Homosexuality In The Media

When considering inequality, homosexual rights have long been framed negatively in the media. The media has traditionally been willing to accept unfair comments and treatment toward those who are gay (Russo, 2001). Traditionally, in most mainstream media coverage, gays and lesbians either have been shunned or only mentioned in stories with negative frames toward the group (Ragusa, 2005). The first positive framing of homosexuality in the business section of a newspaper occurred in the 1990s (Ragusa, 2005). However, media reporting habits started to change in the mid 1990s, which resulted in improved business behavior (Ragusa, 2005). The actions of commercial mass communicators have also shown a change in attitude. Now companies are directly engaging the gay audience using the media and the media itself is presenting positive frames of the community (Ragusa, 2005). These actions and changes in the …show more content…
Now that framing of homosexuals is no longer overtly negative, when the media talk about homosexuality it is typically framed using terms such as rights or lobbying, this is done to fit within the two most quoted sides of the debate (Sollis, 2000). These two frames are popular amongst the debate over Davis. Those against Davis believe allowing Davis to have a religious exemption to not issue marriage licenses would further exacerbate the inequality already experienced by the group. Furthermore, when the issue of gay rights is covered in the media typically there are conservatives quoted who look at homosexuality negatively and liberals who still differentiate gay people from others (Sollis, 2000). These same groups then attempt to compare homosexuals to