LGBTQ+ representation in the media and how this applies to Purity

Many controversies over Hollywood’s negative depictions of homosexuality have focused on how such portrayals marginalize and silence queer people. Hollywood’s portrayal of lesbians and gay men has often been cruel and homophobic. For a long period, gay and lesbian characters were defined by their sexual orientation and lacked any complex character development. Unfortunately this can still be soon to be the case in a lot of main stream media.

In Hollywood’s early years, from the 1890s to the 1930s, homosexuality was often presented as an object of ridicule and laughter. The archetype of “sissy” – These were overly stereotyped and ridiculed feminine males, often of delicate sensibilities – was popular at this time. The ‘sissy was not a threatening representation of homosexuality because he occupied a middle ground between masculinity and femininity.

From the 1930s to the 1950s, Hollywood films where criticized for contributing to immorality. During these years, films could not feature overtly homosexual characters due to censorship so homosexuality was coded into a character’s mannerisms and behaviours. This lead to movies including subtext, this is where there is a lot of suggestion but nothing is outright stated.

This strict code was not loosened in until the 1960s/70s around the time of the gay rights movement. The lgbt community was slowing becoming more visible and vocal. However representation in films was becoming increasingly homophobic. Homosexual characters were often represented as being dangerous, violent, predatory, or suicidal.

This was improved in the 1990’s. The popularity of films such as The Birdcage, Philadelphia, To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar, Flawless and In & Out showed that there was an audience for lgbt+ characters. Despite this move forward Hollywood is still cautious in its portrayals of gay themes, characters, and experiences. Hollywood films were designed to appeal to as large an audience as possible this often scares away producers as they feared that the portrayal of LGBT characters would make them film appear to only be directed to the community. It would also cause controversy and may scare off audiences.

However LGBTQ+ characters do have a place in the indie scene. Queer filmmakers have succeeded in creating a wide alternative film scene. However it can be argued that this form of cinema faded as a movement when queerness became more acceptable within the mainstream.  In conclusion it can be said that as LGBTQ+ representation has improved over the years and in recent years it has greatly improved that characters no longer need to hide in the underground of the independent film world in a way.

Despite this I would personally argue (as a member of the community myself) that independent films that have queer filmmakers involved in the production of the film often portray LGBTQ+ best.

 I would like to incorporate a lesbian character into our film. I would like the character to be closeted due to the fact that she is a nun and being out would potentially get her excommunicated. Sister Mary would be this character and she would share a strong bound with Sister Judith which would lead to her falling in love with her (this will be unrequited)

As she is not out then a lot of this would be down to subtext which as previously. This will be expressed with a lot of longing looks and touches with her and sister Judith and the unexplained reason that Father Abraham feels the need to split Sister Judith and Sister Mary apart.  This will potentially leave a lot to the audience’s imagination as it will be ambiguous.