We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
GLOing Depictions of Sexual Minorities: The Evolution of Gay- and Lesbian-Oriented Digital Media.
- Authors
Bond, Bradley
- Abstract
The depiction of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals in the media has evolved over time. The coming out of the protagonist on the television program Ellen is believed to have been the catalyst for change in the depiction of LGB characters on television. Though the evolution of LGB characters in mainstream digital media has led to an increase in realistic, diverse LGB portrayals, audiences are no longer limited to mainstream media for digital mass communication messages about LGB lifestyle, culture, and sexuality. Within the last twenty years, media outlets that are specifically designed, produced, and marketed to LGB audiences have successfully garnered growing audiences. This paper is an introduction to gay- and lesbian-oriented media, or GLO media. The evolution of GLO media in the digital age from Showtime's Queer As Folk to the development of social media apps for smart phones is discussed. Economic forces are then detailed as possible reasons for investment in GLO media because advertisers began to realize the marketing potential to LGB audiences, believed to be brand loyal consumers with larger than average levels of disposable income. By reviewing the findings of a recent quantitative content analysis of GLO media, the sexual content of GLO media is brought to light in an effort to illustrate the changing depiction of LGB individuals in today's modern, specialized GLO media landscape. The paper concludes by reviewing research studies that suggest media are salient socialization agents for LGB adolescents who are struggling to understand their sexualities and calling for more GLO media that depict the diversity of LGB individuals as a means of positively influencing the health and well-being of LGB audiences.
- Subjects
LGBTQ+ people in mass media; ELLEN (TV program : 1994-1998); COMING out (Sexual orientation); LGBTQ+ people on television; MOBILE apps
- Publication
Technoculture: An Online Journal of Technology in Society, 2014, Vol 4, p1
- ISSN
1938-0526
- Publication type
Article