In recent years, queer media has been represented on a greater scale than ever before. Queer media mainly refers to LBGTQ+ content. Growing up I was never exposed to much queer content in movies and TV shows but recently, the media has been far more inclusive in this category. Through different programs on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon ect. there is often always LGBTQ representation. One example of a popular movie that represents queer content is Call Me By Your Name. The extremely popular Timothee Chalamet and Armie Hammer star in this movie that is about a gay couple and their love story in Italy. The movie made over $11 million after just two weeks in theaters and became very popular amongst the younger generation. Before these past five to ten years it would have been uncommon to see a romantic movie come out that stars a gay couple. With the rise of queer media comes a rise in LGBTQ acceptance as it becomes more regular and frequent in our culture.
I agree that when I was younger I was not exposed frequently to characters in movies and shows that are apart of the LGBTQ+ community because they were not very prevalent on media. Now as times are evolving and changing, shows that are watched by a large audience such as Glee helps to broadcast the LGBTQ+ community.I In the show Glee, the characters Santana and Brittany end up falling for each other; however, Santana discovered that she was lesbian and fell for her best friend, Brittany. Britanny was the cheerleader that kissed everyone from boys to girls, she discovered she was bi-sexual, eventually dating Santana following her relationship with a man. This representation is heartwarming and inspirational to others struggling with their sexuality.
I completely agree that as more queer media is released, the more accepted people in the LGBTQ+ community will feel. I like how you mentioned your viewing experience when you were younger compared to now, because I, too have realized this pattern in the media’s portrayal of the queer community. “Call Me By Your Name”, a movie I have watched and loved, is extremely popular and I believe it has helped normalize homosexual relationships, meanwhile exposing the hardships these individuals are forced to go through in order to have a simple romantic relationship. When the media represents a same sex couple in love, having to deal with all the problematic situations in their life, individuals will emphasize with these characters as well as people in the LGBTQ+ community.
I agree with the fact that as our generation grew up we weren’t often exposed to LGBTQ representation. I definitely think it’s nice that we’ve been able to become more exposed to it and have it be normalized. Call Me By Your Name is a perfect example because it’s been loved by so many. Especially teens nowadays are obsessed with the movie not just because of the two main characters, but because of how real it was. The movie showed a good portrayal of what it’s like to be a mlm couple in an area that doesn’t usually accept people in the LGBTQ community.
I agree that in recent years, there has been a substantial rise in queer media. I have yet to watch the movie you reference in your post, but I remember all of my friends in high school talking about it like crazy and the impact it had on some of them. I can also recall the lacking of LGBTQ+ representation in TV programs as a kid. However, children’s programs are now making larger steps towards introducing kids to queer media. Sesame Street, for example, has introduced two gay dads (Dave and Frank) as characters in the series during pride month. I am excited to see what steps media will take to create a more inclusive and progressive viewing experience for children in the years to come.