Has Media Portrayal of Homosexuality Shifted/Changed...

Has Media Portrayal of Homosexuality Shifted/Changed Attitudes About the Subject? Introduction Attitudes about homosexuality have shifted greatly over the past 40 years, beginning with the sexual revolution of the 1960s. Mass media appears to have played a major role in more widespread acceptance of homosexuality, however negative perceptions still exist. In order to probe the level of acceptance among college students and what shapes their perceptions of homosexuality, a study was conducted by surveying male and female students at Morehouse and Spelman colleges. The purpose of this study is to statistically determine if attitudes toward homosexuality have changed or shifted due to the media’s consistent portrayal of it†¦show more content†¦This shift was huge during this time because while most people were growing up with or surrounded by heterosexuality, an acceptance of homosexuality was beginning to take hold. Programs such as Love Sidney, Dynasty, Heartbeat, Melrose Place, and Will and Grace portrayed homosexuality through leading and support ing characters and helped to shift the paradigm of attitudes toward gays, lesbians, and bisexuals (Fisher, 2007). The positive media portrayal of homosexuality has been shown to influence the beliefs and attitudes of heterosexuals because often, â€Å"the world, as seen in the media, is perceived by its viewers as an accurate reflection of reality† (Fisher, 2007). Since so many viewers at that time had little or no personal experience with homosexuals or homosexuality, these sources of media served as a major influence on the assumptions and attitudes that people expressed toward the subject (Fisher, 2007). Since Ellen became the first television show to have a gay leading character, other programs such as Spin City, ER, Dawson’s Creek, Queer as Folk, and Oz were/are all big hits and, equally, they all dealt with homosexuals/homosexuality (Fisher, 2007). In addition to consistent media depiction, movie stars, A-list celebrities, music artists, and even Hollywoodâ€℠¢s â€Å"it-girls† have also helped to shape the mode of comfort with homosexuality through their real-life experiences. Lindsay Lohan (bi-sexual), Angelina Jolie (bi-sexual), EltonShow MoreRelatedLgbt19540 Words   |  79 Pageschange of gender on identity documents, hormonal treatment, and surgery. Coming Out Coming Out is the term used by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people to describe their experience of discovery, self-acceptance, openness and honesty about their LGBT identity and their decision to disclose, i.e. to share this with others when and how they choose. Sexual Orientation Sexual Orientation refers to an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions to men, women, or bothRead MoreOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 PagesTwentieth-Century World History †¢ Carl J. Guarneri 213 7 The Technopolitics of Cold War: Toward a Transregional Perspective †¢ Gabrielle Hecht and Paul N. Edwards 271 8 A Century of Environmental Transitions †¢ Richard P. Tucker 315 About the Contributors †¢ 343 _ IN TR OD UC TIO N Michael Adas B y any of the customary measures we deploy to demarcate historical epochs, the twentieth century does not appear to be a very coherent unit. The beginnings and ends of