Written for The Argo by Dylan Kaminski

Pop culture is known for its profound impact on modern society, influencing individuals directly or indirectly. Its ability to spark social movements has the potential to change the trajectory of countless lives. In particular, pop culture has been instrumental in fostering self acceptance within the LGBT+ community, making it crucial for Stockton to prioritize representation and provide safe spaces for its members.

“I think we live in a really ironic time. Not only is there increasing representation of queer people in media and coming-out narratives—with the normalization of ‘this is just this who I am’—but that this is happening at a time when the federal government is working very hard to publicly shut down any kind of educational program that serves the queer community or serves to educate the general populace about the history of queer people in the United States and beyond,” said Emily Van Duyne, associate professor of writing and first-year studies and Chair of women, gender, and sexuality studies.

Education and representation are vital within a society disrupted by the complexities of identity. There is stigma regarding sexuality in which people believe that it must appear to be a certain way. Sexuality is a spectrum with various classifications, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, and gender-fluid. Kimberly Crenshaw’s theory of intersectionality sheds light on how race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality are all interconnected facets of individuals’ identities. Authentic representation within media platforms is essential in amplifying the voices of all groups. When these voices are silenced, erasure occurs, and misleading or illegitimate representation only perpetuates harm within the very communities in which it claims to portray.

Contemporary shows, movies, and video games have begun to better represent queer characters. In the past, LGBT+ representation in media often involved token characters, defined solely by their sexuality or gender. However, backlash against this improper representation has sparked change. “They’re able to showcase smaller struggles that the community goes through without it being a key point in the plot line—making a plot off of somebody’s suffering. It exposes the microaggressions a lot of people face,” conveyed Dakota Gansert, vice president of the Pride Alliance. “I think it’s helped increase understanding because it allows the audience to develop a personal connection to a character in media before they comprehend the identity of that character and begin to apply their own personal bias to whatever they’re watching or consuming.”

Media has played a vital role in contributing to self-acceptance through representation. “With the portrayal of more queer people in media, it makes it easier for some people to come out and accept who they are. Personally, when I was going through that, I thought it was wrong because it was never portrayed to me,” expressed Jecce Harriott, president of the Pride Alliance. “Representation helps people realize that it’s not wrong and it’s not bad. It’s okay and normal, and there shouldn’t be guilt with being who you are and wanting to love who you love—or identify how you identify. It just makes it a lot easier to see this character who identifies similarly in your life—even if it’s a fictional character.”

“When you feel isolated and alone, you feel that there’s nobody else like you. For instance, if you are from a small rural town in the Midwest, you may think you’re the only gay kid in the world. Then you watch a John Waters movie, or ‘The Birdcage’, or you watch a show like ‘The Wire.’ It’s like, wait a second, there are other people like me who are now being portrayed here in the full range of their beautiful humanity,” conveyed Van Duyne.

“I am 45—so I was born in 1980,” remarked Van Duyne. “I have vivid memories of early queer representation on television—particularly reality TV—that was aiming toward more inclusive, positive representation, but did not necessarily get there.” Van Duyne pointed toward “Sex and the City,” an extremely popular show from the late ‘90s to the late 2000s, as an example of harmful representation. In one episode from season 3, a bisexual character’s sexuality was ridiculed by the main characters. The episode suggested that bisexuality did not exist and labeled those who identify in such a way as “greedy.” “It’s an erasure of an entire identity,” divulged Van Duyne.

‘Yellow Jackets’ is an example of positive change in media representation. The TV show features two of the main characters— Tai and Van—as an open lesbian couple that receive positive feedback from those around them. Not only is their identity as lesbians not the central plot, but their characters are given depth through other story arcs—a stark contrast to other shows that focus on storylines of non-acceptance and overly exaggerated queer stereotypes. “It was beautiful to me,” said Van Duyne.

“Pose” offers more positive representation in media, addressing the AIDS epidemic, the ballroom scene, drag, sex workers, and other aspects of queer culture. While not entirely historically accurate, the show provides a form of education that is severely lacking in formal educational institutions.

Stockton began to establish Black, Women, Gender, Sexuality, and Queer studies programs in the 1970s, incorporating an academic framework that spans science, history, literature, and pop culture. These programs have become an integral part of the university’s curriculum. “When students walk into a classroom—for example, a closeted student from a conservative or religious family that is not open to queerness—we’re establishing that there’s no conversation about whether being gay is okay or if queerness exists,” stated Van Duyne.

While Stockton offers courses and events that aim at proper representation, Van Duyne believes that more can be done. “That doesn’t mean that there aren’t many faculty and students constantly working to create more inclusive, radical programming and coursework, both socially and academically, for students at Stockton,” explained Van Duyne.

Amid calls for the removal of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in K-12 and college education, Stockton has faced pressure to remain true to representation initiatives on campus. “With the change in the presidential administration, the next step is continuing to do what we are doing, having this representation, and advocating for these communities. Despite what is happening, it’s vital to make sure to address what is happening and not allow people to fall victim without a fight,” declared Gansert.

While Stockton offers student-governed groups such as the Pride Alliance and Queer and Trans People of Color Society (QTPOCS), there is a significant lack of LGBT education in the curriculum. Queer sex education is often not provided or is prohibited from being taught due to societal backlash. This education is crucial to ensure proper healthcare knowledge for both community members and those outside it. The absence of this curriculum has left clubs like the Pride Alliance and QTPOCS to take on the responsibility of educating outside the classroom, where the curriculum falls short.

Today’s national climate makes proper representation more essential than ever. “Don’t just find the thing you love, find the thing that loves you back.” remarked Van Duyne. “In terms of pop culture and the art that you consume, there’s a lot to be said for finding art about people like yourself. But there’s another part of me that says to find the art that challenges and pushes you to think more radically about the world that we live in and about the possibilities for your own life. Bettering yourself should be about liberation, not self improvement.”