How does visual culture (graphic design, film, advertising etc) affect the LGBT community?
Introduction
This essay will explore the growth in acceptance of queer culture and the LGBT community; particularly focusing on the media & creative outlets in western society. It will explore the ways in which graphic design, mainstream media, propaganda etc. Have affected the viewpoints of society regarding the queer minority. Within society we find ourselves slotted into categories, often separated by age, race, religion and sexuality. These categories have a direct impact on the way we feel comfortable acting, talking, socialising & doing throughout our lives. This essay will focus on the category LGBT (lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual and queer). It will focus on both reactive visual culture in times of LGBT crisis and the more contemporary visual representation of queer culture. In recent years TV and film are becoming more inclusive with their equal representation. Despite this increase in diversity, contemporary campaigns highlight the lack of healthy lifestyles and relationships of such characters. In a time where anti LGBT attacks such as the Orlando shooting (12/06/2016) are hitting headlines and causing media controversy; this is a topic which is appropriately relevant. The purpose of analysing such progressions and inadequacies of positive representation is to both celebrate prior accomplishments and address issues that are still to be resolved.
AIDS activism & poster design
Historically graphic design and creative practice has played an influential part in the driving force of LGBT activism. The 80’s was a pivotal time for gay rights with a large emergence of queer culture in the media, politics and arts; unfortunately this was mainly due to hardship. The AIDS epidemic of the 80’s impacted the LGBT community and the acceptance of homosexulity greatly as, ”The greatest impact of the epidemic is among men who have sex with men (MSM)” (ADD REF). There was a reactive amount of pro and anti gay propaganda that surrounded the epidemic.
This image shows a poster that circulated London around the time of the epidemic. Homophobia due to the association between gay men and AIDS became a huge issue, so visual forms of activism such as this became a necessary deterrent against queer hatred.
As a direct result of the rising AIDS issue the activist group GALHPA (Gay and Lesbian HIV prevention activists) formed.
Also much controversy was caused by the overall thought that the disease was a way to kill of the homosexual and black minorities.
a multitude of design based outlets for activism.
The perspective of feminists
Feminist literature and values often integrate with that of the gay rights movement. Positively many feminist groups support the queer community and have historically stood by them in unity in times of crisis (INSERT EXAMPLE). In contrast even the full support and understanding of the feminist community has not always been certain. Divides caused by political feminist ideologies…
From the perspective of radical feminism homosexuality and particularly lesbianism is something that has divided opinions. Political lesbianism is defined as women who chooses to not sexually interact with men as a way to protest male dominance via sex; “The advantages include the pleasure of knowing that you are not directly servicing men, living without the strain of a glaring contradiction in your personal life” (Love your enemy?, 1981, pg.9).
Link wires research about women going to court for their kids, and the representation of such struggles in film Carol.
3rd wave feminism
Published design & editorial
The publishing and editorial design (magazines) industry is one in which homosexuality has been featured since the mid 60’s, just not in a mainstream sense. The underground press is a term referring to a period of time in the 1960’s when younger generations began to produce their own publications. The publications were mostly opposing the views of mainstream media & politics and often controversial and satirical in their approach. Despite this opposition to the power figures of the media, many feminists and homosexual individuals still felt unrepresented as they were still answering to their straight male bosses and publishers. “By the end of the decade, women working in the underground press reacted against this male/female hierarchy.” (Rowe.M) From this rebellion underground publications ran by feminists, homoseuxals and people more willing to discuss homosexuality emerged; such as Oz, Gay Left and Spare Rib. These publications were open in representing the voices of homsexuals, the issues they faced in society and also tackled some of the misrepresentation and stereotyping present in 60’s society.
"Since the gay movement began we have insisted on the centrality of the media (understood in its widest sense) as a carrier, reinforcer or shaper of our oppression." (Dyer.R, 1976, pg.8)
Discuss the book ‘gay slang’. Discuss the representation of gay men. Mention the article in OZ and book discussing Vince in Queer as Folk.
TV & Film
The first TV programme dedicated to the lives of homosexuals was called Gay Life aired between 1980-81 broadcast by London Weekend Television. This was a step forward for the community as in contrast to the odd appearances of gay characters in a few sitcoms this programme was aimed to be beneficial and was produced by 3 gay men.
The influence of representation and general acceptable ways of living portrayed via television sets, magazines, films is huge on the ever growing technology reliant society; “We are the first generation in human history to have our lives shaped - not by nature - but by the beguiling images of electronic media.” (Lasn, 2006, p154). The LGBT community is often one shadowed in mystery due to its historically taboo status, so youth are more likely to take influence from the media than real life experiences of queerness; “According to social cognitive theory (Bandura, 2001), one important way in which television influences viewers is by providing vicarious experiences on which to model beliefs, attitudes, and behavior when real-life experiences are more limited.” (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2000838/) ADD CITATION
"The small number of gay characters on television, and even smaller number of adolescent gay characters, is proposed to contribute to a feeling of isolation among nonheterosexual youth (Kielwasser & Wolf, 1992)."(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2000838/) ADD CITATION
With saturation of homosexual themes within film and TV comes appropriation and stereotype imitation. The television show Queer as Folk (aired 23/02/1999) is a good example of the paradox in which although representation of queer culture is appreciated by the community, many question the reality and substance of its nature. The catch phrase ‘being gay has never looked so cool’ makes it’s honest representation questionable and many certain it doesn't show the struggles of the community. “Queerness became fashionable. Queer as Folk’s beautiful, healthy and wealthy characters portrayed queer as a trendy, sexy way to be.” (Morland and Willox, 2005, pg.1)
The criticism of contemporary television and its lack of queer characters has lead to the obvious and clear portrayals of gay representation. Often portraying extreme stereotypes of such characters; leading to the suggestions such as all gay males are overly-feminine and all female homosexuals the latter. Negative example of such (insert here, antony cotton, family guy?) Almost paradoxically to this notion gay men in western society have historically used campness as their way of outwardly expressing pride in their sexuality; “To have a good camp together gives you a tremendous sense of identification and belonging” (Dyer, p49). It’s a recognisable ‘tell tale’ of the queer male persona and an easy option for a director or writer looking to show their support of the LGBT community.
Modern TV cont
The recent LGBT positive campaign ‘The Lexa pledge’ is a queer online community lead outreach to film & TV producers to represent minority characters better. The pledge is a series of ‘rules’ for producers to follow to ensure that LGBT characters are creating positive role models and representations of healthy relationships; an example of such being “We refuse to kill a queer character solely to further the plot of a straight one” ("Pledge - LGBT Fans Deserve Better"). The campaign was a reaction to the murder of the lesbian character Commander Lexa in the TV show The 100. Visually the reaction and support behind the the pledge has been huge.
Does the lack of queer representation psychologically effect homosexual youth?
Education &
Gay prevention propaganda
Discuss relevant books & the teaching of homosexulity in schools via religious education.
The education system guidelines does not currently require the discussion and teaching about homosexual relationships. Often the only mention of such within primary & high school syllabuses is through religious education - rather than within the sexual health and relationship teachings.
Arguably education is a system that should be used to introduce an honest and accurate representation of the LGBT community. Despite this LGBT sex education is not currently mandatory and mostly not discussed within schools. This is concerning due to the facts and figures regarding homosexual youths, mental health and bullying. Gay is often used as a derogatory slang term by millennials. Research carried out by Exceeding Expectations programme in Manchester schools found that; “95% of pupils hear the word ‘gay’ being used as an insult or something they don't like” and “58% did not feel that their school was a safe and welcoming place for lesbian, gay or bisexual pupils” (Foundation, 2016). But with politicians and high public figures such as Donald Trump stating he is against gay marriage and media denial of homophobic issues and hatred. A recent example of mainstream media denial and ignorance surrounding LGBT hate crime is the coverage of the Orlando shooting (2016).
The religious opposition to homosexuality is visually documented by documentary films such as ‘America’s most hated family - Louis Theroux’. This documentary in particular shows the protest of homosexuality by the Westboro Baptist church; their online domain name clearly showing their stance on the topic ‘http://www.godhatesfags.com/’. They argue that “"GOD HATES FAGS" -- though elliptical -- is a profound theological statement, which the world needs to hear more than it needs oxygen, water and bread.”. (Godhatesfags.com, 2016) Although this is an extreme perspective of the religious teachings of homosexuality it is ‘apparently’ backed by religious citations such as; “The only lawful sexual connection is the marriage bed. All other sex activity is whoremongery and adultery, which will damn the soul forever in Hell.” (Heb. 13:4.)
Non western culture
There's no doubt that the gay rights movement as a whole has made triumphs and substantial progress since the 60’s. Most prominently with the legalisation of gay marriage in the Uk in 2013 and nationwide USA in 2015. In contrast to these changes is the highly homophobic culture of Jamaica that has no legislation for the protection of LGBT individuals. Activist Angeline Jackson is one of few in their country fighting for change, after being raped in order to ‘cure’ her homosexuality. Arguably incidences of such extreme hate towards the queer community is affected by the media outlets opinions within Jamaica. EXAMPLE - Discuss gay rights in Russia. Anti gay russian propaganda. Vladimir Putin's condemnation of homosexuality stands as an example of overt homophobia in contemporary culture. In 2013, Russia passed an amendment to their Child protection laws against "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations to minors”, this also prevents children from being adopted by homosexual couples.
Discuss the visual and activist backlash against Putin’s homophobia
Conclusion
Graphic design and visual culture has historically and remains to affect the development of the LGBT community and the lives of those within it.
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