Prior to the 2000s, portrayals of LGBTQ individuals in the media were overwhelmingly negative and hyperbolic. In a 2006 study, Edward Schiappa, Peter Gregg and Dean Hewes found that the TV show Will and Grace, which included more positive and "normal" portrayals of LGBTQ individuals than seen in years past, was successful in reducing homophobia. What does this study illustrate?
A) Society became less homophobic, which led to more positive portrayals in media.
B) LGBTQ individuals changed the way they were portrayal by gaining power in the media.
C) Social problems are constructed and deconstructed by societies.
D) Homophobia has only recently impacted enough people to be considered a social problem.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The study illustrates that social problems are constructed and deconstructed by societies. The positive portrayal of LGBTQ individuals in media was able to influence societal attitudes towards homosexuality and reduce homophobia, indicating that the negative portrayal of LGBTQ individuals in the past was constructed by society and could be deconstructed through media representation.

Prior to the 2000s, Portrayals of LGBTQ Individuals in the Media