Real, romanticized, or backward? How queer life is presented in the media

How do queer youth perceive LGBTIA+ characters and their representation in the media? Six young people share their views on how the media portrays queer communities, their struggles, and their daily experiences.

Text: Viyana Moradian Pour

Queer pop culture has evolved significantly in recent decades and is now highly visible in mainstream media: More and more books and series feature queer characters, queer actors are landing major roles in films, and queer social media influencers are experiencing a surge in popularity. Topics outside of typical heteronormative identities are receiving increasing attention – as are gender identities beyond the binary. The average social media environment has become more diverse.

Risk of misrepresentation

But this development is constantly changing – while queer voices bring visible issues that were previously ignored, real-world events continue to influence social media algorithms. The risk of misrepresentation also remains; for example, corporations are trying to profit from the growing visibility by marketing queerness as a trend.

Today's youth are particularly affected, as they consume a wide range of media through pop culture. Therefore, when considering the differences between positive and harmful patterns in the media and entertainment industry, it is crucial to take their impact on this target group into account.

We asked queer youth in Switzerland the following question: Do you think that modern media and queer pop culture (films, books, social media, etc.) realistically portray queer reality and its challenges? Why (not)? And are there examples of particularly positive or harmful representations? Here are some of their answers:

“To a certain extent, yes. Topics like grappling with one's own sexuality, coming out, or dealing with homophobia are sometimes portrayed quite accurately—but not always. In some media outlets, homophobia is almost normalized because queer people are constantly discriminated against. This ongoing threat creates a negative image—it can discourage people from coming out. They might then choose a heteronormative life that doesn't correspond to their true selves, which in turn can lead to frustration and an unhappy life.” Emily, 18, bisexual

“Films and books have made great strides. But some still misrepresent queer reality. Trans people have existed in India for centuries, but they have only recently become visible in the media. Series like “Pose” are a good example of authentic, positive representation—including queer actors. In contrast, the old ‘bury your gays’ plot device persists (see box)—for example, Castiel from “Supernatural.” “Heartstopper,” on the other hand, portrays queer life in a sweet, hopeful way, without focusing solely on suffering. The characters have diverse identities that are not reduced to their sexuality.” Surabhi, 17, queer

“Sure, it’s important to talk about the difficulties queer people face. But often it seems like queer characters are doomed. I really don’t like this ‘queer tragedy’ narrative—as if queerness is inherently punishable. ‘Dahmer,’ for example, portrays his homosexuality as part of his illness. And then there’s the fact that lesbian characters are killed off far too often. That’s annoying. One example is Tara in ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer,’ who’s killed by a stray bullet shortly after her first kiss with Willow.” David, 18, pansexual

“The media often resorts to stereotypes to make queer characters instantly recognizable—flashy, conspicuous, exaggerated. But that’s not reality. A good example is the animated fantasy film “Nimona”: queer and nuanced at the same time. The knight is strong, clever, friendly—and also happens to be gay. Nimona herself seems almost genderfluid. But of course, no character can represent the full diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community. We are all different, and many media professionals don’t understand that. Often, queer characters are just thrown in to make more profit, not for real representation.” Michel, 18, bisexual “It really depends on who is being portrayed. Queer men are often stereotyped as loud, feminine, and fashion-conscious. Of course, such men exist—but the media neglects to show that not all queer men behave that way or enjoy the same things. “Sex and the City 2,” for example, portrays Stanford and Anthony more as caricatures.” They serve only as accessories for the female protagonists, and that's not realistic. Victoria, 19, bisexual

“Queer artists are generally much better represented in the music world. Music offers more space for self-expression—for joy despite difficulties. That’s why I love queer music: it shows not only the suffering, but also the beauty of our experiences. ” David, 18, pansexual

“Queer relationships are often portrayed in films as tragic and conflict-ridden—not only because of societal pressures, but also within the relationship itself. There’s a lack of depictions of queer joy or gender euphoria. Often, queer couples seem written for a heterosexual audience—with one character as ‘man’ and the other as ‘woman.’ This is problematic. Good counterexamples can be found in Rick Riordan’s books, such as Nico di Angelo or Alex Fierro. Even though Riordan himself is cis and heterosexual, he makes an effort to familiarize young people with the topic of identity.

Queer artists are generally much better represented in the music world. Music offers more space for self-expression—for joy despite difficulties. That's why I love queer music: it shows not only the suffering, but also the beauty of our experiences.” David, 18, pansexual

“It’s wonderful to see queer stories becoming more visible—with genuine moments of love, friendship, and joy. But much remains superficial. Characters are reduced to clichés or seem contrived to make a work appear more progressive. There’s a sanitized, marketable form of queerness—everything else is ignored. Social media can create community, but it can also portray queerness as a trend or aesthetic, lacking depth. Representation needs more than visibility—it must show the full spectrum of queer life: with joy, pain, identity, and nuance!” Viera, 17, queer

Identifying and exposing problematic patterns

It's inspiring to hear the opinions of young queer people on the portrayal of their identities in the media, and to see how aware they are of both the positive and harmful aspects of this representation. These statements alone illustrate recurring problematic patterns—and once these are recognized and exposed, they can be broken. Critically examining media and questioning its perspectives is an incredibly important skill. There are now many positive examples of queer representation in the media. By naming and supporting these, we help to create a more inclusive future.