I was watching a movie this weekend and the lgbtq character was so stereotypical that it immediately took me out of the film. Representation matters, but does more characters from our community mean they are getting it right?
Queer representation in popular media has undoubtedly improved over the years. Once relegated to stereotypes, side characters, or tragic storylines, LGBTQ characters now grace our screens with more visibility and complexity. However, despite these advances, the portrayal of queer identity in popular media still faces significant issues that many prefer to ignore. Below, we delve into nine important truths about queer identity in popular media that no one likes to hear but must be addressed if we are to truly move forward.
1. Token Representation Is Still Rampant
It’s 2024, and you would think that tokenism—having a single queer character in a cast just to tick the diversity box—would be a thing of the past. Unfortunately, it’s not. Queer characters are often thrown into the mix without meaningful storylines, significant depth, or even proper screen time. They exist just to fulfill a quota, allowing producers and studios to claim they are “inclusive.”
This kind of shallow representation often leaves queer viewers feeling unseen, as these characters rarely reflect the complexities of real queer lives. The truth is, token representation does more harm than good. It reinforces the notion that queer people are novelties or accessories in other people’s stories rather than fully realized individuals with their own journeys and challenges.
2. The Overemphasis on Tragedy in Queer Storylines
Another uncomfortable truth is that, historically, queer narratives in media have been dominated by tragedy. From Oscar-bait movies to highbrow TV dramas, stories about LGBTQ characters often revolve around suffering—whether it’s being ostracized, dealing with hate crimes, or dying from HIV/AIDS. While these are real issues that the LGBTQ community has faced and continues to face, they aren’t the only stories worth telling.
This overemphasis on tragedy can be damaging. It suggests that queer identity is inherently tragic or that LGBTQ people are doomed to lives of suffering and heartbreak. Where are the narratives that focus on queer joy, success, love, and community? The truth is, popular media still hesitates to portray these stories because they don’t fit into the neat and often exploitative molds that have dominated queer representation for decades.
3. Queer Characters Are Still Over-Sexualized
While it’s great to see LGBTQ characters breaking free of the “tragic gay” stereotype, there’s another problematic trope that persists: the over-sexualization of queer characters. In many films and TV shows, queer characters are often depicted as hypersexual beings, with their storylines revolving predominantly around their sexual exploits.
This overemphasis on sexuality reduces queer identity to sexual orientation alone, ignoring the many other aspects that make up a person’s identity—career, family, friendships, and personal growth. The truth that no one likes to hear is that, while being sexually liberated is important, it’s harmful when queer characters are portrayed only through the lens of sexual desire. Queer people, like everyone else, have rich and varied lives that go far beyond their sexuality.
4. Trans Representation Still Lags Behind
While there has been a noticeable increase in the portrayal of gay and lesbian characters in popular media, trans representation is still woefully lacking. Worse, when trans characters are present, they are often played by cisgender actors, which perpetuates harmful stereotypes and misconceptions about what it means to be trans.
This disparity in representation is unacceptable in 2024. Trans people deserve to see themselves on screen in authentic ways, with storylines that reflect the real challenges and triumphs of trans life. The sad truth is that the entertainment industry continues to fail trans communities, choosing to tokenize or sensationalize their experiences rather than honor them with respect and complexity.
5. Queer People of Color Are Frequently Overlooked
Representation is not just about seeing a queer character on screen—it’s also about recognizing the intersections of race, class, and gender that impact the lived experiences of LGBTQ people. Unfortunately, queer people of color (QPOC) are often overlooked in popular media, or when they do appear, they are portrayed through narrow, stereotypical lenses.
QPOC characters are frequently sidelined, with their stories taking a backseat to white LGBTQ narratives. This lack of intersectional representation fails to show the unique struggles and strengths that come from navigating both queer and racial identities. The uncomfortable truth is that mainstream media is still predominantly whitewashed, even when it comes to LGBTQ stories, leaving large segments of the community feeling invisible.
6. Bury Your Gays: The Kill-Off Trend Continues
The “Bury Your Gays” trope has been a long-standing issue in media. For decades, queer characters were introduced into stories only to be killed off—often for shock value or as a way to inject drama into the narrative. Although there has been some progress in moving away from this trope, it’s still present, particularly in genre television, such as sci-fi and fantasy.
The truth is, killing off queer characters sends a damaging message: that LGBTQ lives are expendable or that happiness and fulfillment are not meant for them. While it’s true that in any story, characters might die, the disproportionately high number of queer deaths compared to their straight counterparts is troubling. It suggests that queer people are seen as disposable, and their stories not worthy of long-term investment.
7. Queer Relationships Are Often Deemed “Too Political”
One of the most frustrating truths about queer identity in popular media is the idea that LGBTQ relationships are inherently political. While straight relationships are depicted as natural and universal, queer relationships often come with the baggage of being considered “political statements.” This can result in queer relationships being sidelined, erased, or treated with a heightened level of scrutiny.
This double standard suggests that queer love is controversial or abnormal when it’s anything but. LGBTQ individuals deserve to see their relationships portrayed with the same authenticity and normalcy as any other. The truth that many are reluctant to face is that queer love is just love—it’s not an agenda or a political stance, and it shouldn’t be treated as such.
8. Queer Characters Are Often Written by Non-Queer People
It’s not enough to put queer characters on screen if their stories are being written by people who have no understanding of queer life. Unfortunately, many LGBTQ characters are still being written by non-queer writers, which often leads to shallow, inaccurate, or downright offensive portrayals. While some writers do extensive research and consult with LGBTQ individuals, there’s still a noticeable difference between lived experience and an outsider’s perspective.
Authenticity matters, especially when it comes to representation. The truth is, if we want accurate and meaningful queer stories in popular media, queer people need to be at the helm, writing and producing these narratives. Otherwise, we’ll continue to see one-dimensional characters and plotlines that don’t reflect the true diversity and richness of the queer community.
9. Queer Identity Is Still Treated as a “Phase” or a Punchline
Finally, one of the most disheartening truths is that queer identity is still often treated as either a “phase” or a punchline in popular media. In many cases, bisexual and fluid characters are portrayed as indecisive or promiscuous, reinforcing harmful stereotypes. Meanwhile, gay and trans characters are frequently the subject of jokes, reducing their identities to comedic relief for straight audiences.
These portrayals perpetuate the idea that queer identity is something temporary or not to be taken seriously. The truth is, LGBTQ people deserve to have their identities treated with respect, not as fodder for cheap laughs or dismissed as fleeting. This requires a shift in how queer characters are written and portrayed, moving away from stereotypes and toward more thoughtful, nuanced depictions.
The representation of queer identity in popular media has come a long way, but it still has a long way to go. These nine truths highlight the ways in which LGBTQ characters and storylines continue to be mishandled, ignored, or misunderstood. While it may be uncomfortable to confront these realities, it’s essential if we want to create a more inclusive, accurate, and respectful media landscape. Only by acknowledging and addressing these shortcomings can we hope to see true progress in queer representation on screen.
Ultimately, queer people deserve to see themselves portrayed in all their complexity—beyond the tropes, stereotypes, and tokenism that have dominated for so long. Popular media has the power to shape cultural perceptions, and it’s time that it does justice to the full spectrum of queer identities and experiences.
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