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Language in Queer Media
Language in Queer Media
Language in queer media pertains to what is said within queer media and how it is used to express opinions and also how certain language is used within the LGBTQ+ culture and how it becomes a major part of social trends and norms. “LGBTQ people are involved in the creation of the media; the media incorporates LGBTQ esthetics (e.g. styles, themes, language, symbols, images); and the media has general acceptance by LGBTQ people” (McInroy and Craig, 2017, p. 34).
Examples of Language in Queer Media
Problematic Opinions/Negative Language
Problematic Opinions/Negative Language
The controversy surrounding J.K. Rowling and her Harry Potter books due to her lack of LGBTQ+ inclusion and her transphobic remarks (Duggan, 2021).
Ballroom Culture
Ballroom Culture
A lot of the lingo we see on social media originated from Ballroom culture. Ballroom was the place where words like “yas,” “king” and “slay” originated. The culture began more than 50 years ago in Harlem, New York " (Caringal, 2023).
Words of Support & Educational Info/ Positive Language
Words of Support & Educational Info/ Positive Language
Language is used to discuss same-sex desires, practices, and subjectivities that have emerged in various regions of the world. It is used to talk about experiences in the queer community on social media or other platforms that reach a wider audience (Leap & Boellstorff, 2004).
Personal Interviews
Personal Interviews
Media star and celebrity comedian Mae Martin gives us insight into their thoughts and experiences being within queer media spaces and being a role model that shares with wider LGBTQ+ audiences.
A question that we asked Mae Martin in a personal interview was:
What do you hope to see for the future of queer media and its interaction with more mainstream media?
Their response: "I would just love for mainstream media to reflect the diversity of the world around us. Queer people are everywhere. And the more matter-of-fact we are, the more we see queer characters who are incidentally queer but have other interests and aspects to their personalities, the better. I always say this but my gender is not the most interesting thing about me, nor is it a bigger part of me than a cisgender person’s gender is a part of them. It’d be great to see that reflected on screen more."
A wonderful response. Thank you Mae Martin!
Survey Research
Some of the questions we asked in the survey that we sent out to people weren't explicitly about language but they do fall in the category if you read them carefully. Language is used every day and it's part of our everyday lives, communication is an instinct. This research fell into the opinion aspect of language in queer media but instead, it was about queer media.
A question that we asked our participants was:
Do you think that social media is doing a good job of representing queer media? If not, what do you think can be changed?
Their answers gave us insight into what their opinions are about the representation of queer media and the things that they would change about it. These responses are the kind of response you would see in the media whether it's in an article, podcast, or comment section, they'll be there always. People use language to communicate their thoughts about queer media because, with the popularity of media and its ongoing evolution, there is always room for improvement, especially for acceptance of the queer community.
References
Duggan, J. (2022). Transformative readings: Harry Potter fan fiction, trans/queer reader response, and J.K. Rowling. Child Lit Educ, 53, 147-168. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10583-021-09446-9
Leap, W., & Boellstorff, T. (Eds.). (2004). Speaking in queer tongues: Globalization and gay language. University of Illinois Press.
Caringal, M. (2023). Understand the origins of ‘slay’ before using it in your vocabulary. Golden Gate Express. https://goldengatexpress.org/102593/latest/opinion/opinion-understand-the-origins-of-slay-before-using-it-in-your-vocabulary/
Lauren B. McInroy & Shelley L. Craig (2017). Perspectives of LGBTQ emerging adults on the depiction and impact of LGBTQ media representation. Journal of Youth Studies, 20(1), 32-46, DOI: 10.1080/13676261.2016.1184243
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