Homosexuality is a current controversial issue that has hit the media. One cannot avoid the topic of homosexuality in the news, movies, books, social media, newspapers, and even in politics. Homosexuality has become a controversial issue around the globe today. After Uganda outlawed homosexuality in its country, the topic has been trending everywhere in the mainstream media, and the social media. Some nations like the US have legalized homosexuality, and this is why there has been uproar after the president of Uganda signed a bill in parliament outlawing homosexuality. The media has always been blamed of being bias while reporting on gay marriages and homosexuality. The homosexuality group is a minority group that is always viewed very different by the society. Many forms of media are used to address these topic namely; the social media, television, newspapers, and magazines.
The social media has been known to be on the lead on tackling controversial issues. The online community has given the homosexuality topic more attention than the mainstream press, and also much opinionated intensity. Many youth online are in support of homosexuality and gay marriage with the reason that, the only thing that matters in marriage is love. There have been a number of debates on the social media with many people around the globe giving out their views. In fact, through the social media, the issue of gay rights, and marriages had been able to reach most people around the globe as they give their opinions about it (Capsuto 78). According to gay activists on the social media, denying homosexuals the chance to get married is a form of minority discrimination. The phenomenon of support of gay marriage is largely driven by the media because the youth who are in support of it are susceptible to media biasness. On Twitter, the gay rights controversial topic was the main subject topic. Twitter has extensively covered the topic with no biasness but letting the bloggers give their views on this controversial issue. Twitter postings were evenly split between the opposition and support because they align closely to the public opinion on the topic.
Homosexuality and gay marriages are very common due to increasing coverage on televisions. Through the television, the gay rights and marriages topic is discussed in the open with everyone allowed to air out their views on the topic. At times, the television has been supportive to gay marriages by covering this topic most if the time. The stories aired in the television media are always in support of gay marriage as they provide stories, and statements supporting same sex marriage compared to those statements that are in opposition of same sex marriage. The representation of the gay marriage topic is biased because; the stories supporting same sex marriage always outweigh those that are against it (Moscowitz 98). When the gays are always covered on televisions, the homosexual lifestyle is increasingly becoming very common and acceptable in the society because, the television coverage is in favor, and thus attracts many youths into it. Most television shows always have homosexuals in them. The television always portrays gays in a positive way by airing programs that supports homosexuality. In fact, the television has helped in the spread of homosexuality in America, and the rest of the world with president Obama being in support of homosexuality, and gay marriages. Televisions air a lot of news on gay rights by giving it a priority while leaving other vital subjects out and this is promoting homosexuality.
The newspapers representation on the gay marriage topic is very poor. The newspapers only give views from activists, and what people think, and argue about the topic without creating a platform for public opinion. Newspaper opinion articles sway the audience towards the moral view, and outtake of the topic. On the other hand, there are gay newspapers and magazines in circulation, and are legally sold to the public. These magazines and newspapers help to make homosexual a public lifestyle without any negative connotation.
Many homosexual movies have emerged from Hollywood. With such characters in most movies, the media is trying to show that these people exist in the society, and therefore it is normal for them to get married, and have their rights. Many gay movies have made their way in the market and Hollywood is clearly sending a message to the world that being gay is okay, and gays should be allowed to marry. Many movies glorify homosexuality through their actors, thus helping spreading this lifestyle. Movies present homosexuals as affluent people in the society in order to illicit a positive perception from the viewers when in actuality, it is not.
After looking at different media’s and their portrayals on homosexuality, it is very clear that the media has a great influence on how the society views homosexuals. In addition, the media has a great influence on the youth who becomes homosexuals because, if they can see it all over the media, and so many people supporting it, why no try it? The media portray homosexuality in different ways but at the end of the day; it plays a great role on how it is viewed by the public. The television has played a very big role in the spread of homosexuality among the youth because of its positive portrayal of gays (Gomillion and Giuliano 350) Excess homosexuality exists in the media and as a result, the media helps in the promotion of the gay lifestyle.
In conclusion, the media coverage on the homosexuality topic is biased. The media is constantly talking about homosexuality, and gay rights thus making it very popular. Most Medias take their time to discuss these topics while supporting them, and this highly influences the society’s opinion about it. At times, the media uses misleading facts in order attract many clients yet this is misleading to the public. If the media continues airing more stories in support of homosexuality, then this will be misleading to many youths who will later on turn into homosexuals because they will see it as right. Through glorifying homosexuality with a lot of publicity, the media has been successful in promoting the homosexual lifestyle.
Works Cited
Gomillion, Sarah C. And Giuliano, Traci A. The Influence of Media Role Models on Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Identity. Journal of Homosexuality, 58.3 (2011): 330-354. Print.
Capsuto, Steven. Alternate channels: The uncensored story of gay and lesbian images on radio and television, New York, NY: Balantine Books, 200. Print.
Moscowitz, Leigh. The Battle over Marriage: Gay Rights Activism through the Media. Illinois: University of Illinois Press, 2013. Print.
