It is certainly no secret that LGBTQ representation in the mainstream media – especially including film and literature – is a sensitive and controversial topic for many. There are people who do not see the need to specify whether or not a character identifies as LGBTQ, and if the creator of the content chooses to write a character as LGBTQ, they are helping to “push an agenda.” With all the negativity in the world, others see the importance of portraying LGBTQ characters and their stories. People deserve to feel represented and visible. By including LGBTQ characters in novels, movies, television shows, music videos, etc., people can see themselves in characters in the mainstream media, and not feel negative ways about themselves. 

While these stories are crucial for some to see, unfortunately, others do not- and most likely never will- feel the same way. With that being said, there have been multiple occurrences where people protested, censored, and banned pieces of literature and films with LGBTQ content. 

Early History of LGBTQ Representation in Literature 

As mentioned before, creators of content that featured LGBTQ characters and storylines have faced harsh backlash, to the point of people protesting their work, and calling for their work to be banned or censored. Until the mid-twentieth century, it was illegal in many nations to even express homosexuality. From ancient times, to the 1900s, to present day, creators have faced problems when it comes to their work and the content they want to put out. An example of issues authors have dealt with regarding their work include when Greek poet, Sappho, had her work burned during the rules of archbishop Gregory of Nazianzus and Pope Gregory VII for portraying lesbianism. Walt Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass” got rejected by publishers due to its homosexual themes and sensual metaphors. Whitman self-published the book. As a result, Whitman was fired from his job, after his boss deemed the writing offensive. 

“Leaves of Grass” by Walt Whitman

Early History of LGBTQ Representation in Film 

In film and television, LGBTQ characters were not portrayed in a positive way, to start. If a character identified as an LGBTQ individual, they were, more often than not, the subject of ridicule. The “sissy” was an archetype that was popular in the beginning- and sometimes makes an appearance in modern films. The “sissy” is a feminine male who is often delicate and sensitive. This character was the used as a source of amusement. From the 1930s to the 1950s, religious and women’s groups were not pleased with Hollywood for openly portraying homosexuality. From this, the Hayes Code was born. It was made to restrict films from featuring overt homosexuality. As a result, homosexuality was coded into a character’s mannerisms and behaviors. Between the 1960s and 1970s, the representation of gay and lesbian characters in films became homophobic. Gay and lesbian characters at this time were portrayed as dangerous and predatory. Films that contributed to the homophobic portrayal of gay and lesbian characters include The Boys in the Band (1970) and Vanishing Point (1971). While films like The Birdcage and Julie Newmar have seen success and portrayed gay and lesbian characters in a positive light, the industry is still hesitant to include LGBTQ storylines and characters in films. Hollywood films are supposed to appeal to as large of an audience as possible. Producers have a fear that including gay and/or lesbian characters may offend a large portion of the audience. 

Hollywood’s Tendency to “Straightwash” Literature 

In book to film adaptations, there is a habit of leaving out information- seeing how a 1200 page novel cannot fit into a 2 hour screenplay- as well as completely changing information. We have seen several instances where television and film producers have changed a character’s sexuality to avoid having to portray a gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender character. To the producers- and even some viewers- the change may not seem too extreme, but it is erasure of the characters’ identities, and it takes away representation. One example of a time where producers changed the story to remove a lesbian relationship is in Fried Green Tomatoes (1991). In the novel, Ruth and Idgie are forming a sexual relationship. This is not the case, however, in the film adaptation. The film sees the two women as close friends instead. In The Color Purple, the relationship between two lesbian characters was reduced to one kiss, and even that was downplayed by actress, Whoopi Goldberg, who called the kiss an “act of sisterly affection.” To see more examples of “straightwashing” in television and film, check out this article from Advocate. 

Progress Has Been Made 

While people do still advocate against inclusion of LGBTQ characters and storylines in film, television, and literature, that hasn’t stopped creators from including them anyways. It also hasn’t hindered the successes of content that does include these characters and stories. In the last few decades, several LGBTQ films and novels have seen great success. “The Price of Salt,” and it’s film adaptation, Carol, have both been praised. Moonlight, which focuses on the story of a young black boy’s identity at three stages in his life. Moonlight was and is praised as important because it brings visibility to a group of people- gay black men- who are typically more discriminated against and underrepresented. 

Moonlight (2016)

In television- specifically children’s television- the lgbtq community is receiving more representation. A few Disney Channel shows have included lgbtq characters, with one being a main character. Good Luck Charlie featured a lesbian couple with an adopted child, and Andi Mack, a more recent Disney Channel show, features a gay boy as one of the three main characters. This character is the first openly gay character to be shown in a Disney Channel show. Representation like this allows children who may be struggling with their identity to truly see themselves in a mainstream setting, and to realize that it is okay to be different. 

The Future of LGBTQ Literature & Film

Although there are so many lgbtq characters and stories out there already, there are still more to be created and shown. With the recent successes of films, television shows, and novels that feature these things, there is no way we will see a decrease of lgbtq stories being told in mainstream media. Gay and lesbian characters are the most represented of the community. Trans, queer, bisexual, and asexual characters are the least represented. Hopefully, moving forward, somebody will see the importance of sharing stories of characters who identify with one of these communities so that more people will feel visible and represented.