Breaking Down the Last Taboo: The Need to Represent LGBTQ in Children’s Media

With the heteronormative society everyone is so used to live in, a lot of people are still

skirting around the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) equality issue and

turning a blind eye upon it. Although there has been overwhelming public support in the last

decade for gay rights such as the marriage equality act, the war is far from over as there is still a

pressing need to educate all ages on topics about gender identity and sexuality. Children, in

particular, should be the focus of this undertaking, for exposing them to the issue of LGBTQ

inequality will help increase their awareness and understanding at a young age. As this minority

group paves their way to acquire the same level of respect and privilege as their heterosexual

counterparts, the film industry is likewise doing its part in breaking the stigma through the

growing representation of LGBT characters on kids’ television programs at the turn of the 21st

century. While there arose relentless backlash about forcing the gay agenda too much on

children, this representation in media is rather a movement that should be promoted as it better

teaches tolerance, sparks significant conversations about the matter and builds a safer

environment amongst the youth.

The representation of queer roles in mainstream television can be a powerful tool in

encouraging tolerance of such minority group in children. Study suggests that when shows give a

realistic portrayal of LGBTQ people instead of relying on superficial archetypes, children will

know and learn how to understand them, broaden their minds and instill acceptance despite it

being different in their eyes (Ewing, n.d., as quoted in Kang, 2015). In addition, relating with

non-binary members can be limited, but if these characters are to be crafted with thought and

substance, played in a manner where they actually live a life, facing normal day to day problems

instead of being defined by their sexual identity, stereotypes can be dismantled and viewers will
have a generational shift in thinking. Furthermore, the typical argument of parents not wanting

their children to be exposed to queer-themed cartoons because it will make them gay is an

outright homophobic remark, imposing on children to perceive these people negatively. Media

merely influences the realization of the inherent identity to be assumed by the child. Sexuality is

not a conscious choice and children become whomever they are regardless of what media they

consume. With all the pressure society exerts, freely choosing to be gay sounds completely

illogical. Hence, by letting their kids watch these shows, parents can inculcate, as early as

childhood, the beauty in embracing change and importance of respecting other people’s

individuality.

Through watching programs with LGBTQ visibility, young people fighting the same

battle can spark a conversation within family and peers. Having a frame of reference like these

shows can be a starting point of tackling prevalent issues faced by LGBTQ folks. Knowing that

they are not alone, viewing media of such sort can motivate youngsters to open up about their

gender identities. Cook’s (2018) content analysis about LGBT maintains that media

representation can positively impact the LGBT group by offering a sense of community and

providing role models. When this happens, their conveyance in films can close the gap that

divides different sexual preferences, especially among the struggling LGBTQ youth, increasing

the likelihood that they would come out to their friends or families and be comfortable in their

own skin. Consistent with this notion, research found that individuals develop higher self-esteem

and a better sense of self if they can identify or relate themselves with similar traits of a

character, specifically in terms of gender (Barry, Lochman & Wohlford, 2004). Be that as it may,

television and other media continue to be influential socializing mechanisms through which
younger generations can come in contact with these once invisible minorities and change their

heteronormative mentality.

Highlighting the full diversity of the LGBTQ community on-screen pushes for a safer,

environment that fosters inclusion as it mirrors reality and gives proper recognition to the

existence of these members. According to Planned Parenthood (as cited in Pope, 2017), one out

of four families has someone in it that is lesbian, gay, bisexual, or trans. Being a great fraction,

their reflection in the media can be a means of helping the gay population gradually build a safe

space to authentically be themselves and have a voice because it serves for them a validation that

they, too, deserve to be depicted in a genuine manner just as much as everyone else. In contrast,

kids who have not had the opportunity to be exposed to the diverse presence of this stigmatized

group are more likely to bully other LGBTQ kids. Statistics from the Youth Risk Behavior

Survey (2017) reveals that students who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual are at a higher risk of

bullying compared to their heterosexual peers, leading to depression, suicide ideation and

academic consequences. As a result, they perpetuate feelings that homosexuality is not normal

and hide behind the closet because of the need to conform to the norm. To this end, the inclusive

representation of queer characters will give children a concrete picture of the truth that society is

so afraid of divulging due to fear of destroying the status quo, thus a more subtle way of

allowing the youth to realize the gravity of the issue. Challenging that it sacrifices a child’s

innocence is to no avail, for it simply opens up their eyes to the diversity of the human race. If

LGBTQs are interpreted in movies and shows in a vibrant and positive context instead of

sensationalizing their roles, young audiences, in their impressionable years, are more likely to be

swayed into accepting and empathizing with these vulnerable targets of discrimination, helping

them come to terms with their own identity.

 Gay-themed television programs, in so far as children are concerned, have a cascading

impact in changing their attitude towards the LGBTQ community. Others dispute that with this

hopeful movement comes a rude awakening that the fight for the full inclusion of LGBTQ

members is only a facade of equality. Despite acknowledging their existence in mainstream

media, gay people are still fighting to break the norm and to become their own person. However,

this is already a huge leap forward for the film industry that used to blatantly reject storylines

and plots of such genre. If media is a reflection of society, then there is no reason not to represent

these unique individuals who are gaining widespread attention today. Building on this idea, it can

be deduced that when more accurate portrayals of these members are emphasized and promoted

in the future, kids may be more empowered to shape their opinions and values towards respect

and acceptance, pushing for a more united and safer world. The world should be sending a

message to the new generation to celebrate diversity instead of dismissing it, to stand by gay

members of the community and tell them to slip through the cracks for in doing so, they fill in

the gaps – the missing pieces that will make society whole as it should be.
References:

Ayoub, P. (2018). How the Media has Helped Change Public Views about Lesbian and Gay

People. Retrieved February 5, 2019, from https://scholars.org/brief/how-media-has-

helped-change-public-views-about-lesbian-and-gay-people

Barry, T. D., Lochman, J. E., and Wohlford, K. E. (2004). The Relation Between Chosen Role

Models and the Self-esteem of Men and Women. Sex Roles, 50: 575–582. Retrieved

February 7, 2019, from

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/B:SERS.0000023076.54504.ca

Kang, A. (2015). The Effect of LGBT Representation in our Generation. Retrieved on February

7, 2019, from https://sundial.csun.edu/2015/03/the-effect-of-lgbt-characters-in-our-

generation/

Pope, J. (2017). What Do LGBT Characters Mean for the Future. Retrieved February 7, 2019,

from https://www.theodysseyonline.com/what-lgbt-cartoon-characters-mean-future

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance. Retrieved

February 7, 2019, from https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/ss/pdfs/ss6708a1-h.pdf

Whiteside, B. (2017). 6 Reasons It's Important to Have LGBT Characters on Children's TV

Shows. Retrieved February 5, 2019, from https://www.pride.com/tv/2017/5/24/6-reasons-

its-important-have-lgbt-characters-childrens-tv-shows

TOPIC OUTLINE
Stand: LGBT Should be Represented in Children’s Media

I. Introduction
a. State the presence of the LGBTQ equality issue in today’s generation
b. Explain the need to educate people, especially the youth, on this issue
c. Introduce the role of media in representing the LGBTQ in children’s shows
d. Thesis Statement – Imply that there is a need to promote LGBTQ representation
in children’s media because of its positive effects such as teaching tolerance,
opening conversations about the topic and building a safer environment

II. Body
A. Television shows of LGBTQ themes encourages tolerance in children
a. Realistic portrayal of LGBTQ members’ daily lives allows children to
understand and accept them
b. Rebut argument of parents about these shows making their children gay which
encourages negative feelings
c. Parents should instead instill values like respecting others’ identities
B. Media programs can spark conversations about gender identity or LGBT-related
issues
a. Children are influenced to talk with family and open up about the issue
b. Character serves as a role model for gay children to relate with
c. These films increase likelihood of coming out among struggling LGBTQ
youth and gain higher self-esteem
C. It mirrors real life that fosters inclusion and a safer environment
a. Being represented creates a safe space for LGBTQ to express themselves more
freely
b. Kids unaware about the reality of the LGBTQ are more likely to bully other
LGBTQ kids.
c. Rebut the claim that it sacrifices child’s innocence
d. If exposed early, the young ones can be more easily influenced accept the
LGBTQ community as compared to when they are older

III. Conclusion
a. Television shows can help children change their perspective about LGBTs
b. If media reflects society, then LGBTs should also be represented
c. Accurate depiction of LGBTs will lead to greater respect and a safer world
d. Pose a challenge to the world to teach children to embrace diversity instead of
rejecting it