Representation in the media of LGBTQ+ A good guide to this area that considers what representation means, the role of ideology in it, the history of LGBTQ+ representations in the media in the United Sates, the role of positive language for talking about the LGBTQ+ community and other diverse groups and guidelines for this, and some inclusive TV shows and films. Seat Up, 2020.
Queer Representation in the Media This quite theoretical article is a good review of different kinds of 'queer media criticism' or LGBTIQ analysis of representations in the media. 30 years ago when there were very few LGBTIQ people represented in the media and LGBTIQ people were often shown in negative ways, as minorities, and different, LGBTIQ criticism emphasized the need for visibility in the media and for representations that showed LGBTIQ people as the same as everyone else. Later, criticism has focused on: differences within the LGBTIQ community, for example LGBTIQ people of different races (to criticise the image of the white, middle class, gay man); on being queer (not normal) to emphasize and celebrate LGBTIQ people as different; and on sexuality and gender as fluid, changing, non-binary and on a spectrum (not fixed as gay or straight). Media Smarts. Canada's Centre for Digital and Media Literacy. no date.
Media representation is driving LGBT+ acceptance, says P&G study An article with videos that emphasizes the positive role of recent of recent media representations especially in advertising in the US, for creating more visibility for the LGBTIQ community, from P&G a business corporation that has worked with GLAAD, (an organisation in the US that campaigns against discrimination and for positive images of LGBTIQ people)
Positive LGBTQ representation in media really can change lives. "This touching story proves it. She saw a gay character in Supergirl come out and still be loved — and it changed her life." The story is told in Tweets and is a bit difficult to follow, but there is also an explanation of it and a short discussion of the power of positive LGBTIQ images in the media, using the example of the campaign for same sex marriage in the United States. Vox, 5 Dec 2015. The Drum, 28 May 2020.
The GLAAD Media Institute works to encourage more positive media representations and LGBTIQ+ people in the United States. See also GLAAD Media Reference Guide - 10th Edition Looks at positive changes in the representation of LGBTIQA+ people in the media in the US. GLAAD, 2016.
Mainichi Media Cafe event seeks to address LGBT visibility <https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20160613/p2a/00m/0na/013000c> "With a lack of visibility being one of the most serious issues facing sexual minorities such as LGBt (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) individuals...various initiatives within the cultural sphere, including films and photography, are being held to try and address this problem." Mainichi Shimbun, 13 June, 2016.
NHK tries to clear up LGBT misconceptions This article looks mainly at NHK drama series with LGBT characters and discusses how representations of LGBT people have changed in the Japanese media but can also be problematic. Japan Times, 3 Feb 2018.
5 Japanese LGBTQ Films to Watch This Pride Month Short reviews of 5 recent Japanese films with LGBTIQ themes including the 2019 documentary Queer Japan. Metropolis, 1 Feb 2021.
Japanese TV Series With LGBTQ Protagonists by Yoshiko Inoue. Comments on 10 drama for the Indian blog site, Mirchi Komachi!, 04 Apr 2020.
OUT IN JAPAN: あなたの輝く姿が、つぎの誰かの勇気となる。認定NPO法人グッド・エイジング・エールズが主催する「OUT IN JAPAN」は、5年間で1万人のLGBTポートレート撮影を目指すカミングアウト・フォト・プロジェクトです。See also “Out in Japan” is breaking down LGBT barriers with 10 000 photographs by Leslie Kee about the photography project which aims t create visibility of the LGBTIQ community in Japan. UN AIDS, 27 Oct 2015.
Anime Feminist: Tackling anime's gender bias An article about a website that analyses gender and sexuality issues in anime from a feminist perspective. Japan Times, 24 Jan 2019. Visit the Anime Feminist website. It has a section on LGBTI+ that includes some anime fan's stories of their feelings about anime and LGBTI+.
Japan’s Trans-Friendly Comic Book Revolution From Wandering Son to boys’ love, how manga is helping straight-laced Japan come to terms with LGBT rights. Foreign Policy, 30 Sep 2015.
Media’s gender roles push LGBT groups into corners by Philip Brasor, Mar 25 2012, Japan Times.
Gay rights in Japan blurred on TV by Philip Brasor, Mar 8, 2012, Japan Times.
Paradoxes pervade gender issues’ public face in Japan This articles notes that transgender people appear often in the media these days and asks if this means there is more acceptance of sexual minorities in the Japanese media or they are being treated as freaks and laughed at. The author talks to Aya Kamikawa, who is Japan’s only transgender politician to have “come out.” Japan Times, Nov 20, 2011.NHK discusses gender with a fresh openness This article discusses the NHK TV programme, “Heart Net TV” which often discusses homosexuality and gender identity disorder (GID) and which sometimes has a transgender presenter. Japan Times, 23 June, 2013.
Documenting the gender imbalance This is an interview with Yu Neguro, a documentary film maker who looks at gender and sexuality issues in Japan and at the pressure on women to confirm to gender stereotypes. Japan Times, 3 Mar, 2013.
Nintendo apologizes for lack of virtual equality; promises more inclusiveness Nintendo is apologizing and pledging to be more inclusive after being criticized for not recognizing same-sex relationships in English editions of a life-simulator video game, 'Tomodachi Life'. Asahi Shimbun, 11 May, 2104.
Male Homosexuality and Popular Culture in Modern Japan, by Mark McLelland, Intersections: Gender, History and Culture in the Asian Context Issue 3, January 2000. (This online journal seems like a good resource on lgbt issues in Asia and has a special issue on Japan in 2006)
LGBT Representation in Sailor Moon: Villains Edition (29 July 2013) and LGBT Representation in Sailor Moon: Heroes Edition (Aug 5th 2013) by ANNE LEE on JULY 29, 2013 From the blog: Shojo Power! Feminist Analysis of Sailor Moon and More.
Women-Loving Women in Modern Japan An article by Erin Subramian that discusses various issues including the history and politics of lesbian activism in Japan since the 1980s (with a little on lesbian and gay parades), as well as, mainly negative representations of lesbians in the mainstream media, and more positive representations of women's love of women in manga such as Oniisama e and Rose of Versailles, and otokuyaku and musumeyaku in Takarazuka. Yuricon, no date.
Gender and sexuality in Japanese Anime A long blog discussion about various aspects of gender and sexuality in Japanese anime, written by David Gauntlet at the University of Westminster, with information and comments from anime fans, 1999.
LGBT Representation in Sailor Moon: Villains Edition (29 July 2013) and LGBT Representation in Sailor Moon: Heroes Edition (Aug 5th 2013) by ANNE LEE on JULY 29, 2013 From the blog: Shojo Power! Feminist Analysis of Sailor Moon and More.
Why is Homosexuality Absent from Japanese Television? Nippon.com, 5 Dec 2012.
The Gay Debate: Japan’s Comfy Closet, Part One, Majirox News 29 Dec 2010
‘Lesbian’ Japan pop group advert slammed for ‘promoting homosexuality’ Commercial showing ten members of all-girl group AKB48 exchanging bitesize sweets has been criticised. GayStarNews, 22 Apr 2012.
Japan’s Trans-Friendly Comic Book Revolution From Wandering Son to boys’ love, how manga is helping straight-laced Japan come to terms with LGBT rights. Foreign Policy, 30 Sep 2015.
The Secret to Battling Homophobia in Japan's Schools: Manga by Kyle Knight LGBT portrayals in Japan are so rare that comics and anime have become lifelines for queer youth there, writes Kyle Knight of Human Rights Watch, who helped create a new manga series that celebrates sexual and gender diversity. The Advocate, 29 June 2016.
Mark McLelland (2000) Male Homosexuality in Modern Japan: Cultural Myths and Social Realities (Curzon Press). This is a book on representations of gay people in the media and pop culture in Japan. It is in a kenkyushijyo at Chuo and Mike can borrow it for you if you like. A review of the book is here: New UQ book examines media perceptions of Japanese gays