Abstract
Recent anti‐LGBTQ+ discourse has increased the threat of violence against people who do not follow the cisheteronormative mandates. To face these dialectics, the media can offer alternative discourses, in particular by providing realistic and non‐stereotyped LGBTQ+ representations. Media portrayals can be seen as both positive and negative. On one hand, they may offer stereotypical and narrow representations, but on the other, they can include representations that can become aspirational models and improve visibility. The objective of this article is to explore this second perspective by analyzing the representation of Jules, a trans female character from the American series <em>Euphoria</em> (Levinson et al., 2019–present). To this end, we conducted a close reading analysis (Castelló, 2008) of the first season of the series. The results show three axes of representation that move away from the traditional portrayal of trans characters: (a) a narrative that moves beyond the “trans fact” and presents complex and plural stories, (b) a representation of the trans individual as an element of value and love, away from fetishism, and (c) a link between the trans realm and specific spaces of comfort and freedom.
Highlights
IntroductionIn order to counteract these anti‐human‐rights dialectics, the media can serve as tools to offer alterna‐ tive discourses, in particular by providing realistic and non‐stereotyped LGBTQ+ representations
In recent times, anti‐LGBTQ+ violence has drastically intensified in most countries
Many consider that the growing popularity of the openly LGBTQ+‐phobic far‐right has led to an increase in hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community, mainly fueled by their anti‐LGBTQ+ discourse (Anarte, 2021; Korolczuk, 2020; Moreau, 2018; Reid, 2021)
Summary
In order to counteract these anti‐human‐rights dialectics, the media can serve as tools to offer alterna‐ tive discourses, in particular by providing realistic and non‐stereotyped LGBTQ+ representations. A broader and more diverse LGBTQ+ representation in media. Social Inclusion, 2022, Volume 10, Issue 2, Pages X–X products can contribute to generating pedagogies that reduce social prejudice towards LGBTQ+ people and offer aspirational models for them to identify with. The media rep‐ resentation of LGBTQ+ people is understood as a pro‐ cess that has evolved through three main stages: invisi‐ bility (absence of representation, censorship, omission, underrepresentation, etc.), imperfect representation (stereotyping, only‐negative representations, ridiculiza‐ tion, simplistic representations, stigmatizing portrayal, cliché‐ridden, queerbaiting, etc.), and fair representa‐ tion (effective representation, rich and multi‐layered portrayal, positive models, complex and realistic charac‐ ters, diversity of roles and identities, etc.; see Ventura et al, 2019). A media product could fluctuate between two different stages depending on which elements of its representa‐ tion are analyzed
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
