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Hollywood criticised for negative portrayal of LGBT characters Hollywood criticised for negative portrayal of LGBT characters
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A study by the US gay rights campaigning organisation GLAAD has found that only 17 of the 102 movies from major studios in 2013 featured LGBT characters, and of those 17, the majority were offensive and defamatory portrayals. A study by the US gay rights campaigning organisation Glaad has found that only 17 of the 102 movies from major studios in 2013 featured lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender characters and, of those 17, the majority were offensive and defamatory portrayals.
"The lack of substantial LGBT characters in mainstream film, in addition to the outdated humour and stereotypes, suggests large Hollywood studios may be doing more harm than good when it comes to worldwide understanding of the LGBT community," said GLAAD CEO and president Sarah Kate Ellis. "These studios have the eyes and ears of millions of audience members and should reflect the true fabric of our society rather than feed into the hatred and prejudice against LGBT people too often seen around the globe." "The lack of substantial LGBT characters in mainstream film, in addition to the outdated humour and stereotypes, suggests large Hollywood studios may be doing more harm than good when it comes to worldwide understanding of the LGBT community," said Glaad CEO and president Sarah Kate Ellis. "These studios have the eyes and ears of millions of audience members and should reflect the true fabric of our society rather than feed into the hatred and prejudice against LGBT people too often seen around the globe."
Sony Pictures was the only studio to come out of the study with a 'good' rating, for its positive gay characters in films like streetdance movie Battle of the Year and big-budget fantasy The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, described as "perhaps being the most inclusive mainstream film release of 2013". Universal's Kick-Ass 2 and Walt Disney Pictures' Delivery Man were both also singled out for praise. Sony Pictures was the only studio to come out of the study with a "good" rating, for its positive gay characters in films like street-dance movie Battle of the Year and big-budget fantasy The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, described as "perhaps being the most inclusive mainstream film release of 2013". Universal's Kick-Ass 2 and Walt Disney Pictures' Delivery Man were both also singled out for praise.
Paramount and Warner Brothers however were issued with 'failing' grades for including no positive portrayals of LGBT characters in any of their films. Pain & Gain and We're The Millers were accused of 'gay panic' story elements, while Martin Scorsese's The Wolf of Wall Street is criticised for its gay butler character, seen having an orgy: "Whatever minor narrative purpose this character serves is completely over-shadowed by the sense that it's also one more example of the main characters' outrageous behaviour the audience is invited to take delight in watching." Paramount and Warner Bros however were issued with "failing" grades for including no positive portrayals of LGBT characters in any of their films. Pain & Gain and We're the Millers were accused of "gay panic" story elements, while Martin Scorsese's The Wolf of Wall Street is criticised for its gay butler character, seen having an orgy: "Whatever minor narrative purpose this character serves is completely over-shadowed by the sense that it's also one more example of the main characters' outrageous behaviour the audience is invited to take delight in watching."
Taking inspiration from the Bechdel test, which judges films on whether they have women talking to each other about a subject other than a man, GLAAD have pioneered the Vito Russo test. To pass it, a film must feature an LGBT character "not solely or predominantly defined by their sexual orientation or gender identity", and who, if removed from the film, would significantly affect the plot. Only 7 of the 17 films that featured LGBT characters passed the test. Taking inspiration from the Bechdel test, which judges films on whether they have women talking to each other about a subject other than a man, Glaad have pioneered the Vito Russo test. To pass it, a film must feature an LGBT character "not solely or predominantly defined by their sexual orientation or gender identity", and who, if removed from the film, would significantly affect the plot. Only seven of the 17 films that featured LGBT characters passed the test.
Transgender characters only appeared in two films – more than none at all in 2012, but each were tiny roles and neither was in a positive light. "Media representation of transgender people has long remained decades behind that of gay and lesbian people, and images like these continue to marginalize the community," said the report's authors. "Anti-transgender slurs... were used by main characters in films like Anchorman 2 and Identity Thief for no reason other than to make a joke." Transgender characters only appeared in two films – more than none at all in 2012, but each were tiny roles and neither was in a positive light. "Media representation of transgender people has long remained decades behind that of gay and lesbian people, and images like these continue to marginalize the community," said the report's authors. "Anti-transgender slurs … were used by main characters in films like Anchorman 2 and Identity Thief for no reason other than to make a joke."
Perhaps the starkest fact is that than none of the films, not even the ones praised by GLAAD, featured a gay character in a lead role. Perhaps the starkest fact is that than none of the films, not even the ones praised by Glaad, featured a gay character in a lead role.