The Importance Of Including Lgbtqia

The Importance of Including LGBTQIA+ Characters in Youth Television and Movie Entertainment Media By Stephanie Santiful

There are several differences between the two Nickelodeon television shows Avatar the Last Airbender (2005-2008) and its follow-up series, The Legend of Korra (2012-2014). The characters are different, the storyline is different, even the age group of the main characters is different. The Legend of Korra displayed numerous parallels of its predecessor in many ways. However, there were some key differences. One such difference is the ending of the series in which Korra and Asami can be seen holding hands. Whereas Avatar the Last Airbender ended with a romantic, onscreen kiss between Aang and Katara. Some would question why Korra and Asami were not given the same liberty to seal their love for each other with a kiss. Others would argue that the relationship between the two girls was platonic. However, this argument was discredited by the show’s writers, Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, who explicated stated that Korra and Asami are bisexual (they previously dated the same boy earlier in the series). In fact, Korra and Asami’s romantic relationship continues to evolve in The Legend of Korra comics, which pick up where the television series left off. If Korra and Asami were indeed in a romantic relationship, what was it that kept them from experiencing a kiss at the end of the series, an act that has been demonstrated countless times over the years in various forms of media? Many would argue it is was because Korra and Asami are both girls. Chances are, they would be correct. Konietzko, for example, explained how he approached Nickelodeon with the idea of making Korra and Asami's relationship obvious to viewers: “While they were supportive,” he wrote, “there was a limit to how far we could go with it.” Though this limit was never stated, one could gather that a kiss was out of the question. This seems to be the previous trend for youth media in the United States. A list detailing LGBTQ+ animated characters that have appeared in United States television shows and/or movies is surprising. In 1999, three gay characters: Big Gay Al, Satan, and Saddam Hussein appeared on South Park. In 2000, Daria’s Is it Fall Yet? revealed bisexual character, Allison. In 2008, Futurama: The Beast with a Billion Backs displays a genderqueer character. And finally, in 2012, ParaNorman, revealed character Mitch Downe was in a relationship with another boy at the very end of the film. With

stereotypical, negative, and last-minute revelations, one would be validated in arguing that the state of LGBTQIA+ representation in the previous years was drastically lacking, especially concerning youth media. But the question remains. Has it gotten any better? According to a study conducted by The Williams Institute of the UCLA School of Law, 39.7% of people ages 18 and up who live in the United States are a part of the LGBTQ community. The United States Centers for Disease Control reports that 1.3 million kids (8%) of high schoolers are lesbian, gay, or bisexual. This report does not include individuals who may identify themselves as a different group still belonging to the overarching LGBTQIA+ umbrella. If 1.3 million kids (not including those in middle and elementary school) are members of the LGBTQIA+ community, why does current entertainment media not reflect that? Though it may seem like there has been an influx of entertainment media that feature LGBTQIA+ characters such as Steven Universe, One Day at a Time, Adventure Time, Andy Mack, and Love, Simon, the amount of positively represented LGBTQIA characters is stunted by shows, which feature heterosexual couples. Children and teens who grow up not seeing themselves exemplified in entertainment media may be at risk of developing mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Seeing LGBTQIA+ individuals in entertainment media creates relatability for children and teens. With an overwhelming amount of televisions shows and movies that display heterosexual relationships and marriages, LGBTQIA youth may feel like they do not fit in with society. Often times, what little representation they receive is stereotypical and makes LGBTQIA+ people the butt of inappropriate and/or hurtful jokes. These jokes lead to intolerance and cruelty of one’s peers. According to a report by the Human Rights Campaign 92% of children and teens between the ages of 13-17 say they hear negatives messages about being LGBTQ from school, the Internet, and their peers. With the lack of positive queer representation available for both LGBTQIA+ and heterosexual youth, the Internet— which many LGBTQIA+ youth use to seek information about their gender and/or sexual orientation—becomes a breeding ground of intolerance.

LGBTQIA+ children and teens often face hurtful beliefs and opinions such as the above when they use the Internet, from friends they aren’t out to, and even from members of their own family. Enjoying television shows and movies can be an outlet for them just as it is for their heterosexual counterparts. Unfortunately, when entertainment media makes fun of their very existence, it leads them to believe that not only are they not allowed the privilege of seeing themselves reflected in media, it also may make them feel as though they are second-class citizens not worthy of respect. This kind of destructive thinking may increase their involvement in abusive relationships. In fact, according to a CDC survey, 23% of LGB students experienced sexual dating violence at least 12 months before the survey was conducted, 18% had experienced physical dating violence, and 18% had been forced to have sexual intercourse at some point in their lives. Although there have been arguments that the need for LGBTQIA entertainment media for youth is not imperative, this could not be further from the truth. There is a common misconception that with the Supreme Court making it legal for same-sex couples to marry, there is no longer a fight for equality in entertainment media or otherwise. When we consider the number of mainstream children and/or teen movies that feature an LGBTQIA+ protagonist and has aired within the past three years, the only movie that fits this criteria is Love, Simon, which is based on the book, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli. As for television shows, both animated and non-animated, there isn’t a single LGBTQIA character who is the protagonist of the show. Of course, there have been many instances in which creators have stated that notable characters are queer, this is not stated or shown explicitly on the show, which makes LGBTQIA+ feel like these statements are not authentic. Other times, viewers may be led to believe that a character is non-heterosexual due to subtle actions and statements made during the show without actually confirmation from the show’s creators. This is often referred to as “queerbaiting” among the LGBTQIA community, which can also be damaging to LGBTQIA+ youth.

As mentioned in Katie Hoss’s tweet, the Disney film, Mulan, follows the story of a female character who disguises herself as a male, Ping. To many, Li Shing, another male character seems interested, perhaps even attracted to Ping. However, when it was announced that Mulan would be getting a live-action movie, Li Shing was apparently written out of the film. Book Publishing is Slightly Ahead of the Curve Unlike television and movies, book publishing has begun publishing more books for children and young adult that feature LGBTQIA+ characters. Also, unlike most television shows and movies, the LGBTQIA+ are the main characters or protagonists. Websites such as LGBTQ Reads allow readers to search for books based on how the main character identifies.

There have been innumerous calls from literary agents, publishers, book reviewers, readers, and authors demanding the inclusion of more stories that feature LGBTQIA+ protagonists. Many of these individuals have relied heavily on Twitter to let their followers and others know of the importance of including diverse characters and stories.

Others have taken things a step further by researching and reporting of the statistics of LGBTQIA+ youth fiction. Author Malinda Lo (2017), for example, reports that there has been an increase in book publishers publishing LGBTQIA+ young adult fiction, noting that in 2015 there were 54 LGBTQ YA books published by mainstream publishers. In 2016, that number increased to 79.

A quick Google search shows that there have been at least 255 middle grade and YA books that have been or will be published in 2018 (including both large, small, and selfpublishers). Unfortunately, there does not currently seem to be any statistics to compare this number to the amount of middle grade and YA fiction that features heterosexual main characters or couples. Television and Film Needs to Change It is obvious that a change is necessary for LGBTQIA+ characters appearing in entertainment media for children and teens, especially in regard to television and film. Book publishing has taken the necessary steps to publish books that reflect the world around us. With only one mainstream movie (not counting Netflix movies) and no LGBTQIA+ main characters appearing in mainstream cartoons or animations, United States television media is doing a disservice to LGBTQIA+ children and teens who are actively trying to find their space in the society. Change, even good ones, can be difficult and requires effort. Many writers, producers, and others involved with television and movies must make a conscience effort to welcome diversity and inclusion both in the office and on the screen. The importance of including LGBTQIA+ characters affects more than today’s society and culture, it will affect future generations. With studies being presented which reveal that the percentage of LGBTQIA+ individuals is on the rise, a shift for more diverse entertainment media

seems inevitable. The status quo of the heterosexual, cisgender character has reigned supreme for decades. The time has come for content creators to accept that the United States of America is full of people who aren’t heterosexual and/or cisgender, and they deserve to see themselves reflected in television and movies.

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