Fighting for proper representation of LGBTQ individuals on network television and in mainstream media is a constant battle. Breaking away from stereotypes and tropes is a struggle, but one that has been slowly shifting toward the creation of more relatable and realistic representations of LGBTQ communities in recent years.
GLAAD’s 2018 report “Where We Are on TV” showed an increased representation of LGBTQ people in scripted shows. Still, only 112 regular and recurring queer characters are seen on the big three streaming sites: Netflix, Hulu and Amazon.
Also, gays and lesbians are portrayed in much greater numbers than their trans, asexual, pansexual and nonbinary counterparts.
Although streaming services give LGBTQ characters more air time than broadcast and cable networks, these numbers fall maddeningly short of reality, in which 20 percent of millennials identify as LGBTQ.
Promising Developments
In more encouraging news, the GLAAD report did find that LGBTQ characters of color outnumbered their white counterparts on broadcast television, and the number of nonwhite characters in all sectors examined increased significantly.
To compete with more traditional mediums, streaming services that cater specifically to LGBTQ communities are popping up online all over the world. These sites help non-hetero people find characters with whom they can identify and relate and that offer a more accurate, real-world portrayal while not falling prey to harmful stereotypes.
This is especially important when considering that YouTube’s algorithm still seems to censor videos created by LGBTQ users, despite promising it would unflag much of this content, which was previously marked as controversial.
The importance of the rise of streaming sites, like Revry and GagaOOLala, is that they offer more than just a place to watch queer content. They also give LGBTQ individuals a place where they can feel included and find a sense of community.
These sites also give independent queer filmmakers around the world an accepting home for their content and ideas.
Here’s a run-down of a few popular sites available in the U.S.
Revry
Revry prides itself on offering queer content to populations all over the world, including China, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and other countries where homosexuality is seen as taboo — or even illegal. It recently began offering its services for free, with ads, so anyone can watch, even if they can’t afford the monthly subscription fee.
Deckoo
This subscription-based service, which was launched in 2015, carries content that is geared exclusively to gay men.
HereTV
HereTV claims to have the most extensive library of LGBTQ series and movies on the internet. Its content can be added to an existing cable subscription or purchased with a monthly fee.
GagaOOLala
Sometimes referred to as the LGBTQ Netflix of Asia, GagaOOLala’s content is the only LGBTQ streaming site based in Southeast Asia, though users from all over the world can create free accounts. Users can also register for a VIP account and pay a monthly fee to access even more new and original content.
Music Industry a More Inclusive Space
Music has always been an important medium for the self-expression of LGBTQ individuals. The rise of mainstream artists who identify as queer — like Hayley Kiyoko, Kelela and Hurray for the Riff Raff’s frontwoman Alynda Lee Segarra, not to mention pop superstar Lady Gaga, who came out as bisexual in 2009 — proves that music is generally a more inclusive space for LGBTQ artists.
The availability of these artists on mainstream services, like Spotify, YouTube and iTunes, means they can achieve commercial success without conforming to cookie-cutter images imposed by pop labels in previous decades.
Still, there are many small, independent LGBTQ artists who don’t get nearly as much recognition as they deserve.
Good News for LGBTQ Representation
The rise of streaming services means LGBTQ people can finally see themselves accurately represented in the media, in ways that they can relate to and aren’t driven by stereotypes.
This doesn’t let mainstream television off the hook, however. Major networks and streaming sites must do a better job representing not just LGBTQ communities, but also people with disabilities and of color.
While the mainstream media struggles to catch up, queer people instead can open their favorite LGBTQ streaming sites or turn on their favorite queer artist and dive into content — and an intimate community — tailored just for them.