Walden University Gender and Sexuality Thread Controversy Discussion
Question Description
Jacalyn Streeter
RE: Gender/Sexuality Thread
Right now, we as a nation- and as an interconnected world- are going through a renaissance of expression when it comes to sexuality and gender. We are beginning to see the beginning signs of change by positive representation of LGBT+ individuals in the media, in film, in books, and even animation. This has been a long, arduous road, and will continue to be so with many people clapping back at this representation. Not only do folks who consider themselves “conservative” want to put a kibosh on LGBT+ representation in the media, but there is a pushback at giving basic human protections and rights to our people as a whole.
Focusing on the positive representation that has emerged recently, we can look at the Netflix series, She-Ra and The Princesses of Power as an example. This show is based on the original character of She-Ra, but developed into something so much more through the seasons. The show boasts a blatant and positive cast of characters who are LGBT+. The shows main characters, She-Ra and Catra, were revealed to have been in love the entire time, after many painful and loving moments shared between the two. The creator, Noelle Stevenson, did this on purpose- showing such representation in her show. “As a member of the LGBTQ community herself, Stevenson never wanted to present the relationship as something to be afraid of or ‘saved’ from” (Lopez, 2020).
It was the creator’s idea to normalize LGBTQ relationships, be they platonic or romantic, and present a cast of characters that all children and adults can identify with, not just the cis-gendered, heterosexual folks.
Unfortunately, we see a pushback and an uncertain future for the continued progress for our- the LGBTQ+- community. With the recent appointment of Amy Coney Barett onto the Supreme Court, the LGBTQ+ community became nervous and are still uncertain about what future this will hold for our marriages and protections. “Barrett’s refusal to say Obergefell was correctly decided frustrated Senate Democrats and alarmed LGBTQ activists, who worry about her elevation to a Supreme Court that has only three justices remaining from the five-member majority in the 2015 decision” (Barnes, 2020). I can’t speak for my entire community, but oftentimes it feels like we’re fighting two separate battles. The battle for adequate and positive representation in film and TV, like the one that is in my previously mentioned artifact, She-Ra and The Princesses of Power and the battle of safety and recognition in the eyes of the law. It’s incredibly disheartening to feel like we’re losing ground on the second battle while the first one continues to improve.
Resources:
Barnes, R. (2020, October 24). Barretts evasiveness alarms LGBTQ advocates fearful Supreme Court may roll back protections. Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/gdpr-consent/?next_…
Lopez, K. (2020, June 26). She-Ra: Noelle Stevenson on Making Her Lead Character Gay and Inspiring a Generation. IndieWire. https://www.indiewire.com/2020/06/she-ra-noelle-st…
1 day ago
RE: Gender/Sexuality Thread
I reviewed two artifacts/expressions of modern popular culture, music videos, and advertising on gender/sexuality. The music video is referenced in week one’s required readings “Exploring Categories in Modern Popular Culture and Their Artifacts/Expressions.” The music video “Take Me To Church” by Hozier in my opinion is resisting change to homosexuality. It shows two men who express their sexuality (mostly behind closed doors) but it is no secret, and they are villainized by homophobic males who wish to harm to display their disgust of the lifestyle.
The second chosen artifact is advertising, and in the case of Cheerios commercial with a short video of a male couple talking about fatherhood. This short, I thought could provoke change. It communicated the idea that male couples have the desire to have a family and could raise children, just as heterosexual couples. Same-sex couples and fostering a child is becoming more relevant today. Of course, outward display of homosexuality of either sex along with being bisexual, transgender, or other, has not become widely accepted among some, but with the use of the platforms such as television, the internet, and advertising that allows for their voices to be heard and those voices can convey an understanding that the LGBTQ+ community has many of the same desires as heterosexual individuals, just with the person of their choosing, and in the years to come, this way of life will be the new definition of normal.
NBC OUT is a media platform @NBCnews that showcases many topics surrounding the LGBTQ+ community and it covers news stories and videos regarding the struggles, and triumphs of the LBGTQ+ community while living their truths.
Laureate Education Producer. (2018). Exploring categories in modern popular culture and their artifacts/expression. [PDF file]. Baltimore, MD. Author
NBC OUT (2020). Retrieved on November 03, 2020, from nbcnews.com/nbc-out
By Day 5
Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings.
Respond to at least two of your colleagues by predicting whether your colleagues social issue will remain controversial or become irrelevant to similar popular culture elements in the future. For example, will race be expressed the same way in music in the future? Or, will social class be expressed differently on episodic story telling like television shows in the future?
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