Mental Health Impact of LGBTQ+ Representation in the Media: Why Seeing Yourself Matters
Have you ever watched a movie or TV show and felt like, Finally, someone like me!? That feeling of recognition is powerful, especially for us LGBTQ+ people. We’ve been underrepresented in mainstream media for so long. The characters and stories we see on-screen (or even on TikTok) can play a huge role in shaping how we feel about ourselves and how we navigate the world.
But it’s not all rainbows and happy endings. Representation is a double-edged sword. When done right, it can boost your confidence and make self-acceptance seem possible. When done wrong (or worse, when it's missing entirely), it can lead to feelings of shame and internalized guilt.
In this article, we’ll explore how LGBTQ+ representation impacts mental health—both the helpful and the harmful-and give you tips on how to navigate this landscape.
The Importance of Visibility
Affirmation Through Representation
Picture this: You’re scrolling through Netflix, and you land on a show with a bisexual lead character who’s confident and interesting. No tragic ending. No stereotypes. Just someone who reflects a part of your identity in a real and affirming way.
When LGBTQ+ people see themselves authentically represented in media, it’s more than just entertainment. It’s affirmation! It’s proof that our identities are valid, normal, and worthy of love. Particularly for queer adults still figuring things out, this kind of visibility can be life-changing.
The Role of Media in Identity Formation
Media often plays a major role in shaping how we life our lives. Growing up without ever seeing anyone you recognize yourself in make you feel invisible or like there’s something wrong with you. Queer kids may not have many real-life role models of what a thriving trans adult looks like. Seeing LGBTQ+ characters living full, complex lives can help you embrace your own identity with pride.
Visibility Drives Social Change
Representation doesn’t just impact LGBTQ+ people. It can shape society’s views. Shows like Pose or Schitt's Creek don’t just entertain; they educate. They normalize queer experiences. Further, they help to break down barriers of ignorance and prejudice. Over time, positive media representation can shift public opinion, which motivates longer term political and societal change.
So where are we on this? How many queer characters are on TV right now?
GLAAD released a study in March of 2023 tabulating those numbers. Here are some of their findings. You can read about what trends they picked up on in the article Where We Are On TV Report 2022 – 2023. Here are some of the highlights:
On the streaming services Apple TV+, Amazon Prime, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, Netflix, Paramount+ and Peacock, GLAAD counted 239 series regular LGBTQ characters and 117 LGBTQ recurring characters, bringing the total to 356 LGBTQ characters. That is a decrease of two characters from the previous year’s report.
Eight characters (1.3 percent of all LGBTQ characters) were counted as living with HIV.
Of the 596 LGBTQ characters found across all platforms, there were 32 transgender characters counted in this report (5.4 percent of all LGBTQ characters). Of those, there were 16 trans women, 11 trans men, and five trans nonbinary characters.
Of the 596 LGBTQ characters, 149 (25 percent) are bisexual+, a decrease of four percent from last year’s study. This group is made up of 39 men, 104 women, and six nonbinary characters.
Over half of all LGBTQ characters across platforms were people of color (POC), with 304 out of 596 (51 percent of all LGBTQ characters) being POC.
Of the 596 LGBTQ characters, 175 (29 percent) will not be returning due to series cancellations, endings, miniseries/anthology format, or a character dying or leaving the show. Of those, 140 characters won’t return due specifically to series cancellations or otherwise ending.
The Good: Positive Representation and Its Mental Health Benefits
Boosting Self-Esteem and Confidence
When you see queer characters being celebrated for who they are, it’s a reminder that you are worth celebrating, too. Positive portrayals can boost self-esteem, showing you different models of what queer life can look like.
Role Models to Look Up To
Remember that first time you saw a character on TV who made you feel seen? A non-binary character navigating life with ease or a trans woman enjoying her femininity: different depictions of real queer life can help you feel proud of who you are. These characters can become sources of hope and inspiration, showing that a fulfilling life is possible, no matter your identity.
Building Community and Belonging
Good representation doesn’t just make you feel good on your own. It can help you find community. Fandoms can be a powerful force! Having a favorite character or podcast in common can spark a genuine human connection. Forming queer community with people who love what you love is a great response to the isolation we can sometimes face.
The Bad: Harmful Portrayals and Their Mental Health Impact
Perpetuating Stereotypes
Let’s talk about those tired old stereotypes. The over-the-top, flamboyant gay best friend, the villainous bisexual, or the tragic queer character whose story always ends in heartbreak. These portrayals reinforce some harmful stereotypes. They reduce complex people to one-dimensional clichés.
Internalized Stigma
When the only queer characters we see on-screen are tragic, harmful, or sidelined, it can lead to internalized stigma. You might start to believe this is how people in the real world perceive you. Over time, this can affect your mental health, leading to feelings of shame, anxiety, or loss.
Reinforcing Exclusion
When media continues to either misrepresent or outright ignore LGBTQ+ people, it reinforces the idea that we don’t belong. This can lead to feelings of isolation, especially for those in communities where being out isn’t an option. Seeing yourself as “other” in the media can make you feel like an outsider in real life, too.
And that goes double for queer people of color. One study conducted at the University of Toronto explored how that works. The article they published, called “Perspectives of LGBTQ emerging adults on the depiction and impact of LGBTQ media representation,” examined how complicated this can get for people in multiply marginalized communities. In the authors’ own words: “traditional media’s particular lack of diverse representation (e.g. gender, socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity) of LGBTQ+ characters has been thought to result in LGBTQ+ young people having few role models, negatively impacting identity validation and potentially increasing isolation and alienation.”
The Ugly: LGBTQ+ Erasure in Media
The Impact of Being “Invisible”
Sometimes the problem isn’t just bad representation—it’s no representation at all. This is called erasure, and it’s especially harmful. When LGBTQ+ people are left out of the narrative entirely, it sends the message that we don’t exist or that our stories don’t matter.
Bisexual and Transgender Erasure
Let’s recognize that not all LGBTQ+ identities are treated equally in the media. While gay and lesbian characters are becoming more common, bisexual and transgender people are still often erased or misrepresented. Bisexuality, in particular, is often portrayed as “just a phase,” while trans characters are rarely given the complexity and humanity they deserve. You can read more about the impact of bisexual erasure in this article: Bisexual erasure: Amplifying bisexual stories. This kind of erasure can lead to further isolation within the queer community and beyond.
How to Navigate the Media Landscape for Your Mental Health
Curate your Content: Seek out shows, movies, and creators who portray LGBTQ+ characters in complex, nuanced ways. Don’t settle for the first queer rep you come across— there is better content out there than what the major studios are pumping out.
Watch Critically: When you do come across negative portrayals, stay objective. Be mindful of the media you consume, and remember that harmful stereotypes are the problem of the creators, not your problem. You can enjoy a show with harmful cliches, it’s just something to be aware of and check yourself on, to make sure that it’s not becoming something you think of as normal or the only option.
Share the Love: When you find a piece of media that truly speaks to you, share it with others! Supporting positive LGBTQ+ media helps ensure that more stories like these get made.
Advocate for Change: If you’re tired of seeing harmful or lazy portrayals, speak out. Advocate for better, more inclusive storytelling, and support diverse creators who are pushing boundaries.
The Role of Allies in Supporting LGBTQ+ Representation
Media Creators’ Responsibility
It’s on creators to ensure that their LGBTQ+ characters are authentic, complex, and fully realized. Community members and allies in the media industry can use their platform to uplift our voices and push for better representation. If you’re a fan of a show, don’t be afraid to call out bad representation and demand better!
Allies as Advocates
Allies can also support queer representation by promoting media that gets it right. Whether it’s posting about a new inclusive show or supporting LGBTQ+ creators on Patreon, every bit of advocacy helps.
Conclusion
LGBTQ+ representation in media isn’t just about entertainment. It’s about mental health, visibility, and validation. Complex portrayals can build self-esteem, provide hope, and foster a sense of belonging. But when representation is harmful, or entirely absent, it can have the opposite effect.
Remember, you have the power to curate the media you consume and advocate for more inclusive storytelling. Your identity matters, and so does the way it’s portrayed on screen. Let’s keep pushing for better, fuller representation, so that everyone can see themselves reflected in the stories we tell.