LGBTQ Representation in Media: How Not To Do It

Controversy has arose recently over certain iconic characters’ sexualities being revealed. Back in 2007, Author of the Harry Potter book series, JK Rowling had announced that Dumbledore, a now infamous character from the franchise was in fact, gay. Jump to 2018 and coming soon to theaters is a film called Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Crimes of Grindelwald. Which happens to be a prequel film for the Harry Potter movies. In the film, Jude Law will be playing a young Dumbledore.

Coming out next week is a film called Solo: A Star Wars Story. Which happens to be a prequel film about a young Han Solo from the Star Wars franchise. In the film, actor/writer/musician Donald Glover will be playing a supporting role as Lando, an iconic character from the the franchise. Recently, the writer of the film, Jonathan Kasdan had revealed that Lando is Pansexual. Lack of ideas in Hollywood aside, this is where the controversy comes into play.

When asked if Dumbledore’s sexuality will be referenced in the upcoming film, the Director, David Yates responded with “not explicitly.” Also, Kasdan has stated that he “would have loved to have gotten a more explicitly LGBT character into this movie.” These satements are what is killing progression in today’s consumed media. These big reveals have no weight to them if they are not enforced. These writers, directors, producers, authors are just hiding behind their words, not willing to risk it. Doing the risk of having an openly gay character headline a major release.

Representation is an important aspect in Film and Tv. You strip it of it’s importance when he hide behind ambiguity for the sake of fear. Granted, it is a legititmate fear that these studios have given that fact that people are terrible. Things like people boycotting the live action reboot of Beauty and the Beast because Josh Gad’s character dances with another man is killing the world. The other fact is though that telling a very young and impressionable Harry Potter fan or Star Wars fan who are in the LGBTQ community, that their favorite characters are also in said community is a very good thing.

However, I feel that there’s more gravitas to it if they can have that revealed to them seeing it on screen. Probably seeing it that way would leave way more of an impact. However studios just go the easy route not actually putting any effort into this type of Representation. Keyword said between the two men:

Explicitly

These films just tiptoe around any actual issues and as I said before, just go the easy route and it’s lazy and a little demeaning. You may make a little less money cause some homophobes won’t buy tickets. However, this may sound corny but I believe there is just something to be gained by EXPLICITLY stating in the films and tv shows, things like that the most powerful wizard of all time in this wizard movie just so happens to be gay.

Lastly, just want to say that Brooklyn Nine–Nine is the greatest example on how to do Representation, correctly.