All of the media we consume plays an influential role in shaping our cultural understanding of other humans. In this episode, Chris and James discuss the evolution of GLBTQIA+ representation in the media landscape, why accurate portrays are essential to fostering acceptance, and steps the media can take to ensure their storytelling lens reflects the diversity of people found on earth.
Christopher Joseph Westgate, Ph.D., is a media scholar whose research program includes digital cultures, Latinx media, popular music, and social identities. His journal articles have been published in Popular Music & Society, Media, Culture & Society, and elsewhere. Dr. Westgate is currently a Media and Communication Studies professor at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island.
Links:
https://www.glaad.org/institute
https://www.glbthistory.org/about
https://www.pewresearch.org/topic/politics-policy/political-issues/lgbtq-acceptance/
https://www.splcenter.org/issues/lgbtq-rights
https://www.hrc.org/campaigns/the-state-legislative-attack-on-lgbtq-people
https://www.aclu.org/issues/lgbtq-rights