GAYS IN HOLLYWOOD

Increased representation is challenging stereotypes and fostering greater LGBTQ+ acceptance.

BY PAUL HUTNICK PHOTOS COURTESY OF MRMAN.COM

Television and movies have been a powerful force in shaping cultural perceptions and breaking down societal barriers. One of the most significant advancements in recent years is the increased representation of LGBTQ+ characters and storylines in Hollywood. This evolution has played a crucial role in challenging stereotypes and fostering greater acceptance and understanding of the LGBTQ+ community. The transformation continues to gain momentum, with Hollywood making LGBTQ+ characters and storylines a vital aspect of modern media and cultural evolution.

The Historical Context

The portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters in mainstream media has come a long way from its early days, marked by stereotypes, discrimination, and invisibility. In the mid-20th century, Hollywood was heavily in uenced by societal norms that marginalized LGBTQ+ individuals. Characters who were not heterosexual were either portrayed as villains or relegated to the shadows.

However, as the LGBTQ+ rights movement gained momentum, the late 20th century witnessed notable changes in how LGBTQ+ individuals were portrayed. The groundbreaking 1969 Stonewall Riots marked the start of a cultural revolution, and the media slowly began to re ect this change. Shows like Will & Grace and lms like Philadelphia started to humanize LGBTQ+ characters, challenging stereotypes and fostering greater acceptance.

Today’s Hollywood

Since the turn of the millennium, LGBTQ+ characters have become more authentic and multi-dimensional with Hollywood presenting a diverse range of LGBTQ+ characters.

Gone are the days of one-dimensional LGBTQ+ characters de ned solely by their sexual orientation. Today's television and lm have made strides in rep- resenting complex and fully developed LGBTQ+ characters. They have storylines, motivations, and struggles that go beyond their attractions. Characters have become humanized and their inclusion has fostered empathy, encouraging audiences to relate to and appreciate their experiences.

Recent movies like Love, Simon and series like Heartstopper and Glamorous have made waves for their LGBTQ+ representation. Based on Alice Oseman's popular webcomic, Heartstopper focuses on the budding relationship between two high school boys. Glamorous is a comedy series that stars Miss Benny as a gender non-conforming make-up in uencer. Both shows address issues related to gender identity and expression, and both have been successful in reaching younger demographics which is helping to shape the attitudes and perceptions of future generations.

Transgender characters, non-binary individuals, and asexual representation have become increasingly visible in mainstream media. HBO’s And Just Like That…, Apple TV+'s Loot, and Net ix’s Never Have I Ever are just a few of the series to feature various identities within the LGBTQ+ spectrum.

Stories that center around LGBTQ+ characters and their struggles help to create empathy among viewers. In fact, studies show that individuals who consume media with positive LGBTQ+ representation are more likely to be supportive of LGBTQ+ rights and equal treatment. “As viewers become invested in the lives of these characters, they are more likely to understand the challenges gay people face and to stand against discrimination,” says Nick Davidson of Mr. Man, a popular Hollywood entertainment website for gay men. Each year, Mr. Man presents the Manatomy Awards, an award ceremony that recognizes the past year’s naked male achievements in lm and TV. “Through compelling storytelling, television and movies have the power to shift cultural perspectives and reduce prejudice,” Davidson says.

Popular series that have incorporated LGBTQ+ themes in its stories include Elite, Euphoria, and American Horror Story. The MrMan.com executive also points to HBO’s dark comedy-drama anthology television series, The White Lotus. It has had two wildly popular seasons, both featuring memorable gay themes. “The things they have done on that show could never have happened ten years ago!”, Nick Davidson laughs, referring to the rst season’s salad tossing scene between Lukas Gage and Murray Bartlett and the second season’s surprise bedroom stunner between Leo Woodall and Tom Hollander.

Gay Relationships on Screen

Though highly sexualized examples, Davidson says it’s important that Hollywood see LGBTQ+ as sexual beings. “The community is not only about sex, but we don’t want to be seen as sexless either.”

By embracing sexuality, positive LGBTQ+ role models have emerged, including actors like Jonathan Bai- ley, a British actor best known for his role in the Netix series Bridgerton, and Jonathan Gro , known for his roles in The Matrix and as the voice of Kristo in Disney's Frozen

Both have played formidable heterosexual roles, in e ect challenging traditional notions of casting and underscoring the fact that out actors can e ectively portray characters of any sexual orientation. At the same time, neither has shied away from taking on gay roles. Bailey brazenly took on the lead role in ShowTime’s Fellow Travelers and Gro played a gay father in the M. Night Shyamalan thriller Knock at the Cabin. Gro also starred in the groundbreaking HBO series, Looking, which followed the lives of a group of gay friends in San Francisco. The series o ered a nuanced portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters and their experiences and addressed issues like relationships, friendship, and self-discovery.

The push for inclusivity extends beyond characters and into behind-the-scenes roles.

In recent years, more LGBTQ+ creators, writers, and directors have been breaking into the industry, ensuring authentic storytelling and increased diversity in LGBTQ+ narratives.

Comedian Billy Eichner wrote Bros, a lm that scored high favorability with Mr. Man viewers, and as the rst major studio release of a gay lm, was a monumental lm for LGBTQ+ representation. The lm starred Eichner alongside out actor Luke Macfarlane, as two gay men in Manhattan who avoid commitment but are drawn to each other. It generated signi cant buzz for its unapologetic approach to the theme of gay friendship and masculinity.

Joel Kim Booster wrote and starred in the romantic comedy, Fire Island. Inspired by Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, the story follows a group of gay friends who go on vacation to Fire Island, only for things to become complicated by classism and romance. It starred a who’s who of out actors including Bowen Yang, Matt Rogers and Margaret Cho.

Gays Being Multidimensional on Screen

Bilal Baig, a gender uid South Asian Muslim, wrote and stars in HBO Max’s Big-hearted dramedy, Sort Of. Soon to release its third season, the series follows non-binary millennial Sabi Mehboob – the youngest child of Pakistani parents – as they navigate love, career, and family. Amid fresh challenges and uncertainty, life is anything but simple for Sabi, who questions if they will ever have an uncomplicated “normal” love.

Last year, actress and trans activist Shakina Nayfack made their debut on the hit NBC drama, Quantum Leap, writing and directing an episode about a transgender teen who dreams of playing on her high school basketball team amid backlash from other parents and school administrators.

Ms. Nayfack wrote the character based on, in part, her own life story, and in part the story of two dear trans friends who took their lives in their early years. "The idea that this show went into the world and that trans kids and their families were able to see themselves on screen, and that people who felt con icted were able to have an empathetic understanding and a heart opening-moment… it just really felt transformative," Ms. Nayfack told E! News.

There is no question that representation plays a significant role in advancing social change. It has a ripple effect, in uencing public opinion, policy, and even sparking conversations within communities.

It extends far beyond U.S. borders, too. Television and lm have a global reach, and the positive impact of LGBTQ+ representation in Hollywood is felt worldwide.

As we look to the future, it is evident that there is still much work to be done but it’s important to recognize that many Hollywood actors, directors, and industry professionals are using their platforms to push for change. Their in uence and activism are contributing to anti-discrimination protections and progress in all areas of equality.