Where Are the Plant-Loving, Early-to-Bed Gay Characters, Hollywood?
Whenever I browse through the LGBTQ+ section on Netflix, Hulu, or Prime Video, I find myself navigating a limited selection of films and shows. While there are options available, the storylines often feel repetitive, and it’s not long before I've exhausted the entire library of gay films. This frustration underscores the progress we’ve made in representation but also highlights how far we still have to go.
The Importance of Queer Media Representation
Many of us grew up without seeing ourselves reflected in the media. In small towns and within closed communities, I rarely saw anyone who shared my identity. The few gay people I knew faced bullying at school, and media representation was sparse.
For me, watching LGBTQ+ movies offers a sense of connection and relatability that was absent in my youth. Even though I’m not a fan of straight romance films or the overly cheerful Hallmark Channel, seeing similar plotlines with gay characters provides a refreshing perspective. This representation can be a form of escapism, offering a glimpse into a world where our identities are normalized and celebrated.
Positive portrayals in media are crucial for both our community and the broader public. They help increase acceptance, establish our presence as part of the societal norm, and provide valuable information. While today’s media landscape is more inclusive than in the past, diversity in representation is still limited.
Early LGBTQ+ Media Representation
The journey of queer media representation began with subtle and sometimes overlooked moments. In 1895, the film The Dickerson Experimental Sound Film, commonly referred to as The Gay Brothers, featured two men dancing together, an early hint of homosexuality that initially shocked audiences with its challenge to gender norms.
However, this wasn’t immediately perceived as queer. Instead, audiences described the men in this scene as simply acting "fancifully."
Progress continued with milestones such as the 1922 film Manslaughter, which included the first erotic kiss between same-sex characters, and Marlene Dietrich's 1930 on-screen kiss with another woman in Morocco. These moments were groundbreaking for their time, though still far from inclusive.
Post-World War II: The Rise of LGBTQ+ Representation
World War II brought a shift, with LGBTQ+ individuals often portrayed negatively in media as sadists, psychopaths, and nefarious anti-social villains. It wasn’t until the aftermath of the Stonewall Riots in 1969 that Hollywood began to view the LGBTQ+ community as a potential audience. The 1970s saw notable films aimed at gay men, such as
- Boys in the Band (1970)
- Fortune in Men's Eye (1971)
- Cabaret (1972)
- A Very Natural Thing (1973)
- Ode to Billy Joe (1976)
Hollywood's focus on marketing to the LGBTQ community also extended beyond movies into television. Notably, in 1971, the year following the first Pride Parade, All in the Family became the first American sitcom to feature a gay character. By the end of the 1970s, media representation of homosexuality began to see gradual but noticeable acceptance.
The 1980s: A Decline in Representation
The 1980s were marked by a rise in conservative values and the emergence of HIV/AIDS. Because of these influences, it became risky for filmmakers to create movies that portrayed gay characters as complex and fully-rounded individuals.
If a gay character was depicted too authentically, it often led to boycotts of theaters and studios. As a result, unless a film was specifically targeted toward a gay or cosmopolitan liberal audience, homosexuality was often portrayed as something to be laughed at, pitied, or feared.
By the latter half of the 1980s, the media began to address the AIDS pandemic and the accompanying wave of homophobia. The first American movie to tackle this subject was the 1986 indie film Parting Glances. It wasn’t until 1989 that the first mainstream Hollywood movie about the pandemic, Long Time Companion, was released.
The 1990s: A Gay Renaissance
As the cultural and political backlash of the 80s began to fade, the '90s ushered in what could be described as a "gay Renaissance" in both television and film. Even though the representation wasn't always fully inclusive, there was a noticeable increase in LGBTQ themes on mainstream TV shows that appealed to a broad audience.
For instance, in 1991, The Golden Girls featured an episode titled Sister of the Bride, where Blanche's brother Clayton returns home with his boyfriend, and they plan a commitment ceremony. In 1994, Beverly Hills 90210 aired an episode called Blind Spot, where a fraternity member is outed as gay, leading to a storyline about acceptance. And in 1996, Friends aired The One with the Lesbian Wedding, showcasing the first lesbian wedding on U.S. television between Carol and Susan.
In 1997, Ellen DeGeneres’ character came out on her sitcom Ellen in the episode Puppy Love, shortly after Ellen herself publicly came out. Though the show was canceled the following season, this was one of the first U.S. series to have a main character come out on screen, marking a significant moment in television history.
Will & Grace: Paving the Way for LGBTQ+ Representation on Primetime TV
These milestones in the 90s represented a significant shift from the restrictive environment of the 80s, culminating with the premiere of Will & Grace on September 21, 1998, which was the first primetime series in the U.S. to feature openly gay main characters.
Looking back, some viewers now critique the show for not being entirely politically correct and for not challenging certain stereotypes. However, when Will & Grace debuted, it was considered groundbreaking since it was the first major network show with two gay lead characters.
Although gay acceptance was growing, the show was still considered a risk starring Will, who was portrayed as more straight-passing, and Jack, who was flamboyantly gay, which offered a range of representation that was still rare at the time. Despite this, the show ran for eight successful seasons and became a commercial hit.
Queer as Folk: Pushing LGBTQ+ Representation to New Heights
In addition to Ellen DeGeneres' groundbreaking Puppy Love episode, Will & Grace is credited with paving the way for future gay-themed shows like Queer as Folk, which premiered on Showtime in the U.S. in December 2000 and was another trailblazer for its time.
Originally a reboot of the short-lived British series of the same name, which lasted only one season, the U.S. version of Queer as Folk made a significant impact on LGBTQ+ representation on American television.
The show followed the lives of five gay men and, to some extent, a lesbian couple living in Pittsburgh, but primarily targeted a gay male audience, offering groundbreaking depictions of gay life that were rare on television at the time.
Notably, it was the first American show to graphically depict a sex scene between two men—a bold move that shocked and captivated audiences. For those familiar with the show, the infamous scene in the first episode became iconic, pushing the boundaries of what had been shown on mainstream TV.
Unlike Will & Grace, which leaned more towards humor and mainstream appeal, Queer as Folk delved into more controversial and challenging topics, such as cruising, drug abuse, HIV and AIDS, physical abuse, and gay bashing, portraying them with an unflinching honesty that resonated with many viewers.
Running for five seasons, Queer as Folk concluded around the same time as Will & Grace, marking the end of an era for two monumental shows. Both series played crucial roles in paving the way for the diverse LGBTQ+ representation we see in TV and film today, breaking barriers and opening doors for future storytelling.
Groundbreaking, Yet Limited Diversity
While Queer as Folk and Will & Grace were groundbreaking for their time, they were not without their flaws, particularly when viewed through the lens of modern-day expectations for diversity and representation.
Both shows played significant roles in bringing LGBTQ+ stories to mainstream television but also fell short in certain areas. For example, Queer as Folk primarily focused on the hookup culture within the gay community, especially in its earlier seasons. While this aspect of gay life is certainly real and valid, the show's narrow focus failed to capture the full breadth of the LGBTQ+ experience.
On the other hand, Will & Grace leaned heavily on comedic stereotypes. Characters like Will and Jack, while beloved, often reinforced clichés about gay men rather than challenging them. The humor worked for its time, but it didn’t push the boundaries in terms of diversity or depth.
Despite these shortcomings, both Queer as Folk and Will & Grace were pivotal in paving the way for the LGBTQ+ representation we see on TV today. They opened doors and set the stage for more complex and diverse characters and storylines. However, as the landscape of representation continues to evolve, there remains a significant need for greater diversity in LGBTQ+ narratives—both in terms of race, gender identity, and the variety of experiences portrayed. While progress has been made, the journey toward truly inclusive representation is ongoing.
Current State of LGBTQ+ Media Representation
While LGBTQ+ representation has improved in previous years, we are witnessing a concerning trend of declining LGBTQ+ representation across cable and streaming platforms. According to GLAAD’s Where We Are on TV report for 2023-2024, there was a notable decline in LGBTQ+ representation on cable TV, with only 77 LGBTQ+ characters identified, a 45% decrease from the previous year.
Meanwhile, the report counted 92 LGBTQ+ series regulars on scripted broadcast programming, representing about 11.9% of all characters, which is a record high. This is an increase of 2.8% compared to the previous year. Additionally, streaming platforms continued to offer the most robust LGBTQ+ representation, with 327 LGBTQ+ characters identified across various shows, although this is a slight decrease from the previous year.
However, there remains a significant disparity in the diversity of these characters, with a majority being white and cisgender. This representation also tends to be dominated by gay men, who make up almost 46% of the LGBTQ+ characters on cable, while there was a marked decline in lesbian and bisexual+ representation.
While the industry has made strides, there is still work to be done, particularly in representing a broader range of identities and experiences. The lack of diversity within LGBTQ+ characters remains a significant issue.
Advancing Future LGBTQ+ Representation
While the landscape of LGBTQ+ representation in media has undoubtedly progressed, it's clear that significant work remains. Despite record highs in the number of LGBTQ+ characters on broadcast TV, the recent decline in representation on cable and streaming platforms highlights the fragility of these gains.
The predominance of white, cisgender gay men in these roles further underscores the need for more inclusive and diverse storytelling that reflects the full spectrum of LGBTQ+ experiences. As we look forward, the challenge will be not only to increase the quantity of representation but to ensure it authentically mirrors the diversity within the community.
For LGBTQ+ creators across all mediums, we should strive to represent the full spectrum of LGBTQ+ experiences beyond the white, straight-presenting gay man. And supporting these creators is crucial for fostering authentic media representation, as it empowers those with lived experiences to tell their own stories, ensuring that the diversity and nuances of the LGBTQ+ community are accurately and meaningfully portrayed.
As an LGBTQ+ community, we must continue pushing for authentic and inclusive representation. Let’s continue to foster change and ensure that our stories are told authentically and inclusively.
As Debbie Novotny from Queer as Folk wisely said, “Mourn the losses because they are many, but celebrate the victories because they are few.”
And remember. Every day is all we have, so you've got to make your own happiness.
For more information on this topic, listen to Episode 07. The History of Gay Representation in TV & Film.
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