Representation [Sexualities]

Within  media the representation of sexualities are mostly of straight/heterosexuals, LGBT is not shown much regard. Gay representation has been there but not in a positive way, , they weren’t generally ‘integrated’ into plot lines, but rather gayness was part of the plot, seen as a source of bullying [Bachelor et al.].

Dyers has distinguished that a individual alone does not exhibits that they're "gay" but it's the attributes constructed within media that show, e.g: facial expressions, vocal tones, stances or clothing.

Craig identified media denotations of homosexuality 

  "Non-threatening": representation of gayness is the most commonly used representation within media.

"Macho" : These are the characters who openly express their sexuality which exaggerates aspects of traditional masculinity. 

"Deviant":  Are the people shown as rebellious or devious - negative characters; sexual predators or those who feel guilty about their sexuality. Such representations seem to construct homosexuality as morally wrong.

Stonewalls research conjectured that the LGBT community were being subjected to symbolic annihilation. LGBTs were disproportionately consigned to the status of comedic relief – their characters presented as something to laugh at or deride. case with representations of lesbianism, frequently presented as over-sexualised and exotic, for male’s viewing pleasure.

Now in the contemporary societies the representation of LGBT characters has generally been more positive than in mainstream media, possibly because the content is user-generated. Sexuality is largely incidental to the plots in the show, and only part of the character’s identity, rather than them being subsumed by it, obvious example of this on British Television is Doctor Who. Recently, social media has shown great support towards the LGBT community i.e: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc.