Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation

We know that what people watch on TV or read in their newspaper shapes how they view and treat the gay⁠ (gay: A man who is attracted to other men, or a person of any sex or gender who is sexually and emotionally attracted to people of the same or a similar sex or gender. Often used alongside lesbian.) , lesbian⁠ (lesbian: Describes the sexual orientation of a woman who is sexually and emotionally attracted only or mostly to other women.) , bisexual⁠ (bisexual: A term for sexual orientation which either describes a person who can be sexually and emotionally attracted to people of more than one gender.) and transgender⁠ (transgender: Describes people who find that the gender applied to them because of the sex they were assigned at birth is incorrect.) people around them. And we have a responsibility to make sure those images foster awareness, understanding and respect.

When media images of our lives are fair, accurate and inclusive, we find ourselves increasingly welcomed into a society that respects difference. When they’re not – when stereotypes and misinformation pollute the well of cultural acceptance – we become vulnerable to anti-gay forces working to create a world in which we do not exist.