An analysis on the influence of fictional gay television characters on the GLBT community

A. Kanter

How much does entertainment television influence audiences from various communities or demographics? The visibility of the GLBT community has particularly progressed in recent decades and the media has been an essential tool when measuring the GLBT communities? social status. This study investigates whether current mainstream fictional television accurately depicts and represents the GLBT community, and if gay and lesbian individuals are impacted by these television portrayals. Through in-depth interviews with gay and lesbian individuals, the research findings revealed GLBT television depictions are not completely accurate and have varying effects on GLBT audiences. However, this evidence is significant to the entertainment industry when creating fair GLBT character portrayals that could be positively receptive by the GLBT community.