CFP | LGBTIQ+ Representations and Media in US Popular Culture: Exploring New Directions, Challenges, and Queer Heritage
Special thematic dossier 6.2 | LGBTIQ+ Representations and Media in US Popular Culture: Exploring New Directions, Challenges, and Queer Heritage
Editor: J. Javier Torres-Fernández (University of Almería)
In the ever-evolving landscape of US popular culture, the representation of LGBTIQ+ individuals has undergone profound transformations, reflecting broader societal shifts in attitudes, norms, and activism. Over the years, LGBTIQ+ representation has moved beyond the binary and traditional confines, paving the way for an array of diverse narratives and identities. A recent GLAAD report (2022) found LGBTIQ+ representation on US TV at a high, with nearly 12% of regular characters who are LGBTIQ+, up 2.8% from the previous year. However, the study found that there were shortfalls and missing opportunities to tell a wider range of stories about LGBTIQ+ characters. This special issue aims to examine, critique, and celebrate these representations seeking to foster a comprehensive and interdisciplinary exploration of LGBTIQ+ representations and media in US popular culture.
We encourage contributions from scholars across various disciplines, including media studies, cultural studies, sociology, literature, and beyond aiming to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the evolving landscape of queer representation in US popular culture.