“SOC3321_Essay outline_WEISFELD (2)
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Dec 6, 2023
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In contemporary media, the role of intersectionality holds massive power in the
construction and representation of LGBTQ+ youth identity in Western culture. Intersectionality
is prevalently used to shape and challenge LGBTQ+ youth's personal and collective identity
portrayed in the media. LGBTQ+ portrayed in the media allows individuals to form positive and
negative social attitudes and perceptions. This research argues that media has a critical role in
supporting, challenging, and developing LGBTQ+ youth identities due to the constructive force
and a source of empowerment it provides.
Media as Empowerment for LGBTQ+ Youth
The process of adequately representing LGBTQ+ youth in the media is a huge
undertaking, as these online communities affect how LGBTQ+ youth perceive media and, in
turn, develop and influence their personal identities (McInroy & Craig, 2016). These
communities provide a secure environment for LGBTQ+ youth to connect with one another,
explore and express their personal identity, all within a safe community (Lucero, 2017). In
addition, the increased portrayal of LGBTQ+ seen on the internet and television contributes to
the advancements relating to the tolerance and inclusivity toward LGBTQ+ identities
(Thompson, 2021; Stevens, 2022).
Media as a Constructive Force for LGBTQ+ Youth
The media’s function in society has the ability to challenge preconceived notions and
serve as motivation for active change. This is possible by offering users access to an online
community of like-minded individuals who encourage self-acceptance. Ultimately, this propels
societies toward a more inclusive direction (Craig et al., 2021). Despite this, the representation is
twofold and has positive and negative characterizations (Lucero, 2017). In addition, LGBTQ+
youth use social media as an educational tool to promote further inclusivity for other LGBTQ+
youth, thus creating a community. By using social media to their advantage, LGBTQ+ identities
are supporting the understanding of the experiences and identity formation of LGBTQ+ youth by
educating families, opening doors for conversation, raising awareness, and challenging
stereotypes (Mares et al., 2021).
Media as an Instrumental Role on Identity Formation
The intersectionality of LGBTQ+ and youth identities is crucial to fully understand the
construction and representation of these identities shown in the media. The LGBTQ+ community
significantly influences and shapes public views and perceptions which can be altered in the
media through a shared understanding of intersectionality (Bates et al., 2019). However, the way
media is depicted in society can heavily influence identity formation for LGBTQ+ youth by
portraying both positive and negative effects on intersectionality (Li et al., 2023; Mclonroys et
al., 2016). Due to the power the media holds, a need for diverse and accurate representations
becomes apparent when LGBTQ+ youth are going through the motions of forming their
authentic identity (Bates et al., 2019).
References
Bates, A., Hobman, T., & Bell, B. T. (2019). “let me do what I please with it . . . don’t
decide my identity for me”: LGBTQ+ youth experiences of social media in narrative
identity development.
Journal of Adolescent Research
,
35
(1), 51–83.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0743558419884700
Craig, S. L., Eaton, A. D., McInroy, L. B., Leung, V. W., & Krishnan, S. (2021). Can
social media participation enhance LGBTQ+ youth well-being? development of the
social media benefits scale.
Social Media + Society
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7
(1).
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https://doi.org/10.1177/2056305121988931
Li, Q., Liu, Z., Yan, S., & Yin, R. (2023). The influence of homosexual media portrayals
on the identity of homosexual young adults.
Journal of Education, Humanities and
Social Sciences
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8
, 534–540. https://doi.org/10.54097/ehss.v8i.4719
Lucero, L. (2017). Safe spaces in online places: Social Media and LGBTQ youth.
Multicultural Education Review
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9
(2), 117–128.
https://doi.org/10.1080/2005615x.2017.1313482
Mares, M.-L., Chen, Y. A., & Bond, B. J. (2021). Mutual influence in LGBTQ teens’ use
of media to socialize their parents.
Media Psychology
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25
(3), 441–468.
https://doi.org/10.1080/15213269.2021.1969950
McInroy, L. B., & Craig, S. L. (2016). Perspectives of LGBTQ emerging adults on the
depiction and impact of LGBTQ media representation.
Journal of Youth Studies
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32–46. https://doi.org/10.1080/13676261.2016.1184243
McInroy, L. B., Zapcic, I., & Beer, O. W. (2021). Online fandom communities as
networked counterpublics: LGBTQ+ youths’ perceptions of representation and
community climate.
Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New
Media Technologies
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Stevens, Sarah. (2022). Kids, Culture, and Queerness: The Progression of LGBTQ+
Representation in Children's Media.
Mahurin Honors College Capstone
Experience/Thesis Projects.
Paper 987.
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/stu_hon_theses/987
Thomson, Katelyn. (2021). An Analysis of LGBTQ+ Representation in Television and
Film.
Bridges: An Undergraduate Journal of Contemporary Connections 5, (1).
https://scholars.wlu.ca/ bridges_contemporary_connections/vol5/iss1/