Question

The way the media has portrayed gay and lesbian individuals has created stereotypes. What are at least 5 of those stereotypes? And what are at least 5 positive images the media has created of gay and lesbian individuals?

Answer 1

The society of our has become so modern but still there are various stereotypes about LGBTQ community which are being followed. They are always being considered different or abnormal from the normal society. Still they are facing lot of discrimination and problems in their life. As we know that media plays a vital role in our wisdom, even media is portraying LGBTQ in such way that people are making stereotypes about them.

1- Every "L" is masculine

It has been seen that most of the "L" are masculine in appearance but it can not be generalized. There are various of them who live their lives in a more feminine way, who have a feminine disposition.

2- In relationship of "L" one is masculine and other is feminine.

This stereotype is formed on the basis as in straight people form relationship with different gender same happens in the "L" relationship but this stereotype is totally false. It totally depends on the choice of the individual.

3- "G" are effeminate

This is the other stereotype form for "G" , where people listening the word, imagine that the person will be more of a feminine nature. The word itself means happy, loud, outspoken, which are the common features found in women. This stereotype affect most of the "G" in their lives.

4- LGBTQ community can not be religious.

As most of the religion don't accept the queer which makes the life of this community very hard. Some believe that queer is against the God will so people who belong to this community can not be religious. While this has been challenged by people as it was found that many people from queer are also very connected to God.

5- "L" despises men

This is very baseless stereotype formed. People think that all the "L" as are interested in women only so they hate men. Though they don't have physical interest in men but they form friendships with men.

6- They try to convert other people.

The most common stereotype formed about them is that they try straight people to convert into one of them. This is totally false, as no one can change your interest easily . So instead of hating them and ignoring them people should accept them as they are.

There are also various positive images that media has helped to create about LGBTQ.

1- They are as normal as other people.

After listening about "G"and "L" people used to think that they are mentally ill or something but media helped to educate people that queer is as normal as other community. It's how God made them. It's their choice, there is nothing wrong in it.

2- "L" and "G" can have libido.

People formed the stereotype that they don't have sexual energy. They don't have the sexual urge as others, but media educated people and broke this stereotype.

3- They can become good parents.

There has been various researches done on this topic, which found that even the 2 "L" together or 2 "G" together can be good parents like straight people. As listening to "L" or "G" society directly equate the ability of the person. Media showed through entertainment that even they can become good parents, being a "L" or "" G" don't define their ability, they can still give a bright future to their kid.

4- Media prompts acceptance of "L" and "G".

Media did this through different entertainment programs where they showed their lead character as a "L" and "G" and that how normal they are. They showed that gender don't define the capability of the person.

5- Media showed the difference between LGBTQ.

Listening to LGBTQ people divide them in only 2 categories, that they are either "L" or "G" . Media helped to educate people by covering different events of Queer and took the feeling of them to straight people and other society.

This helped people and society to accept them as they are and more "L" and "G" to come out in front of society and accept their reality and not to hide themselves behind the doors of society. This helps LGBT to increase their self esteem and change the thinking of those people who thinks that they are mentally ill or if we look through Indian society they believe that their God got angry from them over something so they need to do "paschyatap".

Like while submitting this answer I was not able to submit it because I wrote the word "G" and "L" in it. So I have to change it with L" and "G". If we being a psychologist or studying psychology can't accept it how would rest of the society will accept it. Please look further in this matter and hope u understand what "L" and " G" means.