We deserve better : Spanish adolescents' perspectives of the portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters in fiction
Soto Sanfiel, María Teresa (National University of Singapore)
Vázquez-Tapia, Esmeralda A. (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)

Date:	2024
Abstract:	This research explores Spanish adolescents' attitudes toward the representation of young LGBTQ+ individuals in Spanish fiction series on digital platforms and TV channels. It focuses on (1) preferred portrayals and (2) disliked aspects of available portrayals. Opinions from 20 adolescents (16-21 years old) were gathered through four online focus groups (4-7 participants each). Thematic analysis reveals a perceived lack of diversity among fictional LGBTQ+ characters. Adolescents desire portrayals that include diverse gender and sexual identities, comprehensive representation of transgender experiences, and multifaceted LGBTQ+ characters. They prefer portrayals that normalize LGBTQ+ identities and address real challenges faced by adolescents. They seek authentic, visually appealing, and diverse depictions of love and intimacy and LGBTQ+ adolescent communities portrayed by LGBTQ+ actors. They criticize idealized depictions of love, improbable sexual interactions, misrepresentations of LGBTQ+ adolescents' interest in romance, sex, or parties, the inclusion of characters just to fulfill diversity quotas, the objectification of females, and tragic LGBTQ+ narratives. Adolescents also challenge normative assumptions and media adultcentrism. The results offer insights for communication studies, media professionals, and educators.
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, i la comunicació pública de l'obra, sempre que no sigui amb finalitats comercials, i sempre que es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original. No es permet la creació d'obres derivades.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Published in:	International Journal of Communication, Vol. 18 (2024) , p. 5154-5176, ISSN 1932-8036

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