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Media Social Commentary

Screen Time is Survival: How Queer Representation Fights Back Against Hate

Oct 1, 2024 #AcceleratingAcceptance, #DefendQueerStories, #FightDisinformation, #LGBTQInMedia, #LGBTQvisibility, #QueerMedia, #RepresentationMatters, #StopTheHate, #SupportTransMedia

In a World Flooded with Disinformation, Positive, Wholesome LGBTQ+ Stories are Our Best Defense

In the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, representation and visibility in media has become one of our most powerful weapons. We’re not just talking about visibility on screen; we’re talking about how queer characters and stories shape public opinion and counteract the toxic disinformation flooding today’s news cycle. According to GLAAD’s 2024 Accelerating Acceptance Study, accurate and positive media portrayals lead to significant shifts in public acceptance. At a time when anti-LGBTQ+ disinformation is more rampant than ever, that visibility is not just valuable—it’s critical1 2.

While support for LGBTQ+ equality remains at supermajority levels, it’s slipping. In just one year, support dropped from 84% to 80%, a worrying decline. More concerning, though, is the discrimination facing Gen Z LGBTQ adults, with 70% reporting they’ve experienced discrimination—a sharp rise from 57% the previous year3. These aren’t just numbers. They represent lives and remind us that the fight for acceptance is far from over.

How Media Shapes Public Perception

We’ve always known that media has the power to change minds, and now we have the stats to back it up. Non-LGBTQ+ people who see positive queer representation in media are 50% more familiar with the LGBTQ+ community and 35% more comfortable interacting with us​4 5. That’s not just a casual bump in awareness; it’s a fundamental shift in understanding. The more people see us living our truths—whether through a heartfelt storyline on Heartstopper or a daring narrative in Emilia Pérez—the harder it becomes for hate-filled rhetoric to stick.

But while representation rises, disinformation is spreading even faster. Since January 2023, anti-LGBTQ+ incidents have more than doubled, going from 519 to 1,087.6 Disinformation isn’t just a nuisance—it’s dangerous. It fuels real-world violence and deepens divisions, creating a hostile environment for queer individuals.

Representation Saves Lives

At a time when lawmakers and media pundits are pushing narratives that frame the LGBTQ+ community as a threat, accurate media portrayals act as a crucial counterbalance. Representation in media isn’t just validation—it’s survival. When shows and films feature nuanced, fully realized LGBTQ+ characters, they chip away at stereotypes and challenge harmful narratives. These stories help audiences connect with the humanity of queer people, which is essential in the face of disinformation that seeks to dehumanize.

Representation in media isn’t just validation—it’s survival. When queer stories are told authentically, they challenge harmful narratives and push back against the rising tide of disinformation.”

According to GLAAD President Sarah Kate Ellis, accurate media coverage “inspires more non-LGBTQ people to speak up for equality”7 This effect is crucial in a political landscape where anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric is shaping policy and public opinion. When people see the realities of queer life on screen, they’re less likely to buy into the lies. Media representation, in this context, isn’t just cultural—it’s political.

The Threat of Disinformation

Despite the progress in queer representation, disinformation continues to spread at an alarming rate. Anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, fueled by right-wing politicians and media outlets, is creating real-world consequences. Every time a politician calls gender-affirming care “child abuse,” or a pundit spreads false claims about the LGBTQ+ community, it stirs fear and emboldens hate groups. This disinformation is directly linked to the rise in hate crimes, as documented in GLAAD’s 2024 study8.

How You Can Fight Back

So, how do we push back against this rising tide of disinformation and ensure positive representation keeps thriving? It starts with active engagement.

  1. Support LGBTQ+ Media: Whether it’s watching and sharing queer stories or advocating for more diverse programming, we need to support authentic representation across platforms. Visibility matters.
  2. Counter Disinformation: Disinformation spreads fast, but the truth can go further. Call out false narratives when you see them. Share accurate information and support voices that counter hate.
  3. Advocate for Change: Demand more inclusive storytelling in the media. Let advertisers, networks, and streaming platforms know that diversity in representation is essential, not optional.

Conclusion: Representation is More Than a Victory—It’s Survival

In a world filled with disinformation, representation in media is more than just about seeing ourselves on screen—it’s about changing minds and saving lives. Accurate portrayals of LGBTQ+ people provide a critical defense against the harmful rhetoric that seeks to erase us. Media isn’t just telling our stories; it’s fighting our battles. And in the face of increasing hate, it’s a fight we cannot afford to lose.

  1. https://glaad.org/accelerating-acceptance-2024-report-findings/ ↩︎
  2. https://www.washingtonblade.com/2024/08/15/glaads-2024-accelerating-acceptance-study-documents-disinformations-impact/ ↩︎
  3. https://gayety.co/glaads-2024-study-reveals-rising-lgbtq-discrimination-and-declining-acceptance ↩︎
  4. ref. 1 ↩︎
  5. https://www.advocate.com/news/glaad-lgbtq-acceptance-decrease ↩︎
  6. ref. 3 ↩︎
  7. ref. 2 ↩︎
  8. ref. 5 ↩︎