Looking at our society, ‘freedom’ is a word which can be seen to resonate with the LGBTQ+ community for many reasons. It is what activists have tirelessly fought for in passing the Gender Recognition act of 2004 and legalising same-sex marriage in 2014 within the UK. It is the foundation upon which the colorful commemorations of pride month are centered; and the feeling that so many members of the community have felt in expressing their identities, yet continue to fight for as this right continues to be stigmatized or even oppressed which tells us all there is yet more to be achieved. When considering this therefore, to say equality has been achieved nationally can at once be considered a truth and a falsehood. Whilst legislation protects the community a painful legacy of stigma cannot be ignored. For example, studies have shown that one in three members of the LGBTQ+ community have endured bullying or harassment, with half having depression or anxiety when compared to 26% of heterosexual and cisgender respondents. This statistic perhaps troubles us. More so, it reminds us of the importance of continuing in a fight for equality, in particular supporting LGBTQ+ or questioning young people who are having to grow up in the midst of deep-rooted prejudice and constant self-doubt. Therefore, living in a world wherein we are increasingly connected by media, promoting inclusivity within YA film and shows is more than ever crucial.

We often underestimate the reliance of our perceptions upon the films we watch, or even the comments we hear. It cannot be denied nonetheless that film is an accurate representation of the views of the majority of audiences. An increase in the diversity of characters featured can undoubtedly be seen from previous years, with 18.2% of all films globally including LGBTQ+ characters. However, this indicates very little as to how realistic these portrayals are. It can be said that, through time, the majority of the community’s inclusion has been well-intentioned yet many have presented unrealistic stereotypes that have incited feelings of extreme self-doubt, this experienced by a large proportion of LGBTQ+ teenagers. This includes thoughts of not having a personality which could ‘correlate’ to their sexual orientation, and a true struggle to come to terms with their feelings. And shouldn’t media, as partial role models to us all, be reinforcing that sexual orientations cannot be simply grouped in this way? 

On the contrary, even recent films continue to be centered around harmful stereotypes. This includes a misconception of gay characters being always feminine and lesbians expressing masculine or tomboyish traits because whilst this may apply to some people, sexuality and gender expression are two different aspects to an individual’s identity. Another misconception involves the erasure of other identities. It is often overlooked by many films that attraction isn’t something which fits into two categories, but instead is a wide spectrum which is often fluid. Inarguably, a progression in attitudes can be seen with 12% of broadcasted young adult TV characters identifying as LGBTQ+; however around 80% of these are gay or lesbian. 

What is more disturbing is a portrayal of sexualities in a comedic way, with non-gay or lesbian members of the community often shown as characters who couldn’t ‘make up their minds’ between either of two genders. It is a consequent lack of awareness which may contribute towards lessened support from peers when a friend or family member comes out as an identity they may not have heard of, or even claim to not exist. The impact of this is detrimental. It can be seen within the exclusion of transgender people within the community, with studies indicating only 20.8% of LGB respondents to be supportive of the trans community, when compared to 43.4% of cis-het respondents. It is the biphobia which also continues to persist within the LGBTQ+ community itself which has resulted in a fear to come to terms with one’s sexuality, and so many oppressing this in the face of derogatory comments.

Despite this, there are a multitude of films which have accurately represented struggles of the LGBTQ+ in terms of acceptance, workplace bullying and stigma within families. This is crucial and resonates with many individuals, feeling a greater comfort in talking about their struggles. However, whilst well-intentioned, many of these have faced criticism for making coming-out or ‘being queer’ the whole focus of the film itself, with little portrayal of the development of the characters’ personalities or other aspects to their daily lives and relationships. This heightens misconceptions that if someone was LGBTQ+ it would be ‘obvious’ resulting in many being denied their identities by peers and family. We can see a widespread neglect to truly normalize the presence of queer identities. And isn’t this needed so that people feel able, and even empowered, to voice their sexuality without the myriad of doubts this brings? This urges us all the more to realize the necessity of more characters, with a range of different experiences, ethnicities and personalities that an audience can grow to love. 

It can be said overall that our film industry has progressed; yet often presents a one-dimensional view of the personal exploration of identities. The result is often distortion of realistic experiences; one which contributes to stopping so many from coming out to close family and friends in fear of their lives changing drastically or merely not being understood. What worsens this is the cancellation of many young adult shows across streaming services, due to a lack of support from audiences and many perceiving LGBTQ+ characters as non-family friendly. The inclusion of these characters has in many cases become something media is compelled to do, rather than normalizing and creating personalities that an audience can form a bond with. This often heightens subconscious bias against the community, many perceiving members as burdens rather than individuals with the same feelings, aspirations and family relationships as everyone else.

Nonetheless, solidarity and hope can be found through positive representations in an increasing number of YA shows. This can be seen in Netflix series, Heartstopper, which centers around the development of a lovable boy-meets-boy relationship from friendship to romance; and draws upon many relevant struggles faced by the community, including those of bullying, eating disorders and facing stigma from peers at school. The strength of the show is undeniably its subtlety. A range of issues such as coming out and gender transitioning are addressed adequately but not preached, this evoking a bond between audiences and characters but centering around other aspects of the storyline. Additionally, characters with a wide range of identities and backgrounds, are included such as trans, bisexual and characters of colour. Ultimately, the experiences of the characters such as developing closer bonds to friends and feeling extreme self-consciousness is something relatable, this warming the hearts of many teenagers and normalizing LGBTQ+ identities. 

Representation continues to improve furthermore in children’s animations, young characters portrayed to form crushes and often relationships similar to those shown between characters of opposite sexes. Much-loved fantasy series Owl House and She-Ra for example depicts adorable sapphic relationships between its main characters, this reminding us of the importance in educating even young children so that they perceive love between any genders to be as ‘normal’ and beautiful as the heterosexual relationships more commonly portrayed within picture books and shows. With the experiences of transgender people often overlooked through this, She-Ra amongst other shows have additionally received praise for the inclusion of non-binary and transgender fantastical characters. This conveys issues in a way which is accessible and understandable to younger children in particular. 

Moreover, several films of other international industries such as Bollywood have started to receive critical acclaim for their entertaining and heartfelt representations of the community, one of these being Badhaai Do (meaning ‘felicitations due’). Its storyline focuses upon a lesbian teacher and gay cop from North India, fearful of coming out to their heteronormative families in the face of societal pressure to marry, causing the two characters to enter a platonic marriage. The film as a whole, whilst portraying the platonic bond and family relationships comedically, targets the lack of legal protection given to the LGBTQ+ in India, with characters learning how to have pride in their identities through the organization of pride marches and social media campaigns. Personally, I found the main characters’ eventual coming out to their families impactful: a reminder that reactions from family and friends may not always be positive due to the pressures of culture, but love will always remain unconditional nonetheless.