that fall
in to place when media entities become more concerned with ratings and buzz than society and
its wellbeing. Society in communal terms has the ability to block negative social triggers and
media influence. Society has evolved over the past three decades a great deal, and has expressed
social acceptance in ways never before experienced by LGBT individuals. Eventually, social
progression will advance to a point in which most discriminatory behavior directed at the LGBT
community will cease (Ghaziani 107). Only when this occurs, individuals from all avenues of
life will be able to coexist and express respect as second nature. As integral components of
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humanity, each of us can agree that when we allow ourselves to analyze a situation without
interference from media powerhouses--discovery of a deeper understanding in diversity awaits.
















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Works Cited
Carter, David. Stonewall: The Riots That Sparked the Gay Revolution. St. Martin's Press.
(2004), pp. 129-125. Print.
Dill, Karen E. How Fantasy Becomes Reality: Seeing through Media Influence. Oxford:
Oxford University Press. (2009). Print.
Edgell, Penny and Tranby, Eric. Shared Visions? Diversity and Cultural Membership in
American Life. Social Problems, Vol. 57, No. 2 (May 2010), pp. 175-204.
Retrieved November 28, 2012 from JSTOR.
Ghaziani, Amin. Post-Gay Collective Identity Construction. Social Problems, Vol. 58,
No. 1 (February 2011), pp. 99-125. Retrieved November 22, 2012 from JSTOR.
Grossman, Joanna L. "Is DOMA -- the Defense of Marriage Act -- Valid? A Federal
District Court Judge Says No. Find Law | Legal Commentary. N.p., n.d. Web.
Retrieved on Nov 28, 2012 from
<http://writ.news.findlaw.com/grossman/20100719.
H.R. 3396. 104
th
Congress: Defense of Marriage Act. (September 1996) Federal Law.
Love, Barbara J. Feminists who changed America, 1963-1975. Urbana: University of
Illinois Press, 2006. pp 469. Print. Retrieved November 29 2012 from University
of Illinois Press.
Meyer, David and Rohlinger, Deana Big Books and Social Movements: A Myth of
Ideas and Social Change. Social Problems, Vol. 59, No. 1 (February 2012), pp.
136-153. Retrieved November 22.2012 from JSTOR.