Glaad -board members ask for reality TV to ‘take steps’ in the direction of LGBTQ representation
Glaad board members Frankie Grande and Peppermint belong to those who have written an urgent letter to the casters, producers and creatives behind Reality TV to “take a daring step in the direction of inclusiveness.”
In the letter, Peppermint and Grande penetrate for authentic display that reflects the diversity of LGBTQ lives.
Participating in them are a large number of stars, including Amrit Kapai, Bob the Drag Queen, Braunwyn Windham,
Britney Haynes, Chrishell Stause, Christian Siriano, Derrick Levasseur, Greg Mathis Jr & Elliott Cooper, Jazz Jennings, Margaret Josephs, Meghan King, Monét X Change, Nicole Byer, Nicole Franzel, Paulie Califiore, Priyanka, Rachel Riley, Racquel Chevremont, Taylor Hale and Xavier Prather, Ilana Glazer, Zeke Thomas and TS Madison.
Grande said: “It is the responsibility of the casters, producers to ensure that there is inclusiveness within our community that represents in the show. Otherwise we are a monolith. Otherwise I represent the entire queer community … There is a formula that has been present for decades that no longer works for our community. It no longer represents the world and the people who look at your shows. “
Peppermunt played two of “The Traitors” in season, and after she was sent home after two episodes, a wide change called. She said: “I wanted to be so desperate to the rest of the world, the rest of the audience, the rest of the viewership that transgender people are just like everyone else.” Peppermint added: “I think that really reflects how many transmeners feel now. I would really like producers and people who make these shows, give people the chance to see the beauty in the relationships that transmen. It’s all about managing relationships and transmeners deserving to be part of the story. The world must see that. And I think reality TV is a great place to do it. “
According to Glaad, LGBTQ display in reality television remains stationary. Too many shows are still dependent on a single LGBTQ cast member or a single storyline to represent an entire community – an approach that is outdated.
Research by the organization has shown that non-LGBTQ viewers who see LGBTQ people in the media are
50% more likely to be familiar with the community, and 35% more likely to be comfortable with LGBTQ individuals.
Read the letter completely below.
For directors, producers, creatives and innovators behind reality television:
As stars of, fans of and fervent consumers of reality television, we write you with hearts full of hope and a vision of a more inclusive future for the TV living. Above all, we write this letter as proud members of the LGBTQ community.
Reality TV has always had the striking power to shape perceptions, to ignite meaningful conversations and to inspire permanent change. Iconic shows such as Survivor, Big Brother, The Voice, American Idol, The Challenge and The Amazing Race have earned high reviews and fascinated audiences for years, cleared the road and present a diverse range of talent and personalities.
However, a striking gap has been created and must be tackled seriously: the need for honest, accurate and relevant representation of LGBTQ people. People like us.
Although we have made impressive progress in LGBTQ -Visibility in recent decades, the fact that the reality shows now contain only one LGBTQ story line for far too long or are dependent on a single LGBTQ -Castlid to represent a whole community of individuals and experiences.
These kinds of stories are old, archaic and does not really reflect the lively and diverse queer community that exists in our country and LGBTQ communities around the world.
And the consumer data is not.
According to the most recent Gallup survey, 9.3% of American adults openly identifies as LGBTQ, with the majority of the community identifying itself as bisexual (56%).
Under Gen Z, (Age 12-27), the most diverse generation and largest population of future consumers, this number is expanding exponentially, with 23% reporting as part of the LGBTQ community. A number of polls and studies, including Glaad research, indicate that these populations are even higher than what has been reported.
The purpose of reality TV is to entertain by exploring real experiences with people with which we connect a deeply emotional and parasocial level, to the extent that the attitude and behavior of the audience that look are influenced; There is a real connection in reality TV. So if the industry to reflect society, and appeal to viewers who consume new and successful shows, our reality TV -Casts should be much more included, much more representative and much more relatively. The next generation of the public requires this.
For the sake of clarity, the recording of LGBTQ people in reality TV is not just about the figures; It is about the unique stories and perspectives they bring on the screen. Representation is important because it has the power to change hearts and spirits. When viewers see that LGBTQ people form authentic life, form relationships, take on challenges and celebrate victories, splits stereotypes and expels ignorance, hatred, wrong information and damage.
Inspire, relieve and entertain LGBTQ people and stories.
Recording of our stories on television can promote understanding and empathy, crucial in combating anti-LGBTQ attitudes, legislation and even violence today. Glaad research confirms that people who have seen our community in media (in TV programs, films or advertisements) report that they feel that they are +50% more familiar with us compared to those who have not seen us in the media.
Even more, media exposure stimulates comfort in interaction with our community in different scenarios up to +35%, including learning that a family member is LGBTQ and works together with LGBTQ people.
Reality TV offers a unique platform to introduce the world to the various and versatile queer community. Seeing us offers a real chance to show the resilience, creativity and joy that LGBTQ people define. And by casting more LGBTQ people, you not only add diversity because of diversity; You enrich your shows with the depth and wealth of real, authentic lives.
To make real inclusion happen, industrial-wide education and action means. The nature of reality television, especially in reality competitions, can be moving for LGBTQ people, especially for transgender and gender-not-compliant competitors. Reality -competence programming is specifically inherent gender: categorizing, casting and grouping by assumed gender or athletic ability, appearance or gender expression. Time and again we see the consequences of irresponsible care standards for those who are part of your shows and stunts.
In the field of casting, the consequences of having a single LGBTQ person or experience
reflected in a reality series or competition show can have devastating effects on that person who
can only feel and isolated from the other cast, just like how anti-lgbtq rhetoric
LGBTQ people often frame: alone and without a community. As such, Cast members are confronted with this
A kind of risk can be focused online and in the real world after the run of the show.
And we know that someone’s queerness is only a small part of who they are. Sing a singular
Storyline or having the strangeness or transness on the central focus also places an unnecessary one
Beslad from the cast members against others on the cast.
When it comes to producing, editing and delivering a show with impact and resonance,
Depending on one LGBTQ person to wear “the” LGBTQ story line, other intersectional isolated
Story lines and experiences. Strengthening LGBTQ recording on the screen includes offering support
For your LGBTQ -Cast behind the scenes, where insulation can continue, from traditional services to the
Production trailers. As such, we call on you and your colleagues in the industry to record more
Diversity of experiences in your productions and teams.
In general, titular portraits can be limited and a show can be largely improved by having
Multiple and diverse members of the LGBTQ community to offer organic, sincere, queer
relationships and interactions. Further, protecting participants against insulation and being
Illustrated or tokenized – at all levels of productions – is needed to offer larger
Accountability in displaying the rough realities of LGBTQ people on the screen in a reality setting.
When it comes to including transgender people in your cast and supporting authentic
Transgender stories when programming, it is important to be reminded of the value of more casting
then one transgender person or story, so that again the story of one person does not dictate that of
A whole community. The components of reality programming, as discussed above, can be
Even more complex for queer, not -binair and transgender color talent because of the
Inherent Binary and Gender -Aard from Reality TV.
Programming the more responsible and preventing the prevention of activating gender dysphoria, isolation and the experiences of not being considered on shows is a first step in shifting the culture of the toxic treatment of LGBTQ people in Reality TV.
Pioneering reality TV with a multitude of LGBTQ stories are included: Rupaul’s Drag
Race, queer eye, selling sunset, project runway, and we are here – all of which have
Dominated Emmy and other industrial distinctions in structured, unstructured and competition
Categories – which have all been huge hits in reviews, advertisements and popularity at fans
And audience.
The reality check on reality TV is that it is now to appear courageous to the public now, not just show what we think that worked in the past.
We recommend that you take a daring step in the direction of inclusiveness.
We recommend that you create, produce and cast without prejudices and with the present and future of
Our community and our industry in mind.
Let’s go beyond tokenism and commit myself to casting LGBTQ people in figures that really
reflect our community.
Let us give the public the opportunity to see more love stories, more struggles, more triumphs and more daily moments from queer life.
Let’s use the power of reality TV to make the world a more acceptance, understanding and real
place.
Together we can create a future in which everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, seen, seen, heard and appreciated on the reality -TV screen.
With love and hope,
Frankie Grande
Peppermint
Sarah Kate Ellis
Together with the undersigned LGBTQ talent, makers, artists, thinkers and allies:
