According
to the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law (Gary J. Gates. “How Many
People are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender?” April 2011), 3.5% (or 9
million people) of the US adult population identify as part of the LGBT
community; another 19 million Americans (8.2%) have engaged in same-sex
relations, while 25.6 million (11%) recognize their own same-sex attraction;
further, there are 700,000 transgender individuals in the US. NBC News tells us
that worldwide overall LGBTQ acceptance has increased, though in a polarized
fashion. (“The Shifting Global Terrain of L.G.B.T.Q. Rights” The New York
Times, 6/21/18) Although gains have been made, legally as well as socially,
nationally and globally, there are also continuing challenges. We would like to
provide a platform for authors to discuss these challenges and the many ways in
which media representation influences LGBTQ+ perceptions, hence policy. This
will take the form of a critical reader to be used across disciplines and will
function as a primary or ancillary text for undergraduate college students.
Thus, we are in need of fifty-plus essays which are mindful of influencing the
latest generation of scholars.
We expect
this reader to be global in experience in order to reflect not simply place,
but historical and contrastingly current differences in ideology regarding
sexuality. While it is appropriate to include US examples since US media has
such a far reach, the reader will not be limited to US experience. In addition,
this collection seeks to include news media (print, TV, online) as a viable
source, not simply television and film. Indeed, societal influences are sought,
not least YouTube/online comments, religious opinion, cartoons and comic book
series, video games, education/camps, etc. That is to say, what are the contributions
of pastors, sex ed courses, the latest superhero films to the cause? Which
LGBTQ+ stories are featured in the news? Do any depict favorable tales? How has
living on the Internet changed our perceptions? How are gay characters
portrayed in video games? Are there any video games representing those in the
LGBTQ+ community? Are these portrayals more favorable outside the US?
Where?
Additional
queries to consider: What forms societal opinion? In what ways do these various
forms of media shape the perception of the communities? What is the perception
of the hetero community toward the LGBTQ+ community? How have past
representations injured/inspired those in the community? How does mainstream
media enforce a strict gender binary? As tech replaces community spaces, how
does this limit interaction between groups?
Early
representations of gay men in the US are limited, and even the idea of female
relationships virtually non-existent when it comes to general cinema and
television. However, Vito Russo's Celluloid Closet: Homosexuality in the Movies
(book, 1981; documentary, 1995) and Transgender Warriors: Making History from
Joan of Arc to Dennis Rodman (1996) by Leslie Feinberg, show us how to view and
analyze historical accounts. How far spread and successful has the movement
been generally?
The
following '70s reference stands out as among the first, though the humor
surrounding it is insulting, perhaps beginning or at least facilitating the
trend of only mentioning purportedly alternative lifestyles within a mean
comedic framework, whether though such characters' lips or about them from
others.
Reliably,
"The Mary Tyler Moore Show" was early in introducing a gay character
– and cautioning us about media conglomeration, as it happens. In the 1973
episode, "My Brother's Keeper," Phyllis' brother visits and he starts
hanging out with Rhoda (Phyllis' nemesis). Phyllis is terribly upset about this
but then becomes incensed when Rhoda tells her he's not her type. Phyllis
extols her brother's virtues. When Rhoda adds that he's gay to her list,
Phyllis' chin drops. But because she is so happy that this news means he isn't
interested in Rhoda after all (or maybe because she is so blind-sided by it, or
maybe because it was the '70s and we had Native American comedians on prime
time and the workers had unions to protect their jobs, or, maybe just because
it was the right thing to do), she doesn't seem to be bothered by her sibling
being gay.
Films such
as The Rocky Horror Picture Show introduced late-night cult audiences from
the'70s onward to what was then outré - omni-/pan-sexuality, transvestitism,
and other rarely “out” activity…and permeated society, all the creation of the
man who played Riff, author and screenwriter Richard O'Brien. It would become
one of few outlets for one to play with one's sexuality. Anyone could come in
drag and sing along.
Among the
first songs which make reference to supposed alternative sexuality was Cyndi
Lauper's 1984 "She Bop," because she refers to a Blueboy (formerly
Blue Boy) magazine, which was a gay porn mag from 1974-2007. Before that,
Liberace, Elton John, and Joan Jett seemed the only famous references—and those
weren't confirmed.
Depictions
of LGBTQ+ in media have grown over the years, yet more does not always mean
better; while it is amazing that programs such as "Will and Grace,” “Queer
As Folk,” and "The L Word" eventually appeared on our screens, these
sometimes contained mean-spirited references and engaged in patriarchal
discourses, along with, arguably, being queer-specific shows. Forward to shows
like "Modern Family" and “Scandal” with more developed portrayals.
However, most normalized and nuanced LGBTQ+ characters are relegated to pay
formats, such as HBO, Showtime, and Netflix.
Not to be forgotten, the list of non-binary characters can easily be
counted on one hand.
Combining
media texts with academic anchors such as Hilton-Morrow and Battles' Sexual
Identities and the Media: An Introduction (2014), Delusions of Gender: How Our
Minds, Society, and Neurosexism Create Difference (2010), or Bronski's A Queer
History of the United States (2012), for example, document the rocky road from
early Hollywood to now. Explore the range and dynamic of sexuality and gender
diversities within media. What were indicators characters were gay in the early
days of media and how did they transform over time? Or have they? How did
studios handle what was once a sensitive subject? Is this the same in lands
outside the US? Examine and explain whether most current representations are
beneficial.
Topics may
include, but are not limited to:
- How does media affect perceptions of the LGBTQ+ community inside/outside the US?
- Are current LGBTQ+ depictions realistic? Positive?
- Differences between historical and modern media images
- In what ways are LGBTQ+ representations better now than in the past?
- Historical references and their significance
- How do audiences, particularly children, get to view different GSD (Gender and Sexual Diversity)?
- Problematic areas in media regarding LGBTQ+
- Queerbaiting
- How do choices in featured news stories affect perceptions?
- Evolution of LGBTQ+ topics or persons in popular music
- How is LGBTQ+ representation in the United States affecting cultures elsewhere? And, how are portrayals or (un)acceptance of LGBTQ+ people elsewhere affecting the LGBTQ+ popular media?
- What is the significance and impact of using of non-human LGBTQ+ characters?
- Industry changes affecting LGBTQ+ characters
- Casting process and outcomes of LGBTQ+ characters
We
anticipate that this referenced anthology will include 50+ essays, and as a
working guide, the essays should be 4000-4500 words. Essays must adhere to the
most current MLA format. We have granted exclusive rights to the initial review
of this reader to University of Nebraska Press (UNP), Cultural Criticism and
Theory Series. For over 75 years, UNP has been a prestigious university press
with a worldwide distribution platform and more than 6,000 titles still in
print.
Submission
Guidelines: Send a 500-word abstract in Word, followed by a short bibliography
showing the paper's scholarly and theoretical context. Also include a brief bio
and full CV.
Send to:
Christie Rinck (crinck@usf.edu) by February 15, 2019.
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